Now playing: The 2008 golf travel awards

The first draft of my 2008 “Best Of Golf Travel” column was over 2000 words.

Alas, there’s still a lot of fond memories in my mind heading into 2009…

It took me about two weeks to cut it down to half the size, though maybe one day when I’m famous I’ll release the unedited “Director’s Cut", much to my obsessive fans’ delight.

But seriously, when you head everywhere from Kauai to Malaysia to Wales, there’s just too many great moments to revisit, whether it’s on the course or in the pubs.

So click here for the full column, where I highlight my favorite courses, resorts, pubs and desserts. I shamelessly recount my best shot of the year, while admitting my most demoralizing failure, too.

And click here for my best photos of 2008, featuring a timeless shot from the Ryder Cup, my favorite Kauai sunset and the afternoon I caught perfect twilight at Bandon Trails Resort in Oregon.

And for nostalgia, here’s my 2007 “Best Of” Column.

Sadly, “best squirrel encounter” was left on the cutting room floor for my 2008 Best Ofs.