RoseAnna Schick

RoseAnna May 5th, 2010 | Posted by RoseAnna
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I love golf. I love the pursuit of it, the challenge while playing it, and still thinking about it long after the last putt drops. For me it’s a passion; sometimes even an obsession.

I’ve loved golf for a long time. And I’ve been playing it longer than I should admit. I was given my first set of clubs as a birthday present 15 years ago, during a period in my life known as ‘the golf widow’ era. My boyfriend back then was always golfing, and I was always alone – which, in hindsight, is a big reason why he is no longer my boyfriend. But that’s a whole other blog…

So I got clubs, and I was hooked. It quickly became a mission to play as often as possible. I found myself going golfing every free day I had, and on the days that weren’t free, well, I wanted to golf then, too. I started making friends with golfers, frequenting golf stores, buying golf accessories, and looking for deals on nice golf clothes so I would look like a golfer.

Not only did I want to look good, but I also wanted to play good. I started taking lessons at John Blumberg, and spent many hours over several years learning from the same pro. I also spent many hours all by myself on putting greens, methodically working on sinking that little white ball from varying distances as the prairie sun slowly set around me. I finally understood the lure of the game, and it was all I wanted to do.

I knew I had it bad when I started watching golf on TV. I would always try to be home during any major tournament’s final round of play. And if I couldn’t be home, I’d program my VCR to capture the play for me. Then I could take my time doing whatever it was I was out doing (probably golfing!) knowing that golf was at home waiting for me.

Golf had become my life, and started seeping its way into my work. Being a writer, I began my own golf column that was published in the Winnipeg Free Press. I also started touring golfing destinations for travel articles, and embraced any opportunity to write about golf.

In addition to the writing, I’d read books about how to golf better. I’d study how to apply techniques like positive thinking, visualization, and other new-age practices. My mind was overflowing with golf, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Somewhere along the way, somehow, I had become fully obsessed.

Then for some reason, out of the blue, it all came to an end. Me and golf broke up. It was like, one day I couldn’t get enough of golf, and then the next day, I simply had enough. It was me, not golf, and I felt that I just needed some time on my own. So we decided to go our separate ways for a while, and I took up with another sport.

Enjoy the spectacular sunset view at Killarney's 9th green.

But now, after a couple of years away, I’m ready to get back to it. When Travel Manitoba asked me to be their golf blogger this summer, it rekindled my love for golf. I can feel the flame reigniting, and my passion returning.

As I spend some time over the next four months traveling around Manitoba to play many of its wonderful courses, I plan on sharing that experience with you – the people out there who love golf as much as I do. Through this blog, The Back Nine, I hope to inspire you to get out and explore our great province and discover the dozens of courses it has to offer.

No matter which town you are in, you’re sure to find a course in Manitoba. And you might even find me there, too, rebuilding my relationship with the game. One back nine at a time…

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