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Addicted to Golf in Door County

The month of March brought a few unexpected days of glorious weather. The month of April brought seasonal temperatures known more specifically to March. As the month of May began, Door County’s faithful spring golfers found themselves in disarray, checking the forecasts with the faint hope of finding another sunny day emblem on the 10-day horizon.

After suffering through two months of wacky weather, the golfers and courses that cover the peninsula are certainly owed some consistency. While the weather proves repeatedly that it lies out of my control, I will look to prove reliable in providing consistent golf coverage for the Peninsula Pulse throughout this summer and into the fall.

As a proud Door County citizen for now over 20 years, I have come to realize the importance of golf throughout the county. Golf is not only a grand attraction to those who reside outside of the peninsula, but it is also the preferred pastime for many citizens who call Door County home.

I, myself, am one of the countless residents that have become addicted to golf in Door County. I have played every course in the county south of Egg Harbor, but realize that there remains quite a few gems north of The Orchards that I have yet to lose a Titleist or Taylor-Made at.

I grew up devoted to Door County’s other favorite sport, baseball, before being fully introduced to golf at the age of 13 by my grandfather, Tom Zak.

Native to Fish Creek, Grandpa Zak taught me every basic, from hitting an approach shot, to operating the parking brake on the golf cart, to properly fixing a ball mark. The summers I spent with him fueled my golf obsession that continues to gain strength every season.

Working a full-time job at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club definitely helps nurse my infatuation. When I am not busy washing clubs, caddying, or shooting a score at Horseshoe Bay, I am likely playing a competitive nine-hole scramble with my best friends or patiently waiting for Tiger Woods to win another PGA major championship.

With such a clear intent to incorporate golf in my everyday life, one may think, “Sheesh, this Zak kid must be one great stick.” Please, do not be deceived. I struggle through the risk-reward game of golf just as much as anyone else. While I aim to shoot in the 80s each time on the course, I fail much more than I succeed.

The Golf I class I took freshman year at the University of Wisconsin – Madison has prettied up my swing a bit, but there still remains a little baseball in my golf stroke. Just about every golfer has room for improvement, and removing the swing of my youth from the swing of my future is probably my biggest struggle.

Regardless of my golf desires and deficiencies, I will hope to build on the great work of Cam Fuller in 2011 and Bonnie Spielman prior to that, bringing the Peninsula Pulse Golf Page to the top of the reading list for golfers across the county. Make sure to check in for player biographies, upcoming events, league results and all else that classifies as golf in Door County.

Sean Zak graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 2010 and is attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he is double majoring in communication arts and journalism. Email [email protected] to recommend individuals Zak should profile on these pages, for questions he can ask our area golf pros, or with information about upcoming events.