Expand Your Golf Horizons

I was honored to grab the reigns of the Golf Page in May from Cam Fuller for the 2012 season, and I am extremely saddened to see it come to an end. I learned much about the game and hope that I passed on enough quality content to keep readers returning each week. We were able to profile some great golfers (even better people) this season in addition to some wonderful events and everything else golf, from the Orchards to the Red Putter. This will be the last Golf Page of the season, and I would like to send our hopefully steady readers out with one snippet of advice.

Don’t limit yourself.

I recently spent an October Sunday morning at a new course, The Legend at Bergamont, in Oregon, Wis., just south of Madison. As I woke up to below zero temperatures, I questioned myself for motivation to why I was actually going to try to golf. My bed never felt as comfortable as it did that morning, but the game I love finally pulled me out of the sheets.

Besides the bragging rights incentive of beating my roommates, I realized that in the past year, I had played just four different golf courses. Added that I play once or twice a week, my rounds to courses ratio was rather pathetic.

There is no reason why any golfer should limit themselves to a single course or just a handful. There is a far smaller reward from repeatedly playing the same course and shooting a personal-best 75 than picking out a new course nearby, walking to the first tee and firing an 80.

I understand that people love feeling comfortable, and the wide fairways at their favorite course are much more pacifying than a tighter track from outside the county, but golf is a challenge to all of us, so let’s challenge ourselves.

Anything that is particularly marvelous about one course can likely be matched on an even grander scale at another. There is no argument in claiming an affection for the beauty of say, Horseshoe Bay, without at least taking in a round at The Orchards or battling the elevation changes at Peninsula State Park.

A friend of mine took this to a new level this summer, and I was glad to play a part. He and his friends set out the goal to play a round at every golf course in the county. This is a difficult feat, as he needed a contact at the private club Horseshoe Bay. I was more than happy to fill the need. Last I checked, his crew was only two courses away from completing the task, and yes, that includes Deer Run Golf Resort nestled up on Washington Island.

Something like that is what I want from every golfer.

Now I understand that golf can be a very expensive hobby (remember I’m a college student). But expanding our golf horizons is the best decision one can make. There is amazing golf everywhere in Wisconsin, most definitely waiting for visitors from Door County. It is the one thing I ask of any golfer and any reader of the Golf Page. I’ll be doing so myself, and who knows, if you play your strokes right, you might just see me out there.