As promised our return golf trip to Grand Cypress Resort this past Mother’s Day weekend did not disappoint. When we arrived on Friday at about 11:00am the sky was overcast and we hit the first tee at 12:00 pm. Our golf round was accompanied with intermittent showers for most of the afternoon. It finally cleared up at around 5:00pm and the sun finally appeared which made the closing holes of our first round exquisite. We played The New Course, which as stated in a prior post, is designed to emulate the Old Course design at St. Andrews, one of Jack Nicklaus’s favorite golf venues. The course was recently aerated so the greens were a bit slow as they were top dressed with fertilizer compound. We enjoyed golfing just the same as we had another two full days to look forward to. After golf, we stopped for a leisurely snack and drink to unwind at the 19th hole. We had awoken that morning to the sound of the alarm clock at 2:30am in order to make our 6:00am flight from JFK on Jet Blue, so we only slept about two hours the night before and were exhausted after golf. We then proceeded to check in and were elated to finally unpack and settle in at our one bedroom suite. The room was adjacent the first hole of the North Course, and was also near the club house, which was a mid-iron away, or around 150 yards.

After we settled in, the hunger pangs kicked in, so we decided to visit Disney Market Place, and dine at one of our favorite restaurants, Wolfgang Puck.  We were lucky enough to be seated near a window, which I requested since it overlooked the lake, adjacent Pleasure Island and the view complemented the ambiance of the restaurant setting. After we satisfied our appetites we strolled through the Market Place and window shopped at various locations at Downtown Disney. After walking for a while the lack of sleep finally caught up to us and we headed back to our room to chill. We watched TV for a short while and then fell asleep for the night. We awoke refreshed the next morning and we were excited as the weather forecast could not have been better. Temperature around 85 with low humidity, sunny all day and the weathermen were actually on target – Simply Beautiful! We checked in at the pro-shop, grabbed a quick breakfast to go and proceeded to the East Course to commence our golf round. We played fairly well for the front nine and even better on the South Course back. We were enjoying the gorgeous day and golf so much we decided to replay another nine holes on the North Course. We finished up at approximately 3;00pm as we anticipated visiting one of the Disney Resort Parks. We decided on Hollywood Studios, formerly MGM, as we have so many fond memories of our prior visits there. Beauty and The Beast and Fantasmic were the two shows that were priority and we made sure to see them while we were there. After Fantasmic, which ended at 9:45pm we returned back to the resort and hit the sack for the night so we were well rested for our final day of golf on Mother’s Day!

We teed off at 7:30am on Sunday and played two full 18 hole rounds as we were enjoying ourselves so much we did not want it to end. I played as well as ever, shooting a 37 on the East Course from the blue tees, or around 3400 yards, which included three birdies and was only one over par and also one of my best nine holes scores to date. We then played the South nine and I finished with a score of 81, not too shabby for the final day. We then visited the clubhouse 19th hole and relaxed as we discussed our golf round and another magnificent clear sunny day with little or no wind to speak of, which made our golf rounds that much more enjoyable. We enjoyed a few cocktails and a light appetizer as we anticipated dining later that afternoon at another one of our favorite spots at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, The White Horse restaurant. The golf may have been over but strolling the grounds at the Grand Hyatt was most enjoyable as the tropical setting and some of the design elements reminded me of my trip to Hawaii some 35 years ago. We spent the last few hours of our weekend getaway meandering through the beautiful grounds of the Grand Hyatt and viewed the sun as it was setting on the Grand Hyatt landscape as it accented the silhouette of the palm trees with an orange hue- (see photo). The serenity and beauty of the surroundings was so exhilarating that I took approximately 200 photos while there. Unfortunately our trip was quickly coming to an end, but the memories and good times while away will not soon be forgotten.

We played 18, 27 and 36 holes respectively, while at the Grand Cypress Resort so I guess you can say we hit enough golf balls to hone our game a bit to prepare for the coming golf season. As always, the trip was way too short, but we have another getaway planned for late July in Myrtle Beach to look forward to. Happy Golfing to all!

The photo provides an aerial view of the club house and the adjacent golf holes complementing the view. In a few short days we will be teeing off and enjoying 18, 27 or even 36 holes a day depending on weather and how well we are playing. We haven’t been to Disney World since October of 2008 and as noted previously we will visit at least one or two of the magical parks where Mickey and Minnie reside. I am presently stowing the golf clubs for the trip and I’ll be reporting all about all the good times and great golf experiences upon our return. Happy Golfing to All!

The day belonged to Charl Schwartzel, who was a virtual unknown before this years Masters. If his four birdie finish is any indication of his ability and endurance under the extreme pressure conditions in golf, then we have not heard the last of this young golfer, who is sure to have a promising career in the future. His intimidating play on the final four holes would have made any past champion marvel at his performance, even Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, two of the best under the toughest of tournament conditions and most especially the Masters. Most players vying for the green jacket on Sunday would be ecstatic to par out on the final four holes, but not Charl, who with nerves of steel, birdied hole after hole for a two stroke victory and his first major victory, The Masters. His ability to wield his golf clubs on Masters Sunday was second to none and Charl Schwartzel is to be congratulated for his tenacity at Augusta National, the pinnacle of the worlds’ most magnificent golf venues. Happy Golfing to all!

Having been and remaining a huge Jack Nicklaus fan, I had been watching the hi-lights for the first three days to see how he was fairing against an iconic field of players. The leader board was a virtual who’s who of golf’s greatest players of that time or any era for that matter. The field included Greg Norman , who was leading Jack by four strokes on Sunday, Nick Price, Bernard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Kite and none other than Tom Watson, Jack’s fiercest rival in the majors. Jack Nicklaus was 46 years of age and many had written him off but I had  a gut feeling that he was not yet finished. From the Carolina Cherry or the ninth hole on, my eyes were fixated to the television screen and I was glued to my seat as I was privileged to see the Golden Bear wield his magic wand and view golf history in the making. The Bear played well enough on the first eight holes to remain close to the lead but he would have to make something happen soon if he were to have any chance for a win. When he birdied nine, ten and eleven, he made enough noise to send shivers up the spine of his competitors who proceeded to falter under Jack’s heroics hole after hole down the stretch. The Golden Bear, and he was affectionately and aptly named, stumbled at the Golden Bell12th with a bogie, only to par Azalea and Chinese Fir, 13 and 14, to set up his historic run on the last four holes. Having bombed his drive off the tee at the par five 15th or Firethorn, he left himself about 200 yards to the pin. He consulted with son Jackie 11, who was on his bag and asked what he thought about an eagle here? I’m sure Jackie concurred that would further ensure his dad’s possibility for a 6th green jacket and 18th major. He skillfully laced a four iron to 12 feet and converted the putt for EAGLE!, two out of the lead. The next hole, Rosebud or par three 16th put the icing on the proverbial cake as he hit his shot, the ball tracked off the slope toward the pin and he almost holed out as the ball nudged the hole as it rolled past by about three feet. He easily made the putt, putting him eight under and ONE back - Jack was on the move! He reached the 17th hole, which was to be the defining hole of the tournament. Jack hit driver and a wedge to set himself up for a birdie opportunity. When he drained an incredibly difficult putt from about 12 feet and raised his putter toward the sky in an iconic pose, I knew my idol had secured his 6th Green jacket. Jack made a difficult two putt for par on 18 look easy while Greg Norman and the rest of the field faltered including Seve Ballesteros, whose ball found water on 15 and Tom Kite who narrowly missed a birdie chance on 18 which left him one shot short of a playoff. Jack Nicklaus’s win at the 1986 Master’s Championship, was his 18th major victory, a feat no one has come close to except Tiger Woods. Tiger’s attempt to match Jack’s record was derailed in November of 2009 when his personal life became fodder for the news and TV media. He is not yet done but no matter what the record books show, Jack Nicklaus is the number one golfer of all time, at least in my book!

It is approaching the 25th anniversary of the Golden Bear’s awe inspiring Master’s Victory and I offer my hand in applause to the greatest golfer who ever played the game! Congratulations to Jack Nicklaus.

Since Tiger Woods joined the PGA Tour in 1997, his ultimate and maybe only real goal was to tie and then beat the record of the greatest golfer who ever lived, Jack Nicklaus. He may still accomplish this feat but he has a longer and more difficult road ahead as he has allowed himself to succumb to the many temptations and pleasures of super stardom. His extracurricular activities have sidetracked him from his once illustrious goal of becoming the best golfer in the world. I can understand to some extent what he might be going through but that is no excuse for his actions. He is not the only superstar golfer or superstar in any sport for that matter, who has ever found himself in this situation, but how a person handles the temptations is the mark of a true superstar. When any person has been gifted enough to be elevated to such a high position and constantly under the public eye and scrutiny, they also take on the responsibility to become a proper role model to the to their many fans, both young and old alike. You cannot always have what you want because it is there for the taking even though you may feel entitled. A single man may have gotten away with these actions, even though a bit over the top even for the single crowd, but a married man with a beautiful wife and two wonderful children, who allows himself to succumb to this type of lifestyle may in fact have an illness or addiction of some kind.

I’m sure Jack Nicklaus,  Arnold Palmer and many of the other tour professionals have found themselves in a position where they could have easily given in to similar opportunities for sexual misconduct or other indiscretions of the flesh. I think that most males, contrary to popular belief will remain loyal to their spouses, even under the most tempting of circumstances. This action or rather non-action is what separates true greatness from the pretender. This is a valid point of contention for whether Tiger Woods can ever be the golfer he was lauded to be just a few years ago. Tiger Woods was the golf hero to a new generation and was also admired by golfers and fans from any era as his skill at golf was perhaps second to none.  In reflecting about the real history of this great sport, golf was created as a gentleman’s game. Tiger’s dalliances and many indiscretions have now ostracized him from this category. It is a true shame as I was one of his admirers and fans but Jack Nicklaus has now taken that place for good in the number ONE position in golf history, at least in my book. 

Whether Tiger Woods beats Jack Nicklaus’s record or not he will no longer be remembered as the greatest golfer who ever lived but only as the golfer who was able to win the most majors or tournaments, if he can still achieve this goal. I can still see Jack hitting golf balls on the course as if it were yesterday and I remember the Masters of 1986 very well where he was victorious at age 46 . Phil Mickelson has a better chance than many to take over the number one spot in the modern day era of golf but he must make his move now if he will ever come close to the best of the best. Jack Nicklaus will also be the first one to readily admit that although there have been many great golfers, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and the like, but the only golfer who ever can come close or even exceed his status in golf history is Bobby Jones. In his seven years as a golf professional he won 13 majors, which may very well stand forever, or at least as long as Joe Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak. Try beating that one Tiger. Happy Golfing to All!

It is inevitable that Tiger will beat Jack’s record, as long as he remains healthy, and I wish him well on his quest. After all, records are made to be broken. He is a remarkable player and  I would like nothing more than to see him in action one day. My ideal foursome would be Mr. Nicklaus, Mr. Palmer,  Tiger ( I can say Tiger because he is more than a few years younger than I )and naturally myself. What a day it would be. I can hit the ball fairly well and I always wondered how I would fare against the best. In my younger days at Marine Park or Marine Dunes Golf Course in Brooklyn I hit the ball well and Par 4’s and 5’s were usually within reach on my second shot, depending on wind conditions. I know it may never happen but I can Dream, can’t I ? You never know. No one can stop you from dreaming. So, whatever your goals in life may be, whether it’s be to beat Jack or Tigers record, Jordan or Kobe in Basketball, Marciano, Ali or Roy Jones in boxing, Montana, Marino or Brady in football ( I had to mention some players from the modern era or I really would be dating myself ), or any other ideal, goal or person in a livelihood that you idolize don’t ever give up – Take a tip from Nike – “Just Do It”

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