The Scrambler has been feeling it lately.

Normally, the “off-season” in Buffalo is not of great concern to me, but this winter has been different.  I haven’t been this anxious to see the snow gone in quite some time.  I find myself looking at as many “long-range” forecasts as I can locate, scanning for that 3 day stretch of 50 degrees that will awaken our slumbering groundskeepers.

Perhaps it was the fact that I wasn’t able to play into December for the first time in years.  My anxiety is likely heightened by several purchases I made the last week of November.  After a frustrating season, I finally upgraded my equipment, with a new set of Taylor Made Irons, and 3 (count ’em, 3) new Drivers to replace my dated Ping G2.  I had only two days to use them before the course-closing weather arrived.  I was teased by making an Eagle 3 at Byrncliff’s 7th, only to have the season abruptly ended.

For those reasons, I can’t begin to tell you how eager I am to Kick Off the Season.  Normally, I’m not one to get excited about “simulated” golf, but with my yearning at it’s peak, the BuffaloGolfer Staff Meeting couldn’t come at a better time.  In just a few minutes, I’m heading out the door to meet Mo, Mouth, and Rico at Frog Hair.  Last night, I had the same feeling I had several years ago, when I heard Terry Hills was opening for a few days in January.  My optimism for the upcoming season is at an all-time high, and it’s time to kick it off at Pebble Beach (or St. Andrews), depending on which simulation we choose.

I hope I can report that my excitement remains after my “virtual kick off” for 2011.  Hope to see everyone in the real world in a few weeks.