MY FAVORITE DAY: Condors player gets pretty Zen when he's off the ice
| Tuesday, Feb 17 2009 11:19 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:25 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
Images:
The Condors' Dave Bonk and his dad Bruce play a round of golf.
Dave Bonk enjoys the company of his dad, Bruce, during an off day from playing for the Bakersfield Condors hockey team.
The Condors' Dave Bonk and his dad Bruce play a round of gold at Riverlakes Golf Course.
When I was asked to do this article, I sat down and thought about my favorite things to do in Bakersfield. One thing that is great about living here is usually the weather. So for the sake of argument, I'd like to pretend that it's mid-September, sunny and 86 degrees. Also, let's pretend that we don't have practice, weight training or a game the next day. Finally, we'll pretend it's a day off for everyone else too.
Here we go:
In my younger days I might have relished a good "sleep-in," but when your wife, who considers 8 a.m. sleeping in, is poking you to see if you're awake (I am now) and there are two dogs that need to be let out, you're just up at that time (and I have a tee time). We don't have kids yet, and I know from friends and family that it's 10 times worse with little ones around, so please don't send me hate mail — you have my respect.
After I get up, I like to go down to the community pool/hot tub near our house and soak for a bit to loosen up the ol' back and any other muscles that might be sore. Follow that with a quick jump in the pool and you're definitely awake.
Then maybe we could meet some friends for breakfast at a local diner to share stories and laughs. We like Kelley's Cafe because they like the Condors. I go for bacon, eggs, hash browns and maybe some pancakes. I love a good breakfast, and sometimes I even have it for pre-game. Wheat toast, of course.
After that I would meet some buddies for a round of golf. We usually golf at RiverLakes or Rio Bravo. Both are nice courses with their own challenging aspects. I love golf almost as much as I love hockey.
Playing in a warm climate like Bakersfield is a definite plus. I like being outside, being with friends and competing against the other guys and the course. I like the fact that golf is the opposite of hockey in the way you need to approach it to be successful. It's like every shot is a penalty shot. You have to be patient, calm and relaxed.
Hockey is all about speed, intensity and aggression. You can't play golf well with the same mindset you take into a hockey game. If you let yourself get mad in golf, you just play worse; in hockey you may be able to use that aggression. These reasons, and the fact that it's way easier on your body, are why a lot of hockey players play golf in their free time. Also, my teammates Andrew Ianiero and Scotty Balan like to donate their money to me. Sadly, I usually give that to my nemesis, ex-Condor Mike Hofstrand. I will have sweet victory someday.
If Tyler "the world's slowest golfer" Scott doesn't come golfing on my perfect day, then there is usually some sunlight left when I get home.
My wife, Lane, and I would go to the pool for an hour and work on our tans. She is half Greek so she has no problem, where my English/Polish background leaves me red and in pain. It's a good chance to catch up on some reading, swim a bit and maybe have a little nap.
After that, we would probably grab the dogs and head to the dog park on Kroll. It's a great time for them, good exercise and a chance for us to relax while they run around like maniacs.
By now I'm getting pretty hungry so it's time to make some calls and get together with friends for dinner at a nice restaurant. My wife suggests Mama Roomba's. It's a great little Cuban restaurant downtown. We traveled to Spain after the 2006-07 season in Europe, and Mama Roomba's reminds us of the little restaurant that we loved there. Plus the food is great. A few beers and full stomach is just what I needed after a long day in the heat.
Follow that with a couple of games of darts (a game I grew to love in Holland) and another beer or two and the day is pretty much complete. The "club" might have been on the list a few years ago, but we're a laid-back crew now. Sitting around at someone's house or in the backyard with a nice fire pit is a lot more appealing and would top off a great day in "Bako."
