Down the first hole at Bellevue Country Club.
This is not my beautiful lawn.
The Bellevue Clubhouse.
This is not my beautiful house.
Nature at Bellevue.
This is not my beautiful yard.
The scene at Bellevue Country Club.
This is not where I hang out with my beautiful friends.
I have showed you all of those places in the days gone by, people.
Here we have Bellevue Country Club, on the grounds of which I stepped lightly Monday afternoon on assignment for my next freelance feature story for Central New York The Good Life Magazine.
The three welcoming men that sat down and talked with me about the only private golf and country club in the city of Syracuse were gracious to walk me through the grounds and allow me to take these shots with my iPad Air.
The good people of Central New York will be able to purchase the glossy magazine on newsstands around July 1.
Thanks to David Byrne for his wonderful Talking Heads song “Once in a Lifetime” for inspiring my approach for the first four lines in this post.
Later this spring flowers will line the circular windows of the Bellevue Country Club in Syracuse, N.Y.
And, OK, that one more shot above, of a Bellevue Country Club Country putting green, where Syracuse’s slow spring has cast the poa annua a bit more yellow than usual in early May.
Are you a member of a club such as Bellevue? Have you ever been invited to attend an event at a private club? Have you ever driven up on grounds like this and taken a good look around?
Mark Bialczak 
Why viewers still make use of to read news
papers when in this technological world the whole thing is accessible on net?
LikeLike
Because holding the newspaper in your hands is easier for some people who have done it that way their whole lives, candies shoes.
LikeLike
We have a Country Club here Mark, and I once or a dozen times was invited to lunch there by my cousin’s mother-in-law, a very gracious lady who drove her Lincoln Town Car all over the street, managing to drive in every lane at the same time. She could have you laughing and screaming in fear at the same time, and while she was always the lady, dressed in her expensive uptown suits, I wore jeans and tee shirts, and she and her friends made me feel like I fit right in. She lived to be 103 years young, and I miss her. She outlived my sweet cousin by 10 years. I miss Carol also and always.
LikeLike
That sounds like one hell of a fantastic lunch crew, Angie. I’m glad it lasted so long!
LikeLike
I do not belong to a country club. The only story I have about one….. My brother was getting married at Fancy Schmancy Country Club. I went to a store to purchase a dress. Back in the day when I could still be guilted in to wearing a dress. And I asked the store Proper Lady for help. What did I know about dresses? I showed her what I was considering. SHe asked about the occasion and the location of the wedding. I told her my brother’s wedding to which she nodded her head as she considered my selection. I told her Fancy Schmancy Country Club. She looked at me as she held her bent finger to her chin and said “well, it is only made of cotton”.
I was too kind to say what I was thinking. But i was stubborn enough that I bought the dress. 🙂 I waltzed in to that Fancy Schmancy Country Club all proud and improper in my cotton!!!!
LikeLike
You should wear what you want to wear, Colleen. I have a feeling that at the very best clubs, they allow people to be themselves.
LikeLike
🙂 Today I would go in my shorts and Irish shirts. Back then I was a little intimidated. When we left my sister asked me if that woman expected us to wear spun gold. 🙂 I do believe she did.
LikeLike
The only person who has to feel comfortable is the one pulling the shirt/dress/sweater/nothing over the head in the morning. Unfortunately, it takes this long in life to discover that, Colleen. And too many people still put up those darn No Shirts No Shoes No Service signs.
LikeLike
It certainly took me a while to learn it.
I will say I am very appreciative of some of those signs in SOME spots. 🙂
LikeLike
I have to avoid all of my sweeping, blanket, all-encompassing generalizations, don’t I, Colleen. Like the sentence just in front of this one …
LikeLike
I’m just thinking if I show up with no shirt, no shoes…someone better get me some service other than a slurpee!!!!! 🙂 And I mean MEDICAL!!!
LikeLike
Sometimes a Big Gulp won’t cure what ails ya, Colleen, if you show up half undone. Good point.
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
Well La D Da!! 🙂
LikeLike
You sing so well, KIm!
LikeLike
In letters only.
LikeLike
I’ve been to many a country club here in Houston. I prefer the smaller town country clubs. This is a beautiful place, Mark.
LikeLike
It is a beauty, Audrey.
LikeLike
That’s what I said… 😉
LikeLike
What, you don’t like reflection?
LikeLike
Hahaha. Is that what that was…nice. I love reflection. I do it a lot. Takes up tons of my day, sadly. 🙂
LikeLike
It is an important conversational tool, Audrey. Allow me to ponder about it some more, shall you, please?
LikeLike
Please do. Take all the time you need, Mark.
LikeLike
Yes, then, reflection. I am done reflecting. Thank you, Audrey.
LikeLike
Geez….nice effort. 😉
LikeLike
I just played nine holes of golf and I’ve got nothin’ left in the tank.
LikeLike
You should rest! First few times out are always tough.
LikeLike
I walked it, too. At least I used my push cart instead of carrying.
LikeLike
Yeah, that would have made it worse. I like that you walked the course. I think that’s best, actually. Unless I’m just there to drink beer and show support…then I ride.
LikeLike
If it’s too hot, the cart is the way to go, but walking does help the rhythm of the sport, for sure, Audrey.
LikeLike
Too bad you don’t have a Scottish Caddy.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
But it’s cool. You’re right. First couple rounds of the year are working out the winter, Audrey.
LikeLike
Plus it is super cool out yet, so golf is pleasurable still. Golf in August..only on TV. Or early in the morning here in Houston, anyway.
LikeLike
That is a beautiful country club! Why don’t you hang out there with your beautiful friends? Where I live, the golf courses do not have country clubs, and THE country club is called The Yacht Club, though it is on a lake where one really can’t sail a yacht! LOL! And though I have not been a member, I have worked several jobs there as the photographer, and have also been there several times as a guest when I used to be a paralegal and the attorney would take me. I like the looks of your MUCH better. Great post! 😀
LikeLike
I have golfed there several times, Rachel, as a guest, and as a member of a foursome in a charity tournament. It is as nice as the pictures indicate.
We have a lake here, too, Onondaga Lake, and they have a yacht club and a marina.
As long as they don’t call them ships, I won’t argue.
Have a good day, and thanks!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
congrats on the freelance gig, mark. and no, i have never belonged to such a club, but i have been to one by invitation, and it was beautiful, and somehow seem liked its own kind of parallel universe.
LikeLike
I did indeed find myself appreciating the beauty as I walked the grounds, Beth. Photo on the wall of Bill Clinton, sitting president, playing the course … Nice decorating touches like that. And thank you for your congrats. This next edition will be three straight for me following St. Baldrick’s and Chiefs GM. I am happy with that!
LikeLike
that would be great if these pieces could become a regular thing for you. i agree about the clubs, and do like all of the attention to detail and the quality of the buildings, the grounds and the things within. they are very well preserved pieces of history in their own way.
LikeLike
Next edition I also am starting a column, so more good news. It is a once every two month mag, I need other things.
On our baseball wager front, I may have some very interesting news for you. I don’t want to jinx it but something may be in the works …
LikeLike
that’s great mark, and yes, for sure you need more than that, but it’s a step in the right journo direction. i don’t want to jinx you so you don’t have to tell me the rest, but i hope it turns out well for you )
LikeLike
You are right. I am happy. The column is going to be called Mark My Words. How do you like it?
LikeLike
fantastic!
LikeLike
My accent is for real – still not becoming a member though! Maybe it means something a little different my side of the pond?
LikeLike
Of course your accent is for real! Let’s let the differences live and breathe free!
LikeLike
I do not however raise my pinkie while drinking tea. Too dangerous while using a mug. 🙂
LikeLike
I prefer tea in a cup. And my pinkie seems to have a mind of its own, Rachel!
LikeLike
Damn! I miss Golf!
San Diego County has over seventy golf courses and…. Every Naval Base has a golf course. Camp Pendleton (USMC) has two. That is a no-shitter! Last time I played was, in fact, when I was in the Nav….long long time ago…Galaxy Far Far…
LikeLike
There are so many courses here now and a dwindling number of golfers that the prices have dropped dramatically, Lance. We can play nice layouts, 18 holes with a cart, for 20 bucks on a weekday. Can’t beat that, Ace. You oughta check out if the same has occurred in your neck of the sweater.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, ya know…. I did have my own golf course once….me and the armadillo shared a cart. Until I shot him in his ass, that is…I called that a ‘mulligan shot’. Perhaps you read the story? hahahhaha
LikeLike
You are a piece of work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is the link, in case you have not read….
(At your leisure, of course)
http://wp.me/p2Yfgl-ch
LikeLike
Outstanding!
LikeLike
Thank you, Crazy Guy!
LikeLike
I was singing along with this post.
I hope I’m never a member of a private country club.
LikeLike
I am glad that you were singing, Rachel! As I just told Kerbey, I want to be invited by friends who are a member of a private club.
LikeLike
Well, it is a “belle” view. Probably the same as it ever was, same as it ever was. Why, they even have white columns on their pergolas! No country club for us, but let’s not rule it out in the future… Manicured lawns are so inviting.
LikeLike
I hope you achieve membership, Kerbey, and invite Karen and I down to wear linen and cotton to accompany you and your hubby on the columned pergola. Really.
LikeLike
I should very much like to affect an accent, a fake British one like Madonna, should we engage in such a manner. Who shall iron our linens when they wrinkle, as linens do? Can the help do that? Can Karen and I drink mimosas while you boys golf?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pinky out, Kerbey, pinky out.
LikeLike
I just hurt my abs, laughing at that.
LikeLike
Crunches, Kerbey, Crunches.
LikeLike
Fantastic incorporation of Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” The same thoughts go through my head as well, or have gone through. What a perfect day for talking golf, taking pictures.
LikeLike
I am looking out at the blue sky through my living room window right now, Chris, knowing that I start my nine-hole league at little ole Northern Pines tonight, and what goes through my mind by ‘Pycho Killer.’ Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. I need to get out and learn how to play golf. As frustrating as some rounds may be, it’s still seems therapeutic.
I wish you the best of luck tonight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s my take on golf. All it takes is one great shot to keep me coming back the next time.
And that’s a good thing, because all I usually get is one great shot a round.
Thank you.
I will see your SNT Coffee Ring blog soon. That’s a hint, everybody, to look for Chris’s cool Tuesday musings over at our shared house later this morning!
LikeLike
Beautiful! You just need one pic at the end of Karen. The caption can read, “this IS my beautiful wife.” 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, I wish she would have come with me on the interview yesterday. But the hand of David Byrne was not guiding me quite that perfectly, Sandra! Maybe I should have worn a loose suit!
LikeLike
He can be that way sometimes that shifty Mr. Byrne. 🙂
LikeLike