One Fine Fraternity Indeed.

Yawn! Hello and Happy Friday everyone. Hope you're having a great week.

The story of the week here in North Texas is going to be the weather. Not so much the heat as the wind. In the space of two days the direction of the wind has changed from north to south. This forecast will remain in effect until the end of the weekend here in Irving/Las Colinas. This shall make for some interesting golf to be sure.

Prior to making the trek to Dallas for the Mavericks' Game 5 win, I actually had a productive 30-35 minutes on the 18th green at the Byron as the Pro-Am was going it's route. You know me, I've never been an autograph guy. Photographs are another matter entirely. In the space of a half hour there were nine golfers who walked off the 18th green with a small slew of fans with items to autograph. Ten photos in the space of a half hour was good enough for me. I also hearken back to last night.

Cool River Cafe has a world wide appeal to fans of special events. Boss Pat since 1997 has done an amazing job of creating the ultimate 'Celebrity Playground' for people who want to just unwind and relax in an atmosphere that is opposite what you might endure in the spotlight. Too bad I recognize most faces...

Right next to one another I had two golfers who were in amiable spirits and talking on about the weather and the like. Table 41 was Mike Putnam. A man with Northwest ties. Table 51 was newly elected Captain to the Walker Cup, Jim Holtgrieve. A man with St. Louis ties.

Let me be clear. I can't golf to save my soul in hell. I'm a duffer, am way too A.D.D. and couldn't handle playing in 100 degree heat in Texas in the summer. If I were still in Seattle, I'd play every day. I just love the game. Love everything about it. Even the occasional Tourette's outbreaks. Then you have the stories.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of the Colonial back in the days of Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. I can only imagine the conversations and the level of competitiveness. To have been able to pal alongside a Payne Stewart when he putted that 40 footer in 1999's U.S. Open. Fond memories of how red-hot Johnny Miller was to begin 1975. Ditto Nancy Lopez in 1978. Tiger in 2000.

Golf has many stories and many personalities. Golf is steeped in traditions from the pro to the weekend Joe. Golf is a wonderful parable to life and wonderful equalizer in the name of humility. I love it all the same. You also see players who compete yet respect one another over many years of play.

Thursday night was a 2 hour jaunt into golf speak with these dignitaries who patiently answered all my questions over dinner. That was actually kind of cool.

It also is great when you hear that a potential golf leader like Sergio Garcia is enjoying a cigar in the smoke room. Way cool. 

Golfers might attract a niche crowd, and the wardrobes are interesting. Colonial this isn't, yet the Byron attracts an interesting crowd.

I so look forward to watching a weekend's worth of play beginning tomorrow. I will also check back with a special report on where you'll find me Saturday afternoon as well. A Bucket List thing sort of thing for the fan. Details.

Have a great Friday! Go Byron!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will