My 2010 USGA member gifts arrived yesterday, just in time for our first big snow storm of the season. I love the cover shot of Chambers Bay – I really hope to play there someday. They will host the 2010 Amateur, then the 2015 U.S. Open. Looks like a beautiful setting…

The good weather streak in Minnesota continues, which allowed my friend Brad and I to get in one more round of golf for 2009. We had a 12:42 tee time at Valleywood in Apple Valley and barely finished 18 holes before the early sunset. I was a little rusty after not playing for a few weeks, but still shot an 88 from the MGA tees.

The weather this week still looks good (upper 50s and sunny), but I think I’m probably done for the year. Time to get the skis ready!

Thanks to a last minute call from my lawyer and friend KJ, I got in nine more holes for the 2009 golf season. We played the back nine at Parkview Golf Club in Eagan, which as you can see above, was absolutely covered in leaves. There actually is a ball in the picture, if you can believe that. Good thing scores don’t count after October 15 in Minnesota (although I did birdie the par five thirteenth hole).

Barring another warm-up, that’s probably it for me this season. Time to get the skis ready!

Yesterday might have been my last Minnesota round of the season, and what better place to play than the Meadows at Mystic Lake with my friend and neighbor Tim (center). We both had our doubts about the weather at the start, with clouds covering the sun and winds blowing 13-17 mph right in our faces on the longer holes on the course (including the way too long 442-yard, par four fifteenth hole). Tim’s brother-in-law Bob (right) and his friend Dave (left) also joined us.

Things turned out fine, though, and I shot my usual 93 from the 6,668-yard blue tees (72.3/142). The highlight of the round for me was a birdie on the 410-yard, par four fifth hole. My drive was in the fairway, but left me with about 190 yards to the green, which is fronted by water. I hit one of my best four-iron shots ever, landing in the front third of the green. The 15 foot birdie putt curved right into the middle of the hole.

I wish winter would hold off a little longer – all of the courses I’ve played lately have great conditions now that could last another few weeks. Hard to play in 40 degree temps and snow showers, though.

Tim and I stayed for lunch in the wonderful Meadows Grille and watched the last ten minutes of the Vikings game (which was another story in itself). Thanks again, Tim!

7MM Meadows at Mystic Lake Photo Gallery

Thanks to member Steve Morrison, the Miller boys and I played Bristol Ridge Golf Course in Somerset, Wisconsin, this weekend. I had never been to this course before and was happy to get out anywhere after a few weeks of cold and snow.

Located about 15 miles from Stillwater, Bristol Ridge was different from what I expected. Some holes reminded me of Hidden Greens (like the narrow, wooded, 354-yard second hole), while others had similarities to Braemar – long par fours with lots of elevation change. The fall colors really made the course pop, too.

The weather was perfect and the crowds definitely picked up behind us as the morning went on. I couldn’t hit a straight drive to save my life on the front nine, which contributed to a not-so-great 48. I had four pars on the back nine, but still only managed a 45, thanks to one blow-up hole. I really need to make driver improvement a priority next season.

After the round, we had a nice lunch that included cheese curds and grilled cheese sandwiches – when in Rome, right?

7MM Bristol Ridge Photo Gallery

With the marathon last week and the snow this week, I sort of forgot to post about golf round 28. On October 1, I played a free round with my neighbor at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville. We both had coupons for a free mid-week round that we had received at the Guide Dogs tournament this summer.

It was rainy, cold and windy, but a free round is a free round, right? We actually only got rained on for two holes and pretty much had the entire course to ourselves. I didn’t play that great, shooting 92 from the 5,827 yard white tees (68.7/127). I also had a $25 gift card from last year’s tournament that we used for lunch afterwards.

I’ve got one more planned tee time this year on Saturday – hopefully it will warm up enough to get that one in…