Two Weeks in a Row

 

Chris on the 1st Tee
Clifton Park, Baltimore, MD
August 7, 2021

An amazing thing happened this morning--I played golf!!

It was truly amazing considering that before last week my previous outing was June 5th, but now I have managed to risk life and limb on a course two weeks in a row!

And as an added benefit, Chris joined Jeremy and me for the outing. We had the second tee time of the day at  6:10 am and finished 18 holes in 3 hours 12 minutes! We would have been faster but the group in front of us kept us from making it a sub 3-hour round.

Although I did not log the improvement that I expected, I was two strokes overall better this morning than last week. 

It was great to be on the course before the sun crawled up into the sky and we were headed home about 9:30 with the rest of the day in front of us. 

A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday Golf

Clifton Park Golf Course 1st Tee Box
Baltimore, MD
July 31, 2021

I love watching the sun come up on the golf course and having a 6:20 AM Tee Time will ensure that happens. 

This morning Jeremy and I played Clifton Park in Baltimore. It was my first time on the course and I was very impressed. City courses do not have a good reputation, but the greens were in perfect shape and the course was overall excellent shape. Wow. 

Clifton Park 18th Tee Box
Baltimore, MD
July 31, 2021

The course has some beautiful views and tricky holes. There is not water, thankfully, but I still managed to mishit and lose a few balls. It has been almost two months since I played last.

The weather was pleasantly cool and not as humid as it has been lately. 

The last hole of the round was especially memorable because Jeremy made his first ever Eagle putt and it was a par 5. He knocked his best drive of the day and followed that with an incredible shot that went over the group playing in front of us who were hidden in a low spot looking for their balls. When they saw us looking they told us about a ball that just appeared on the green. Wow! And he made the pressure packed shot. I videoed the shot for posterity. 

It was a great morning on the course and a great way to begin the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golfing Saturday

 

Water Coming off Jeremy's Driver from the Dew
Compass Pointe Golf Courses
Pasadena, MD
June 5, 2021

Chris, Jeremy and I had an early morning Tee Time at a local golf course too begin out Saturday. 

Turtle in the Rough
Compass Pointe Golf Courses
Pasadena, MD
June 5, 2021

It was a beautiful morning and we were out before the cicadas amped up their volume, although by the time we finished they were in full chorus. 

It has been quite a while since I got up at 5 AM to make an early Tee Time. The dew was very heavy and on one hole the spray form Jeremy's club was very impressive. 

During our outing we saw many deer including one fawn and the turtles were out in the water and one enterprising turtle was spied crossing the golf course. It pulled inside its shell as I came close to take the image, but as we left its vicinity it continued its movement across the course.

The golf was good. And the day got hot by the time we finished about 11 AM.

A great start to Saturday. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Day at the Course

From the Tee Box at Hole 4
Timbers at Troy
Elkridge, MD
April 17, 2021

 The important thing is that I survived 5 hours of sports activity.

I played racquetball in the morning for an hour followed by just over four hours of golf at Timbers.

I had an OK golf outing, considering that it was only the second golf outing this year. 

It was a beautiful day, just a bit on the too cool side to be called a perfect day, but when out golfing almost any day is a perfect day. My game was ragged--which was to be expected, but there were a few pars and at least one good look at making a birdie--which I missed but was left with an easy tap-in. On the down side, I totally collapsed on the second hardest hole on the course (12) after missing a par put and making a bogey on the hardest hole (9). Ugh. That is golf!

It was a great sports day. Today, sadly, I must devote mostly to business, although I am going to a Severn Seminoles 13U baseball game in a few minutes. 

I do enjoy weekends!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sports Saturday at Hand

Cheery Window Box for a Bright Saturday

Elkridge, MD

April 17, 2021

 A busy sports Saturday is what I am in the middle of enjoying. 

This morning at 7 AM, as dawn was breaking, I was on the outdoor racquetball court. It was about 43 degrees, but the play soon got me very warm. It really is a great way to start the day. I actually held my own on the court, which made me happy. 

Following racquetball I have a Tee time for just before noon at Timbers. It will be only my second golf outing of the year and I am using a new driver--which I am still a bit unsure of. I may take my old one in case I lose confidence in the new one. 

I should be exhausted about the time evening arrives. I am thinking a nice late-afternoon nap will do the trick.

I have to enjoy life today because tomorrow I begin one of the tasks I dread the most: TAXES!! Ugh. Settling-up with the governments is a tortuous task that never comes out in my favor at the end. 

Play today and work tomorrow.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gifts and Golf

 

Playing golf makes choosing some Christmas gifts a bit easier. Golfers are almost always in need of consumables, like tees and balls. 

Of course, if balls are gifted it is important to know which specific type of ball the golfer uses. It is amazing how particular we golfers are about the golf balls we use. I'm not sure whether that make that much of a difference with the handicap that I carry--one or two shots a round are not going to show up that much. But, even I am particular about the brand--unless I get a free one from the golf gods while searching for my lost ball. Even then, more and more I am leaving certain balls where they lie because I believe for some reason they are "beneath" me. 

This Christmas I gifted a few dozen golf balls--fodder for the water hazards and forests. 

I also received a tee shirt that completely defines my golf game. Chris often remarks that I never saw a tree on the golf course that I couldn't hit! And I also received a very blue pair of glasses to help find golf balls hidden in plain sight in the rough. I hope they work because I have a devil of a time finding balls that just missed the fairway. 

Maybe that is what I like racquetball as an alternative, at least the ball is confined to the court--well, mostly, unless playing at outdoor courts.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thwarted by Thunderstorms

The winds and rain came in ferocious force yesterday afternoon. 

It did not just rain, it poured and stormed, and provided a light show complete with loud thunder. 

Looking at the 18th Green from the
Clubhouse During Weather Delay
‎⁨Whiskey Creek Golf Club⁩, ⁨Ijamsville⁩, ⁨Maryland⁩
June 22, 2020

The afternoon started off fantastic. I enjoyed a pleasant drive to a beautiful golf course. Three of us joined together for what we hoped would be an enjoyable afternoon smacking the little white ball around a scenic golf course. After few warm-up balls we hit the course. The first hole was great. No wind or rain and some great shots. 

Then, during the second hole the first thunderstorm arrived. We waited out the storm for about 45 minutes and then resumed our round. It was all great until the 5th hole when another, larger storm arrived. I was soaked by the time I made it back to the club house. As the day was getting late and the storm was soaking the course, we opted for a rain check and decided attempt play on another day. 

The 45 minute drive home, which took over an hour, was one of the most difficult that I have made in a long time. I drove in a ferocious storm for nearly the entire way and at times it was difficult to see the road. Even traveling at 27 miles per hour, I was concerned that I would miss my exit off I-70 because I would not see it, but I did successfully exit onto US-29, where I saw multiple downed trees and there was debris across the roadway. I was concerned that my pool would be hopelessly filled with debris, but fortunately, my house was on the edge of the storm and did not experience the extreme conditions that I saw while driving just a few miles away. 

A local TV station, Channel 13, described the storm as follows:

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Severe thunderstorms toppled trees and brought flooding rain and power outages to parts of Maryland Monday evening.

Temperatures in the upper 80s and high humidity helped to fuel some strong to severe storms that moved through parts of the state. Those storms produced heavy downpours and damaging winds.

Some parts of the state saw up to three inches of rain, with the heaviest amounts near Laurel, Columbia and Ellicott City.

Although my golf afternoon was thwarted by thunderstorms, I was lucky not to have experienced the damaging winds that others in the area experienced. 

And, I have a raincheck so that I can get back to the course and try it all over again. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf with the Next Generation

With temperatures soaring to near 80, it was a beautiful day for golf. And Chris and I did not disappoint ourselves by missing the opportunity to get out onto the course and swing our clubs. 

Lucas at Carroll Park Hole 5
Baltimore, MD
May 23, 2020

We put together a foursome and obtained a Tee Time at Carroll Park for the afternoon. This was a special foursome, however, as it included for the first time the next generation of family golfers--Lucas. As it turned out, we picked a good day to golf with him because the golf was slow. Painfully slow. It took 2 hours and 45 minutes to play 9 holes of golf that should take not more than about 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

With the pace of play being painfully slow, Lucas was able to get some assistance in making shots and learning the game. We waited to tee-off on every hole and so there was a lot of time to talk about the game. 

Lucas did remarkably well, but the delay in play did not help my game at all. So it was a so-so day on the course, but still fun to be out there with Jeremy, Chris, and for the first time, Lucas. 

With temperatures soaring and walking a golf course on a Saturday, it almost seems as if life is becoming normal despite the safer-at-home suggestions of Maryland. Stores still have not fully reopened and the clubs and bars are closed. Although I didn't often visit clubs or bars, I do miss the crowded parking lots. Not really. 

Believe it or not, after golf I was actually able to dive into my pool to refresh myself. The water was up to 77 degrees and felt very refreshing on a humid afternoon. 

Saturday, normal activity. It is Memorial Day weekend after all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Steps to Normal

Looking at the 17th Hole
Crofton Country Club
Crofton, MD
May 8, 2020

Yesterday was a momentous day. I took the first steps towards finding the new normal in there post-coronavirus period. 

I played golf! It was great to get out on the the course and smack the ball with my clubs. Sure, my game was ragged and I had more than one "blow-up" hole.  I also finally had to leave my driver in the bag because it was doing more harm than good, but it was great to be out walking the course. 

Geese on the Golf Course near Hole 12
Crofton Country Club
Crofton, MD
May 8, 2020

One of the other things I enjoy while out on the course is the wildlife--and I do not mean the other golfers. There is usually an assortment of wildlife that makes the day interesting. In Florida, I enjoy watching the sand cranes and the gators. In Maryland, such as yesterday, seeing the geese with their goslings during the springtime is enjoyable and allows my mind to take a break from the usually miserable golf that I am playing. Yesterday was no exception as I had the opportunity to walk past this gaggle while making my way from the Tee-box to the green. 

In terms of changes due to the coronavirus, the foursome I played in yesterday respected personal distancing and the only awkward moment was at the 18 hole when the round was over and we usually doff our hats and shake hands. We just said "good round" to each other, stowed our clubs and walked off towards our vehicles. It was a bit weird. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Training 2020, Day 3

Ed Smith Stadium
Sarasota, Florida
February 29, 2020

The Spring Training trip is drawing to a close. My golf game yesterday was miserable, but then we played a a Champion course and I am not a championship player.

It was not pretty.

It was fun. The day was bright and sunny. We are getting a lesson in sunburn. With the cool temperatures we didn’t notice the sun’s effect until too late. There is no sun in Maryland to worry about, but this is the Sunshine State for a reason. While my golf game was not sharp, my team won the day. Thankfully, my teammates picked up the slack.

After golf, we went to Ed Smith Stadium and watched the Orioles defeat the Marlins. Wow!  I have to stop speaking badly of Chris Davis, he hit his third homer of the Spring Training and is leading the team in batting average.  

The Orioles crushed the Marlins, 12-6.  With the exception of the first run, the Marlins runs were scored after the starters left the field. 

Btw, it was Leap Day. It only happens once every four years. Today is the last day of the Spring Training trip. It is sad how quickly it went by. But I have a lot of good memories and a sunburn. Today is golf, baseball and a flight home.  

— Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Baseball and Golf Day 2

River Run Golf Links
Bradenton, Florida
February 28, 2020

Another day in the Florida sunshine was experienced. It was cool and I needed to wear my jacket for much of the day, but the skies were clear and the sun was warm on my face. And I did get a touch of sunburn by the time the day was over.  

The day began on the River Run Golf Links in Bradenton, Florida.  We had an early tee time and watched the sunrise over the course. The sunrise in the palm trees was a stunning sight. The picture above is looking down one of the fairways from the tee box.

After golf we went directly to the Pirates Stadium in Bradenton to watch the afternoon game between the Pirates and the Orioles.  The stadium was very nice and we arrived about an hour and a half before game time. It was fun to watch the stadium come alive. I was surprised at how empty the stadium was when game time arrived. But it was a good afternoon for the Orioles. They defeated the still winless in Spring Training Pirates 11-4 to even their record at 4-4. 

Today is a wash-rinse-repeat of yesterday. Golf in the morning and baseball in the afternoon. We will be in Sarasota to see the Orioles host the Marlins.  

By way of note, happy Leap Day! To those of you with birthdays today, I hope your very special and rare day is enjoyable.

— Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida 

Last Sunday 2019

The last Sunday of 2019 is here and the new year is only a short few days away. While the news media and many people are looking to the past to characterize 2019, I am looking forward--bring on 2020 and let's get the party started. 

2nd Tee Box
Timbers at Troy
Elkridge, MD
December 28, 2019

Yesterday, while much of the country was suffering through bad weather, it was a great day here. The sun was shining and the temperature made it into the 60's--even though officially at the airport the high was 57 degrees. AND I was able to get in 9 holes of golf during the afternoon. It was definitely winter conditions, but the course was well maintained and it was great to be out in the sunshine. I played in my shirt sleeves with my push cart and walked the course. I thoroughly enjoyed that for those in golf carts it was cart path only, whereas I was able to walk right up to my ball with my clubs and enjoy the day. I think I am beginning to really enjoy walking the course with my push cart a lot more.

Today, Chris and I expect to get more outdoors work accomplished. She did a lot while I went off and played yesterday, but there is always more that needs to be done. 

I note that it is also the last Sunday of the NFL season. Next week the playoffs begin and I am happy to say that the Ravens will not be playing next weekend because they have a bye! That is really cool as it has not happened before that the Ravens get to sit out the Wild Card Weekend of playoffs. 

Enjoy your day! Prepare for the new year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf Monday

8th Tee Box Looking to the Flag
Carroll Park Golf Course
Baltimore, MD
July 1, 2019

Chris and I did something different last evening to mark the start of July. We took advantage of the great weather and played a 9-hole round of golf. Together!

Chris Working with her Driver
Carroll Park Golf Course
July 1, 2019

Yesterday was supposed to be the best day of the week, weather-wise. It was to be the coolest, in the high 80's, and no rain. And it was!

We had a good time together and we enjoyed playing with two other golfers in what turned out to be an overly extended round due to the slow pace of play by groups in front of us. 

Chris was hitting the ball with more authority and I had a very successful round, except for one pesky hole. We were using the round as a tune-up for the upcoming Troy Whittemore Classic which we will be playing in during the latter part of July. We will need a few more "tune-up" before the tournament. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday Golf

I played golf for the first time since early-April this morning. 

Crofton Country Club
15th Green
June 23, 2019

It was an early morning because I had to take care of Jeremy's dogs before going to the course for the 7:08 AM Tee-time. But it certainly was good to get out onto the course and hit the small white ball around. I got my money's worth since it took me more strokes to get the ball into the holes than the other guys I was playing with. All-in-all, it was a great morning and despite two terrible blow-up holes, I did reasonably well for not having played in such a long time. 

It was in the 50's as we teed off, but soon got warm and it was 81 degrees when we holed out on the 18th green at about 11:00 AM. 

Well, maybe another Sunday morning soon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Now Arriving -- Autumn

Looking towards the Tee Box
13th Hole
Patuxent Greens
October 13, 2018

It was a cold day and I began it on a golf course yesterday. The round was played under cold and wet conditions.

Plugged Golf Ball
13th Hole
Patuxent Greens
October 13, 2018

It was cold in another way as I also learned that the course on which I was playing is going to be plowed under at the end of the year to become another residential development blight upon the world. I will be sorry to lose this course as it is relatively close and easy to visit.

The rain and cold have been rough on the course; it was in terrible condition and it was not a lot of fun to play. To say that it was a struggle would be an understatement. The course was covered with mud and water. Sometimes the ball would go "ker-plunk" when it hit the course and create a shower of water. The course is clearly not being maintained as it preparing for shutdown at the end of the year.

The cold complicated the remainder of the day as well. The temperature never got above 57 degrees and it started in the 40s. 

Fire in the Pit
October 13, 2018

Lights in the Wine Glass
October 13, 2018

The good news, however, was that Chris and I were able to enjoy the fire pit during the evening without being besieged by mosquitos. 

We enjoyed some wine and the fire for a few hours talking about plans for the basement makeover and next year's vacation. It was enjoyable and the fire was warm, hot even, and drove off the cold as it settled for the evening. 

As it was only 44 degrees this morning, it appears that another cold day is on tap. I have a few outdoors projects to accomplish and the cold weather will definitely make them a bit more challenging.

Autumn has suddenly arrived. We have gone from highs in the 80's to highs in the 50's in about 48 hours!

Ready or not, here come the dark days.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Clouds Clear

From the 4th Tee Box
Timbers at Troy
September 15, 2018

Finally, for at least a day, the rains stopped and the world began to dry out.

Plugged Golf Ball
Timbers at Troy 11th Hole
September 15, 2018

The drier conditions were a welcome relief and allowed me to get a few projects accomplished around the house. 

But first, I was able to get in a respectable round of golf at Timbers at Troy with the guys. It was good to stroll out onto the course just before 7 AM with a club in my hand and hit my first drive down the middle of the fairway. 

Although the day was generally gray, the sun broke out of the clouds later in the round. The course was very soft and it was cart path only, which slowed our pace of play. The soft course also meant that there was almost no roll out after the shot and most balls rested near their point of impact. I had more than one shot that plugged into the soft course. The greens were very slow which hampered putting a bit.

Newly Transplanted Crepe Myrtle

After the round of golf and as the day dried out even more, I was able to get more than a few projects accomplished around the house, including removing a dead shrub, installing a new outdoor security light, removing the electricity wires from a dead ash tree which will likely be felled this week, transplanting a crepe myrtle, and mowing the lawn. 

Of course the pool received some needed attention as well. I am hopeful of closing the pool next weekend and being done with the maintenance for the year. Summer is winding down and the falling leaves are becoming a nuisance.

It was a full and busy day. The only thing I wished I had done was get Radio Flyer up for a flight, but there just wasn't time. I though about it as Chris and I were relaxing on the deck at the end of the day with a glass of wine, but it was better just to sit and talk and plan for today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf on the Weekends--Tiger's return

Tiger

I was reflecting upon the weekend. 

Golf in the rain. The PGA Championship that Tiger nearly won.

Golf is a great game!

Plugged Ball
August 11, 2018

During the wet course round on Saturday we experienced a lot plugged balls. None of the drives had much of a roll out. That makes the game a bit longer. Those roll-out yards are really nice and help to get the ball closer to the hole.

I heard on a sports talk show that Tiger's return will bolster the game of golf.

That is exciting.

Golf is a lot more exciting than watching the Orioles lose another game, although the Orioles actually won last night and ended a five game losing streak. 

Tiger's return is exciting the fans of the sport and he matches up well against the young guns who have been ruling since he went down with injuries. The drama of the weekend sport is really amping up.

At least it is more fun than watching the political news of the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf in the Rain

Mike, Jeremy, Me
August 11, 2018

It was a rainy start to the 5th Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic, but we got the tournament played after a two-and-a-half hour rain delay.

We started and played the first five holes in a rainstorm, but that actually was good because our team was five under after seven holes and definitely in contention.

The team, consisting of me, Jeremy, Mike, and Andy played well together.  Generally, someone made a critical stroke when other shots went astray. Andy's chip in for birdie was an especially nice shot.

We actually won the Skins with a birdie on 18 and donated our winnings back to the scholarship fund.

The day actually finally cleared off and turned into a beautiful golf day. While we didn't win the tournament, we had a lot of fun and helped to contribute money for Troy's scholarship fund.

— Bob Doan, Writing from Danby, NY

Why I Play

The weekend in upon us again!

Chris and I are headed off to Upstate NY later today for the 5th Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic. This is an annual tournament done to bolster the scholarship fund established in memory of our nephew. 


I enjoy playing the tournament and contributing to the scholarship fund. Chris and I are sponsoring a hole again this year as well. 

It is always nice to reconnect with family and friends who come out to support the tournament as well as remembering Troy and his quick wit and love for golf. It is because of Troy that I took up the game of golf and discovered something that I had been missing for most of my life. 

My first true golf experience was participating in the 1st Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic. I played with borrowed clubs and shoes. It was a frustrating experience, but my teammates were very forgiving and supportive and I realized that golf is a great sport that combines a lot of mental thought along with physical performance; hence it is a complete game. 

Not only that, every time I play a round of golf I think of Troy and give thanks that he gave me his favorite sport to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 16, 2018

Geese on Hole 1 at Eisenhower
July 15, 2018

1. Unbelievably, July is half over already. It seems like the month started just yesterday.

Radio Flyer over Piney Orchard
July 14, 2018

2. Yesterday was a beautiful golf morning. I played my best round of the year. I also enjoyed the wildlife on the golf course as well.

3. I flew Radio Flyer in Nicole's neighborhood on Friday and obtained some very nice images of the houses. I enjoy flying in different neighborhoods, but I am mapping out a more complicated path for Radio Flyer in my own area.

4. Found an interesting lizard Odenton the other day. It apparently is an Eastern Fence Lizard--I was impressed, I had not seen a real lizard in the area before.

5. Congrats to the French for winning the World Cup! And on the day after Bastille Day! What a great French weekend. Vive la France and drink some French wine to celebrate.

Eastern Fence Lizard
July 14, 2018

Finnegan with a Flower

6. In other sports news, the Orioles, mystically, took a series from the Texas Rangers over the weekend winning two of the three games. That lowered their expected losses for the season from 117 to 115!

7. It is time for baseball's All Star break! At least the O's won't lose the next three days.

8. Sometimes animals do the cutest things. Finnegan and Makayla sat in a flower bed the other evening. It created some unique images.

9. Planning a cruise with 8 other people is a lot like herding cats.

10. On this day in 1945, at 5:29:45 a.m., the Manhattan Project comes to an explosive end as the first atom bomb is successfully tested in Alamogordo, New Mexico. (from History.com)


11. When all is lost, ask the I.R.S. - they'll find something. Douglas Horton 


HEADLINES

Just Sitting Down With Trump, Putin Comes Out Ahead - The New York Times

France caps a frenetic and fabulous World Cup by blazing past Croatia for the title - The Washington Post

China's economy slows just as the trade fight begins - CNN

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There can be no freedom without order, and there is no order without virtue...Yet how often this simple truth, the importance of this belief in basic values, is overlooked in a society of high technology and mass communication and bewildering, everyday events."

Remarks at the Centennial Meeting of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus in Hartford, Connecticut, August 3, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD