In the Rough - May 18, 2009

We're back, its been a while.........

The spring golf season is in full effect and couple that with little league baseball and other obligations, and my sorry butt is on full tilt six days a week. On the seventh day I collapse and thank God that I don't go to church anymore. I hope he doesn't mind but I have to get some things done around the house and watch other people play golf on Sunday
afternoon.

I can't really say my game is suffering because I haven't been playing and the last few rounds I did play way back in the early part of the year were actually pretty good. I'm doing my best to keep my head in the game. I talk a lot of golf during the week at work, duh! but I'm still to do this day surprised about how interested people are in my profession outside of the golf course. I can't get spend 5 minutes at the baseball field without a golf conversation breaking out amongst my fellow coaches
and parents.

The funny thing is most of the people if not all, know if my wife and kids depended on my playing golf for a living we'd be living in their den and listed as dependents on their tax return. I didn't know selling shirts and divot tools and booking tee-times was so interesting.

Now it is true the easiest way to make friends is to own a house at the beach, own a boat or work at a golf course. The funny thing is people who know me rarely ask me for a freebie, because they won't get one. Ask any of my uncles when they come to town.  They pay as a guest of mine like anyone else. Does this make me a hardass? I don't think so, let me explain.

First of all, I don't own it, I work for a great ownership group that expects me to do everything in my power to make them a profit. You can't do that giving away product that isn't yours. If the people who own it want to do that, that is their prerogative. Secondly, a wise man,or was it a wise girl, told me there is no value in something if you give it away. Once you do you will never be able to get your price for your product!

Back to the ballfield, I'd rather talk baseball myself but here's how a typical conversation goes with someone I haven't seen in awhile. My favorite thing to do is turn the the conversation 180 degrees and relate it to their occupation. The conversation usually go something like this........

Typical greeting from Friend, Neighbor, Stranger,

"Hey Bob, good to see you, how are things at the golf course? Are you playing a lot? It must be great to have such a great course at your disposal? Are you guys having a good season? How do you get away with charging such high green fees?  Do you know Tiger Woods? ( usually get that one from the kids, but not always believe it or not)

"Hey Jim, good to see you as well, how are things at the office? Are you a 9 to 5 person or a 8 to 4 or do you do the flex week thing? It must be great to have such a great building at your disposal, I really like the facade on that place! How do you get away with charging such high service fees, I'd like to invest more with your company but the fees are killing me. Do you know Charles Schwabb?

Back to Golf!

Am I the only one who is getting the feeling that is going to be an "off year" for Tiger? I'm thinking 2 wins on the PGA Tour with no major victories. His ball striking, by his standards, has been generally lousy and the only thing that's keeping him competitive is his unbelievable desire to compete and his incredible ability to save a score with his short game. Tiger is as loyal as they come to his support group and gives them plenty of rope, ( check his backing of Steve Williams with the Mickelson comments) but with Hank Haney spending time on other projects and Tiger ripping Hank a new one on the practice range at Augusta National during The Masters, things better start clicking or Hank is going to be hitting the road and joining Butch Harmon in Winn grip commercials.

The end of school is near and the family wants to go on vacation.

Why not Myrtle Beach?

The beach, nightlife, amusements and best of all GOLF!

The greens fee prices are at the lowest of the year and most courses have great fees for all members of the family. Play in the morning and spend the afternoon at the beach. Is there a better family vacation than that?

To plan your summer golf vacation visit www.golfholiday.com or for preferred rates and exclusive access to True Blue Golf Plantation and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club,  visit www.caledoniagolfvacations.com along with 80 other area golf courses. What are you waiting for? Check out our play all day in July special available only through Caledonia Golf Vacations.

Bob Seganti, PGA

Also if you like this blog and want to hear more of my insights on golf and family life tune in to The Michelob Light Golf Guys on ESPN Radio every Saturday from  8am to 10 a.m. In the Myrtle Beach area 93.7fm, 1050am and 93.9 fm Live Streaming on www.teammyrtlebeach.com click on listen live.

Call the show 843-652-ESPN