Fathers Day----A Month Early

The cold spring, a March Easter and the constant bad weather in the Midwest have pushed the blooms back and made the holidays feel early. This is the first year since 1992 – another weirdly cold spring and summer, part of the aftermath of Mt Pinatubo's eruption—when the lilacs, peonies and azaleas bloomed in June. The cottonwood seeds are still dotting the air like errant snowflakes and the sycamores have not stopped losing their lower leaves.

This is the weekend of the U.S. Open, which traditionally ends on Fathers Day. I know the Masters passed and saw Trevor Immelman win, yet that seems like last season, not a mere 10 weeks ago. Tiger's absence has also made it feel like the Tour is treading in place, so the U.S. Open seems too early this year and Fathers Day has caught us by surprise.

San Diego is almost season-less, which probably makes it feel like time stops to a Midwesterner. It's a good location for the U.S. Open, even if Torrey Pines is brutal. Golf has an outside of time quality that can drive you crazy or sweep you in. The U.S. Open epitomizes that quality for both the players and the audience. It reminds us of how much has changed and how much as stayed the same in this game.

Fathers everywhere who love golf are encouraged to play tomorrow. Some will make sure they are home to watch the last hours of the Open and some will only be able to play a twilight round. Whoever and where ever they are I hope they get out, feel inspired and decide they'll play through November this year.