My bag dropped to my side, I almost dumped my clubs pitching head first into the ground.  My shoulders slouched agonizingly, I think my jaw dropped as well, it might have hit the toes of my shoes.  I was devastated.

“What do you mean, ‘HUSH’ while you’re puttering?”

All of the signs were there, over the years the new larger houses, the private school for the elite scholars were all apparent.  Now there was a small but efficient shopping mall.  Everything that a newcomer, the new pioneer, could want, fast food, groceries, dog grooming, gas, and a liquor store.  Public transit will be next I thought.

Well I had established my territory, had played this course for many years.  Nothing to brag about or expect to see on the PGA circuit but it is the type of course, a nine hole par three, that one can lose himself in for a couple of hours.  The challenge is in trying to calm oneself down and enjoy the now.  The relaxation of the game, not to be hustled, marshalled or oversold.  Control of a different type, something akin to ability, I mean some of the holes are so short that you can tee off with a putter and put it on the green.  There are other challenges and nature as well.  After the game you always feel good even if you didn’t use your score card, it was a good time.

As my mind came back into focus and I double checked the sign I saw it was right.  The golf course was for sale and I could only envision condos wall to wall.