Characters & Critters

Tee Times Magazine’s Characters and Critters

Tee Times Magazine’s Characters and Critters, is a fun collection of articles covering individuals and our wildlife friends that inhabit our area golf courses. These are stories that will either bring and smile to your face or a tear to your eye. Please take some time to read and enjoy this wide diversity of interesting stories.

Yellow Tomcat Has Golf Etiquette

Yellow Tomcat Has Golf Etiquette

Each year in late July, the Smiley’s clan gather on the white sands of Florida’s Emerald Coast to enjoy the sense of family.

GOLFER, RICK AULIE, SETS SPEED RECORD

GOLFER, RICK AULIE, SETS SPEED RECORD

The scene, July 26th, 2018, Breezy Point, Minnesota. As Rick Aulie’s driver head made that “smack sound” and perfect contact with the golf ball, the stop watch was clicked and the race to set a World Record was on!

The Amigos And The Deer Flies

The Amigos And The Deer Flies

The four Amigos had been friends since grade school. Growing up in Duluth, they played golf at Lester Park in the summer and hockey all winter. The Amigos never realized that the two sports complemented each other.

Fuzzy Loves Bucket Mouth Bass

Fuzzy Loves Bucket Mouth Bass

The huge large mouth bass stood on its tale and spit the black and silver crank bait back at the surprised fisherman, Fuzzy Zoeller. Is this Lake of the Ozarks or Falcon Reservoir in Texas, both known for great bucket mouth bass fishing?

Mike Cleland

Mike Cleland

8 shots in 3 holes! 4 under par! But there is more! I have known Mike Cleland for over 40 year. He has always been a really good golfer. But Mike, like fine wine, just gets better with age.

Goats As Caddies

Goats As Caddies

Change has been the only constant since Scottish shepherds started whacking round stones with their shepherd’s crooks. Clubs, balls, courses, rules and yes, even caddies continue to change over time.

Hedgehogs On The Golf Course

Hedgehogs On The Golf Course

No, I have never seen a hedgehog on a golf course. But, this past winter, I did see a woman on the beach in Florida holding one in her hand while taking a picture of her hedgehog in the sunset.

Doug Sanders

Doug Sanders

As I read of the passing of Doug Sanders, the man who made flashy golf clothing popular, I thought to myself, “I wonder if his heavenly wings will match his patent leather shoes?”

Pelicans Make Great Golf Fans

Pelicans Make Great Golf Fans

Playing golf on the bay side of the peninsula between Destin and Panama City Beach at Sandestin Resort can be a study in the migratory birds that winter along the Gulf.

King Of The Hickories

King Of The Hickories

No matter what your passion, there are others who share that sliver of life. This is a story of such a man who has a passion for old hickory shafted golf clubs.

Great Blue Heron Wins Battle With Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

Great Blue Heron Wins Battle With Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

As golfers, we play this wonderful game for a variety of reasons. But, when asked the question, “Why do you play golf?” Most golfers would never mention, “To get close to Mother Nature.” One of the benefits of playing golf is the rare and unexpected encounter with the variety of critters that share our golf courses, but do not pay green fees.

Colonel Laura Ludwig

Colonel Laura Ludwig

Standing only 4’11”, Colonel Laura Ludwig stands tall in the pursuit of her goals. Laura is loyal to her friends and colleagues and very dedicated to her well thought out beliefs. She is extremely smart, articulate and charming. But, when forced into a corner, she can be feisty as a Chihuahua.

Crazy Chicken From Hell

Crazy Chicken From Hell

No matter what the critter – a mother’s instinct is to protect her young. It certainly was for the enraged Ruffed Grouse Hen who built her nest behind the par 3 green at a wooded resort golf course.

In & Out

In & Out

The volume on the bragging rights discussion had increased continually during the 3-hour drive up north to our annual men’s golf getaway.