It’s Almost That Magical Time of the Year

Tom Velarde
Golf Professional
Black Mesa Golf Club
La Mesilla, AZ
tvelarde@blackmesagolfclub.com

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With Christmas almost on us, we can reflect on what we plan on giving as gifts this year. Here is my list of gifts to some people.

To Phil Mickelson: I am giving the jewel his trophy case is missing, the US OPEN Championship, whether you love him or hate him it’s his time this year…we will wrap it in Erin Hills bows. 

To Tiger Woods: he gets the early Christmas of first playing again and an early spring win, could this be Augusta? Not so much, I think Tiger breaks through at a place called The TPC at Sawgrass and resurrects the talk of beating the Nicklaus record again. 

To Jordan Spieth: he gets the return to form and moves to a top two place in the world as his claim to fame as the best putter on Tour is now cemented as a truth. 

To Dustin Johnson: after close efforts at Augusta and Erin Hills, Dustin will dust the field at Royal Birkdale for his third win of the year and a firm grasp of world number one. 

To Jason Day: two wins this year, not enough to keep Dustin Johnson from number one but rest assured that Jason will be a very tough number two and could reclaim title at seasons end.

To Patrick Reed: an undefeated Presidents Cup along with a Match Play Championship puts him as America’s best in head to head competition and he carries the Red-White and Blue with honor. 

To Pat Perez: another victory for this very popular player and a solid move to top 20 in the world. I see him challenging for majors and the lessons learned this year could point to a PP landside in 2018.

To ALL the haters out there: look to the Blue Star from Texas to finally move past a first round and make a surprise second round win. While the Cowboys may disappoint in the Super Bowl (for those of us who fondly remember Americas team) just getting back could be enough.  

And, to ALL the rest of us: we get a chance to again prove that we as Americans are the heart and soul of what can be right about life. We get to show everyone that we can cheer for our competition and we are not afraid to call the foul or penalty…no matter what.  

As for me, my gift came early! Another great year and looking forward to this coming season now shooting my age will move to 67 and I relish the challenge. See you on the back nine, my friends. Tom Velarde is the Manager at Black Mesa Golf Club in Espanola, New Mexico, just northwest of Santa Fe. For more information or to reach Tom, email tvelarde@blackmesagolfclub.com.