Island of dreams

By Joe McAdory

I’ve watched her from a distance for years. She mesmerizes you with her looks, tempts you with her charm, then spits in your face and laughs.

She’s been sitting in the same place for years, surrounded by water and lush Florida surroundings, waiting on me. I see her in commercials. I see her in video games. I see her on highlight shows.

Soon, she’ll call my name. I’ll step into the tee box, armed with a cheap, refurbished Top Flite, a 9-iron, and weeks of practice—just for her. I’ll take my best shot (Lord knows, I may never get another one), hope to hit it straight and true, hold my breath and pray I don’t hear that fateful ker-plunk. I can’t be left. I can’t be right. I can’t be short. And I can’t be long. Only perfect will do.

TPC Sawgrass No. 17 vs. Joe.

Game on.

Stay tuned ...

Wish I bought stock in this stuff

By Joe McAdory

Haven’t cleaned your hands today?

Ford: Kennedy stood tall and strong

By Joe McAdory

Below is text from a press release sent to newspapers Thursday from former Tuskegee mayor Johnny Ford in regard to the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy:

“As one who had the privilege and great honor of beginning his political career working with the Kennedy family, as a political strategist for Robert Kennedy, during his campaign for the Democratic Nomination for President in 1968, I am deeply grieved at the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, and I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife and children, and all the members of the Kennedy Family.

“Standing tall and strong, Senator Kennedy has stood as Captain at the helm of the Kennedy family since the tragic death of his brothers, President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy.  Under his protective wing the Kennedys have not only weathered the storm of many subsequent family tragedies, but they have celebrated as well the accomplishments of a family that has contributed so much to our great country.  There is some comfort in knowing that unlike his brothers, Senator Edward Kennedy slipped away from this earth in an atmosphere of serenity and peace, surrounded by his loved ones.

“I am reminded of his speech in which he remembered his brother Robert as “a good and decent man”.  Senator Edward Kennedy too, was a good and decent man, and he too will be remembered as such.  For decades he was a “Lion” in the United States Senate, and he was, is, and will always be, an inspiration to me in my personal life, and in my political career.  It is my desire, as I seek election to the Alabama Senate representing District 28, to be like Senator Kennedy, a “Lion” in the fight for the rights of all with regard to health care, education, and economic opportunity.

“Again, on behalf of myself, my family, and The World Conference of Mayors, we offer to the Kennedy family our deepest sympathy.  The commitment of all of us to press on with optimism in our effort to make this world a better place, is perhaps the greatest consolation we can give to them as they grieve the loss of their illustrious patriarch.  May God rest his soul.“

Sessions responds to Holder’s decision

By Joe McAdory

Here’s a release sent from Sen. Jeff Sessions’ office I thought was interesting:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.), U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and other senators today sent the following letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in response to his decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate CIA officials who interrogated al Qaeda terrorists:

“We are deeply disappointed by today’s announcement that you have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate CIA officials who interrogated al Qaeda terrorists.  As we explained to you in a letter dated August 19, 2009, reopening those cases—which career prosecutors have already determined do not warrant criminal prosecution—could, among other things, have a chilling effect on the work of the intelligence community. 

“We believe that the concerns raised in our letter warranted, at a minimum, careful consideration and a reasoned response.  Instead, you moved forward without responding to our concerns or discussing with a coordinate branch of government the potential national security consequences that may result if the intelligence community is operating against a backdrop of prosecutions.  The handling of this important issue calls into question your confirmation hearing commitments that you would establish a ‘full partnership’ with Congress and that you ‘recognize that congressional oversight and judicial review are necessary, beneficial attributes of our system of government.’ 

“Wholly apart from whether this issue should have been reopened, the manner in which you have chosen to do so is itself troubling.  In the ordinary course, criminal investigations and prosecutions are to be handled by career Justice Department officials working under the oversight of the Department’s senior management.  The Department’s own regulations permit deviation from the “normal processes of the Department” and the appointment of a special prosecutor only where there is a ‘conflict of interest for the Department’ or other such extraordinary circumstances.  28 CFR § 600.1.  Because there is no apparent conflict of interest here, the customary basis for a special prosecutor is lacking. 

“Moreover, history has shown that special prosecutors, who lack the accountability of career prosecutors to Justice Department management, often take an expansive view of their investigative authority.  Thus, despite your assurances that this investigation will be narrow and focused, there is a real risk that today’s announcement portends a long, arduous, and unpredictable process for the intelligence community.  By delegating the prosecutorial function to a largely unchecked special prosecutor, you are responsible for having set a course that may diminish our intelligence efforts, which fundamentally rely on forward-leaning responses to national security concerns. 

“We fear that the true cost of this endeavor will ultimately be borne by the American people, who rely on the intelligence community, operating without distraction, to protect them from the many threats, known and unknown, that our country faces in this post-9/11 world.”

U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) also signed onto the letter.

On August 19, these same senators sent a letter to Attorney General Holder emphasizing the danger and consequences of taking such action as was announced today.  As of today, no reply has been received.

Sweet serenity at AU Club

By Joe McAdory

Two things come to mind when I think of the Auburn University Club: serenity and difficulty. The private golf club, located in northwest Auburn at Yarbrough Farms, puts the player in a beautiful, rural setting far away from the hustle and bustle of town. It’s quiet, peaceful and satisfying to the soul for anyone looking to truly get away for 18 holes.

But don’t let nature’s beauty lull your game to sleep. This course is a beast and challenges the player’s accuracy, muscle and strategy. The par 72 course plays 7,326 yards from the tips—or 6,016 yards from the novice level’s white tees. I prefer the white tees.

I had the opportunity to play the course Friday morning and the place treated me to the style of golf I crave: most holes are set by themselves. In other words, you can’t see other holes from the fairway you’re playing except maybe a couple on the back nine. I don’t hear traffic. I don’t hear many golf carts. I hear the wind through the trees and the harrowing thud my 4-iron makes when it hits the ground instead of hitting the ball squarely.

The course remained in pristine shape. Actually, the shape of this course ranks among the best I’ve ever played. Moore’s Mill ranks up there. So do Slammer & Squire and King & Bear in St. Augustine, Fla. I played Legacy Links in Bradenton, Fla., last month—an esteemed Troon Golf location designed by Arnold Palmer—and its fairways paled in comparison to the AU Club. Greens were perfect ... and green. Fairways were plush, like they are supposed to be. Didn’t see a flaw. The sand traps must have been in good shape. Fortunately, I didn’t have to find out.

One word that comes to mind when describing the course’s characteristics, other than hard, is undulated. Be prepared for a few ups and downs. It’s probably the most undulated course in the area, other than Dadeville’s Stillwaters course. The greens here are very well kept and large. I’d stick my shot from 150 yards out on to the green and feel good about myself. Then I’d approach the green and realize my ball was still 50 feet from the hole. It’s hard to two-putt from a mile away.

Several holes stand out and pique my interest. My favorite on the front nine remains the par 3 No. 8 hole, which forces a 160-yard carry over water from the white tees. Hit left and you’re wet. Hit short and you’re wet. Hit right and you’re probably in the trees. Best bet is to hit straight, preferably 160 yards.

The 10th hole, a par 4, 315-yarder from the white tees, slaps you in the face with a steep uphill slope with a dogleg to the left. It plays much further than 315 yards. Rolling hills continue on the 11th and 12th. I’m proud to say I birdied the par 5, 462-yard 12th.

Below is the approach view to the 11th hole green. This hole is particularly picturesque in the fall when the leaves are changing.

The most challenging hole in my book is the par 5, 500-yard (584 yards from the He-Man tees) 16th hole. Hitting to the green is very tricky because you’ve generally got a downhill lie and you must carry a wide stream and then 50 more yards of rough, just to hit the green. Monster tee shots are a must. Big hitters could reach the green in two strokes, but you are often forced with the decision to either lay up or go for the gusto. That stream really puts strategy into the mix.

I finished my round with an illegitimate 91. None of my scores are legit unless I’m in some sort of competition, but then they tend to be higher. Every now and then, I do take a mulligan. I’d guess between six and eight of them per round. I’m proud to have scored an illegitimate 41 on the back nine. It was mostly legit, so that’s good.

I once said Auburn University Club was the most difficult course I’d ever played. I come down off that statement now and put it in the top five. Legacy Links and all of its sand/water kicked my tail a bit worse. The Ridge Course at Oxmoor Valley may be harder, and similar.

This is a private club, so it’s not like the general public can walk out there and play 18 holes unless they play with a member guest. Like other private clubs in the area, Saugahatchee and Moore’s Mill, the AU Club is always seeking new members. Folks interested in playing or joining the AU Club should visit the Web site at http://www.aucyf.com. I hope to play solo, not best-ball tournament, rounds at Saugahatchee and Moore’s Mill in the future.