Reader Dave Ebmeyer from Marysville, Michigan, is a cynical man. In his darkness, he's cried out to us:

Last month I took a trip to Southern California to play golf. I arrived at LAX around 10:30 PM on a Monday night and I went to go get my golf clubs and suitcase at the baggage claim. As I was walking to the baggage claim I noticed a man opening my golf bag and loading my golf bag onto a cart and start to walk away with it. I ran him down got in his face and asked him where he was going with my golf clubs. He then stated that the bag looked just like his. I then stated that they were my clubs and pointed to the name tag on the bag. The guy give me a disapointed look and I picked up the bag and walked of. On the bus ride to the rental car place I was thinking he was bummed out he could not sell the Hi-BoreXL Driver , 3 wood, X18 irons, Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 5 wood, or Cleveland wedges on EBAY. I am sure it was the same kind of thief that stole Morgan Pressel's clubs from baggage claim at the Flort Lauderdale airport. I know that there are plenty of delays at airports but it is unreal how someone could just walk in take your suitcase or your golf clubs and just walk out the door. Something needs to be done .

Then I read a front-page story by Jeff Bailey in today's New York Times about the complaints of airline employeesand I thought, you know, maybe that Dave has a point. Here's an excerpt concerning US Airways:

The current US Airways is a result of the most recent big airline merger, with America West Airlines in 2005. [CEO W. Douglas] Parker tried unsuccessfully to acquire Delta Air Lines a year ago. Now, other airlines are mulling mergers as a way of cutting costs to offset high fuel expenses. Such deals could start a broader service decline.

In recent months, US Airways had the worst record for on-time flights and misplaced bags among the major airlines and it piled up the most customer complaints at the Transportation Department.

?How long do you think the airline will be around the way it?s running right now?? a US Airways worker wrote Mr. Parker in July.

At least Parker is listening. Not sure the next CEO to do a merger like this will bother. If you read the story--about filthy planes, late planes, reservations system that don't work--you'll understand why watching your bags at the carousel might be a low priority and could become an even lower one.

Happy trails.

--Bob Carney

Dr. Andrew Williams of Repentigny, Quebec failed to find the "fun" in the Golf des Isles experience mentioned in our Long Weekend in October. Golf des Isles, you may recall, was one of several courses not far from this week's Presidents Cup that we recommended you try....

I noticed that your October issue mentions http://www.golfdesiles.com/ as a "fun" alternative to higher end course. Sure, fun if you like being chased like one of the local deer by the marshals, or searched by the ferry operator who has instructions to ensure you are not bringing your own food or water to the course... Yes, the view of the skyline is nice -- as is the view of the docks and discharging freighters -- but there are literally dozens of other cheaper, more picturesque courses in the Montreal area that are far more interesting and hospitable.

Doctor, I'm with you. I hate being chased like a deer. Perhaps you prefer the Club de Golf de l'ile de Montreal course (right) also mentioned in the story, by Patrick Ruddy of European Club fame. I haven't spent much time in Quebec, but my wife and I played a scenic Graham Cooke design called Owl's Head in Mansonville, just over the Vermont border and about 60 miles from Montreal. Our tightly-contested, annual anniversary competition resulted in several hours of chilly silence, as I recall. Good match play course.

--Bob Carney

(Photo Courtesy of Course)

Ed McCreedy of Colt's Neck New Jersey liked David Owen's Back-Roads Scotland piece in October, recognizing a few of his own adventures in the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed David Owens' article, which hit the sweet spot. Having made about 14 trips to Scotland and played some 50 courses there (including all the biggies), my best memories are of those out of the way courses that one stumbles on. I've been fortunate to play Boat of Garten twice, and it is special. I would recommend nearby Carrbridge and Elgin on his next venture. Jim Finegan's writing [Where Golf is Great, Workman] led me to the nine hole course at Anstruther, with its dogleg par three along the  Firth of Forth. Last year, while staying in Aberfeldy. I played the course there, and asked a local road worker where else I should play. He suggested the nine hole course at Strathtay (in preference to the better known Pitlochry). I played nine holes alone on the course (5 pounds in the honor box) and another golfer arrived who played a second nine with me. A great hilly and quirky course. My new friend suggested we play Taymouth Castle the next day, which we did, for a completely different experience. I highly recommend Mr. Owens' method for getting to know a great country and its real golf experience.

Here's a theory, accepted only by this writer so far, on why: Because for one soggy, windy, feckless week, we are knocked and kicked free of our obsession with score. We play the sport we've turned into work. It's why we like playing your courses, Pete. Once in a while.

--Bob Carney

(Photo of Pete Dye's Ocean Course by Stephen Szurlej)