Light speed is the only way I can describe the next few minutes. Washed my hair and face then whizzed and deodorized simultaneously. A first. I was out the door in about six minutes. Light traffic and a little extra lead in my New Balance got me to the course with time to spare.

My loop was an Illinois twosome. One guy actually lived at The Rail in Springfield (home of the LPGA almost forever) for ten years. He also knew former players Sarah LaVeque, Mary Beth Zimmerman and Mary Bea Porter. Small world.

When I departed for the course, it was sixty degrees and sunny but I should have checked more closely. Old Sol was in hiding when I arrived and a north wind chilled our innards. I had dressed lightly and during our range warm-up, the wind chill had my left butt cheek doing the hula. I knew a trip back to my car was in order before we teed it up. Gloves and a half-hoodie was added to my attire and a jacket from the pro-shop to one of my players. We were as ready as we could be.

It took a few holes but we warmed enough to make the golf our first priority. With no one on the course and being only a twosome, we were done quickly and on our way out.

I had not caddied for awhile but all those days off worked to my advantage in a way. I decided to concentrate hard on getting more flexibility, especially on the right side of my lower back and hip by doing many hours of stretching, and it paid off in spades. I felt like Gumby out there! More limber than I had been in years. The way I see, it was more lemons into lemonade.

After a 2011 Season Buoyed By Dramatic Viewership Increases and Bold New Tournament Ideas, LPGA Tour Announces Five New Tournaments

The LET Q-school is this week. Here is the list of entrants.

Then there was this:

Sharmila, Smriti among 5 Indians for European Tour qualifiers

Laura Davies Criticizes Ladies European Tour

Walgreens brings LPGA Legends to SCW! – Sun City West …  – How apropos. Talk about reuniting the former stars with their fans.

LPGA returns to Hawaii with Lotte Championship – We used to visit in February. Looks like April will be more expensive.

Record round replaces wedding bells for Rebecca Flood

Making the Rounds: LPGA will take a pass on Sacramento – sacbee.com

May your life together be filled with all the right ingredients: a heap of love, a dash of humor, a touch of romance, and a spoonful of understanding.

I should also add, an oven full of fish sticks.

Then there was this:

Making the Rounds: LPGA will take a pass on Sacramento – … "But when we came to dollars and details, we couldn’t close the deal."

From a tweak comes the pride of TwinEagles – It will be the site of the LPGA Tour finale in November. …

Hope everyone had a festive and safe celebration.

An unofficial look at the 2012 schedule is included in the following article.  Thanks Fred.

Exclusive: the (Encouraging) 2012 LPGA Schedule Ahead of Schedule (Update)

Well, not exactly but it sure seems like it. Way back in September, three of us rented a house in Venice FL for the 2nd stage Q-School. It was on the fifth hole of the Panther and quite a nice place. Along with the weekly rent, I had to pony up a $350.00 damage security deposit which was supposed to be refunded no more than fifteen days after departure. Needless to say, it never was.  I waited and waited but nothing was sent. I decided to ring them up but the line was disconnected. Rats! It didn’t look good.

My last resort was their email address. Luckily, it didn’t bounce back but a reply was not forthcoming either. I figured that was it . Resigned to the fact that deposit was down the loo, I pretty much gave up hope. A few more weeks passed then there it was. Surprise! A reply. The story was that the owner traveled back to France and my deposit was in her account which could not be accessed. She finally responded with an apology for the delay and promise of a ‘check in the mail’ was assured. As we all know, those are ominous words but sure enough, a few days later it was in my hand and for the full amount. As of now, it is in transit to my account and as long as it’s free of elasticity, I’m golden. A very unexpected Christmas present indeed.

BTW, Looks like everyone is at Walmart for some last minute gift buying. Saw one guy leave with the quintessential present for his sweetie. A vacuum cleaner! Bet she won’t be able to sit still waiting for a chance to use it.

Then there was this:

2011 Year in Review: The best and worst of golf this year

Lexi Thompson’s brother, Curtis, claims Dixie title

LPGA Tour founding member Bettye Danoff dies in Texas at 88

After repeated attempts to get the company (Geo Pave) to contact me with no result, I felt a personal appearance was warranted. They were just a short distance away and as I drove there, I mentally prepared to do battle with with one of their representatives who would try to low-ball my claim but that was not to be as it turned out. After inspection, they agreed to have it cleaned at their expense.

I was sent to Red Arrow Car Wash where the head honcho knew exactly what was necessary. The entire vehicle had to be gone over with a clay bar to expel the demons noir then waxed which would take three to four hours. Since I had the day off (which is all too common right now) it was all theirs.

After a few laps around the neighborhood, lunching on Wendy’s chili and baked potato topped off with an ice cream cone from MacDonald’s for dessert, I returned to sit out my time in the car wash lobby and listen to a podcast of Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Eventfully, my car was pulled up front and I was eager to check it out.

Wow, what a transformation! The paint looked like new albeit marked with the scrapes and bruises of being on the road for a few years. This gave me cause to Google this magical elixir (clay bar) to see how it works. It actually looks fairly easy to apply and inexpensive to boot. If you’re a DIY type of person and wishing to restore your chariot, short of a new paint job, check it out here.

BTW, the work on my Sable ran $213.95.

Then there was this:

Ladies European Tour (LET) – Fred enjoys his day in the sun – A tribute from his peers. Bravo!

Professional Caddies Association begins search for president | World Golf News

Column: What´s behind the equality in LPGA style? – Telling it like it is. One of the best I’ve seen.

Nicklaus to help launch Golf 2.0 to International golf industry | PGA | PGA.com

A sad note for those caddies who know Bill and Irene Ferrell. Bill suffered a stroke just before Thanksgiving and is now in an assisted living facility.

Then there was this:

Can’t make the cut — Springfield’s 36-year LPGA run ends – The final chapter.

After 36 years, Springfield’s pro golf tournament leaves memories – An excellent recap of our time in Springfield.

A community jewel is lost – More Springfield.

Natalie Gulbis In Next Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Welcome Thailand’s LPGA rookies

Staying calm key to winning: Tseng

THKUGOD – Mississippi license plate I spotted. How did it ever get by the separation of church and state Gestapo?

Then there was this:

Rising Chinese star Ji Rong vying for Hyundai China Ladies Open

EBX Group and IMG Worldwide Acquire Brasil1 to Launch Its IMX Joint Venture

Announcement about LPGA Futures event coming soon

NGCA inducts Inkster, Hurst into Hall of Fame

Matthew has hunger for more honors

Woman caught making meth inside S. Tulsa Walmart – DIY. Only way to go.