But tide turned. Third string quarterback Tom Brady took place of an injured Bledsoe, and brought championship home to Bostonians. The 2002 NFL playoffs were absolutely awesome to watch if you were a Boston sports fan. Watching Vinatieri blast it though uprights in a blizzard to beat Oakland Raiders, and again to win Super Bowl beating St. Louis Rams was monumental. Thank God for Pats. They brought respect back to Boston. They showed what true grit is, what word “team” actually means, in a day when everything in sports seems to be centered on individual feats. I loved it when they ran out on field together as a team instead of being introduced one at a time at beginning of Super Bowl.

Pathetically enough, most people thought Pats would not win it all again. They thought it was a fluke. The Pats had lost for so long that few had faith in them. But they won it again two years later and people started to pay attention. The word “dynasty” crept up in New England vernacular. When Pats won their third Super Bowl in four years, they were finally accepted as a dynasty. These wins will carry me for many years. Again, thank God for Pats.

But no good article about being a Boston sports fan can be complete without discussing Boston Red Sox. What can be said about Sox? They were epitome of frustration. They were Bad News Bears for so long. Of all Boston teams, they were most painful to watch. They often had talent, they often played well, but they didn’t win a World Series for 86 years! Between ball rolling between knees of Bill Buckner, and Grady keeping Pedro in against Yankees during 2003 playoffs, every Sox fan was pushed to limit of what they could endure. Of course there were many other less notable, but just as frustrating moments in Red Sox history. Any Red Sox fan who remained a fan throughout should be given a gift.

And what a sweet gift it was when Sox won 2004 World Series. Being down 3-0 in ALCS against Yankees, and then coming back to beat them and sweep Cardinals in World Series was one of greatest professional sports stories in history. In fact, it’s been called one of greatest comebacks ever. All those long years of no championships in Boston finally came to end with Pats winning in 2002. But after 86 years of no World Series rings, Red Sox win was sweetest of all. 2004 was one of greatest years in Boston sports ever. A World Series and Super Bowl win by Boston teams in same year, almost unbelievable.

So I guess being a Boston sports fan is not so much like battered-wife syndrome. It’s more like being in a difficult marriage that has lots of ups and downs only, but is worth working at to keep. Being a Boston sports fan is as frustrating as it is rewarding. Patience, loyalty, persistence, and faith will get you through. And in end, it all works out. Just keep faith.

Replays - Most Grand Strand golf courses offer discounted replay rates. Availability depends upon season. Make sure to specify that you would like a replay and replay rate before you tee off in morning. During slow seasons, many golf courses will let you play again at no cost. Whenever you inquire about replay rates, make sure to also inquire about cart fees.

Singles - Are you a single in need of tee times? Always call golf course a day early. You might luck out and get paired up with a group following day. Otherwise, you'll be told to show up in morning and wait for a group that needs one golfer.

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