I’m looking back at 2006 as a golf year (but that in no way should be construed that the year is over. No way. I’m writing this in November and it’s something like 70 degrees out right now. I’m actually thinking about putting on shorts.) and a few things stand out.

The first one is the season started for me on March 22 and we’re deep into November. That’s very good. The second is that while pretty much every aspect on my game improved, my scores did not. How is that? Worse – how is that possible every single year? Worse than that - it catches me by surprise every year. My equipment is vastly superior to what I played last year (goodbye Prima III irons from 1988), my short game was better, my long game was better, but… I will end up with around 50 rounds and my online handicap will be exactly the same as 2005 which was the same as 2004. The few times I played 3 times in a week, my scores were markedly lower and my wedge game was superior. That one extra round was noticeable. Being married with young kids makes 3 rounds in a week ummmmmmmmmm how shall I say - thorny? So that’s a stat that does me no good. Probably not even a good thing to know. Or think about. Or obsess about. Rats. Too late.

I got out on all my favorite courses this year – including the Big 4 of Sugarloaf, Belgrade Lakes, Sunday River and Samoset and I logged multiple rounds on some of Maine’s other A list courses (Sanford, Fox Ridge, Ledges, Dunegrass, Cape Arundel, Spring Meadows, Outlook, Sable Oaks, Nonesuch River and Point Sebago). I also got to knock it around on some lesser known but locally loved gems like Willowdale, Naples and Lake Kezar. I can find something to love at every course but I’m a sucker for sweet greens. 2006 was a year for great greens among Maine’s public courses. I’ve also learned that a single round at most courses is not enough to judge it. I shaved 11 strokes off my last round at Sunday River from my first round and I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t even pay attention to my score…unless it’s good. This time of year it’s mission critical to burn a good round into your hard drive as you go into golf hibernation. As I’m trying to fall asleep I like to replay one of my best rounds of the year shot by shot so it’s key to have a freshy. Seriously – it’s one of the best cures for insomnia - just don’t do it out loud.

The first full year of the legal beverage carts was a smashing success. Hear! Hear! Or Here! Here! I am glad Paul Tracy is now claiming that he got drunk and flipped an ATV as opposed to a golf cart. We athletes don’t need any more bad press about boorish drunken antics because alcohol inevitably gets the blame as opposed to the moron. Flipping a golf cart? Nice one. Still, I wish it was on YouTube.

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