Pushed off early from Hotel Indigo for a nice ride along State Rt 25A. Moderate traffic, little wind, decent road surface and a nice shoulder made for a pleasant ride to Smithtown Landing and 12:00 tee time with buddy John Ruggerio.

Smithtown Landing is a muni owned by the town of Smithfield. Interesting track with two practice putting greens, a short game and sand trap area, driving range , an indoor video room all managed by Michael Hebron, PGA Master Certified Instructor. This is the highest teaching distinction offered by the PGA and a sign that the guy really knows his stuff when it comes to teaching the game of golf. Smithtown plays to a hilly 6200 yards with some great bay views along the way.

There is much to love about municipal courses…starting with the Smithtown dress code…”shirts must have either a collar or sleeves and if it doesn’t have a collar then it must be tucked in to your pants” You got to love it. Four guys  in pickups and blue jeans were stuffing six packs in their bags in the parking lot as good buddy John Ruggerio  pulled in. John is my son in law Dan Whittemore’s childhood buddy and married to my daughter Jacey’s good friend Laura. Small world and so nice to hook up with John for a round on the course where he played his high school golf.

John and I got hooked up with a couple of nice guys. The young guy on the left really pounded the ball and the guy on the right was a recently retired NY State Trooper just taking up the game. Lot of fun with these guys.

Following golf it was a short ride over to Northport to spend the night with in laws Donna and Wayne Whittemore. We enjoyed a great Italian meal at their favorite local restaurant , brought  desert back to the house and finished off the night with a glass of wine on the back patio. Great people….love our time together.