NAPLES NEWS ARTICLE ~ 12/28/18
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM TP!
When I realized I’d have the dubious task of writing the article that would run New Year’s Week, I thought long and hard about what I might want my topic to be. Although I want to touch on a bit of golf later on I decided to begin this with a rash of well-deserved thank you messages. First and foremost to Greg Hardwig my fearless leader right here at The Naples News. Almost 100 years ago after the great John Eber decided he had enough pen to paper Greg asked me if I’d like to take a shot at putting my thoughts on paper. At the time I was still the new kid on the block, I hadn’t been in Naples that long. Frankly I had enjoyed Mr. Eber’s articles and didn’t know if I could fill his shoes. I hope all these years later I have carried the torch even close to his standard. To Greg, thank you. I have very much enjoyed this journey to date.
As the new kid on the block and a golf Professional from the northeast there were some that didn’t exactly roll up in the welcome wagon. That said there were a bunch of fellow PGA Members and GM’s who went out of their way to help me get my feet on the ground. Thank you Michael Brooks ( Naples Grande ), Mark Durland ( Naples Grande ), Al Kelly (Vineyards ~deceased ), Ben Steele ( Audubon ~ Retired ), Randy Beck ( Lely ), Gene Fieger (Pelican Bay ), Michael McMahon (GM ~ Naples Grande now in Arizona ), John Calabria ( Naples National ~ Retired ), and Tom Wildenhaus (Olde Florida ). 18+ years later I still appreciate and remember what each of these gentlemen did. It’s been a hell of a ride 18+ years later and I have grown to love this part of the state and south. Naples has grown up before our eyes. As we all know it has so much to offer. Great beaches, wonderful parks, great golf and a lot of it! We have wonderful restaurants and great fishing. My wife Denise and I have really enjoyed sneaking into the backcountry, the glades, Everglades City, and The 10,000 Islands. Untouched nature at its very best. We are all blessed to be able to live in paradise.
As for 2019 it should be a heck of a golf season on tour if we get to pick up where we left off. Tiger was stunning at East Lake at The Tour Championship. Yes I know his Ryder Cup was a letdown but I truthfully think he was exhausted and simply out of gas. Imagine this…. The PGA is at the monster called Bethpage Black (He has won there before). I grew up playing there and it has always seemed to me to fit Tiger like a glove. Augusta National (The Masters , well yes he has won there ), The US Open (Pebble Beach , he won there by a thousand !), The Players Championship ( He has won there ), and of course The Open Championship is at a venue this generation hasn’t competed at but Tiger plays links golf as well as anybody. Now I know what you’re all saying, that Patri had Tiger dead and buried 24 months ago! I did, I’m eating a large crow. I WAS DEAD WRONG! Last season’s rise from the dead was nothing short of miraculous! Here I go again….He wins one maybe 2 majors , 2 “other” events and is in the mix for Player of the Year ….There I put it out there. I know I know, but I said it, even put it in print. I think we are about to witness a year that will go down not only in golf history but in sports history as a season of season starring Eldridge “Tiger” Woods! Can you imagine if?!
Finally my I wish each and every one of you and all your family and friends the most healthy and happy 2019. My God Bless you and keep you well. Play some great golf this year.
