Back from vacation

By Joe McAdory

Published: July 9, 2009

Back from my eight-day sabbatical. Here’s what I observed over that duration:

* Pre-race music before a NASCAR event has sunk to new lows. The garbage that was played before Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 was the worst these ears have heard, and few in the grandstands were enjoying the ... ahem ... entertainment. It was grotesquely loud and actually painful to the ears. I don’t know who the group was, but it was some punky hard rock band complete with tattoos and maybe a few piercings. Is this the demographic Daytona International Speedway is trying to appeal to? More folks would listen to fan karaoke, which would be funny and entertaining. The speedway would save a few bucks too, not that the band that played deserved a check for their efforts.

* The Atlantic Ocean is still there. I never actually got in the water, or even stepped on the sand for that matter, but I saw the ocean for a few minutes.

* Golf in Daytona Beach can be very cheap. How’s this: 18 holes at Pelican Bay for $20. It’s a bargain and the course is fair.

* The Georgia Lottery must be rigged. I keep playing and I keep losing.

* A ton of kids showed up for Monday’s U.S. Kids Golf event at Indian Pines. Could have been the largest tournament of the year. For results, check this link: http://www.oanow.com/oan/sports/recreation/article/area_roundup_u.s._kids_golf_rolls_on_at_indian_pines/81906/ The next event will be Wednesday at the Auburn University Club.

* Golf courses at Callaway Gardens are nice, but I think a bit overpriced. One can expect to pay $70 or more, depending on the season. Discounted rates can be found in the afternoon. My son and I played for $58, as part of a promotion. I thought it was a good $50-$60 course. It was pretty, like Augusta National without the azaleas and dogwoods. I’d play Callaway again.