AFTON – In past years when we reviewed golf courses, the likelihood of a favorable review increased if our scores decreased.

It's been nine years since Bob McNitt and I last embarked on our summer tour of Southern Tier golf courses. Bob's passing in October of 2011 was a tremendous loss to the outdoors community as well as the hundreds of friends he made during his busy life.

Bob and I took a break from our summer series as the selection of courses within an hour's radius of Norwich started to wane. Nearly a decade later, I was encouraged to revisit the column, and also revisit an old favorite, Afton Golf Club.

Before trekking to any golf course, I needed a new partner - in crime - to ride shotgun on our weekly outing. Since we're getting a late start, this series will be abbreviated this year, but good friend Mike McCormack – who works across the parking lot from The Evening Sun office in the Pennysaver building – agreed to step in.

I wrote Mike about three weeks before I returned to Norwich and pitched the idea of reviewing area courses. Without hesitation, Mike was in. And why not?

For those who love golf, one cannot wait until the next trip to the links.