Biking, Boating, and Golf

Chris' First Swing of the Year
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course, Jupiter, FL
January 30, 2025

 Springtime in South Florida is fantastic. We are finally getting back to normal temperatures--afternoons in the high 70s and low 80s. 

Woodpecker
Jupiter Dunes
January 30, 2025

Yesterday, Chris and I golfed. Yup. It was not pretty. But we had fun and it seemed hot in the sun--which it was. The course was in good shape. We worked our way around the course and had a great time. Yea, I lost a few balls in the water and one in trees, but the Lorax was kind to me one time and knocked the ball into the fairway. 

We enjoyed the wildlife on the course including turtles, iguanas, the woodpecker, and a lone Egyptian Goose. 

We also managed to put the little white ball into the hole--which was nice. 

Today, we are headed out onto the ICW for some boating fun. 

We are hoping to have a good time.

And as for biking? Well when we boat or golf, the bike stays in the garage waiting for its next adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Labor Day Golf

 

Pond by the 17th Green
Timbers at Troy Golf Course
Elkridge, MD
September 2, 2024

Jeremy and I attached The Timbers at Troy Golf course yesterday to enjoy a beautiful Labor Day afternoon. The course was crowded, as is to be expected on a holiday, but the idyllic weather, in the 70s with low humidity and clear skies, made the round a fantastic event. 

We were paired with two brothers who take the same approach to golf that Jeremy and I take. Golf should be fun and not stressful. 

That written, Jeremy reported that he played his best round of golf ever and I had a very, for me, acceptable score. Yay! We had fun but the round took over 2 hours. Ugh! But, that is golf on a holiday. The course is rated for 4h15m of normal play. In retrospect, an additional 45 minutes on a holiday is not bad. And we enjoyed talking to the other twosome we were paired up with. 

Tomorrow Chris and I expect to be on the road. We are looking at over 11 hours driving time to get to Athens, GA, where we will spend the night and visit our oldest grandchild who just transferred to Georgia. That is exciting. And as an added benefit, we will not be on I-95 for the whole day. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

9th Annual Troy Whittemore Classic

Chris on the Hole we Sponsored
Stonehedges Golf Course, Groton, NY
August 24, 2024

 It was a beautiful day in Central New York, specifically Groton, NY. The sun shone all day and while it was in the 50s as the tournament began, it warmed into the 70s fairly quickly.

Our team tackled the course with enthusiasm and were rewarded with a par on the first hole we played, which was Hole 5 on the course. The format was a four man scramble best ball tournament, but none of the members on my team, including me, are anything above occasional recreational players. We did not see another par until we were on hole 1, 14 holes later. We finished in last place 12 strokes over par. The winners were 10 under par. I would be happy with an 84 any day I play, but it doesn't cut it in a best ball tournament. 

Trevar Teeing Off
Stonehedges Golf Course, Groton, NY
August 24, 2024

We had fun playing the course. Stonehedges Golf Course was a course I had never played. Chris and I were teamed with our nephew, Trevar, and his girlfriend, Cassie, and fortunately he had played the course while he was in high school. 

Stonehedges  is a tough course. The greens are especially tough, but fair. As a team our putting failed us most of the day until the greens dried and we settled into a better approach to the green. I found the greens tough; on multiple shots I landed my ball near where I aimed only to see it roll off the green or roll into a very difficult putting location. Talk about frustrating! The rest of my team had similar experiences. 

It was a day to play golf and reconnecting with friends and family all while remembering our nephew Troy. And it was a great success. The tournament funds the scholarship in Troy's memory. 

I hope the Classic returns to Stonehedges again next year because I want another chance at the course. 

-- Bob Doan, Cortland, NY

Another Travel Day for the Tournament

NY Welcome Area I-81
August 23, 2024

 Chris and I arrived in Central New York without incident. It was a longer than expected drive due to a lot of road work in I-81 in Pennsylvania, the very northern part. I can see the infrastructure bill at work repairing the roads and am thankful for its positive impact on pour country. 

Along the drive we were reminded on the natural beauty of the Northeast. The emerald green tree-covered rolling hills and the valleys are what we both grew up enjoying. The crystal blue sky yesterday highlighted the scene. Around every turn and over every hill the vistas laid out before us became a conversation topic. It is very different from Florida and there are, of course, no palm trees. 

Today is golf day. We are playing in the 9th Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic. The tournament remembers Troy who was taken from us at the age of 23 by cancer and funds the scholarship in his memory. A USA Today article tells more of Troy's story. 

We are looking forward to a great day with family and friends and hopefully I can hit them straight and long, but not too long, on the course today. 

-- Bob Doan, Cortland, NY

Golf Tune-up

Timbers at Troy Hole 1 From the Tee
Elkridge, MD
August 22, 2024

 I managed to get out for a tune-up round of golf before tomorrow's tournament. It was important for me to do that in that I had not swung my driver since last August at the tournament. Chris and I have been playing on a par 3 course which allows us to complete a round in about2 hours, which is about all one can stand in the heat of South Florida. 

Jeremy and I hit the course at 5:33 PM and managed 11 holes before darkness. It was a beautiful afternoon. I managed to hit all of the fairways except one, which made me happy, but my distance off the tee has definitely decreased. Perhaps it will get better with more swings, I did seem to be improving as the evening went on. 

It was fun to be out on the course. 

Today is another travel day to Cortland, NY, where we are staying. Sadly, it is just Chris and me this year as the rest of our Maryland contingent was unable to make the trip. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Smarter not Better

Chris on the 11th Green
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
July 16, 2024

Chris and I headed out onto the golf course yesterday for our Tuesday round. Given the oppressive heat, we decided to ride rather than walk the course. That was a really good idea as we enjoyed the round much more and I was still fresh enough to par the 18th hole. 

It was amazing how much better we felt as we completed the round having ridden in a cart. I much prefer walking, but we have to account for the conditions. We need to be smarter, even though we are not getting any better.

Playing a round also got us outside to confront the weather. We have felt trapped in our house by the oppressive heat, but then, when I compare our high of 89 degrees yesterday with that of Elkridge with its 101 degrees, I am reminded that often it is cooler in Florida during the summer than in Maryland. 

It is the Dog Days!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Fl

On the Course

Chris Finish the 11th Green
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
July 9, 2024

 Chris and I headed off to the golf course yesterday. It was hot! The stress index was over 100 degrees by the time we finished our round--and we walked. Chris remarked that next time we are going to rent a golf cart because of the heat. I like having my clubs with me when I make a shot, so we will see how it goes. 

It was good to be on the course as we prepare for the upcoming August tournament. I have a lot of work to do between now and tournament time to recover some of my usually pathetic game. 

Black Snake
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
July 10, 2024

Although the sky looks pretty gray in the image, there are actually clear patches. The sky is not blue because of dust from the Sahara. It is filtering the sun somewhat, but making the usually vibrant blue sky more gray. And it is holding the heat in. 

In the heat of the day, and we were arriving at the 11th Tee, we spied a small black snake. It was on alert, it seemed, holdings head up in the air as it hunted. It seemed unconcerned about our arrival and slithered off a short while later.

We went on our way and teed off. 

I guess we had a close encounter. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

On the Course

First Hole
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
June 25, 2024

 It had been three months since the last time that Chris and I touched our golf clubs on a course, until yesterday. The morning looked very pleasant and we realized that we are not golfing like we should be in preparation for our nephew's memorial golf tournament during August. 

Waterfowl on the Course
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
June 25, 2024

And so, we headed off to the course yesterday. The temperature was a balmy 86 degrees as we teed off. As we walked the course, the weather grew hotter and more humid. By the time we departed, after playing the 18th Hole, which I miraculously parred, the temperature was approaching 93 degrees with stifling humidity. 

It was a good day, considering. I reacquainted myself with my clubs and resolved that I need new grips. I did not recover my distance, not that I had any, but that will come as we continue to play in the blisteringly hot conditions. 

We need to get out a bit earlier to enjoy the cooler weather.

That is the same for biking as well. I need to start riding at 7:30 rather than 9:00.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Hitting the Links

Chris Walking to the 3rd Green
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
April 10, 2024

 Taking advantage of the extremely nice weather we have been enjoying, Chris and I went out for a round of golf yesterday. 

We used to play golf regularly, but somehow golfing has fallen off the weekly plan and it has been since we played in the Troy Whittemore Memorial Golf Tournament during August last year that we stepped onto a golf course. 

Our games were ragged, as you might expect. We had a good time walking the course and whacking at the little white ball. We both had a few really nice hits and also more than our share of not so nice swings. 

Taking advantage of the great weather is always nice. The summer pricing does not go into effect until May 1st and so we will likely hit the course more after that when the greens fees are reduced. Yes, the fees go down in the summer here. I guess golfers don't want to play in 85 plus degree temperatures and 90 percent humidity. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

8th Annual

Chris at the Hole we Sponsor
Elm Tree Golf Course, Cortland, NY
August 19, 2023

 Yesterday, Chris and I played in the 8th Annual Troy Whittemore Classic golf tournament. The tournament is conducted in memory of my nephew, Troy Whittemore, who was taken from us at age 23 by cancer and the proceeds are used to fund a scholarship awarded to high school seniors usually from Ithaca High School.

The Sponsor Sign
8th Annual Troy Whittemore Classic

Chris and I had a good time at the tournament and it was a solid way to end a very emotional week in Ithaca remembering Chris's sister Jodie, with a memorial service on Friday and the tournament on Saturday.

We sponsor a hole at the tournament. This was the first year that Chris actually played. The family had two teams in the tournament with 5 first time players between the two teams of 4. Needless to say, but we did not win or even come close. I was lucky enough to land a drive on a par 3 green on one of the contests. Only 5 players of the 92 in the tournament actually landed their ball on that green--so I was pretty excited to be in the 50-50 par 3 raffle--but did not win the over $300 prize.

We are safely back home in Florida enjoying the warmth. It was cool to cold in Central New York!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Golfing in the Heat

 

Chris on the 12th Tee
Jupiter Dunes, FL
June 22, 2023

Chris and I could not resist yesterday. We had to get out and hit the golf course yesterday.

We managed to get out early, but it was still very hot and humid. By the time our round was over it was 87 degrees and the humidity was over 90 percent. Did I mention that we walk when we play this course? 

The course is undergoing summer upgrading. I know that sounds funny to golfers up north, but here in South Florida Summer is the low season and courses do their improvements. About half the course was undergoing Tee-box or green improvements. I had an unusually good round, for me. I mean really. I was just 15 over par, which is 3 strokes better than my bogie golf goal. The heat began to get to me at the end and I gave up a few strokes on the last couple holes. Chris also had a very good round. 

We were tired, hot, and more than ready to be done when I finally sank my putt on the 18th. But, we had finished the round and enjoyed our time together.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday Golf

Looking from the 2nd Tee
Bay Hills Golf Club 
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

 The air quality improved significantly and was just into the moderate range as Jeremy and I teed-off at Bay Hills Golf Club on Saturday morning. 

It was good to be back on a course with a club in my hand. It had been a few years since I last played this course and I had forgotten how much I actually enjoy playing there. It is fair and hard. And being a lefty many of the holes are designed to drive righties crazy--and I love those holes. The work well with my slice.

A Pond Along the course
Bay Hills Golf Club
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

Because I don't play a lot, I had two "blow-up" holes that added seven strokes to my score above par. But, on the bright side, I held it together and aside from those two holes played a solid bogey round which saw me sink about a 60 foot putt. It was a really great putt and a solid recovery. I had overshot the flag, which was forward, because I was aiming for the center of the green and managed a great iron shot off that went a bit further than I expected.

Plugged Tee Shot
18th Hole Bay Hills
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

I always enjoy getting out with Jeremy to play golf. It gives us time to be together. Yesterday was special because, unlike most courses, Bay Hills did not put other golfers with us--so we were able to golf as a twosome. That meant that we also golfed fast and were always waiting for the foursome in front of us. 

One final note on the day. There was some frustration. The 18th hole is par three and must carry a large pond that goes almost to the edge of the green. I his a great shot that looked as if it had cleared the pond and was going to land on the green. Unfortunately, just as I hit the shot the breeze picked up coming directly at us and my ball landed too close to the pond's edge. It plugged into the grass. 

Well, that's golf! I had to laugh. Both Jeremy and I wondered what happened to the ball as it landed, because the resting place was shielded from the tee box. There was no splash, so I was confident of finding the ball. Playing it as it lied, however, was not an option. As I understand new rule 16.3, I was allowed relief because the ball was in the grassy area and not the mud shore of the pond. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

What did you do?

 

Geese on the 17th Fairway
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
May 29, 2023

Memorial Day 2023 has come and gone. It used to be that the next holiday up was Independence Day, but now there is Juneteenth!

Yes, another holiday. Wait, everyday is a holiday for me!

I did enjoy a long round of golf yesterday. And I mean long. Holidays make for full courses and long rounds. We played Timbers at Troy yesterday, or rather it played me! We spend 4 hours 51 minutes whacking at the little white ball and pushing it around the course. 

Honeysuckle
Timbers at Troy
Elkridge, MD
May 29, 2023

I had looked at the weather earlier in the week and decided on a mid-morning tee time. The problem is that a mid-morning tee time runs over lunch and one can get hungry and thirsty. Fortunately, I picked a good time because the rain started as Chris and I were driving away from the course.

As we played the course we were treated to wildlife and sweet smells. The honeysuckle remains in bloom and provides a sweet fragrance across parts of the course. We were also treated to an over anxious Marshall who encouraged us to speed up play while we were on the third hole, which upset me since we had been waiting for the group in front of us at the previous two holes and continued to wait at nearly every successive hole. We may have appeared slow, but we remained in contact with the foursome in front for the whole round. It is all part of golfing on a holiday, I guess.

It is amazing how an almost five-hour round of golf can eat up a day!

But, it was a great holiday spent with Chris and Jeremy.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

If it is "Friday-eve", we must be golfing

Turtle on the 7th Hole
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course
April 28, 2023

 Thursday has become our golf outing day. 

Chris and I headed off to the local course for a round yesterday morning. We were lucky to get out early, while the temperature was in the 70s, because by the time we finished, it was well into the 80s and we could feel the heat. It was also lunchtime. 

Chris had a good game, but I turned in another less than desirable performance. My putter let me down. I missed a lot of very makable putts. That is how it goes some days.

Turtles across from the 16th Tee Box
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course
April 27, 2023

Yesterday must have been turtle day on the golf course. That was likely due to the bright sun and warm temperatures. It seemed as if the turtles were everywhere. The most turtle were seen just past the Tee-box on the 16th hole. Most of the turtles sought cover after I managed to hit my ball just over their heads onto the fairway. It was not a "worm burner" but it was almost a turtle decapitator. Fortunately, no animals were harmed during the round of golf.

Chris and I walk this course when we play. By the time we ended the round we were tired, hungry (it was noon), hot, and of course sweaty. But, we felt good!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Birds of the Day--Golfing

Blue Heron at Jupiter Dunes
Jupiter, FL
April 20, 2022

Yesterday was a golfing day for Chris and me. We try to play golf on Thursdays and having that plan seems to be working as we are golfing more than not. 

Florida golf courses generally have a lot of water. The water creates hazards from which it is unlikely that the errant golf ball will be recovered. I know this because my golf balls seem to have a built in homing device to find water. 

Blue Heron Takes Off with Turtle Watching
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
April 20, 2023

The enjoyable thing about the water, however, is the wildlife. Yesterday, for instance, I saw many turtles both in the water and on the shore, a couple very interesting herons, thousands of tadpoles, and even a fish that jumped completely out of the water. The wildlife mercifully distracted me from one of my most miserable rounds of golf in a long time.

I managed a unique image yesterday on the 6th hole, after my ball had rolled down the side of the raised green and into the water. I was setting up for an image of a blue heron with a turtle just off shore. And then, just as I snapped the image, the heron took flight. The turtle remained visible, near the top of the image on the left.

It was a beautiful morning for golf and I was happy to be on the course playing and able to enjoy the wildlife. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Golf to Beach

 

It was the almost perfect day. 

Chris on Hole 12
Jupiter dunes, Jupiter, FL
March 22, 2023

After our obligatory 1.5 mile morning dog walk, Chris and I managed a round of golf at a local course. The weather was fantastic, as it usually has been lately, and we enjoyed whacking the little ball with our clubs. Chris is doing much better hitting the ball for distance, although her accuracy has suffered a bit--but then that is the same problem for all golfers, the longer the ball is hit, the harder it is to get it to go where intended. Now if I can just get her to complete her follow through she will really see some distance improvement. We took pleasure in being together for the time we spent walking the course. I had an OK round with a few pars, but too many double bogeys. 

Sargassum on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
March 22, 2023

For the evening, or rather Happy Hour, we headed off to one of our favorite beaches, Carlin Park. The beach was a mess. The advance portion of the massive sargassum belt may be arriving and the beach was definitely in need of some maintenance. Despite the sargassum, the beach was very enjoyable for Happy Hour and we enjoyed quite a show as the rough Atlantic waters hosted a large number of surfers.

Surfer on a Wave
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
March 22, 2023

The beach was alive between the surfers and the birds. There seemed to be many more birds than normal. We saw the usual ospreys, seagulls, and sanderlings, but were also treated to pelican overflights and more terns than usual. There were at least 20 surfers catching waves all through the late afternoon and into the sunset. It was fun to watch them and some of them were very experienced. They had to be experienced to survive the rough surf and contend with conditions which resulted in the red flag for highly hazardous conditions.

It was, in short, a great day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Smacking the White Ball

Jupiter Dunes Golf Course Hole 6
Jupiter, FL
March 16, 2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day. 

Do not forget to wear the green!!

 Chris and I actually made it to the golf course, Jupiter Dunes, yesterday for a round of golf. It was a beautiful weather day and Chris had a great time. She made some stunning shots. I, on the other hand, did not play well and so was mostly frustrated. I had two holes, one of them is pictured, where I landed my shot on the green and the ball rolled off into the water! Ugh! I hate that. Elevated greens can be miserable.

Today, I am off for the Florida Gulf Coast for some Spring Training baseball and enjoying time with the Maryland crew which are visiting Florida to escape the Winter. It is the annual Spring Training baseball, golf, and beer trip. I am distressed that they decided not to play golf this year, but instead decided to watch the NCAA tournament--but I like the tournament as well so that will be fine. I sometimes get too frustrated trying to whack the little white ball, anyway. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rainy and cold

 

Finnegan in his St Patrick's Day Shirt
Tequesta, FL
March 15, 2023

Yesterday's weather, rainy and cold, put a damper on our planned outdoors activities. I had the car loaded with our golf bags and push carts only to realize that a major cold front was moving in at exactly the time we were preparing to depart for the golf course. 

So what did we do? 

We went to the PGA Superstore in Palm Beach Gardens and spent money on golf stuff! If you can't play, then buy! Chris needed new golfing shoes and a few wardrobe items. I found a really great looking shirt with palm trees on it! I am excited about wearing it today if we can manage a round of golf. 

So I did not manage a bike ride--the winds were too strong and the misting rain made cycling more pain that it was worth. The weather remained difficult until about 5 PM when the skies cleared and the temperature rose into the 70s.

One funny thing did happen during the day. Chris dressed Finnegan in a St Patrick's Day shirt and he struck a pose in one of our chairs. I thought it was a great pose and a good image. Cute dog. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Golf - In March

 

1st Hole
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course
Jupiter, FL

It is early March and Chris and I enjoyed a round of golf. 

Yes, we actually made it out to a local golf course yesterday. It was a sudden thing. Interestingly, it was not the golf which was so unique, but rather the fact that in the process of changing from preparing for a bike ride to playing golf I managed to forget all of my electronics. 

I played a round of golf without my golf watch and my cell phone! Amazing. I actually had to write my score on the golf course provided score card--with a pencil! I usually use my golf watch which allows me to enter the score and gives me critical information about each hole--I was lost without my electronic cheat to help me determine my strategy for the holes. 

While it was very weird playing without my electronics, I think I was more focused than usual and played a round of solid bogey golf--which is consistent with my average. Maybe a bit better than my average. I had a birdie and a few pars and only a couple double bogeys. Overall, a really good round, for me. 

Chris had a good round. Her driver is beginning to provide some distance and her putting is rapidly improving. If we can play more than once a month, we both might see some improvement.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

November Golf Outing

 

Hole 10 from the Blue Tees
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course, Jupiter, FL
November 17, 2022

It was a cool November day, well for South Florida. The temperature was in the low 70s and it was overcast. There was a variable wind, which made some shots interesting, but Chris and I decided to head off to out local golf course to whack at the little ball.

We had a great time. 

We enjoy playing on a par 3 course because we can play 18 holes in just over two hours. And it is a tough course because the greens are small and it provides some nasty water hazards. And bunkers!

Chris Putting on the 10th
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course, Jupiter, FL
November 17, 2022

I had a rough day as I was playing from the beach (from out of the bunkers) much of the day. At one point I told Chris that I was unsure whether it was the wind or my poor shot selection that caused me to wind up in the bunkers, as I did on this hole. She said it was a bit of both.

Chris had a good day and straightened out her drive and began to get some lift to carry hazards. She was especially creative by taking her shot around, rather than over, a water hazard on one hole. It was funny to watch--but effectively accomplished. 

The golf was fun and fast, mostly because we wound up being the only golfers in sight on the course, probably because of the weather. I much prefer golf when no one slowing me down or pushing me to play faster. 

We think we are going to make golf our regularly scheduled Thursday activity. It will be a planned day off from biking.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL