The other morning, I was at the Discount Drug Mart in Eastlake, waiting for the place to open at 8 in the morning,  when I overheard a conversation between two older gentlemen standing nearby.
     "It's been a beautiful summer, hasn't it,'' one of the men said.
     "Sure has been,'' the other replied. "Can you believe it ends Saturday?''
     That exchange stopped me dead in my tracks. Until that moment, I hadn't given a second's thought to the looming end of what for golfers in these parts has been one of the best summers weather-wise in many a year.
      Yes, I haven't forgotten about the long stretch of unusually warm weather that we had in parts of June, all of July and parts of August. I like it hot, so strings of 90-degree days were no problem for me.
      I made good on a resolution to play more rounds of golf this summer than I had in recent years. It was a pleasant task made all the more pleasant by having two regularly scheduled golf dates most weeks with new friend Mike Mohner and old friends Joe Cocozzo, Steve Roszczyk and Rick Stenger.
      Mike, now retired, is the longtime teacher and coach who worked in the Fairport and Painesville school systems. We got to know each other in the Lake County Captains press box, where I take care of business as Captains beat writer for The News-Herald and Mike splits official scorer duties with Glen Blabolil.
     Early in the season, Mike invited me to join him and his regular playing partners on their Monday morning golf outings. They go to a different course every week and start early, usually between 8 and 8:30 a.m.
     The company and variety of courses are great. The starting times fit my work schedule. Last but not least, these guys share my preference for affordable greens fees. That we're all old enough to qualify for senior rates is another big plus.
    (Note: I turned 60  in June, officially qualifying for senior rates at the vast majority of area courses.)
     Joe, Steve and Rick are all former publishers of The News-Herald. Joe and I have been playing together for many years. Steve and Rick have joined in the last couple of years. Affordability is a big consideration for this group of guys, too. Yes, we all take advantage of senior rates.
     In alphabetical order, here are the courses we've visited this summer that fit the "Affordabili-TEES'' niche.
     -  Airport Greens
        28980 White Rd., Wickliffe
        440-944-6164
        www.airportgreens.com
       Comment: Great walking course with some tough, underrated holes.
       
     -  Berkshire Hills Country Club
        9760 Mayfield Rd., Chester Twp.
        440-729-9516
        www.berkshirehills.net
        Comment: Does any public course in NE Ohio have tougher par-4s? Photo below.

    
     -  Black Brook Golf Course
        8900 Lake Shore Blvd., Mentor
        440-951-0010
        www.blackbrookgolf.com
        Comment: Soft spot in my heart because I've probably played more rounds here than anywhere else in 50 years.

     -  Briardale Greens Golf Course
         24131 Briardale Ave., Euclid
         216-289-8574
         www.briardalegreens.com
         Comment: Cool place to play with some interesting holes. Really good food at the snack bar.

     -  Bronzwood Golf Club
        Rt. 7, Kinsman, OH
        330-876-5300
        www.bronzwoodgolfclub.com
        Comment: Took a "road trip'' here at the behest of Mike Mohner,. who fondly remembers coming to this NE Trumbull County course every summer on family vacations with his parents and siblings. I loved the place and can't wait to go back this fall when the leaves are changing. Photo below.

   
     -  Erie Shores Golf Course
        7298 Lake Rd. East, Madison Twp.
         440-428-3164, 800-225-3742
         www.lakemetroparks.com
         Comment: Over the last 10 years, the most improved public course in Lake County.
    
     -  Grandview Golf Club
        13404 Old State Rd., Middlefield
        440-834-1824
        www.grandviewgolfohio.com
        Comment: Some of these greens are downright scary, a la a pool table tilted 20 degrees..

     -  Harbor Golf Club
        4338 Lake Rd. West, Ashtabula
        440-964-5824
        www.harborgolfclubashtabula.com
        Comment: People either love or hate this quirky layout. I like quirky. Photo below.

       
     -  Hemlock Springs Golf Club
        4654 Cold Springs Rd., Harpersfield Twp.
        800-436-5625
        www.hemlocksprings.com
        Comment: Better bring your "A'' game to the back nine.       
       
     -  Little Mountain Country Club
        7667 Hermitage Rd., Concord Twp.
        440-358-7888
         www.littlemountaincc.com
        Comment: Superior track gets in with $29 weekday senior greens fee.
   
      -  Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course
        38890 Hodgson Rd., Willoughby
        440-953-4280
        www.lostnationgolfcourse.com
        Comment: Vastly improved conditions at the course where I played my first round of golf 50 years ago.
     
     -  Madison Country Club
         6131 Chapel Rd., Madison Twp.
         440-428-2888
         www.madisoncountryclub.com
        Comment: Bad news - still in receivership. Good news - still open as public course. Better news - greens finally rounding into good shape.
   
      -  Manakiki Golf Course
        35501 Eddy Rd., Willoughby, OH
        440-942-2500
        www.clemetparks.com
        Comment: One of these days/decades/centuries,  I'm going to hit the fairway on No. 8.
   
      -  Painesville Country Club
      84 Golf Drive, Painesville Twp., OH
      440-354-3469
      www.painesvillecountryclub.com
      Comment: Always a stiff test. Love the look of the re-build around No. 6 green. Photo below.

 
      -  Pine Ridge Country Club
      30601 Ridge Rd., Wickliffe
      440-943-0293, 800-254-7275
      www.lakemetroparks.com
      Comment: Have always enjoyed the golf course. Love the PBJ sandwich at the snack bar!

     -  Pleasant Hill Golf Course
       13461 Aquila Rd., Chardon
       440-285-2428
       www.pleasanthillgolfchardon.com
       Comment: Friendly if a little rough around the edges.

     -  Powderhorn Country Club
         3991 Bates Rd., Madison Twp.
         440-428-5951
         www.powderhorngolf.com
         Comment: Like a lot of holes here, even if they don't always like me back!!!!