Tony Butler Golf Course in Harlingen

Today I had the pleasure to play Tony Butler golf course in Harlingen, with my spiritual advisor Father Jim.  When I saw the course I recognized it as being very similar in look to Tyrrell Park in Beaumont.  Both old style course, set in a park, with suitable character. Tyrrell Park was my grandfather's home course for many years and my father's growing up.

Tony Butler was the long time pro at this course.  A good driving course, but not long so there were a lot of short irons in.  But the greens were small and sloped and surprisingly well bunkered.    I shot at 84 and Jim and I tied.  So it's a push until next time.

This marks 4 of 12 new courses played this year.  Off to a good start.

Morris Williams

I had the chance to see an old friend while in Austin - Morris Williams.  He's actually a golf course, but named after a UT golf great who died early in the post WW2 world in a military training accident.

Like a reunion, at first you notice a few changes.  But after a while the personality come out and you realize there has not been much change at all.

The course and grounds were remodeled after the utility purchased a parcel from the city to build a new transformer.  With those funds reinvested, a new modern club house was built, the holes on the corner rerouted slightly:  Holes 10, 13, 14, mainly the green complex.  Other remained blissfully the same.  For example on number 5, my partner asked where to hit it.  I said "That convenience store is a safe target line".   That didn't change at all.

Neither did the course get any easier.  It's always been a long course and many of the holes play uphill, like Olympic Club.  And the greens are very large with different levels now (like Augusta) so even if you are on, you've got a tough putt (and second putt).

Not many people compare this old war horse to Olympic and Augusta, but like I said, old friends have a special pull on you.  Cheers to Morris.

Bath Remodel

The home remodel is coming along.  Today, the bathtub has been framed and should be slotted in place soon.  The shower has been drywalled and should be tiled next.  Accent tile has been  ordered and cabinets are being built.  Floor tile has been ordered.  So I think we are right on schedule and it is looking very nice.

Memorial Day weekend coming up and Sarah comes home for a visit.  Should be a nice 3 day weekend at home.

Cutting the Caffeine

Going to the doctor last week, I received some unexpected news:  anxiety he said... cut back on the caffeine.

I think I would have rather been diagnosed with a rare tropical disease at that point.  We had talked about caffeine before so I guess it should not have been a great surprise.

So I've been investigating caffeine again.  Thanks to portions going out of control, and likely caffeine content, I'd been ingesting a fair share.  A Grande Starbucks brewed coffee?   330 mg.  Compare to a cup of green tea 25 mg.  12 oz Coca-Cola, 34 mg.  Those cups of coffee just get larger and larger.

So far, I've think I've brought it down.  No cold turkey but steps in the right direction.  Today I've had 1 green tea, 1 8 0z. coffee, 10 oz. Coca-Cola.   A lot better than 6 cups of coffee.

Free Weekend

Allergies from last weekend and doctors orders have stopped the plan for the 2014 BP MS 150 bike ride.  Listen to your body, they say.  Feeling sick?  Probably should not exert yourself for a 150 mile bike ride.

I'd been looking forward to it, but not in the condition I've been in.  Resting up is already doing the trick.  We even had our seminar on runner's health last night so my first test came soon.

Here's a recap of the 2013 ride

http://get-atty.blogspot.com/2013/04/same-time-next-year-ms-150.html

A family Masters connection

Our family friend Davis Love, Jr. was a college classmate and fellow golf team member at UT in the 1950s with father Ed.  Davis was from the little town of El Dorado, Arkansas and made it to Austin where he played for 3 years before moving on as an early adopter of the pro golf lifestyle, right about the time of the Palmer Era when things changed

Davis made it to the quarterfinals of the US Amateur which at that time allowed for an invitation to the Masters.  Ed recalls that they were in college when this happened.  A famous story is that on the 9th hole which is sloped very steeply back to front, Davis was short, and then hit over the green.  On the 4th shot he hit and the ball rolled across the green further than where he was after the 2nd shot.  As he then put it, he chipped on the green and 3 putted for an 8.

http://www.augusta.com/masters/historic/players/hbh/1955_hbh12270.shtml

Davis was on the PGA tour off and on in the 1960s and played in the Masters at least another time.  Ed recalls that Davis invited him to come play a practice round but Ed couldn't get away.  Truly one that got away.

http://www.augusta.com/masters/historic/players/hbh/1964_hbh12270.shtml

Davis was a fine golf instructor and gave me many lessons over the years.  The most memorable was in my backyard.  A week later I went and shot my best round every.

Davis died untimely in 1988 in a plane crash at the young ago of 53.  That's him on the left.  His son Davis Love III of course has gone on to a fine PGA tour career and won a major in 1997, the PGA Championship.

Dr. Paul at the Final Four

My friend Dr. Paul is a regular drinker - of Coke Zero.  Which makes him somewhat irregular.  The stepchild of the Coca-Coca family, Coke Zero is a diet soda which is supposed to taste more like a sweeter soda.

Coke Zero has not taken off (surprise!)  So in a marketing blitz, Coke Zero was decided to be the Official Drink of the Final Four.  There was a contest for patrons to go.  Since there are not so many afficianados of "The Zero", Dr. Paul's chances increased.  And he WON!

So he's at the Final Four now, getting the complete marketing drubbing.  And as he said "I'm totally fine with that".  As long as Uncle Coke is picking up the complete tab, he's #OpenToTry.

Glad to hear he and his teenage son are having a big time.  They saw the soon to be famous upset of Wisconsin over Kentucky.  As a transplanted Midwestern, he was very happy for that.  Now if the Badgers can beat Duke on Monday, that should be a season to remember.  Two 1 seeds should make for a great game.