I think it takes serious nerve -- but in a good way -- to name a town "Utopia."

Utopia, Texas, isn't actually a town. It's officially a "census-designated place" that had a population of 241 in the 2000 census. That's not very many people, and I can't imagine that more people wouldn't want to live in a place with that sort of name.

[caption id="attachment_495" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Utopia golf"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/utopia-golf.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-495" title="utopia golf" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/utopia-golf-300x119.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="119" /></a>[/caption]

But the best part of Utopia -- at least for me -- is Utopia Golf.

You've certainly heard of oxymorons -- military intelligence, jumbo shrimp -- but to me the words "utopia" and "golf" are words that go together with an amazing amount of serendipity.

If you've ever read David Cook's book,<a title="Links of Utopia" href="http://www.linksofutopia.com/cms/" target="_self"> "Golf's Sacred Journey,"</a> you're familiar with the Utopia golf course. It isn't that the course itself is anything special; it's nine holes that you repeat to play a full 18.

The fairways have more of a pasture feel to them, although they are cut short. They're a little bumpy for fairways, and the greens aren't the smoothest I've ever seen.

When I set out to play 18 holes today, I had big plans. I was going to walk the course and carry my clubs on my back. As it turned out, the walking wasn't a big deal; the carrying just about killed me. After nine holes, which I played very poorly, I staggered into the clubhouse and asked for a cart.

I had shot 52 for my first nine holes, which wasn't horrible since I hadn't played for about three months, but when I went back out in the cart I shot 42 and then followed it with 45 for an 18-hole score of 87.

As I said, I've played better courses, but it's tough to beat an 18-hole weekday price of $14 plus another $10 for the cart.

So I'll go back.

Heck, it's Utopia.