SWIM. BIKE. RUN.

     Like most Americans I spent my New Years Eve trying to think of a resolution for the upcoming year.  In the past I have pledged to get more organized, spend more time at the gym or learn something new to better myself.  On Dec. 31, 2009, I made my most challenging resolution of my life -- to get good at golf.

     I am not a good golfer.  Not at all. I hve played golf only a handful of times in my life.  But with most things, the more time you invest in something, the better you become.  I decided to ditch my old clubs that I had bought at a garage sale 15 years ago and purchase quality equipment to help improve my game.  I quickly found out you need a lot more than nice clubs to be good at this sport.

     Arnold Palmer said it best, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.”  I couldn’t agree more.  Golf is a combination of a mental and a physical game.  Golf poses problems that require a lot of creative problem solving.  It is a sport requiring good eye-hand coordination, technique and endurance.  

     It has been a couple of months since I began working on my New Years resolution.  I have had a chance to play many of the area golf courses this summer.  Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the significant improvement in my game that I hoped for.  However, through all the frustrating shots and lost balls I have fallen in love with the game and everything associated with it.

     People enjoy this sport for many different reasons.  It is an intriguing and relaxing game that helps me unwind from the stress of the work week.  As a business owner I’ve also been able to use the golf course as a way to help grow my relationships with clients.  A study by the National Golf Foundation stated that more than 10 percent of new golfers get into the game for business reasons.
 
     Golf is a sport that can be played by virtually anyone. It is not very strenuous or physical and there is little risk for injuries.  I know I won’t be able to play football and basketball when I retire, but I plan on spending time with friends on the golf course for many years to come.

     Golf also provides exercise since it requires a lot of walking (especially if you are crossing all over the course looking for lost balls). Spending time outdoors and walking on a beautifully manicured course helps me clear my head and enjoy nature.

     We are truly blessed to have many beautiful courses here in the Cedar Valley, each offering different challenges.  Here is a quick break-down on some of the courses that you can find in our community.

*Beaver Hills Country Club (Cedar Falls): Beaver Creek meanders through this picturesque course offering golfers quiet solitude. A beautiful setting for prairie flowers, butterflies and area wildlife.
*Pheasant Ridge Golf Course (Cedar Falls):  An 18-hole, 6,560-yard Par 72 course covering 159 acres with lush fairways, 45 sand bunkers, and undulating greens.  
*Walter’s Ridge Golf Course (Cedar Falls): A 9-hole, Par 27. The course ranges in length from 765 to 1,340 yards long with eight sand bunkers and three ponds. A great course for anyone who wants to work on their short or long iron play and putting.
*Gates Park Golf Course (Waterloo): Nice country club fairways and huge oak trees surround this well-developed 18-hole, Par 72 course.
*Red Carpet Golf Course (Waterloo): This historic course opened in the summer of 1920. Mature trees cover the 6,572 yards on this beautiful 18-hole course.
*South Hills Golf Course (Waterloo): Stretching just over 6,600 yards, this Par 72 course offers four sets of tees to choose from and is designed to be enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.
*Sunnyside Country Club (Waterloo): From the longest tees it presents 6,736 yards of golf for a Par of 72.
*Fox Ridge Golf Course (Dike): Take a short trip to Dike to enjoy the 18-hole course featuring 6,809 yards of golf for a Par 72.
*Centennial Oaks Golf Club (Waverly): Spacious watered fairways and large elevated greens add to the natural beauty of this 6,614-yard jewel of a course. It is surrounded by 100-year-old oak trees and is known for the tall-prairie grass.

     I plan on devoting many more hours to the game of golf and feel fortunate to have so many professional courses to play here in the Cedar Valley.  If you are just picking up the sport like me, or are a seasoned veteran, I hope to see you out on the links enjoying this challenging sport.  

Eric Braley is host and producer of “Panther Sports Talk,” a weekly UNI Sports TV show airing Sunday nights on KWWL after the 10 p.m.  news and throughout the week on CFU Hometown Channel 15.