FOX RUN'S FIRST DAY OF 2009...

You can't say that Fox Run's first open day was a financial success, but, given the attendance of 14 golfers, with the weather we had, it was a sign that people were itching to come and play! 2009's first group, was formed by Joseph Lonjose (pictured hitting the first 2009 tee shot), Sage hompson and Ted Arviso. They teed off at 9:05 a.m., and at about 9:35 a.m., it started snowing! I thought they would come back and ask for a rain check, but they continued and finished their round. Look, I consider myself a "die hard" golfer, but when I went outside to take some trash out, I thought, "these guys have me beat by a mile!"

We know! The golf season has started in many parts of the country. In some places, even places close to us like Coyote Del Malpais (our closest place of "golf itching relief"), golf is only interrupted for a few days at a time during the winter; but in Gallup, the weather is a little more unpredictable and there is a forced closure policy, so, like it or not, we are stuck to about a 9 month season!

Some of you may ask, "what about our high schools' golf teams, what do they do for practice?" There was a solution: Mr. Weekes allowed the use of the short practice area a few weeks before the season opened. And, sure, I know that some kids (I was there once... many years ago), would have liked to "hit the links", but, as one who knows a little about golf, I am very glad that they were forced to practice their short game. Trust me, they all needed it (we all need it!) and those who used what was made available, will benefit from it.

As far a myself, I have been doing what I have always done: I play when I can get some golfers together and play elsewhere or I go visit my daughters. This year, we have played Coyote, Arroyo, Isleta, Cerbat Hills (Brian Knaar pictured right putting on the unique Par-3 #8), Boulder Creek, and even took a trip to Laughlin, NV, where we visited Laughlin Ranch, Avi Resort, Desert Lakes and the new Los Lagos G.C. (in many of these places, we visit with staff and exchange ideas). Also, as often as I can, I either go see my youngest play a tournament in warmer places, or go visit my older daughter (who, now as an attorney cannot find time to play unless I visit) in Oklahoma City. All of this, plus good reading and the great technology of TV, keep the word "golf" in my mind.

So, don't put your clubs far away. Your golf course is already available, but please don't wait until the weather is in the 80's, we may not see you around for another month!