KARZMER: Spring heralds return of golf observations

How about that crazy off season? What kind of odds do you think we could have gotten last December on this four-bet parlay:

Golf in Youngstown multiple times in February in shorts.

Get snowed out in March.

First weekend in April having both snow and 70 degrees with sunshine.

Sergio Garcia winning a major tournament.

I don’t know the numbers, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t need Marty McFly’s almanac anymore!

In all seriousness though, I’d like to formally reintroduce myself as a golf columnist. For the fifth year, I am honored for this opportunity to share my thoughts with you each week.

If you’ve read this column in the past, thank you.

If you’re a newcomer, I hope you enjoy the five minute read of my mostly lighthearted thoughts on all things golf.

Regardless of your past reading history, if you turn out to be a “regular,” we probably have something in common — a love for the great game of golf.

I’ve tried before, many times, actually, to verbalize the way this game can creep inside us. Some efforts were better than others; each one ultimately failing to accurately explain the way the game can take hold of us, the way we can feel it in our insides, how it becomes emotional and almost tangible.

There’s the absolute satisfaction that comes from flushing a four iron ... even when on the range ... alone.

And the pain we see and can, in turn, feel ourselves when we watch a 20-year superstar miss a four-footer on the last hole of The Masters then later capture his first major.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my few years writing, it’s that a lot of people like this game for a lot of different reasons: exercise, competition, nature, friendship, camaraderie, perfectionist, recreation, gambler, young at heart, business opportunities, mind clearing, die hard.

And many others.

Young or old, rich or poor, white, black, brown or any other color of the rainbow — regardless of the reason why or the demographic box you fit into, I think old Mr. Penick nailed it when he titled his one book “And If You Play Golf You’re My Friend.”

When I was young I used to be so jealous of the Floridians who got to play 12 months a year. Now I’m not so sure. Because as painful and biting as that winter layoff may be, we get to enjoy something those snow birds do not — a new beginning.

I’m so glad ours is finally here.

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.