Jim Salinetti: March 23

In my five years of "snowbirding" in Florida I have never been more ready to get back to New England.  I'm not sure if it is my excitement for my upcoming season, or my frustration of working five days a week at the golf course.  Don't get me wrong, I have a great setup in West Palm Beach.  I couldn't ask for a much better place to work and practice than Breakers West.  But I am definitely ready to start playing and practicing every day and focusing solely on my golf game. Some times you don't realize how fun competitive golf is until you have to step away from it for a few months.

My summer schedule is very similar to last year.  I plan to play in most Cleveland Tour events, as well as all the state opens, invitationals and pro-ams.  I am really looking forward to the Mass. Open at Charles River and a few of the new CGT venues.  I am lucky to have two great places to practice, Stockbridge GC and Cranwell, and I plan on working pretty hard in between events.

I am really hoping to get some of the feelings I once had relating to my golf game.  I have always been passionate about practicing and getting better, but last summer I had a glimpse of that confidence I once had in my early 20's.  I often wonder if it helps being back at Stockbridge and playing competitively in New England.  Whatever it is, I really hope some familiar surroundings can help my continuing confidence.

I may be crazy to want to leave 80 degree, sunny days down south for cold, damp spring days up north, but I am definitely pumped to start practicing every day and playing in tournaments every week.

P.S.  Mad props to all the good work "The Scribe" has put into the website. Hopefully all of us can have some great results for him to write about!  And yes, "snowbirding" is a word.