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22 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | APRIL 2018 | Library Committee Happy April everyone. No fooling! Thanks to everyone who came to the Book Sale and to all those who purchased books. We really like to see you all and find out what you love about books, and your ideas for the Sun Lakes libraries! Hope to see you back on July 4. Do you remember where you were in April 1975? I was at UC Riverside as a Biology major and thinking about what I would do after graduation in 1977. But I also was taking road trips on free weekends to friends who had gone to study at other UCs. Although we're not in the 70s any longer, many of us still have a secret love affair with the independence that our cars bring to us. April 1975? – that was the first year for the Bakersfield Brass Swap Meet and Show, a nationally recognized event of the Horseless Carriage Club. The show starts on April 12 and horseless carriages will parade around Bakersfield: only pre-1916 autos that may be close to 100 cars! On the Road by Jack Kerouac was published in 1957. Sal and Dean (he and Neal Cassidy) traveling across America and meeting various people through whom he comes to understand our post- war country. A metaphor is in the road, the trip, which represents freedom: "…a fast car, a coast to reach, and a woman at the end of the road." Kerouac grew up in Massachusetts and New York City (which is the start of the trip). The city represents where he escapes from, "on the road." "Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk. We had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." He loves his family, and likes the stability of a team working toward a common goal in the Merchant Marines. But the war had also made him think life is a gift, a candle flame that could be blown out in a second. What gave meaning and value to this gift? Would staying near his upbringing, and repeating the family life that he saw celebrate what God gave? He thought there might be more… "Behind us lay the whole of America and everything that Dean and I had previously known of life. We had found the magic land at the end of the road; we never dreamed the extent of the magic." That's romantic. Not everything about the car works out. Poor Michael O'Brien in Island of the World states: "Automobiles are unreliable and dangerous slaves. They frequently revolt (actually many of us may feel this way) and kill their masters. I hate them." Racing is driving by a pro. The speed is higher, the stakes are higher, but there is tremendous skill as well. Parnelli Jones' take? "If you're in control, you're not going fast enough." NASCAR driver Buddy Baker commented that he knew he was in trouble when he felt the air at the base of his neck, not in his face. I'll stick with the pleasant road trip – summer is here soon. Golf Advisory Committee The Tee Box 'Fore' Sun Lakers. Hopefully, spring has arrived when you read this article. Winter is an ugly time for our courses. We look forward to growing grass and leaves on the trees. Al, Mark, and the Board are working hard to get the drainage project underway on the championship course. There are many parts to this project that need to be addressed, unlike us changing or repairing our lawns. They are also moving forward with the completion of hole 12 on the executive course. Climate compliant plants will be put in to complete this hole. These projects will be completed in 2018. We have many players who have gone through the process of requesting and receiving a blue handicap flag. The flag allows the player special driving privileges on our courses. When signing the request for a handicap flag, players agree to follow the terms of the agreement. Now would be a good time for all handicap flag owners to review these terms. The most disregarded term is driving closer than 20 feet to the greens and bunkers. Turf damage and turf compaction become problems when too many players violate this term. We would like everyone to observe the 20 foot distance from greens and bunkers. If you are physically unable to comply with any condition of the handicap flag agreement, you should advise the executive general manager. Adjustments will be made. Now that the weather is allowing us to play more, we need to be aware of our pace of play. Because of the numerous complaints regarding slow groups, the GAC came up with a four hour 15 minute pace of play on the Championship course and three hours pace of play on the Executive course. We believe this is an acceptable time to play 18 holes of golf on our courses. Check your start time, time at the turn, and finish time to see your pace of play. Soon we will have three clocks on the Championship side to help you check your time. Those groups that exceed four hours and 15 minutes or three hours rounds might receive a letter indicating their slow play, and it will include suggestions how to speed up your rounds. We want everyone to have a pleasant experience. See you on the courses. "The only thing a golfer needs is more day light." Ben Hogan

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