Golf, Morning Coffee, Deer, and the Myth of the Mulligan (Technology in Golf)

(Illustrative Only)

Morning is probably the best time to get out on the golf courses around Escanaba. Depending on the day, afternoons and evenings can more busy with leagues, tournaments, and various golf events (We do a lot with golf around here.). The mornings, however, are usually wide open. If you get there when the course opens, you can often play nine holes in about an hour.

That's perfect for golfers like me. I usually play about once a week and hit the driving range once a week. Every now and then I'll sneak in an extra round, but I'm still trying to maintain the illusion that I have self-control.

I was out there this morning with a mug of coffee in hand. The temperature was in the high 60s or low 70s, the sun was just starting to come up, and a few deer were wandering around the course. The deer looked relaxed and confident, which is more than I can say for most golfers standing over a three-foot putt.

By the time I finished my nine holes, my coffee was gone and I had enjoyed a peaceful hour outdoors. One of the best things about morning golf is the quiet. There aren't many people around, so you can move quickly from hole to hole. It's almost like golf polo—minus the horses, the speed, and the athletic ability.

One thing I've noticed is that my swing continues to improve. I've never been a long-ball hitter. Nobody has ever mistaken me for a professional golfer, and if they did, they would quickly realize their mistake. What I am getting better at is accuracy. It turns out that hitting the ball down the fairway is a useful strategy. Revolutionary, I know.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that golf isn't really about swinging harder. For years, my baseball background convinced me that the secret was to attack the ball with maximum force. The ball responded by launching itself in directions that appeared to violate several laws of physics. Once I learned to use my hips, stay smooth, and let the club do the work, things improved dramatically. It's amazing how much farther the ball goes when you stop trying to kill it.

I even managed to stay close to one of my golfing buddies. Officially, he beat me by four strokes. Unofficially, he beat me by two, because at least two of those strokes involved mulligans. He claims mulligans are a legitimate part of golf. I maintain that mulligans belong in the same category as leprechauns, pixies, and Bigfoot—fun to talk about, but not recognized by serious scorekeepers.

To be fair, he has been playing that same course three times a week for decades. Given that experience advantage, only losing by a couple of "real" strokes feels like a victory to me.

If you're checking out golf around the Escanaba area, take a look at the courses listed below and the article on golf technology. Some of the technology is impressive, although I'm not sure I need a computer, a satellite, and artificial intelligence to tell me that my last shot landed in the woods.

One final thought: technology can make golf easier, but easier isn't always better. Walking a course can burn hundreds of calories and provides a surprisingly good workout. I admit that I occasionally ride in a cart because I'm conducting important research on golf-cart comfort and beverage stability. Still, walking has its advantages.

Sometimes the best technology is a comfortable pair of shoes, a good cup of coffee, and enough golf balls to survive the front nine.

A link to Escanaba Golf Courses

You might want to read this article on the AI Technology Golf

Thinking about this electric golf caddy I'm wonder if we would walk more, get more exercise, if we didn't have to carry the clubs? It is a touch pricey but then again if you want to get into shape and walk it might do the trick. Electric Golf Cady

2026 CEO Survey Highlights AI Transformation and the Need for Human Capital

When we look at the survey below, we begin to understand some of the changes CEOs are making. This 2026 study explores how AI is becoming an innovation flywheel and how business leaders are increasingly focusing on using it to drive growth, productivity, and innovation.

Technology, when implemented effectively, has the potential to enhance human capital by extending the creative capacity, productivity, and reach of individual workers. As a result, some organizations are becoming flatter and less hierarchical because AI gives employees greater ability to perform complex tasks, solve problems, and contribute at higher levels.

The innovation and strategic advantages associated with early AI adoption are particularly evident in developed economies that embraced these technologies sooner. However, this advantage is unlikely to remain permanent. Sustained success will depend not only on access to technology but also on the development of human capital through education, training, and workforce adaptation. Organizations that invest in both AI capabilities and employee development are likely to be better positioned to compete in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

2026 CEO Study: 5 Plays for AI-First Transformation

• IBM’s study argues that successful CEOs are redesigning the C-suite around AI, decentralizing decision-making, increasing cross-functional collaboration, and empowering leaders such as Chief AI Officers to accelerate enterprise-wide transformation.
• High-performing organizations are creating an “AI-agent flywheel” by using AI to improve productivity, reinvesting those gains into innovation, and embedding AI into operational workflows. CEOs expect AI to handle nearly half of operational decisions by 2030.
• Competitive advantage increasingly depends on combining proprietary data, intellectual property, and customized AI models rather than relying solely on generic foundation models. CEOs expect these tailored AI strategies to drive future revenue growth and innovation.
• Organizations that redesign how humans and AI work together are more likely to achieve their business objectives. The study emphasizes breaking down traditional barriers between technology and business functions to improve performance.
• Looking beyond current AI adoption, CEOs are encouraged to prepare for emerging technologies such as quantum computing through strategic partnerships, ecosystem participation, workforce reskilling, and organizational adaptability.

IBM Institute for Business Value. (2026). 2026 CEO study: 5 plays for AI-first transformation. IBM. https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo

The Psychology of Bartending

Lively conversations are always part of the fun at one of our local veterans clubs. As a part-time bartender, you quickly learn valuable interpersonal and multitasking skills that help you connect with people from all walks of life. There is some psychololgy in bartending.

In this particular discussion, we debated jokingly whether mulligans in golf are a lot like pixies and the Easter Bunny—they're make-believe and should be backed out of the final score. (A subtle jab at the creative math some golfers use. 😊). Bringing scores back into reality.

The article below explores the interpersonal, communication, and multitasking skills that bartenders develop while working in fast-paced social environments.

The Psychology of Bartending

Quiet Saturday Mornings on the Beach Escanaba

 Saturday mornings in Escanaba. A quiet beach. Almost isolated but just a mile or do from downtown. 

I can print most pictures up to
poster size for $50
Frame or Unframed. I do
this as a hobby so 50% for charity
and 50% for me. 
Send me a message to the right
or my email. 
You may check out My Gallery
and Art Page
muradabel@gmail.com

May 2026 US Job Report Indicates Relatively Strong Labor Market

The labor market appears stronger than initially expected. Employment growth remained solid, and wage gains continued at a moderate pace. The upward revisions to previous months' employment estimates are particularly encouraging, as the original projections suggested slower growth than what was ultimately reported.

It is interesting to see significant hiring occurring in leisure and hospitality as well as local government. Healthcare job growth is not surprising, given the industry's ongoing demand for workers and the substantial resources devoted to the healthcare sector. In part why health and medical care is expensive. Big money generally means more growth among an aging population.

The gains in leisure and hospitality are especially noteworthy because they may reflect continued consumer spending on dining, travel, entertainment, and related services. At the same time, it is somewhat surprising because there has not been widespread evidence of a dramatic increase in discretionary spending. This suggests that consumers may still be prioritizing experiences and services even amid ongoing concerns about inflation and the broader economic outlook.

Key Numbers

Indicator	May 2026
Nonfarm Payroll Growth	+172,000 jobs
Unemployment Rate	4.3%
Average Hourly Earnings (Month-over-Month)	+0.3%
Average Hourly Earnings (Year-over-Year)	+3.4%

Major Sector Gains

• Leisure and hospitality: approximately +70,000 jobs
• Local government: approximately +55,000 jobs
• Healthcare: approximately +35,000 jobs
• Financial activities experienced job losses. 

U.S. Employment Situation Report – May 2026 (Released June 5, 2026)

• Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 jobs in May 2026, exceeding economists' expectations.
• The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, indicating continued labor market stability.
• Average hourly earnings increased 0.3% from April and 3.4% over the previous year, reflecting moderate wage growth.
• The largest job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and healthcare.
• Employment estimates for March and April were revised upward by a combined 93,000 jobs, suggesting stronger labor market conditions than previously reported.
• The stronger-than-expected employment report reduced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and reinforced views of continued economic resilience.

APA Reference

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, June 5). Employment situation summary—May 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Business Incubators Can Enhance Start-Up Success and Local Development

 

(Ilustrative Only)

Johan starts his
potato chip business
in Escanaba
because he loves
the entrepreneurial 
environment on Ludington. 
He plans on exporting 
regionally and internationally. 

New businesses do not exist in isolation. Entrepreneurs often collaborate with one another, share ideas and resources, and build communities that support innovation and growth. While economics and social development are often studied as separate concepts, they are deeply interconnected. In practice, economic activity is fundamentally social activity, driven by relationships, trust, cooperation, and shared goals.

This perspective is particularly important when considering economic transformation through business clusters and anchor institutions. Clusters create environments where businesses, entrepreneurs, and supporting organizations interact through countless formal and informal exchanges. These interactions foster innovation, reduce barriers to entry, and create conditions that encourage investment. When investors perceive a business environment as stable, collaborative, and supportive, perceived risk often declines, making investment more attractive and helping stimulate economic growth.

Anchor businesses play an important role in this process by creating demand for supporting enterprises and services. At the same time, entrepreneurial activity can generate entirely new businesses that strengthen and diversify the local economy. In this way, businesses within a cluster support one another, creating a network of mutually reinforcing relationships that contribute to long-term economic development.

Entrepreneurs frequently benefit from incubator environments that provide access to resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and financing. An incubator, however, is not limited to a single building or program. A downtown district, commercial corridor, or designated development area can be intentionally structured to function as an entrepreneurial incubator. Communities can encourage this development through grants, improved access to financing, coordinated marketing efforts, and policies designed to attract individuals interested in starting and growing businesses.

When developed strategically, a business cluster should include a strong entrepreneurial component that encourages collaboration, innovation, and business formation. Such an environment can help attract new residents, revitalize commercial districts, and create a culture where businesses work together to achieve shared economic goals. The key lesson is that entrepreneurs thrive within networks and communities, and successful economic development strategies recognize and strengthen these connections.

Business-Incubation as a Catalyst for Start-Up Success in Emerging Markets: Entrepreneurial Bricolage versus Dynamic Capabilities

• The study examines how business incubators support start-ups in emerging markets where entrepreneurs often face significant resource constraints.

• The researchers compare two approaches to overcoming resource limitations: entrepreneurial bricolage (making do with available resources) and the development of dynamic capabilities (building adaptable organizational skills for long-term growth).

• Using data from 403 start-ups, the study investigates how incubator support influences the relationship between these approaches and venture performance.

• Findings indicate that business incubators significantly strengthen the positive impact of dynamic capabilities on start-up performance.

• While entrepreneurial bricolage can help firms survive in the short term, incubators are more effective at helping start-ups develop capabilities that support long-term adaptation, growth, and competitiveness.

• The results suggest that incubators play a critical role in moving entrepreneurs beyond reactive problem-solving toward strategic capability development.

• The study offers practical implications for policymakers, incubator managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to foster sustainable start-up growth in emerging-market environments.

Yoruk, E., Paramba, J. N., Jones, P., & Salamzadeh, A. (2026). Business-incubation as a catalyst for start-up success in emerging markets: Entrepreneurial bricolage versus dynamic capabilities. Journal of Small Business Management. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2026.2645919

Point Loma Assembly Provides 12 Community Grants in 2026

The Point Loma Assembly does an outstanding job supporting its local community. Its efforts are focused on literary, social, educational, philanthropic, civic, and artistic initiatives that help preserve not only its historic building but also strengthen the community around it.

One example of this community engagement is its support of local organizations such as Cabrillo Elementary School, where many volunteers contribute their time and effort. As highlighted below, the Point Loma Assembly has awarded grants to a variety of organizations, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to civic involvement and public service.

Many of these grants support programs and activities that benefit children and families, reflecting the organization's dedication to investing in future generations. The Assembly also hosts a variety of events that bring people together and foster community connections.

If you are in the Point Loma CA area, you are welcome to become involved and participate in its activities. If not, consider supporting one of the organizations listed below. Many would gladly welcome donations and community support to continue their valuable work.

Point Loma Assembly awarded 12 community grants in 2026, increasing total funding from $15,000 to $19,500 as part of its third annual formal grant program. Funding came from membership dues, fundraising activities, donations, and rental revenues.

You can learn about Point Loma Assembly at Point Loma Assembly Webpage

2026 Grant Recipients

Organization	Award Amount	Purpose
Point Loma Summer Concerts	$2,500	Support for the 2026 concert season
Classics 4 Kids	$1,500	Transportation and concert tickets for Title I Peninsula elementary students
The EcoLogik Institute	$2,000	STEAM Leadership Academy for female students
Point Loma High School Music Boosters	$1,000	Marching band music and choreography support
Visions Museum of Textile Art	$1,500	Expansion of textile art education programs
Ryan YMCA	$2,500	Learn-to-Swim classes for Dewey Elementary students
Peninsula Community Senior Center	$2,000	Community connection programs for homebound seniors
Correia Instrumental Music Association	$500	Music tutors for student ensembles
My Good Brain	$500	Art therapy and mental wellness toolkits
San Diego Craft Collective	$1,000	Fiber Festival celebrating fiber arts and sheep farming
Cygnet Theatre	$2,000	Educational outreach programs for Point Loma students
Apt 4 Music	$2,500	Continuation of the Music Makers Program at Cabrillo Elementary School