Sports and Hobbies
Photography Is Not My Only Hobby
Photography is a major hobby of mine. When I travel, I probably spend too much time
taking photos of my trip. I also say that when I am old and senile, as least I can
look back and see what I have done in the past! Carol and I have traveled a lot
since we were married. See the travel page for details.
A Passion For Golf
I have a passion for golf. I picked the game up while at MU. The first round I played
was terrible. It was probably as bad as it could get. I shot somewhere over 150.
You lose count after awhile. I went back out and played some more and got hooked
to the game. My first set of clubs were K-Mart Specials. The set was only the odd
irons(3-9) a putter and three woods. The first mistake with the game was not taking
lessons right from the beginning. It was a struggle for me to shoot under 110, until
I had lessons (15 years after starting the game). My instructor spent most of the
time getting my bad habits worked out. I can shoot near 100 routinely, and, if I
can get back to playing every week, maybe break 90 for the first time. The biggest
thing for any sport, even golf, is to practice.
I have played in several golf leagues and some company tournaments. The Kansas City
area has several nice courses to play. I like to play Drumm Farm from the white
tees. The blue tees are a challenge there, since there are many holes requireing
a long straight drive from the blue tees to get the ball in play. Dub’s Dread is
another challenging course. The fairways are narrow and require shot-making skills.
That is one course where the white and blue tees don’t challenge me any different.
It still takes a straight shot to get the ball in play no matter what tee box. A
less-expensive, but challenging course is Oak Country Club in DeSoto, KS. It is
short, narrow, and very different as far as a layout goes. It has a par-5 that is
300+ yards long. It also has many short par threes that require a precise shot to
make the green without losing your ball!
My former department always appreciated my annual golf tournament. I would try to
find a course in the Kansas City area that was not too expensive, but was in good
shape. I really looked for ones that would challenge the golfer without totally
frustrating them, if they hit a bad shot. I would also hold it as a 2-person scramble.
(A scramble is a type of play where the team of 2-4 players would choose which *bad*
lie they would all play the next shot from!) The scramble format made it easier
for the average golfer to enjoy the game.
Classic Rock and Country Music
Ever since I heard “Do You Wanna Know A Secret” by The Beatles, I was hooked on
Rock’n’Roll. My favorite bands came from the 60’s and 70’s. Some of them recorded
music for many years after that era, but I still have a passion for their early
stuff. I preferred the genre labelled “Progressive Rock” over other styles. Progressive
rock groups included Genesis, Kansas, Chicago, The Beatles (in their later years),
Meat Loaf, Yes, The Moody Blues, Kansas, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd, and
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). There are too many other rock groups I like
to mention here.
I started listening to Country Rock in the 70s. Groups like Poco, the early Eagles,
Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Charlie Daniels Band, to
mention a few, were very influential to me. From here, I started listening to country
music including Willie Nelson, David Allan Coe, Johnny Paycheck, Alabama, and Jerry
Jeff Walker.
Carol and I used to see many concerts when we were younger. Some of the shows we
saw that were great included:
- The Moody Blues & The Beach Boys -- The night the Beach Boys closed for the Moody
Blues
- Pink Floyd -- One fantastic show, even if you don't like their music!
- Paul McCartney -- Great performer, and former Beatle, played both Wings and Beatles
hits!
- Alabama – Our first concert together. Thanks Gloria, for lettimg me take Carol!
- Crosby, Stills & Nash -- It was the first "unplugged" concert I ever saw.
- Chicago -- At Verizon Apmitheater during a heavy downpour. Chicago was very impressed
everyone stayed through the rain, so they put on on of their best concerts ever!
- The Eagles -- Hell Froze Over, after all!
- Yes – We sat in the front row facing Bassist Chris Squire!
- Elton John & Billy Joel -- Face to Face Tour in Ames, Iowa.
We saw many others besides these. Some were better than others. The problem with
seeing concerts today is the expense. Ticket prices are too expensive for
the average Joe to afford. Some performers, such as Garth Brooks
and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, understand this and don't mark up the
price.
Sports and Other Events
We also go to the Royals games and Chiefs games whenever we get a chance. We had
season tickets to the Royals one year. The package was set up so you bought one
season ticket, joined in with 3 others and had 4 seats together to 20 games. We
got to see George Brett’s last home game as a Royal!. Kiss the plate, George! We
have also seen a few KU Basketball games at Kemper Arena, and many rodeos there.
Stars on Ice is a great show to see.
Olathe Kids Fishing Derby
For the last couple years, I have photographed the Kids Fishing Derby ,
held at Cedar
Lake in Olathe the second Saturday in June, each year. It is a time where parents
and kids can spend a morning teaching your child how to fish. Many Olathe businesses
are involved with this tournament. The Olathe Clockwinders Optimist Club got me
involved with this activity. When our great-nephews are in town that weekend, we
take them to the derby. They always had a great time at the fishing
derby... Oh, by the way, did I mention the entry fee? It is
FREE for all kids 14 and under and for adults 65 and over.
Last year's winners, and their families, are shown on the left.
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