Dave Hunter is the award-winning author of “Along Interstate-75” and “Along Florida’s Expressways” the quintessential guides for those driving to and in Florida. With his researcher wife Kathy, he enjoys travelling with history, gathering unusual and mysterious local stories. The Hunters winter in Lakeland, Florida. March 2020 arrived, and so did COVID-19. Many snowbirds had to rush home when they found out that their medical insurance would lapse in two weeks, regardless of the policy’s expiry date. Fortunately, we had Medipac and the company e-mailed me to assure me that we were covered (including for COVID-19) for its full term. Suddenly I had the golf course to myself and was able to complete the first four months of my golf lesson package. In April, Ben kindly agreed to put my membership on hold so that I could resume next winter − well, thanks to COVID-19 and border closures, that didn’t work out so well. My first attempts at golf have been “interesting.” Instructor Ben said that I rapidly improved towards the end of my stay. In April, I played 81 practice holes with a total of 62 bogies, 28 pars and one miraculous BIRDIE. I can’t wait to get back and continue the challenge...that’s if Ben doesn’t see me first and “disappear.” I will try to remember what he tried to teach me. A final thought. I do haveone unique claim to golfing fame. Years ago, while employed with the accounting firm of Peat MarwickMitchell, I played a small part in the merger of PMMwith the impossibly named Dutch company, Kleinveltd Main Goerdeler. I was asked to design a logo and sketched the iconic KPMG symbol, which you see on Phil Mickelson headgear. As a thank you, he sent me a package of KPMG golf regalia bearing “my” logo, including caps, sunshades, towels, etc. which today, I wear with pride. I must admit though, to avoid embarrassing Phil, I always keepmy mask on so that nobody can recognize me…and my unusual style of golf! 28 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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