Karzmer: Weather outside delightful for golfers after Mother Nature ruled

Hello, friends and welcome to Vindy’s Greatest Golf Season 6.0!

I once again have the privilege of writing a weekly column about “all things golf” right here for the next 18 or so weeks.

For those that have read my column in the past, you know what to expect — 400-800 words on a relevant golf topic of the day. From Tiger Woods to local juniors, my goal is to divvy up my own opinion in a carefree, easy-read format.

Some topics will be more serious than others. And some weeks will be more personal feelings than “third party” perspective.

But all will be honest. And if I do well, you’ll hopefully feel like we’re simply having a conversation.

So let’s get to it!

It’s hard to believe, but the 2015 golf season is upon us. The trees are sprouting. The grass is greening. And we’ve all been lucky enough to make it through another special Masters Week, highlighted by the record victory of 21-year-old Jordan Spieth (full column to come next week).

On the local front, it’s been quite a winter. Obviously, Mother Nature flexed her muscles for the better parts of January through March, but from what I’ve been hearing our local courses withstood her fury and have emerged relatively unscathed.

Courses and competitors alike, anxious for the reunions that await; four-hour slugfests spread over 18 individual battlefields that, although nonsensical, often result in lifelong love affairs.

Conversely, as constant as our courses have remained, the PGA professionals running them seem to have enjoyed their own little wintry version of musical chairs.

My apologies in advance for missing anyone, but I’m aware of major staff changes to the following courses: Mill Creek, The Lake Club, Salem Country Club, Trumbull Country Club, Kennsington Golf Club and Pine Lakes Golf Club.

I’m sure there are more depending on the radius we want to discuss.

In the coming weeks, I hope to interview and highlight some of the changes mentioned above. Not just in terms of “who went where,” but actually try to provide some insight as to the decisions and challenges local PGA professionals go through when trying to decide on a new “home course.”

Another exciting topic throughout the summer will be Greatest Golfer of the Valley 6.0. Last year was another record-breaker in terms of participants and events. Juniors tournament continued to grow. The Greatest Scramble Team of the Valley was a success. Local PGA athlete Jason Kokrak came back and showed in person why he’s considered one of the Tour’s longest hitters. Greatest 5.0 was a success.

And I can say first handed that the “trash talk” for Greatest 2015 schedule has already begun. I look forward to writing more about the growth and success of the entire Greatest program throughout the summer.

So Jordan Spieth and The Masters, local PGA Professionals and Greatest 6.0 are locked in as definite topics. What else would you like to read about?

This year I’m asking for your direct help in setting the topics for each week. My email is Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com and if you think you have a good topic, I want to hear about it. Obviously I have to get final approval from Team Vindy, but as we approach year four of summer columns, I’m looking for some input from my local golfing friends.

With that, I thank you again for joining me on this weekly exchange and I wish us all a happy and healthy 2015 golf season!

Jonah Karzmer is a former golf professional who writes a Sunday golf column for The Vindicator. In his spare time he sells commercial insurance and loves getting feedback on his weekly columns via email at Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com.