By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Sep 25, 2014 at 2:03 PM Photography: Jim Owczarski

I gave up a lifetime of playing golf three years ago for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the surprise and sudden death of my closest golf partner.

I used to be a good golfer, a single digit handicap. But I had lost a lot of skill, wasn’t able to hit clubs the yardage I always had and my hands kind of shook when I putted. The worse I got, the more aggravated I got.

I had enough of all that so I gave it up and didn’t miss it.

Friday I am going to play golf again. Why? I’m not sure. But I’m going to Brown Deer and teeing it up with friend and club pro Scott Evans and OnMilwaukee.com’s sports editor Jim Owczarski, who can probably hit it twice as far as me.

I’m a little apprehensive about it. I’ve had some health issues and it’s hard for me to walk very far. My legs hurt, my back hurts, hell, just about everything hurts.

But I have cleaned my clubs, found my shoes and freshened my golf glove and I’m ready to give it another test.

Like they say, no fool like an old fool.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.