It has been a long time since I've been out on the golf course.

I'm pretty sure the last time I played was in late January. I know I had to cancel once in February and then twice in March because of our trips to Georgia. It's a shame, because one of the few things I really enjoy these days is spending time on the links (as real golfers call it). It isn't so much that I play well -- I usually don't -- but more that golf courses are usually some of the most beautiful settings in urban or suburban areas.

[caption id="attachment_321" align="alignright" width="300" caption="No. 7 at Empire Lakes"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/DSC_0114.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-321" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/DSC_0114-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>[/caption]

It's also because golf seems to be one of the only opportunities I have to spend time with my friend Mick anymore.

He's so busy working two jobs to pay the bills that he has very little time just to relax and have any fun, and playing golf together once a month or so gives us the chance to sit together in a golf cart and talk for seven or eight hours.

It's something that will end when Nicole and I move to Georgia next year, and the thought that I might not get to spend any more time with someone who has been my best friend for 45 years is kind of sad.

So we're going out to Empire Lakes tomorrow. It's our favorite golf course; indeed, the third member of our group -- our friend Chuck -- loves the course so much he wants to have some of his ashes scattered there. When he dies, of course.

At any rate, I doubt I'll play well after not swinging a club for more than 2 1/2 months.

It doesn't matter, though.

I don't go there for the golfing.