President’s Blog April 2025
“Building Leaders”
I can remember writing 4 years ago about a freshman guard that played for the Uconn women’s basketball team. She had long blonde hair and was an amazing player. My wife and I went to several games in Connecticut to watch her and her team play. She lost one year to a bad knee injury but came back and led her team to a National Championship this year. Paige Buechers is a great player, leader and the most humble person you will ever meet. She always defers praise to her teammates and coaches. She is a hero and an idle to countless aspiring young female basketball players. She is what college basketball should always be. I am so happy for her and her teammates.
This is the time of year that I always looked most forward to when I was a youngster. I couldn’t wait for the day that I could watch the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins, all on the same day! I know that I am a “homer” and have always loved the local teams. There have been many years of heartbreak but overall, it has been a great ride. The Sox traded away Mookie Betts and this year the Bruins traded away their Captain Brad Marchon. I guess I can watch the Celtics shoot 3 pointers all night. It’s not like it used to be.
I was fortunate to be able to attend the Maine Athletic Directors conference last week at The Samoset Resort. They have different speakers that come in from around the country and they usually have a strong message. At the closing breakfast I sat with General Dionne of The Maine Army National Guard. He was the guest speaker, and he knew all about 2010 “The Field of Dreams” project in Fryeburg. There was a young major that ran the project named Dean Preston. I asked him if he had ever met Dean. He smiled and said that he saw him almost every day before Dean’s retirement last month. Dean had made General and he was the guy that took his place when he retired. Like they say, “It is a small world sometimes”.
General Dionne had a strong message that I engulfed, (along with the eggs and sausage.) He looked at all The AD’s in the room and said “you are making and shaping the boys and girls that will be the leaders of our country.” He continued to repeat this message throughout his speech. He stated that he would have never made it through high school if it was not for athletics and several coaches. I have maintained for many years that a coach often underestimates the powerful influence that they have on the players that they coach. A great coach is not only teaching the sport but more importantly helping each player mature, learn responsibility and become a leader. They have a greater responsibility in building successful adults than they will ever know. Thank you coaches and AD’s for all you do!
Well if my math is correct, we will be opening our doors in 23 days. We certainly have a ton of work to do before May2 but many of us work better under pressure. I am very excited about this year and all the changes/additions we have added. Please never forget that everything that we do on our course is focused on making your golfing experience better.
If it rains or snows all weekend than at least we can watch some amazing golf from Augusta, Georgia. The Masters is the Super Bowl of golf in my opinion. Who will get the green jacket on Sunday? The Americans haven’t done great this year so far. I am hoping for a stronger showing this weekend. USA, USA!
Yours in golf,
Brad
