The official 2015 Goodboys Invitational newsletter is done, and we’re seven weeks away from what is known in Goodboys circles as “Christmas Eve” – the night before the Goodboys gather for Goodboys Invitational weekend. This year is pretty special: it’s the 25th year the Goodboys have gotten together, and there is bound to be lots of fun and surprises. You don’t go 25 years and not figure out a way to celebrate it in a special way, do you?

I wish I could say I was ready for the 2015 festivities, but, truth be told, my tee game is in shambles. They say the first step towards recovery is recognition and acceptance that you have a problem, and the fact is, my tee game has never been worse. Thanks to Hunter Mahan and Brady Riggs I’m actually hitting my irons pretty damned well, but what good is that if you’re lying three with yet another lost ball in the woods?

What is most sobering is the fact that the courses the Goodboys are playing this year: Waverly Oaks, The Pinehills, and Crosswinds, comprise the toughest courses the Goodboys have ever played in their 25-year history. Each of these courses put a premium on driving accuracy, and stray tee shots oftentimes have to contend with woods and side-hill lies and declivities. I should know – I shot a buck 22 at Crosswinds a couple of weeks ago, only to be told its the easiest of the three courses!

And don’t get me started on my short game – can you say, Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines this past February?

The short game I think I can ultimately work out with practice, but my tee game has become intolerable. Hence, the call has gone out to my former swing coach Alex Black. I don’t know if a quick fix is possible at this point, but if it’s not yours truly is in a world of hurt heading into the 25th Goodboys Invitational.