Category Archives: Favorite Days

HALFWAY to the Record! Halfway Through May…

[intense_animated type=”swing” trigger=”delay” delay=”10″] Who guessed it?[/intense_animated]

All I can say is that all of you who got back to me making guesses didn’t account for the fact that Barry regularly does 3 rounds these days.  Most of you were off by over a month.  O ye of little faith.  [intense_animated type=”swing” scroll_percent=”70″] BMGSwingCyn-min[/intense_animated]

Of course, as the halfway point got closer,  the guesses got closer at the same time!

But I can honestly report that being halfway to the record by the middle of May, exceeded all of your  expectations! Mine too…

 

Lunch with the Guys

From Barry:
Today, Joy and I hosted the Flintrock Falls maintenance crew for a cookout lunch.  I sort of feel like a part of the crew since I’m out there every morning with them while they are doing their work, and I’m doing mine.  These guys work really hard, and they keep the course in fantastic condition, so I wanted to do something to express my appreciation.  Burgers, dogs, and bratwurst were on the menu…we cooked a lot…and there wasn’t too much leftover when we were done, so I consider it a success.

More importantly, we were the lucky ones to have a great group of guys to have lunch with.

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Dad and Mom at Napa Flats- Beyond Delicious!

We went to THE BEST new restaurant called Napa Flats, that is near 2222 on 620.  It was SO worth an extra few miles beyond our “usual” Lakeway restaurants! It probably took 6 extra minutes. Here they are with Amy because cousin Tom had to scoot out.  We enjoy Tom and Amy and seldom see them, so this was a real treat. And speaking of treats, read on…

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We tried many of the items on the Napa Flats dinner menu, and I couldn’t believe how delicious! For those of you who don’t know me, FOOD is my thing, not golf, so I am taking golf-website-editor-liberties and spreading the word about Napa Flats.  At least post-golf food is almost everyone’s thing! so let me list a few items you must try at this very new, very reasonably priced restaurant, oozing with a charming wine bar-ish vibe, that is way above its pay grade:

Wood-Fired Avocado– grilled avocado filled with chimichuri sauce on top of a bed of corn salsa, served with chips.  This is my new favorite appetizer, that doesn’t ruin dinner hunger.  This combo knocked my socks off.  An unusual must try! only $7
Palo Alto Dip– sun dried tomato and artichokes blended with cream cheese, parmigiano,and herbs. Served with Napa Flats bread.  I could have made a meal on these first two I have listed.  This dip was a perfect blend, creamy and warm, with lightly toasted flat bread. $8 for enough for the table.  It paired deliciously with the Pinot Grigio I had that was on tap!  Yes, on tap!
Chonburi Shrimp– six spicy fried shrimp served over Napa slaw.  This is a short description for big taste! Slightly spicy, perfectly crunch-ified (I take liberties with making up words, too) coating and flavorful, not fishy, shrimp.  This may be my favorite thing that I tried- but hey, I am only on the appetizers, so far, aren’t I?  But 6 shrimp (like this!) were only $9.  I am in love.
Sesame Crusted Tuna– sushi Grade Tuna, crusted in sesame seeds like I pay $22 for in NYC… for $11!  And I swear it was more fresh than its expensive Manhattan kin.
If you look at the Napa Flats Menu I can vouch for the quality and tastiness of the Salmon, Tony’s Pasta, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Margherita wood-fired pizza.   If you are picturing me with a big happy grin, taking tastes from every plate on the table… you would be accurate.

But then!!  There were the ribs! Not just any ribs, because I usually don’t care for ribs (usually too fatty and sinew-ey (there I go with the words again) for my taste, but oh no no!).
Tuscan BBQ Ribs- fire roasted then finished on the grill with an espresso-honey BBQ glaze.  One dish, and I am converted.  Now, apparently I love ribs!  Who knew?  These fell off the bone, with zero piece-parts that I would have had  to close my eyes and pretend were not near my lips.  None.  And did I mention they were $17?  My BBQ rib benchmark is now incredibly high.  In AUSTIN no less!

I am going back to Napa Flats for this:
Mush n’ Spin Wood Fired Pizza– mushroom, spinach, caramelized onion, whipped ricotta, mozzarella & fried Brussels sprout leaves tossed in white truffle oil… on a perfect wood-fired pizza!!!  Right up my alley 🙂
I feel I must stop before this becomes a restaurant critic blog.  However, I feel not-at-all guilty that my typing today was spent on the thing I love as much as Barry loves golf.  (I see “most restaurant meals in a year” world record in my future!)

 

Anyone want to go to Napa Flats with me for wine and appetizers? And if we stay for dinner… even better!

Remembered Snacks Today

But not for humans.

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Barry’s two best buddies out there are the sweetest golden retrievers of all time.  They may wonder, who this guy is who walks by just to pet me several times a day! And why is he carrying all those sticks?

Frankly, with the crap Barry eats on the golf course, these Milk Bones may provide him more nutrition!  Just sayin…

Dad is in Town

It is a real gift that Barry’s 82 year old father, Ed, is able to come to Austin to play a few rounds during the “Record Breaking Year”.

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I drove the cart for Ed, so that Barry could get another round in.  I was not playing- just caddying.  So, I had a chance to take a picture of my favorite shot for this round (on 15 Hills) of  Barry’s…

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I call it “through the uprights”.
Here is Barry hitting an amazing shot!

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Result?  Putting for birdie.

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And maybe we will just end my commentary right there…

Musings From Barry

Yes, the below was written by Barry, himself!

He was paired with kids who were playing practice rounds for this week’s tournament at Flintrock.

I am handing the (virtual) microphone over…

Cole, Jack and Lauren
One of my home courses is hosting a youth tournament for a few days this week.  I received a phone call from the pro shop a few days ago asking if a few of the kids could join me for my second round of the day, because the course was booked solid and they were trying to get a practice round in before the tournament.  Naturally, I agreed, and had the opportunity to play with a couple of nice young men – Cole and Jack, who were accompanied by Cole’s mother Lauren.  These kids are 14 years old, and they absolutely bomb the ball – made me feel like a first rate hacker, even if I wasn’t playing with an injured hand.  Let’s just say that I got to hit first a lot, and that’s not because I had the honor!
 
Naturally, I had a lot of questions for the boys and for Lauren.  I think I get my curiosity from my father!  After speaking with Lauren about the tournament schedule, which consists of about 25 tournaments a year, it dawned on me what a huge commitment her family was making so that Cole could pursue his golf dreams.  Considering the clothing, equipment, coaching, tournament entry fees, greens fees, travel, lodging, food, etc., I couldn’t help but start to do the math on the investment that these parents making in their children.  More importantly, the time that Lauren spends supporting Cole, which over the three days for this tournament alone is probably 20 hours.  We only get so much time, and that’s a lot to gift to your child.  She walks the course to get some exercise and follow the boys, keeping her distance and letting them play their games.
 
Following our round, I couldn’t help but reflect on whether the typical 14 year old could really appreciate how much parents do for them.   I’m certain that they “think” they do, but when they get a bit older, much wiser, and are earning a living for themselves, they will probably realize just how much they underestimated the commitment their parents were making for them.   

Now, the parents do this for their kids because they love them, and they aren’t looking to get “paid back”, and it will be a long time before the kids would be in a position to do so anyway.  But there is a way to pay it back now, in a currency that is far more valuable to parents than a cash payment.   There is nothing more valuable to a parent than the expression of heartfelt gratitude, sincere appreciation, courtesy, and respect.  So Cole and Jack, I have to ask you not what your score is today, but rather whether you invested more in “the bank” than you withdrew today?  Did you hug your parents, tell them how much you appreciate the support, tell them that you love them, and ask them what you can do for them now that your round of golf is over for the day.  I think you’ll find that you feel very good about yourselves if you do so, and it will lead to better balance in your lives…which means better golf.
 
Good luck in the tournament boys, but even more luck in making a commitment to give back to your parents more than you get!