Guy's Golf Trips

The Annual Trek to Toftrees

Last week I was on my annual guy’s golf trip to Toftrees Resort in State College, PA. I have been running this trip for nearly fifteen years. I started with four players and have grown the number of players each year. This year we had 34 players make the trip. Most of them have become regulars, and it is the only time over the year I see the majority of them. The group has players of all different abilities and backgrounds. Most come from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but I’ve had some come from as far away as South Carolina. Some are long-time friends from high school and college. Some are family. Some are friends of friends of friends.

Before I go further, Toftrees is a terrific Ed Ault designed golf course. Better still, the golf packages offered are a tremendous value. The front nine meanders through the trees. The back nine is a little more open and flows through the residential area without the residences encroaching on the golf course. In the next few years, a new lodge will be constructed, and, based on renderings I’ve seen, it will be fantastic. The Field restaurant is a local favorite known for their terrific burgers and local beers. Oh, and don’t forget the table fries. Check them out at Toftrees.com.

This year the trip was a bit different for several reasons.

While we were there, the AJGA was also there. The AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) is the premier junior golf tour in the US. It draws the best junior golfers from around the world. Junior golfers from as far away as China were at Toftrees for the tournament. On Sunday morning, we drank coffee on the balcony of the restaurant as players teed off in the qualifier for the tournament. It was like watching smaller versions of tour players. The swings looked beautiful. Putting mirrors were everywhere on the practice green. Coaches and parents roamed the grounds. Short of large galleries, it felt and looked like a professional event.

Some of us moved down the ninth green for a while to watch the players. All I can say is wow! Those kids were really good.

On a negative note, the AJGA made it clear they were unhappy we were there. While no one from their staff said anything directly to me or any of my guys, the professionals at Toftrees had to adjust our tee times to accommodate the AJGA. It was also shared the AJGA wanted the golf course all to themselves. All I will say is we were already booked at the resort before the AJGA decided to schedule an event there. The AJGA needed to be more accommodating towards my group as well as other guests of the resort.

Every year there are guys who are unable to make the trip. In prior years it has been because of a conflict in schedules or an injury/surgery that a regular is unable to attend. This year was different.

Some of my regulars will never be on the trip again.

Kelly Gross had been a regular since the early years of the trip. On several of the trips, he stayed up late on Sunday helping me with scoring. Kelly was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Kelly passed away last fall after a battle with cancer. His best friend, Dave Concino, always came as well. Dave told me he couldn’t bear coming this year without Kelly. I don’t know if Dave will make the trip again. When I spoke to him last, he was devastated at the loss of his friend. Coming to Toftrees was too much for him the bear. I hope he joins us again in the future.

My Dad hadn’t been on the trip for several years. The last time he came was several years ago. My nephew drove him up and back on a Sunday just so he could have a beer and burger with us. At that time, he was down to playing 9-holes once a week. He passed away last year on August 11th one day shy of his 81st birthday. On Sunday evening, as I sat outside with my cousin and his group from New Jersey having Old Fashioneds, we talked about Dad. It hit me hard at one point that this was the first trip knowing he would never be there again, even if it was just to have a beer and a burger. My Dad introduced me to golf. Even when we had our normal father/son issues, golf remained a good place. I will forever be thankful he introduced me to this great game, and the memories we created on the course.

With all that said, if you have been invited on a guy’s golf trip and never gone, stop making excuses and go. Forget the money or the vacation time or whatever excuses you have used and go. Life is too short. The memories and friendships created supersede the golf. You won’t regret it.

As always, be thankful when you get to play this amazing game. Be grateful for every shot. Appreciate every moment on the course. Now, go golf!