It is always tough getting back to the swing of things after being on holidays for a week.  I pretty much dropped off the grid for the first time in I don’t even know how many years.  It was nice to not be checking my phone constantly for messages or feeling the need to update Twitter or Facebook.  It made me realize maybe sometimes I am a little too “plugged in”.  Something I will work on.

On holiday Monday my family got together with friends to go skating which was a blast! The beauty of coming back after a long weekend is having a short week.  It’s a great way to ease back into the pace.  That is until I opened my email to hundreds of messages waiting for a response.  I started plugging away through them and was shocked how much time that consumed.

Later in the week I had a great dinner meeting with Ashley Monckton the Executive Director for Score Golf – Links for Women Golf Schools.  I host all of the schools and special events in my area.  It is a fabulous program that brings female golfers together of all ability levels.  There are opportunities to network corporately and I have found that the ladies have enjoyed the wine and networking component almost as much as the golf instruction.

I have also noticed that many women feel more comfortable in a group instruction environment and with same gender students.  At times it can be intimidating to have mixed groups as the men tend to hit it a lot further and have a different game than the ladies.  Those players new to golf often find a one-on-one situation with an instructor daunting.  Many beginners like a group lesson because they don’t feel like the center of attention and can blend in a bit more.

Monckton was in from Toronto setting up appointments for some of the private days that we will host.  Another trend I have noticed in women’s golf.  Many companies are using golf as a client incentive.  For theladies that don’t feel comfortable in a tournament situation, several companies have set up a golf school instead for their female clients.   A golf school is instruction based and can help build skills to get female business partners ready to play in the tournaments and build their confidence in golf.  Many companies discovered it is a great way to develop relationships with clients on the course in a one day golf school.

I also started my new workout routine this week, entitled “Insanity” by Shaun T.  It is a 60 day program that focuses on plyometric drills on top of nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance, and ab and core training moves.  I took a few weeks off since my last program and am stunned how hard it has been to get my fitness level back.

I was so sore the first few days I drowned myself in Epsom Salt baths and though I hate medication, took Aleve.  It finally started getting better on day 5.  Yowzers! I look forward to seeing what the results will bring.

In addition to hitting balls I was also the hockey bus shuttle this weekend.  A speaking engagement I had in Moncton, NB was postponed so I had the opportunity to stay home and be at my son’s hockey tournament all weekend.  There is something about watching 5 and 6 year old children play a sport that makes you realize the sheer joy, laughter and love that comes from participating.

Sometimes we get so focused on the competing that it is easy to forget the roots of sport. I think organized sport for young people is such a vital part of growing up.  It teaches discipline, manners, hard work, cooperation, team work and celebrating.  We don’t celebrate enough as adults.  Just watch the fist pumps a child does when he/she scores a goal and the sheer elation on their face.  We can all learn from that.

My favorite part was watching them all go back and high 5 the goalie every time someone on their team scored.  They took more joy in the high 5’s than in stealing the puck from the other team.  Loved it!

I also had a chance to sneak in a dinner with my girlfriends.  No matter how busy life gets we all need time with our friends to laugh, reminisce and share.

I am off to the Toronto Golf and Travel Show this weekend!  I have been working on my stage show presentation.  Only wish it were off grass!

Until next week, go long!