President’s Blog September 2026
Open for Business
We’ve finally opened “The Range at Lake Kezar”. It has sure been a long process. Making 8 acres of heavily forested woodland into a smooth grass covered lawn is definitely more work than most of us thought (2 years). We opened the range on September 1st, and everyone is very excited. The token sales have been “brisk” the first 3 days. We will be open for credit card sales as soon as Spectrum and CMP agree on “pole permits”. I’m thinking my 40 day guarantee for service must be coming up soon. I signed it on July 17. Enough of that.
I made a trip to the old Gorham Country Club yesterday and picked up several thousand golf balls for our range. Harold Hawkes (the owner) is a very generous man. We have purchased lots of equipment from him over the years. He has been a huge help to me with his guidance and knowledge of the business of golf. He has always treated us fairly and yesterday he donated all the balls to us. He retired 5 years ago and sold the course to a housing developer. He felt like it was going to be the best way to maximize the income for disbursement to the shareholders. It looks like he will be correct once the dust settles. We got done loading all the balls in my dump trailer and leaned up against it to catch our/my breath. (I had a large bowl of chili for breakfast which turned out to be one of the worst ideas I have had for a while.) Harold looked at me and said “You really need to go do something that you love to do. You have worked all your life and now you need to enjoy the retirement years.” I grinned and replied “I’m doing what I love to do every day. That must make me the luckiest guy on earth.” He’s told me many times that “Life is too short. Way too short for many. Enjoy every day!” I believe him.
For the last 20 years, I cannot even estimate how many people have come up to me and said” The course is in the best shape it has ever been.” I always smile and say thank you. “I will pass the praise on to the staff.” I am not sure if any of these wonderful, positive people were correct, but they said it anyway. This year I have had dozens of members pull me aside and express their belief that the course conditions have never been better. This year my response has been very different. It usually goes something like this. “You are correct and I could not be any happier with the condition of our course.” From the fairway mowers, greens mower, tee mowers, turf grass grower, ball divot repairer and sand trap specialist. They all do an amazing job which is orchestrated daily by our leader Mike. I know, I left out the ant bomber because humility is important at my age. Thank you all for the incredible job you have done this year and every year. My ultimate respect to you all.
I was conversing with a close friend last week. He really has no problems in life, but he had convinced himself that someone was causing a “problem”. So, I gave him my lifelong philosophy on problems. There are 3 actions that come with problems. You can create a problem. You can ignore a problem, and you can solve a problem. He is the second best problem solver that I know. I told him to solve the problem and if he couldn’t, give me a call. His facial expression was priceless.
On our way back from the coast last Sunday, my wife, her sister (both retired teachers) and I were having a long conversation about public speaking. My sister in law confessed that she has grown to enjoy public speaking. My wife was not as enthusiastic about it. So, I told them the story about when I spoke in front of 75 plus trustees, directors and superintendents of the Fryeburg Fair. The President of the Fair at that time could not believe that I wanted to go through with this question and answer session. I was appealing on behalf of the Fryeburg Rec Dept. for a donation to help build the Community Center. I told him, “the key to being a successful public speaker is simply knowing what you are talking about.” He was not convinced but I felt sure I could field all the questions with concrete answers. I stood up at the podium for almost an hour and took on all the questions with confident answers. I was almost done when this meek elderly lady in the front row raised her hand. I acknowledged her and she said, “Is the building going to be hurricane proof?” Several giggles broke out in the room and the President looked at me like the captain of “The Edmond Fitzgerald” looked at his crew as the hull broke. I swallowed, let the noise subside and responded, “I don’t have any statistic with me but I’m pretty sure it depends how big the hurricane is.” The audience broke down in laughter, I left the room and the Rec got a very generous donation. It was a day I will never forget.
There are many great golf days left in 2026. Get out there and enjoy our wonderful course and the friendliest staff in the State of Maine.
Yours in Golf,
Brad
