Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Whatever your religious belief or absence thereof, I want to wish you and yours the very best this holiday season.
I love this time of year. It's a time for families and friends to be together a time for love and harmony.
As in many years past, we have friends, family, neighbors or even ourselves who will be celebrating this holiday season with a loved one serving overseas. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and set a seat aside at your table so that everyone who gathers with you will keep in mind the sacrifice these men and women are making for us.
Take the time to tell your loved ones how you feel about them. Take a moment to say hello to a stranger or make a new friend. Take a moment to give something back. We can all be heroes, even if all we give someone is a smile.
As tough as times are these days, there is still much to be thankful for. No matter how difficult things are, we still have each other. We still have our family, our friends and ourselves. If even for just a day, take a moment to think only of the wonderful gifts you have in life. Think of something or someone that makes you happy and hold that close.
At this time of year we all tend to be more human, more kind and more caring. My wish is that we would just keep and share this feeling for 12 months instead of only one.
With that said, I give you the "Twelve Days of Christmas," golf style.
On the first day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, a one on an island par three.
On the second day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the third day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the fourth day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the fifth day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the sixth day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the seventh day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the eighth day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, eight shiny forged irons, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the ninth day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, nine holes after work, eight shiny forged irons, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the 10th day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, a $10 Nassau, nine holes after work, eight shiny forged irons, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the 11th day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, a high-tech driver that never slices, a $10 Nassau, nine holes after work, eight shiny forged irons, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
On the 12th day of Christmas, Golf Santa gave to me, 12 dozen golf balls, a high-tech driver that never slices, a $10 Nassau, nine holes after work, eight shiny forged irons, a seven-day golf vacation, a six-skin winning birdie, five Cuban cigars, four Masters tickets, three fairway woods, two new wedges and a one on an island par three.
James Stammer has been an avid golfer and golf enthusiast for nearly 40 years. He hosts the Thursday night golf show on WSTU 1450-AM. Contact him at stammergolf@yahoo.com.