A final column for 2026 from the Shenandoah Golf Course
There was a full field for the final event on the 2026 golf calendar – the annual Chili Bowl was held last Sunday, October 11.
One exercise the golf committee has completed the past six years at the end of each golf season is a SWOT analysis. Committee members list the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of the Shenandoah Golf Course as they perceive them. And then, we prioritize the top three in each of the categories and determine what actions the following year are needed to build on our strengths, address our weaknesses, act on our opportunities, and be aware of any threats. The SWOT analysis is a great planning and improvement tool for any business to utilize.
Year seven of the Shenandoah Parks and Recreation Department operating the golf course has been an unqualified success. Opening the course up to the public seven years ago has brought in new golfers from inside and outside the city. Course superintendent Craig Connell and his staff continue to make noticeable improvements in the overall condition of the golf course. And course member satisfaction is at an all-time high. Feedback from those paying green fees from out of town has been overwhelmingly positive as well. If we continue to build on the past seven years of success, 2027 will be another banner year for the SGC!
A notable round recently that I personally witnessed was a 3 under par 67 by Mitch Annan on Wednesday, October 7. It was his career best round – congratulations Sing Along with Mitch!!
This week's golf slang dictionary term is “Social Distancing.” And the definition is “Hitting Your Tee Ball a Long Way from the Other Members of Your Foursome.”
This week's golf quote from famous people is compliments of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. “I gave up golf for painting because it takes me less strokes.”
This week's “In Years Gone By” notable event comes from just over 27 years ago in September 1999. Tom Brodersen “The Clipper” made a double eagle 2 or albatross on the par five 7th hole.
This week's attempt at golf humor – Signs you are addicted to golf: 1) You check the weather every morning. 2) You think about your swing randomly. 3) You watch golf videos late at night. 4) You replay great shots in your head. 5) You're already planning the next round.
The answer to last week's trivia question – Whose name is on a memorial bench on the 6th tee box? The correct answer is Carol Mather.
Even though it's mid-October, don't put your clubs away yet. There are, hopefully, some beautiful fall days ahead that are perfect for enjoying the fall colors and fellowship with your golfing friends!
I found this article on “How Fall Can Reset a Golfer's Mindset” so I thought I would share it with you. With each falling leaf and every cool breeze, fall invites reflection and rejuvenation. For golfers, this season can serve as a gentle reminder to reset, rethink, and re-engage with the game from a fresh vantage point. As the vibrant hues of fall envelop the landscape, they also possess the unique ability to recalibrate a golfer’s mental compass.
The environment we immerse ourselves in plays a pivotal role in shaping our mindset. In the realm of sport psychology, it’s well understood that our surroundings have a direct impact on performance. Picture this: the tranquility of a golf course bathed in autumnal colors, where each hole offers a picturesque tableau of nature’s grandeur. This serene environment is not merely a feast for the eyes but also for the soul, providing a calming backdrop that allows golfers to reconnect with their inner self and the essence of the game.
This deep connection between nature and the golfer’s psyche can lead to heightened mental toughness. In golf, mental toughness is that resilient quality allowing players to stay focused, maintain composure, and adapt to changing circumstances, be it a challenging bunker shot or an unpredictable gust of wind. For both the amateur golfer and the professional golfer, fall’s serene ambiance can serve as a catalyst for introspection, helping them uncover and address areas of their mental game that may need fortifying.
Moreover, fall’s cooler temperatures offer a reprieve from the intense summer heat, allowing golfers to play longer rounds without the physical and mental fatigue often associated with warmer months. The gentle, cool breezes can invigorate the senses and sharpen focus, lending an edge to decision-making and execution on the greens.
In essence, as the seasons transition, so does the mindset of a golfer. Fall, with its natural splendor and calming aura, provides an unparalleled opportunity to delve deeper into one’s mental game, rediscover passion, and elevate performance on the golf course. At its heart, embracing the season’s change can be the key to unlocking new potential and achieving greater heights in the world of golf.
This column will conclude my seventh year of providing From Tee to Green SGC golf information to the readers of the Southwest Iowa Herald. This is the final From Tee to Green column for 2026. The column has been appearing each Wednesday in the Southwest Iowa Herald since April. In each column, I've tried to keep the readers informed on golf events and news from the Shenandoah Golf Course. Hopefully, when the 2027 golf season rolls around, usually around mid-April, we can start the weekly column again. I'd like to thank Bryan Clark and the Southwest Iowa Herald for allowing From Tee to Green to be published again this year.
