The subject line of a somewhat curious email I received last week caught my eye. Regarding an impending local chapter meeting, it was titled "Sad state of affairs", and went like this:

"I was wondering if anyone can help me.  As I'm sure to be asked, please help me with the answer to 'why do we have 12 class A members signed up for the July meeting'?  and of that, more than half are board members.  Luckily with others we have almost 50 total.  Sad.

That's right.  A great venue with education, good food, great golf and the opportunity to share in the misery that is the summer of 2013. What gives??? 

We combined the July and August meetings because getting away this time of year is hard, but wow. I'd love any feedback to share with those who will ask."

What gives is the same underlying reasons why golf as a recreational sport and as an industry is 'challenged' these days... and why we (Americans, in particular) can't relax anymore. Tugs from too many directions. Overscheduling. Mobile connectivity. Information overload. Workaholism.

I'll admit to not having attended a chapter meeting in probably 15 years or more.  I was invited fairly often to speak as the "educational component" but quickly discovered lunchtime education was usurped by the urge to get on the putting green or practice tee, while after-golf presentations were derailed by beer, food and the desire to go home.  Then, in 2000, I quit pretending to be a golfer, so that was the end of it.

That said, I have many good memories from chapter meetings.  The late Dave Mahoney walking up to me at my first MetGCSA meeting as a fledgling maestro, sticking out his hand in greeting and in welcome.  I didn't know a soul there.  Thank you, Dave.  We miss you.

Standing at the bar after golf at a Northeastern GCSA meeting at Wahconah Country Club in western Massachusetts. Alone, ordering a beer. Early TurfNet days. Didn't know a soul there either. TIm Madden, CGCS, approached me and asked if I was Peter McCormick.  He must have received my promotional mailings. I nodded and he said, "C'mon over here and sit with us." Thank you, Tim.

Freezing my ass off in a cold, wind-driven March rain in southern NJ. Early 1995. Steve Malikowski, CGCS, host. Was it Cape May National or Sand Barrens?  Can't really remember, but the rain (and the dozen balls I lost) left an indelible mark.

Playing in a foursome with Mark Fuller, CGCS, in a MetGCSA meeting at Salem Country Club.  The start of a long friendship. 

Ditto with Chris Cowan, commercial member/activist extraordinaire, at another NEGCSA meeting at Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, MA, Kent Lemme, CGCS, host.  The industry misses Kent too.  He's not dead like Mahoney, just moved on to his "After Superintending Plan B": owning and operating the Berkshire Running Center.  Chris is still a friend and kindred spirit.

Arriving at Kenwood Golf & Country Club in Bethesda, MD and noting the 104-degree temp on the thermometer. 1995. Played with Corey Haney and Jim Weaver. Had a helluva lot of fun that day, and enjoyed quite a few beers with Corey in Ireland sixteen or seventeen years later. He has been a TurfNet guy all that time in between.

Now, back to the original premise of this post, which was... ummm... hmmm.  I don't know.  I just start writing and see where it goes.

Oh yeah, getting away, to meetings or wherever. In every case above, in the long run, it was worth the time and trouble to get to that meeting.  But I will admit, life was simpler then.

It's 6:15 AM now and I've been at it this morning for an hour already.  And I'm allegedly on vacation... or at least have an office with a different view for a couple months.  Worked 12 hours yesterday with barely a glance out the window at the sun glistening off the water or the fishing boats going by. That's sad.

I keep promising myself I'm going to put the work aside, grab a book and a beer and head down to "the chairs" by the water and read for an afternoon. Hasn't happened yet in the several weeks I've been here at the summer HQ, but it will.  At least once.  Even if I have to force myself.

This wouldn't have been the case twenty years ago. It couldn't have. No connectivity back in the day.

I'm sure you keep telling yourself you're going to go to the next chapter meeting.  And then stuff comes up, sh*t happens and you send your assistant or just no-show. That's sad too, and not healthy... for you personally, for your chapter and for the vitality of our industry.

There are a bunch of great people in this industry, which I have found to be mostly self-purging of @ssholes, at all levels.  Get out and enjoy them. Generate some memories.  These are, you know, the "good ol' days" you'll reminisce about in the future.

Office view, and the chairs...