After a one-week reprieve with our illustrious columnist Dave Solomon filling my shoes, Average Joe returns to the links this week playing the sixth hole at Guilford Lakes, an 185-yard par-3, against head golf professional Jon Wilson.

In this week's notes, we detail the progress The Course at Yale has made under course superintendent Scott Ramsay since he started over five years ago and what needs to be done to get the course in championship condition for next year's NCAA Division I East Regional.

Check back today through Wednesday for periodic updates on the Connecticut Open, which is being held at the Hartford Golf Club. Jeff Hedden is the defending champion.