Setting goals—often called a “bucket list”—is not just fun; it’s good for your mental and physical health, especially as you age. A goal gives you a reason to get up in the morning, something to plan for, and something to look forward to. As a golfer, you might aim for a hole-in-one or a par round—goals that require not only skill but also a bit of luck.
For me, as a golfer and traveler, the joy comes from experiencing different courses, admiring the creativity of course design, and observing how each one is maintained. I was fortunate to travel extensively for work, and our family also enjoys traveling together. Being self-employed for most of my career gave me the flexibility to squeeze in a round of golf during my travels.
At some point, I began collecting logo golf balls—little souvenirs from each course. I even made wooden racks to display them. As my collection grew, I built more racks, and eventually decided to build one including a map of the United States. I thought it would be interesting to place a ball from each state in its corresponding spot. And just like that, I set a new goal: to play a round of golf in every U.S. state.
By that time, I had already visited—and even worked in—every state. But I hadn’t played golf in all of them. Once my work travel slowed down, I began planning purposeful trips to the remaining states. That journey came to a close in 2018 with a family trip to Fargo, North Dakota.
After completing that goal, the natural question was, “What’s next?” I had a New York–shaped ball rack with balls from various courses across the state. Looking at it, I wondered: Could I play golf in every county in New York State? After some research, I found that every county in New York—except Manhattan—has at least one golf course. That was enough to spark a new quest.
I modified the New York-shaped rack to hold 62 balls, labeling each slot with a county name. Some of the courses were quite modest, but that was never the point. It was about playing the game, experiencing new places, and continuing the journey. For Manhattan, I counted the driving range at Chelsea Piers—and yes, they had a logo golf ball for Chelsea Pier Golf Club!
On July 25th, 2025, I completed my final county at Niagara Falls Country Club. The course, the view, and the people made it a fitting finale to a memorable journey. I even got my name in the local paper.
I don’t yet know what my next goal will be. But for now, I’m healthy, I’m grateful, and I’m still out there chasing tee shots and collecting memories—one round at a time.
