- April 22, 2024
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The Golf Group of Palm Coast continues to make a roaring impression as golfers swarm in for renewals and new memberships at Pine, Cypress and hopefully Matanzas in the not-too-distant future.
One item that should have snowbirds blooming is a nonresident full golf membership, the first ever to my knowledge in Palm Coast — at least since 1996.
For the uninitiated, snowbirds play here part of the year and then return to wherever in the north.
The new deal is as follows:
A membership of $1,590 for unlimited golf with a cart fee rate of $20.09. The previous cart fee was $25. The snowbird deal is a full golf membership with privileges at Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll golf courses. It also includes 10% off at golf shops and restaurants on non-discounted items, and tee times up to 14 days in advance.
Dora Garcia, membership chair, will happily take your call at 445-9500.
Speaking of the new ownership at these clubs, collectively they are doing a terrific job.
Frank Vignati is the present club manager, as well as an owner, and is as good as any we have seen in the golf business. The team of Kim Pepe and Craig Rancati are another two who are working their heads off all for the benefit of present and future members. They promised to lower prices, and have. They look into every nook and cranny to make things better and happier for every present and future member. This is a hard-working ownership group, and Palm Coast is lucky to have them.
Five balls, as written by a Coca-Cola CEO
Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
That last one grabbed my heart, and I’m wishing it has yours, especially after a lousy game of golf on the links. My game has been lousy recently, and mentally, I was ready to toss the clubs in the nearest pond. Then, I thought Don’t give up, and I won’t. Like many of you at Pine, Grand Haven, Grand Reserve, Hammock Dunes, Cypress Knoll. or wherever you may be playing in New England, Saratoga, Pennsylvania or elsewhere, life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. Yesterday and a poor golf game is history.
The impossible golf
Only weeks ago Flint, Mich., native Roger Epperson, always a good, long-hitting golfer, appeared ready to give up the game once and for all because of his sudden drops in ability.
The familiar long drives had disappeared. He couldn’t stick the ball in golf hole no matter the circumstance. Then, out of nowhere, the impossible happened. He nailed two holes-in-one on consecutive Wednesdays with the men’s league at Grand Reserve, in Bunnell.
After the first in his career, he came to me with a smile 10 miles apart. The friendly Roger Epperson was back.
Then, the following Wednesday, Epperson walked up to me at a club Christmas lunch and said, “Would you have room to write about another hole in one?”
“Sure,” I said. “Who?”
Epperson replied with another smile: “Me, on the 10th hole,” he said. “I didn’t see it go in like I did the first one last week, but we looked in the hole, and there it was.”
I and others were stunned because none of us have known of consecutive holes in one. I suppose it has happened somewhere in the U.S., but it sure has not been accomplished in Palm Coast to my knowledge.
How about you? Do you know of anyone, anywhere, who has accomplished a golf feat like this?
Special appreciation
In football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and other sports, timeouts are featured. Now it’s my turn to take a break for the holidays.
Today is a gift that I appreciate so much. An opportunity to wish the merriest of holidays to each of you. A present that lets me say thank you. Thank you being good friends and allowing me to know you.
Two people in particular who make me feel appreciated are Russ Fitting, formerly of Rhode Island, and Craig Horneck, of Saratoga, N.Y.
I’ve never met Fitting, but because of golf and these writings, we have a solid friendship.
Just writing or hearing the name makes me feel blessed.
Another is a special person who makes everyone around feel like a million dollars.
He is Craig Horneck, the husband of my beautiful daughter, Sally.
Oddly, both Fitting and Horneck are important cogs in the General Electric machine. Fitting now retired, and Horneck soon on the verge. The two have never met and do not know each other. Now they do, in this funny sort of way.
Last, to all of you, wherever you are. You fill my greatest emotional need.
A wonderful loving and happiest New Year to each of you in Internet land!
