Editors' Blog Blogger Bio

Of Springtime and Golf Scores

It's springtime in southwestern Connecticut.

Flowering trees soften the landscape in a fragile haze of pink, white and lavender. Meanwhile, tiny leaf buds are beginning to open, scattering dots of vivid green throughout once bare branches.

Last year blustery winds and endless gray, rainy days kept us indoors for most of this enchanting season. By the time we got out onto the golf course in late May, the flowery magic of early Spring had given way to the more uniform green of summer.

But this year it's different. We've had ample days of early warmth and very little stomy weather. Right now the Connecticut hills and valleys are awash in the soft colors of spring. Yesterday we played golf at Candlewood Valley Country Club and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of cherry trees in full bloom. The course was in great shape, and because it was Monday, and so early in the season,there were few golfers... thus no waiting.

These ideal conditions set the stage for an awesome round of golf, and one of my lowest scores ever, a 111.

OK, I know... some of you are probably laughing right now at the idea that a 111 could ever be considered low, but I've only been playing for two years, and I live in the Northeast where are golf seasons are short. ~~And I'm somewhat uncoordinated.~~ So I feel like I'm doing pretty well. And this year, I'm taking the Golf for Women challenge. My goal is to break 100 and I'm feel confident that I can. My driving is doing really well thanks to some help from Debbie Doniger, a top 50 teacher, and my putting has definitely improved, probably due to the drills I learned from Annika. Yes, that's one of the benefits of the challenge; access to tips and instructional videos from some of the greatest golfers and teaching pros out there.

Well, today's another gorgeous day here in CT, one that I'll unfortunately have to spend working not playing. It won't be long before summer's in full swing and this soft spring season is just a memory. For the time being though, I'll be out there as often as possible, enjoying the fresh and flowery days, and (hopefully) improving my golf game.