Normally I write about the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour, but this week I’d like to highlight recreational golfers, in particular those playing on courses on the northeast.
As the days become shorter and the temperatures dip, there likely is only a month or so before public and private courses close for the season.
That’s why there is nothing greater than taking advantage of one of the final days to take out the clubs.
I thought about that this past weekend when the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. It was the perfect day, not too cool and you didn’t have to wear layers of clothing. In fact, you could still rock the shorts and a short sleeve shirt with or without a light vest.
Fall makes us reflect on the six- or seventh-month long season and how fast it goes.
After bearing the winter weather, we long for the spring weather to begin playing again. And then in the midst of the summer when the heat makes it sometimes uncomfortable, fall is great for grabbing the sticks. Along with leaves changing color, it makes the courses quite picturesque, so that whether we’re having a good day or a bad day, we can still get caught up in nature.
Sometimes I envy people who live in hot climates because they can go golfing pretty much every day. That’s why golfers who live in northern climates like to live or vacation in the winter in places such as Florida, South Carolina, California or Hawaii.
Or better yet, the Caribbeans.
But I do know when you live in northern climates, you really appreciate those opportunities when the weather is just right to golf. Fall golfing is special.
JEENO’S YEAR: When Jeeno Thitikul (Callaway Chrome Tour X) won last week’s LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei in Hawaii, it was her fourth win of the season and second in her last three starts and third in her last 10 starts. In that span, she has also registered a fourth and seven top 10 finishes.
I mention all this because sometimes her performances have been overlooked by the fact she is no longer the top-ranked woman golfer in the world, supplanted by Nelly Korda (TaylorMade TP5x). Thitikul has missed only two cuts this year, both in majors. The fact she has yet to win a major in her career seems odd, though the law of averages suggests it will happen at some point.
Germany’s Polly Mack (Titleist Pro V1) finished in a tie for second. She went through a stretch this season in which she missed the cut eight consecutive times before barely making the cut in her next outing. The runner-up finish was her best on the LPGA Tour since joining the 27-year-old joined three years ago. She entered the tournament 316th in the world rankings.
