Stories

RJ Smiley

Kangaroo On Golf Course

As winter approaches, know that it is summer in Australia. I would love to travel to the continent down under to play their golf courses and witness the wildlife.

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RJ Smiley

Texas A&M Traditions Club

With the college football season in full swing, many golfers look for venues where they can play quality golf and watch big time football. Texas A&M tops the list.

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RJ Smiley

Tom & Jerry

Golf is suppose to be fun. This story and attached Tom & Jerry video will prove how much fun golf can be.

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RJ Smiley

Dick Bennett

All golfers have questions about what exactly does the USGA do? This story about Dick Bennett will give you an Idea.

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RJ Smiley

Jan Stephenson

As the best women golfers compete for the Olympic Gold Medal, I thought of Jan Stephenson. Jan could really play, but she could also attract a TV audience.

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RJ Smiley

Rickie Fowler

I must say that I felt sorry for Rickie Fowler at the recent 3M Open. As he was making 8 on #18, I thought of a story I wrote in 2015 when Rickie won the 2015 Player’s Championship. He won the tournament but girlfriend Alexia stole the show.

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RJ Smiley

Mike Damman

As the MGA golf season is drawing to a close, we all need to remember the volunteers who make the events go smoothly. Mike Damman is one of the very best. The story is several years old but Mike still works many MGA events.

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RJ Smiley

Bridge

This is the last Money Ball story for a while. When I got my introduction to Bridge I lost $2.60 in 9 holes. That was a small fortune for a kid making $1.25 per hour.

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RJ Smiley

The Snydes, Johnny Snyder

Sorry I missed my good friend Johnny “The Snydes” Snyder on his recent trip to Minnesota. I had to publish the story. Enjoy, this story about Minnesota golf treasure.

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RJ Smiley

Sergio’s Girl Friend

The honeymoon before the honeymoon. A (finally) mature Sergio Garcia enjoys a pre-marriage party before his marriage to exGolf Channel star, Angela Akins. Golf fans

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RJ Smiley

Minnesota Golf Architects

As Golf continues the Covid driven growth curve, investors are again looking at golf courses as an investment. This story is a look at the men who designed golf courses in Minnesota.

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RJ Smiley

As Deer fly season approaches, read a story about solutions for these pesky critters.

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RJ Smiley

No Perfect Swing

Looking ahead to the golf season, the focus becomes the 3M Open. How many fans will be admitted? Who will be in the field? Will the drams of the past Championship continue. A look at a Psychic story about golf swings.

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RJ Smiley

Tornados On The Golf Course

Believe it or not, tornado season is just around the corner. Operating a golf course for many years, I realized how foolish people can be. Respect for Mother Nature is essential!

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RJ Smiley

Leopard Frog

This story brings me back to my college days. I truly hope that my farmer friends are still enjoying life playing golf.

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RJ Smiley

White Squirrel

Critters on a golf course are a constant source of pleasure. No animal is more beautiful than the rare white squirrel.

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RJ Smiley

Ranger Richard

Most golf course rangers are wonderful “player assistants.” But a few believe they are cops. The kids turned the tables on Ranger Richard.

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RJ Smiley

Big “D”

Big β€œD”, the Dave Pelz short game instructor, knocked it on in regulation; and then proceeded to score an 11 on the hole.

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RJ Smiley

Woody Saved The Day

The boys were worrying about the seen at the scorers table when the qualifying round ended. Big Bill, the country cluber, had cheated. Woody Woodpecker saved the day

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RJ Smiley

Twins

When caddies have a stake in the game they pay more attention. Fun story about twin brothers.

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RJ Smiley

Golf On Saba

The island of Saba is the most unique place that I have ever visited. There is not golf course….. but we can dream!

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RJ Smiley

Dangers In The Deserts

As his bright blue eyes sparkled, the little starter said, “everything in the desert bites, stings or scratches. Just lease those new ProV1’s in the desert! I will find them later.”

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RJ Smiley

What Is The Blue General

This is an Arnold Palmer that you have never heard. Some of us are old enough to remember when The King and Pennzoil had an advertising gig. This story is part one on an interesting GolfTale!

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RJ Smiley

Fat Golfer Escapes Mud

Like a scene from a Roadrunner cartoon, the Fat Man, impersonating Wile E. Coyote, clawed with his hands and peddled with his feet only to slide back into the irrigation pond.

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RJ Smiley

Albino Deer

This group of muni golfers had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They witnessed a pair of albino deer at Fiddlestix Golf Course on the south shore of Mille Lacs lake.

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RJ Smiley

Dean Martin’s Famous Quote

Dean Martin, one of the coolest entertainers of all time, loved to play golf. Read the quote Dean made to a young golf hustler who had just beaten him out of big money on the golf course.

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RJ Smiley

Max McGee

After the Vikings win over Green Bay, I had to insert the story about Max McGee and a young caddie at his golf club. Enjoy this special story!

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RJ Smiley

Bobcat Dinner

Nature’s critters thrive on Arizona desert golf courses. On this particular evening the bobcat ruined dinner for a group of our Canadian neighbors.

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RJ Smiley

Rabbits At Trilogy

As the snow flies, we think of golf in warmer climates. Trilogy at Powder Ranch is a great place to play and watch the many many rabbits.

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RJ Smiley

Golf Towel For TP

On the third hole at the beautiful Ocean Course at the Omni Resort on famous Hilton Head Island, Kelly whispers to his long time golf

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RJ Smiley

Bill “IZZY” Isrealson

Playing tournament golf for 65 years I have met some fine people and great golfers. My friend Bill Isrealson ranks at the top in both categories. Read his story.

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RJ Smiley

Cowboy Became A Golfer

My relative, Jim, is the cowboy in this story. He told me the story about his problem with his new golf clubs. A few weeks later he and his wife were in Golf Galaxy and he picked up a copy of TeeTimes. He was leafing through the magazine when he came across this cowboy story – about him. He was halfway through reading it before he realized that it was about him!

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RJ Smiley

Shocker Beer Can Putting

Shocker, the putting green conman, proved that putting with one hand worked to perfection. He never had to set his, always present, Bud can down while he took your money.

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RJ Smiley

Howard’s Golf Cap

When I see that the forecast calls for rain I plan my golf outfit thinking of Howard’s hat and raincoat. Read and enjoy his story about my friend Howard.

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RJ Smiley

Buddy T’s Scorecard

As the golf season draws to a close the annual season ending tournaments draw near. The story of my friend Buddy T and his scorecard will make you smile.

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RJ Smiley

Deer At Starr Pass

As the days shorten and the leaves turn yellow gold, we golfers begin dreaming of winter getaways. Starr Pass in Tucson is among the finest.

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RJ Smiley

Porcupine Hazard

When playing golf up-north on Minnesota’s resort courses animal sightings are not unusual. But having a round of golf halted by a porcupine is rare.

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RJ Smiley

In And Out

During the 3-hour drive up north to our annual men’s golf getaway the volume on the bragging rights had increased continually. Over cocktails on the deck of the on-course condo, we hashed and re-hashed handicaps as the number of strokes were finally established. By 11 PM, an hour after our regular bedtime, we dreaming of great golf shots.

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RJ Smiley

Bracket’s Crossing – Owner Tom Smith

Brackett’s Crossings is back in the news. The golf course has been totally re-grassed. It is now in the best shape ever. This story was written in 2009 but tells the story of Tom Smith and his golf course. Tom Smith continues to show that he is committed to giving members and guests the best possible turf conditions.

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RJ Smiley

Paula Creamer – More Than A USGA Women’s Open Champion!!

In the summer of 2008 historic Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Mn hosted the USGA Women’s Open Championship. Most Minnesota golf fans were pulling for two players, Paula Creamer and Hillary Lunke. Paula Creamer, AKA β€œThe Pink Panther,” was seeking her first win at the US Open. The other fan favorite was Hillary Lunke, the 2008 US Open winner at Pumpkin Ridge, playing golf in her home town. Hillary Lunke did not make the cut. Paula came up a little short down the stretch at Interlachen – BUT SHE FINISHED (the event) WITH STYLE.

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RJ Smiley

Monarch Of The Plains

For two years members of our golf team shared the time-lapse transformation from a raw block of yellow rock to a perfect replica of the American Bison, The Monarch Of The Plains. The process is indelibly etched into our brains as our friend, Fritz, magically converted the immense block of stone into an incredible work of art.

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RJ Smiley

The Belligerent Bulldog

The beautiful late spring day was perfect for golf. It was also a perfect day for Mother Nature’s critters to enjoy gnawing on a bone or a chew toy in the shade of a tree.

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RJ Smiley

Bumble Bee Gets A GoPro Look

In these days of skin-tight golf slacks, most readers of GolfTales will not remember those loose fitting double pleated golf slacks from yesteryear. Those slacks left room for a bumble bee fly up the leg.

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RJ Smiley

The Most Beautiful Trophy

Performing under pressure – that is why most athletes compete. I learned that lesson as a caddie. This never before published story has lived in my heart since age ten.

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RJ Smiley

Celebrate Golfers! We Are Healthier Than Non-Golfers

Sept 21, 2020 is the annual MGA Sr Tour Finals. Thanks MGA for the picture of 2019 champions. The Psychic got the inspiration for his story from the Global Action Plan For Physical Activity 2018 – 2030: GLOBAL CONSENSUS FOR GOLF IS IN THE RACE TO TACKLE PHYSICAL INACTIVITY.

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RJ Smiley

β€œHONEY, JUST TAP IT”

It was the couples club championship at Whispering Pines Golf Club near Myrtle Beach. On the final day, Frank and Linda were leading by four strokes with only seven holes left to play.

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RJ Smiley

ONLY 19 PUTTS

As August comes to a close my mind is planning my return to my winter home in Florida. Looking forward to playing golf with Joe Knight. On a blustery Saturday morning along the Joe, age 68, has won the Club Championship for the 8th time since turning 55.

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RJ Smiley

THE GOLDEN THAT WOULD NOT FETCH

Eli loves golf! He was a good college player who is still competitive in state golf association tournaments. But with a new family and a good sales job that kept him of the road four days a week, it was hard for him to find time to play.

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RJ Smiley

Minnesota Golfers Will Share Record For Ever

The US Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes well into match play elimination rounds. Read the story of two great Minnesota golfers who waited all night to play one hole, the famed par-3 17th at Pebble Beach. The dream of winning the US Amateur Championship ended before 8 AM. Understand the hart ache of every player in the championship except the ultimate winner.

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RJ Smiley

Trump Golf Courses

Psychic loves golf. He loves to play golf! He loves to watch golf on television. At one time he even enjoyed practicing golf. On one

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RJ Smiley

The Amigos And The Deer Flies

The four Amigos had been friends since grade school. Growing up in Duluth, they played golf at Lester Park in the summer and hockey all winter. The Amigos never realized that the two sports complemented each other.

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RJ Smiley

Fuzzy Loves Bucket Mouth Bass

With the 3-M Open just around the corner, I thought that readers would like to look back to 2010 3-M Championship. Fuzzy Zoeller spent more time fishing and talking about catching bass than playing golf.

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RJ Smiley

Mike Cleland

8 shots in 3 holes! 4 under par! But there is more! I have known Mike Cleland for over 40 year. He has always been a really good golfer. But Mike, like fine wine, just gets better with age.

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RJ Smiley

Goats As Caddies

Change has been the only constant since Scottish shepherds started whacking round stones with their shepherd’s crooks. Clubs, balls, courses, rules and yes, even caddies continue to change over time.

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RJ Smiley

Pelicans Make Great Golf Fans

Without warning and totally silent an endless parade of pelicans glided past. I had time to find my iPhone, open the camera and snap several shots as these graceful creatures with their wings set and rode the updraft off the bay in perfect formation.

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RJ Smiley

Fast Eddie Manderville

Yesterday Minnesota and golfers everywhere lost a true ambassador. Manderville quote: β€œIn all my years playing competitive golf, I have never had a race problem. When you have a strong game and a smile on your face, people forget about race.”

Eddie Manderville was living proof that the great game of golf is colorblind. Eddie was a great golfer. He was a true competitor. He was a wonderful gentleman!

For those of us who knew Fast Eddie and his long time golf partner Harvey Borseth, can you imagine the games they will have on that big golf course in the sky.

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RJ Smiley

Keller Got It Right

Recently I had the privilege of playing Keller Golf Course. Keller, rich in MN golf history, was remodeled in 2014. The combination of original routing and modern green complex makes the course one of the best in MN. Play it!

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RJ Smiley

Frog On The Ball

Imagine a golf ball hanging in the tall fescue – with a frog sitting on top. This story gives the details of what happened to the Mail-Carrier playing before the home town crowd. Comment if you like.

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RJ Smiley

Shark Attack At Bodega Harbor

Playing golf for 65 years has produced many memories. But nothing will surpass the surreal experience of playing golf at Bodega Harbor. The cold wind off the Pacific Ocean and kaleidoscope of rain, fog and brilliant sunshine on a spectacular golf course were amazing. I did not see the Great White – But the waitress told us about it. Comment if you wish.

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RJ Smiley

Ducklings Down The Drain

In the springtime duckings seem to be everywhere. Two things that don’t mix are baby ducks and floodwater drains. This story contains both buy has a nice ending. Enjoy! Make a comment after you have read the story.

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RJ Smiley

Salmon Fishing At Racine Country Club

This was my first trip around Racine Country Club. The terrified fish, using every ounce of its strength, did a tail-standing leap, spit the fly and disappeared into the foaming water. An elbow from my playing partner brought me back to the present and we proceeded toward the green.

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RJ Smiley

The “Buffalo Waller” – A Natural Hazard

Lee Trevino would have loved β€œThe Waller.” Taking a page from the origin of golf on the seaside links land, “Natural Hazards” need no red or yellow stakes. On the western Kansas prairie Buffalo created “The Waller” a truly natural hazard. Your comments are appreciated.

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RJ Smiley

Snake on the Daisy

On a road trip to see our new grand daughter, we traveled across western Nebraska. We witnessed a beautiful seen from Mother Nature. I also had a flashback to the Wild West days when cattle rustlers were hung on the spot.

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RJ Smiley

Roadrunner And The Snake

Golf in the desert has created hundreds of oasis where wildlife flourishes and β€œsnow birds” enjoy perfect golf conditions.  The variety of critters that make

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RJ Smiley

Wile E Coyote

The manmade oasis where we play golf provide perfect habitat for Mother Nature’s critters. These animals provide an additional element of entertainment for golfers.

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RJ Smiley

My Round With Tom Lehman

At the grand opening of The Links At Northfork Tom Lehman proved just how good he is. In a wind that would have made the Open Champion ship committee proud Tom made the game look easy. His only bogey – when I gave him bad advice. Lehman is a great player, but a better person.

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