And yet another delay...

Well this was the weekend of air travel delays for me...my first flight from Minneapolis to Detroit was pretty un-eventful (but then it should be at 6 a.m.) I had 20 minutes to make my connecting flight in Detroit and upon boarding, we were told there was a malfunctioning speaker in the flight deck. So two hours later we left Detroit after waiting for the part, installation and sign-off for the mechanical work. Thank goodness my laptop was fully charged and I could get some work done while stranded.

The weather in Florida upon my return was awesome...77 degrees and sunny. Big news here is the Republican primary Tuesday night so that accounts for the media I saw swarming at the airport.

Thanks for your comments on the Blog...it was fun to hear from "Cousin Eddie" in Idaho (who I last played golf with about ten years ago). Better make plans to get to Florida for a re-match, Ed!!

Have a good week--

~Le Ann

The Joys of Air Travel

Hi from Northfield,

Well I finally made it back to Minnesota on Friday night. My flight out of West Palm was delayed 2 1/2 hours due to mechanical problems--so that meant I missed my connecting flight in Detroit. Although it's always good to have those mechanical problems solved before flying! I arrived home around 10 p.m. vs. the 6 p.m. I had planned...so I missed the boys' basketball game I was hoping to attend.

I had a good weekend and had a chance to see many friends--breakfast with Lorie on Saturday morning, attended Brooke's basketball game Saturday afternoon before dinner with Don and Jane at the Legend's Club on Saturday night. I saw lots of friends at church this morning--never enough time to see and visit with everyone. I also met Barb for a quick visit (with awesome nachos) at Applebees before having dinner with the family tonight.

I'm headed back to West Palm Beach in the morning--as in 6 a.m. so it will be a quick night and I hope an equally quick return to Florida.

Thanks for checking in on me-

~Le Ann

Back to Minnesota...

The girls left this morning for their return to Minnesota...they have figured it will be a 60-70 degree temperature difference for them...it was 70 degrees when I dropped them off at the West Palm Beach International airport at 7:15 a.m. They flew through Atlanta--where everyone flies through regardless of where their final destination may be. The big joke here is when you die, you go through Atlanta first! Right after lunch the girls called to let me know they arrived safely in Minneapolis.

We had a fun time together in south Florida. We played golf at PGA National on Sunday on the Palmer course, until the rain chased us away after only playing nine holes. Monday we played the Champion course--the course where the Honda Classic will be held Feb. 25 to March 1. Yesterday the girls played the Estates course with some friends while I attended a PGA staff meeting at PGA National. Tuesday night we had dinner at a local pizza place with our friends, the Endicks.

I'm headed back to Minnesota on Friday--it will be hard to leave 70 degrees for sub-zero weather--but it will be fun to visit friends and family again. I'll check in from the airport on Friday.

~Le Ann

PGA Merchandise Show - Day 3

WOW! It's been a long week and a long few days of standing, walking and working at the PGA Merchandise Show. Today was another day of meetings, then packing our booth materials before heading back to Palm Beach Gardens tonight. We left in a rain storm, which made the drive a little slow to start out...but once we hit the turnpike, we had dry roads heading south. Kelsey drove so I could rest and Brooke watched some DVDs and listened to her iPod.

The girls and I are golfing tomorrow at PGA National--playing the Palmer course. FORE!

~Le Ann

PGA Merchandise Show - Day 2

Today began at 7 am with meetings and continued all day--including our Play Golf America Conference in the afternoon. I had a series of six meetings with various golf industry people before the conference--then headed to the Orlando airport at 7:30 p.m. to meet Kelsey and Brooke who flew in for the next five days. They will visit the Show on Saturday before we return to Palm Beach Gardens for three days of golf, fun and sightseeing. I think both girls have grown again since I last saw them three weeks ago. They still "out-text" any other teenagers I know--never out of touch with their friends at home. Tomorrow is the final day of the Show and our return to Palm Beach Gardens...

~Le Ann

PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1

Today was a busy day with the kickoff of the PGA Merchandise Show. The show included the launching of a new PGA logo, so there's lots of excitement and energy on the show floor. We had many PGA Professionals register for our National Promotions and I saw many friends from the Minnesota and Iowa sections. I had a few meeting with various golf industry people so it was a very productive day. Tomorrow is a packed day from 7 am to 7 pm so time to sleep fast!

~Le Ann

PGA Merchandise Show

Today I drove from Palm Beach Gardens to Orlando for the 55th Annual PGA Merchandise Show. The show officially begins tomorrow but demo days were held today so I made a quick stop at demo days before heading to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) for the day. Our Play Golf America booth is all set up with brochures--ready to register PGA professionals for our national programs. The PGA Annual meeting was yesterday and today--the first time the two events have been held together. My day ended with a "Women's Golf Month" dinner at Little Maggios, where I joined representatives from Golf Digest, Executive Women's Golf Association, Golf for Women magazine and American Express as we strategized for Women's Golf Month in June.

The Show promises to be long days with lots of standing and lots of walking--half a mile from one end to the other end of the Show--so I better get my comfortable shoes ready for the next three days!

~Le Ann

I got a birdie today!

Greetings blog readers--

Here's a quick update before I head out to the store. I played golf today at the Champ course at PGA National. This is where the Honda Classic is held every February. This years event takes place from Feb. 25 to March 2nd. I will be working the tournament but don't know what my specific duties will be yet. Stay tuned for those details!

Back to the golf--the weather was perfect and the course was in great condition. Only problem was the "cart path only" rule which contributed to a five hour round. The 15th, 16th and 17th holes are known as the "Bear Trap" a par three, par four and par three all with lots of water and forced carries over water to the greens. The Bear Trap is named after Jack Nicklaus, who re-designed the course in 1990. I played the Bear Trap in even par with a birdie the 17th hole and finished with a par 5 on the 18th.

Next week is the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando then Kelsey and Brooke come down to visit on the 18th--so our plan is for two or three rounds of golf and some beach time. Talk to you all soon--

~Le Ann

I finished with a par...

Greetings from PGA National,

Today was another great day in southern Florida. I played golf at PGA National at the Haig course (named after the great Walter Hagen.) So far this has been my favorite of the five courses at PGA National. I've played the Palmer course twice, the Estates course and now the Haig. The holes wind around the neighborhood where I live and the 5th and 6th holes play up to the PGA of America building where I work--so I felt very "at home" on this course. We spotted a gator out of the water on one of the holes...just a baby gator at about two feet long. We left him/her alone and went on our way. I did hit a few amazing golf shots and managed to finish with a par on the 18th hole. My short game still has some snow on it from the North!

Saturday I was the standout Northerner at the beach--I had a shirt and shorts on while "the natives" were bundled up with sweatshirts and beachtowels! Didn't matter to me--it was fun to be outside in the sun by the water.

This week promises to be busy at work as we all prepare for the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on Jan. 16-19th. Lots of work, but lots of fun as well. Hope everyone is well and I'll continue to be in touch!

~Le Ann