This might just be the only time of year that golfers see Canada Geese V’ing overhead and don’t have the urge to aim an imaginary shotgun at the flock. 
Spring brings gentler dispositions.

“Welcome back old foes.  We’ll look for your calling cards on the greens.”

Whenever I see geese near a golf course, I think of this story:

The year was 1986 and a young PGA pro named Brian Sanderson was early in a career that would span more than twenty years with BOYNE. Brian had been receiving complaints from guests about the geese that had decided to call the 18th hole of the Alpine Course home. Brian took the matter to BOYNE’s founder and owner Everett Kircher.

Mr. Kircher was many things and nothing if not complex. He was a business force, inventor, avid outdoorsman, jet pilot, philanthropist and (his favorite title) a great fly-fisherman.  He is also credited with starting the golf boom in Northern Michigan.

His solution was as quick as it was simple.
“If we want to get rid of those geese we just have to shoot one.  The rest will get the message and that will be the last of it.”

This was a logical response from a no-nonsense man who had hunted the world over.  Visitors to BOYNE will still find many of his exotic trophies decorating the walls of the resorts. There was one hitch that no one would have expected. More...

Apparently reports of the demise of Jeff Eccleston's ambitious plans for the weekend were premature.

A healthy dose of steroids (Yes, prescribed by a doctor) made a world of difference.  If Jeff does make his goal we may have to mark it with an asterik, but that's just the era we live in.

Here is his audio report: Back_At_It.wav (1.38 mb)

Talking to Jeff, it's hard not to really like him- at least until he mentions that he shot a 78 and a 77 today- in spring conditions.  I won't begrudge his ability, since he has made a career out of sharing that wealth. His enthusiasm is infectious. It's easy to see why the kids from the Junior Golf Academy enjoy it so much. 

 -JJ

J.E.'s Golf Tip of the Day:
When you are excited and your heart is really pumping, listen to what your body is telling you.  Go ahead and be agressive-Carefully.  If you are between clubs and you know you are pretty jacked up, let 'er rip with the lessor club. 

A beautiiful morning for golf with temps in the 50's and loons calling on Deer Lake was enough to get Jeff to try to push through an unfortunate brush with poison ivy. Trail running with a dog last week is the likely source of the problem.

Jeff toughed out 18 holes and managed an 80 using only odd numbered clubs.  Initial reports are that the courses are looking exceptionally good for this time of year.
Always the optimist, Jeff thinks poison ivy on the hands can be a useful golf training aid- it makes you relax your grip pressure. I'll take his word for it.

It looks like the golf marathon will have to wait until next weekend.  When he gets out there I'll let you know.

-JJ

Around hole 72 during a long weekend of 36 holes-a-day I usually hear my friends start to whine a little.
“This is too much.”
“It’s almost like work.”
“What is the matter with us?”
Then we laugh and start arguing about teams for the next 36.

People have called us freaks, but we’ve got nothing on this guy-
Meet Jeff Eccleston, or as I now like to call him, BOYNE’s Ayatollah of Granola.

Jeff is Director of BOYNE’s National Junior Golf Academy and apparently he has more than enough energy and enthusiasm to keep up with his youthful charges. This year he will be inaugurating 2008 play at BOYNE by playing all the courses completely under his own power over four days. That doesn’t sound all that bad until you look at this weekend's itinerary. More...