Day 1: Get to TVC for 12 rounds

Grocery store. Can salsa. Typical day before a trip, right? Tony and I head out early to pick up Tom. Not used to such a late flight (3:40 pm) to head out and we all want to go. Tom and Pete played Woodbridge on Saturday and witnessed Scott’s hole in one on #2 (meaning Tom had a few beers before we picked him up) – for those who know Woodbridge, pin was in the front left.

American (www.aa.com) has returned the direct flight from DFW to Traverse City, making it easier and faster to get to our trip. I’m happy to have checked in first class, as has Tom. Now that I don’t have status, that saves me from having to pay for baggage! Security on a Saturday afternoon is pretty quiet in B terminal and we whiz through with two hours before our flight (we don’t like skating into the gate anyway), so time for beers at Cousins bar (and BBQ). Tom sporting his Bob In Again tshirt (sadly, no more). Paul and Pete eventually join us.

First drinks on way to Michigan at DFW. Tom with his retro Bob In Again (RIP) tshirt.

If you don't ask, you don't get. Pete nabs the last first class seat.

Uneventful flight to TVC – switched some seats around so that the parents of the pilot could sit together. It’s their first time flying with their son and they are flying to Traverse, then back to Dallas, then on home to Sacramento. Their son flies on to Colorado. Kinda neat to find out. The little girl sitting in the same row next to me was pretty good on the flight – except when she really wanted more apple juice.

Land, no problem with getting the mini van (Avis this time) or bags. Off to the Seasons Inn (https://www.seasonsinntc.com/) to check in for the night, dinner at Red Mesa Grill (http://www.magnumhospitality.com/redmesa/traversecity/#home!loading), then bed. Yes, we’re from Dallas, coming to Michigan and our first meal is Mexican. It’s really not bad (but they don’t rate on my list for tortilla soup – sorry!) Golf begins on Sunday.