Transition requires some downshifting

An apology is in order for taking so long to address queries by two Chase The Pea followers to explain a recent lack of posts on this blog. Support and words of encouragement from followers and friends of Oldgolfdawg during the past 10 months deserved better treatment, too.

The truth is a combination of factors has gone into the lack of activity. One is that with the conclusion of the Ryder Cup the serious golf season on the professional level has come and gone in 2010. Another is the golf season for regular duffers -- aka chasers of the pea -- is also winding down. I hate to say it, but it won't be long before the snow will be flying around again and we will be yearning for the sun-filled days of summer.

Beyond that, this blog was begun to keep Oldgolfdawg busy doing something while he tried to re-enter the workforce at age 56. In that regard, it has served its purpose. Oldgolfdawg began working last week as a licensed health insurance agent for NationsHealth. If he can get through a 90-day probationary period, he should have a full-time job in an industry with a brighter future than newspapers.

That doesn't mean Chase The Pea will go out of existence. It just won't have as many posts as in the past and will appear in moments of inspiration rather than following a specific agenda.

In regard to recent inspiration, Oldgolfdawg has had the chance to play Cooks Creek, Darby Creek, Cumberland Trail, Deer Ridge and Eaglesticks over the last several weeks and has decided to update his best-places-to-play-in-central-Ohio list accordingly:

5 dog biscuits: Longaberger (the alpha dog)
4 1/2 dog biscuits: East Golf Club
4 dog biscuits: Cooks Creek, Cumberland Trail, EagleSticks, Deer Ridge, Golf Club of Dublin, The Players Club at Foxfire
3 1/2 dog biscuits: *Apple Valley, Bent Tree, Blacklick Woods, Chapel Hill, Champions, Darby Creek, Granville, Indian Springs, New Albany Links, The Links at Echo Springs, Royal American Links
3 dog biscuits: Glenross, Mill Creek, Turnberry, Westchester
2 1/2 dog biscuits: Blackhawk, Crystal Springs Golf Club, Mentel Memorial, National Golf Links, *Licking Springs, Raymond Memorial, Safari Golf Club, *St. Albans, *Table Rock, The Links at Groveport
2 dog biscuits: *Airport, *Oakhaven, *Bridgeview, Marysville Golf Club, *Minerva Lake
1 1/2 dog biscuits: *Wilson Road, *Big Walnut (executive courses)
1 dog biscuit: Let's not go there
* Indicates Oldgolfdawg has not played the course in more than five years and needs feedback from others to adjust any ranking.