first rounds of the season

Finally got off my duff and played some golf this year.  First round of the year was up at Butter Brook Golf Club in Westford, MA to celebrate passing the bar with a few compadres from law school, Joe and Justin.  We wanted to squeeze in 18 holes before we were too busy with not finding jobs to play.  The course was in beautiful shape and is very reasonable price-wise with a weekend rate for 18 holes plus cart for $75.  Played reasonably well; 84, but with five three-putt bogeys, so it could have been much better. 
    The following morning, Saturday, played 18 at Shining Rock, a brand-new course in Northbridge, MA with a few local buddies, Gerry, Jay and Eric.  Also extremely reasonable, 18 plus cart on a Saturday cost me $50 due to the member discount (thanks, Jay!)  A long, hilly course, typical for New England golf, I managed an 86 with an ugly back-nine.  We all had a good time, and this gem of a course will definitely keep getting my money: excellent service and operations + amazing layout and conditions = my home course for the remainder of the season.
    These rounds kept my handicap at 11.9.  My goal is to get back into the single digits, but with our first little tike due in a mere four weeks, golf may end up being thrown to the very bottom of the "to-do" list for this summer.