Vermillion

While working on a story about the difficulties the course staff is facing at the Pioneer Golf Course at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, I met golfer Scott Williams, 38, of Decatur as he was warming up on the No. 10 tee.

Williams is in the photo at the beginning of the story titled “Pioneer Golf Course looks to bounce back” that was published June 18 in the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Williams told me he had enrolled as a student at TWU in 1990. He said he had begun playing the university course then. After graduating at TWU and eventually moving to Decatur he said he still comes to Denton frequently to play a round at Pioneer. His reasons?

He said the course playing conditions have definitely improved over the years and the fees have always been reasonable.

We didn’t talk about it that day but I wonder how long he can continue to make frequent trips here as gasoline prices mysteriously continue to creep skyward like an A-10 Warthog soaring out of a hot zone.

The phone calls and e-mails you have been sending me show an increase in some questions and concerns shared by many local golfers that have been force to reduce the number of rounds they normally play. Some of you have said, particularly retirees on a fixed income, that you can no longer afford to drive your car to play the more distant courses from Denton and cannot afford the fees charged by some local courses — so what are we to do?

The National Golf Foundation June 26 issue of Inside the Ropes reports the number of rounds played in May 2008 in the United States is down 4.4 percent compared to rounds played in May 2007, but that the May 2007 rounds played was above average. Over all, rounds played in May 2008 are only 2.3 percent less than the same time period last year.

There are many circumstances that may be the cause with the cost of oil being one of them.

One of my many projects is to revisit and play our local courses (darn the bad luck) in an attempt to suggest some ideas that will hopefully allow us to keep playing the game we love. Watch for some of my golf course features in the DR-C soon.

The survey says…

Phone calls and e-mails from my fellow golfers I frequently receive are always interesting and important to me. Another way to share some things about your golf life is to complete our DRC Golfer Survey 2008. The time to complete the survey is approximately 5-8 minutes. You don’t have to answer all the questions, but when you submit a completed survey you will automatically be entered into our monthly drawing for a chance to win a box of Nike Golf balls sponsored by WeatherToGolf.com. We have three more free boxes of Nike Golf balls to give away.

Denton Area Golf Association tournament

The next DAGA golf tournament is an individual stroke play format beginning 9 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at Northern Challenge Golf Club, 520 Champions Lane, Sherman, just south of U.S. Highway 82.

Entry fee is $55 per player and includes green and cart fees and the opportunity to win cash prizes.

For more information about DAGA and upcoming tournaments call Randy Brittain, North Lakes Golf and Practice Center in Denton at 940-381-2700.

Gainesville Men’s Golf Association tournament

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 19, the GMGA will play a two-man Stableford format point system tournament at the Gainesville Municipal Golf Course in Gainesville. Points will be awarded for eagles, birdies and pars.

For association membership and to register for the tournament call the Gainesville Municipal Golf Course clubhouse at 940-668-4560, or e-mail GMGA President Kevin Gann at ganndolf6603@yahoo.com.

Lake Park Men’s Golf Association results and tournament

Here are the results of the individual stroke play tournament played June 21 at Lake Park Golf Course in Lewisville: Gross score: 1. Steve Hancock, 64; 2. Jon Albrecht, 67; 3. Alan Magill, 72. Net score: 1. Bobby McKenzie, 61; 2. J.D. Elledge, 66; 3. Chris Hall, 66. Closest-to-the-pins: No. 3, Mike Shaw; No. 5, Mike Shaw; No. 7, Steve Hancock; No. 15, Steve Hancock; No. 17, Albert Brazauskas. Gross Skins: No. 4, J.P. Kilkenny; No. 10, Bobby McKenzie; No. 11, Bobby McKenzie; No. 13, Steve Hancock.

Here are the results of the individual stroke play tournament played Saturday, June 28, at Lake Park Golf Course: Gross score: 1. Jon Albrecht, 64; 2. Russell Smeed, 71; 3. J.P. Kilkenny, 71. Net score: 1. Chris Rhodes, 63; 2. John Howard, 65; 3. Chris Hall, 66.

For membership information and tournament schedule call LPMGA President Scott Higginbotham at 972-221-3966 or 214-952-9745.