Murderously hot out there Friday afternoon at the Superstition Springs G.C. driving range. The thermometer said 112, but it felt more like 200 degrees under my floppy hat. But still, there I was, practically alone, water bottle on the ground next to my 7-wood, 8-iron, 9-iron, and pitching and sand wedges, effortlessly hoisting (irons) or launching (7-wood) one ball after another in the direction of a 100-yard marker bleached white by weeks of searing heat while my personal (and fab) mix of the Beach Boys “That’s Why God Made The Radio” played over my PDA.

I have to admit, between the floppy hat, shades, Hawaiian shirt, and white shorts I looked like I shoulda been guiding my sloop “John B” out of the Thames Street harbor at Newport, Rhode Island instead of hitting balls off of too-thin lies against a bleached-out landscape under sizzling azure skies, but with just three weeks left before the 2012 Goodboys Invitational, there’s no time to whine about the heat – it’s time to suck it up and finish my game prep. And I have to admit, I was hitting the ball pretty darned good, as my game has settled into the first real predictable consistency I’ve ever known in my personal golf history. Now, whether it translates into low-enough scores to challenge for the hallowed Spielberg Memorial Trophy and winner’s jackets remains to be seen, but I’ve never been in a better spot this close to a Goodboys Invitational. We’ll see.

Here’s a recipe for a great summer cocktail, courtesy of Parasol Up Bar at Wynn Las Vegas:

Cucumber & Ginger Cooler:

10 super-thin slices of cucumber
1 ¼ oz. Hendrick’s Gin
1 oz. Canton Ginger Liqueur
¾ oz. fresh lime juice (and I have the fresh limes!)
dash of Agave Syrup
2 ½ oz. of club soda

Muddle the cucumber slices with the lime juice in a tall glass, then add all ingredients except the club soda. Ice to top of glass, then add the club soda.

Perfect for a hot summer afternoon!

After a good 2-hour session hitting and chipping balls I had the chance to sit down with Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee to discuss my golf game and everything Goodboys, check back on Monday for the full text of the interview. Until then, stay cool, jewel…

———————–

Unrelated thought: hard to believe the year is half over.