2011 Christmas Letter
Happy Holidays! We just wanted to share a few photos, a couple of videos, and send “good tidings to you” during this holiday season.
I continue to enjoy my position as the Head Teaching Pro at University Park Country Club. It is such a beautiful place to work and for members to live and play. Recently, ABC Channel 7 chose UPCC’s #5 as one of Sarasota’s “Dream 18” holes. I joined two local media personalities in playing this picturesque par-3 from the new tee box on the upper tier, built in November 2011. Click the video below if you’d like to watch it.
Val continues to live on the electronic “cutting edge”. She assists clients in solving their computer/electronics concerns and problems, and is really enjoying working on her website, the Golf Rangefinder Shop. We both love our iPhones, the iPad and DVR and it is fun helping our parents move further into the digital age as well.
A big honor for Val – she was inducted in November to the Quincy (IL) High School Sports Hall of Fame for golf. “Back in the day”, she was the individual runner-up at the Illinois HS State Championship and had a decorated junior and amateur golf career, including being a quarter-finalist in the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Kudos, Val!
During the summer, I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel and compete. It was a treat playing in the Legends Tour events: In Reno, NV at Hidden Valley Country Club (thanks Patty Sheehan); In Jackson, MI at the Country Club of Jackson, the Wendy’s Charity Challenge (thanks Elaine Crosby); In Plymouth, MA, the BJ’s Pro-Am at Pinehills Country Club (thanks Ted Ellis & Gail Schaeffer for hosting me at your home club).
Additionally, I competed in two state Opens this summer. Thanks to Barb Inbody’s sister, Zibby Damm and Gary Milam for hosting us at their home club Stonehenge CC at Fairfield Glade during the Tennessee Women’s Open. The Michigan Women’s Open at Crystal Mountain is still one of our favorite events – a beautiful and peaceful venue.
It was an honor to be invited to play in the Inaugural Big 10 Athletic Director Challenge at Eagle Eye Golf Club near Michigan State. Our MSU team pulled out a victory on the 1st extra hole, giving our Athletic Director, Mark Hollis, bragging rights for a year over Michigan’s AD, Dave Brandon. Being one of four Spartan Alumni to pair with Mark was a highlight of the summer!
We had a great year seeing family as well in Grand Rapids, MI and Quincy, IL. Watching nieces and nephews grow up, play sports and develop into young adults is a great joy to share. We are so proud of all of them: Kate, Justine, Claire, Ben, Ally, Sean, Laurel, Jake, Emily & David. Click here for some family photos!
We love the excitement and challenge of playing new courses around the country, and this year got to enjoy Branson, Missouri. Not only did we play two great golf courses there, our hearts skipped a few beats as we experienced several zip lines, including the 170-foot, 50 mph, ½ mile ‘Vigilante’. Enjoy the ride with me by clicking on the video below. Our love for fast rides and roller coasters was satisfied too at Disney World, Universal Studios and Michigan’s Adventure.
Other fun 2011 memories include a visit to Lake Winnepesaukee, NH to see Beth and Lori Salzman, a visit to Hogsmeade & Hogwarts at Universal Studios Orlando (Harry Potter fans should not miss this), and Thanksgiving on Siesta Key Beach.
We’re looking forward to the New Year’s Eve progressive dinner party and will be going to the Outback Bowl in Tampa on January 2nd to cheer for MSU.
Thank you to all of you who enjoy this life with us, and make it even more FUN! May your New Year to come be one of Happiness and Good Health. We offer our gratitude for all we have and to all we love.
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