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.
Bud Chapman’s Mt. Rushmore Painting Featuring Johnny Snyder
We will finish off our tribute to Bud Chapman with a painting of his good friend, Johnny Snyder. Snyder was one of the best to
Eagle And Carp – Nature’s Rule!
Located along the Cannon River, members of Cannon Country Club are entertained by many of Mother Nature’s critters.
Great Horned Owl Had Mites
Even a golfer who wears over-alls has a hard time with mites. Those gol-dang tings really make you itch.
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 “The 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.
Red-Tailed Hawk Dive-bombed Graduation Party
The COVID19 bug cancelled most seniors students high school graduation. Future reunions will be even more important as the years go by.
Dressed In A Mink Coat, He Had Three Birdies!!
Did you know mink are carnivores? This true story will give you an idea how quickly a mink can clean out a nest.
Elk On The Course – Evergreen, CO
Ever seen a heard of elk while playing golf? Put this unique golf experience on your bucket list and travel to Evergreen, Colorado for a first hand look.
Ageless Artist sets Another Record
Last week Minnesota lost a golf legend. Read a revealing story of his golf skills and artistic talents.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DRILL, THE EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE
The name on his name tag said Duke, but I met Drill, the ER Nurse, on a recent visit to a large hospital’s emergency room on a very busy Saturday night.
“HONEY, 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.
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.
GOLFER, RICK AULIE, SETS SPEED RECORD
There are all kinds of records. Course records. Basketball rebound records. Track records for every race and jump. But Rick Aulie’s record for record time for an 18 hole round of golf may be one of the best records of all.
Yellow Tomcat Has Golf Etiquette
COVID 19 caused a cancellation of the annual Smiley week on the beach in late July each year. This cat poop story was a highlight of the story telling time each evening on the beach.
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
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.
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.
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.
Hedgehog On The Golf Course
What is this little pet? Answer: Hedgehog. Hedgehogs are still found on golf courses around the world. Science has reduced their need to eliminate pests.
Great Blue Heron Wins Battle With Cottonmouth Water Moccasin
This is a tale of a Great Blue Heron and a Cottonmouth Water Moccasin. We all know that the animal kingdom is a continuous eat or be eaten struggle.
Bud Chapman – One Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words!!
Bud Chapman passed last week. His friends all believe that he is now actually playing those famous hole. I posted this story last month, but it deserves another look. You will recognize his paintings.
Fast Eddie Manderville
“In 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 is living proof that the great game of golf is colorblind. Eddie is a great golfer. He is a true competitor. He is a true gentleman!
Meadow Mice On Golf Course
Over the years “Critters On the Course” has shared a variety of stories and tales of the variety of critters that make their home on
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.
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.
Golf In The Wine Country
The TV set in my mind did a replay of our trip to wine country.
Giants Ridge – Quality & Value!
Rated Most Valuable, Most Affordable Golf Courses and Overall Best Golf Experience in the Nation by Golf Digest, Giants Ridge golf courses represent North Woods perfect.
The “Buffalo Waller” – A Natural Hazard
Lee Trevino would have loved “The 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.
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.
Fox Pups & Cheap-O Camera
In the days before cell phones with cameras, cheap little cardboard box cameras served a need. This story illustrates proof that a camera is just a camera.
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.
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.
