Golf Season Conundrum

I started golfing when I moved to Eau Claire in 1987. I was not a very good player at the time; and, come to think of it, I really have not become much more proficient in the sport since then. But, there was about a four-year period where I consistently scored only slightly above par. Yet, I hve to confess that I am nothing more than a bogey golfer today.

Although I have spent less time on the links over the past few years, I am in a bit of a conundrum this golf season. I feel obligated to spend more time and money at a number of local public courses based on what has occurred during the off-season within the local golfing community.

For example, I spent time at Princeton Valley Golf Course in the late 1980's when I worked at the radio station that was located only a few minutes from the first tee box. As the years progressed, I became a full-fledged member when John Rawdon was the tenant and then continued to be a regular customer for the 11 years that Tim and Lisa Klauck were the operators. Now, Fred Hancock, a PGA professional who grew up in Eau Claire, is the tenant at the course that I am most familiar with and I will certainly play at my favorite nine-hole course on a fairly regular basis.

Over the years, I became friends with the Duke and Sharon Severson family, who owned and operated the Hallie Golf Course up until about eight years ago. I often met friends and hosted golf outings at the 18-hole establishment and enjoyed the company in the clubhouse afterwards. Just last week, my personal friends Dino Amundson, Bill Bergh and Dave Eisenhuth became the new owners of Lake Hallie Golf and they have hired Rawdon to run the golf operations. I can also see the Hallie Golf clubhouse from my back yard.

To make matters more confusing, the Klaucks were hired this past winter to oversee the operation of the Wild Ridge/Mill Run Golf complex. Not only do I personally know many of the business associates who own the two 18-hole courses, but I consider the Klaucks good friends who know what golfers want and what restaurant patrons expect.

I plan to play more golf this summer than ever before. I am not sure if my game will improve, but I know it will not be for a lack of trying to support those who I hope will do well as we enter a summer season that promises to challenge the leisure and hospitality industry. My problem is that if I commit to playing more golf this year, then I may not have much time for work. Now you understand my conundrum.