Lou Loves Golf

Realizing a Dream

2009-06-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have had a dream to shoot a par or sub-par round of golf for a long time and yesterday I finally accomplished the goal. I have had 9s that were par or sub-par, but never been able to put them together. After a first 9 of 36, which included 7 pars, 1 bogie and 1 birdie, I was on my way. The 10th hole is, however, a challenging and difficult par 4, with water and easily accessible out of bounds areas. I was able to chip up close and drop the put for a par, which gave me hope that my dream was still in place. By making pars on the next two holes, I was starting to wonder what exactly was going on, but when I birdied the next two, I told my playing partners, this is getting scary. A par on the next par 5, left me with just 3 holes to manauver to put two 9s together for a dream reaching event. A good drive, a weak 2nd shot, a short chip, and a missed putt, produced a bogie. Two holes to go and still 1 under for the round. Hope almost faded when my tee shot on the par 3 17th hole found the deep rough at the side of the green, it quickly returned when I hit a wedge out and hit the pin stopping about 18" from the cup for a par. One hole left and still one under for the round. Potential diaster hit when I pushed my drive to the right into the pond. What a sinking feeling, I now was fighting to try to get a bogie. It was still a reality to be had, if I could control my emotions a temporary let down. A shot over the creek and trees left me with a 164 yard up hill shot to the par 5 green. My 4th shot faded to the right side of the green, leaving me with a chip and a one putt to fullfill my dream and goal. My chip settled a mere 12" from the cup and I knew that I had won the battle of the emotions to realize my dream.
Now my new dream is to shoot that sub-par round, I came within one hole of doing this time and now know how it feels to be on the threshold. It may not be an easy task, but I now believe it is doable, it is just a matter of time.

Tokatee Golf course

2009-05-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I and some friends played Tokatee golf course which is located east of Eugene, Ore. along the McKinzie river road. The course is definitely challenging, especially when they have the hole placements strategicaly place on the sloping greens and the speed of the greens just one step short of being rated extremely fast. (my openion, of course) But they were very fast and left us with some lengthy second putts from the other side of the hole. The scenery however is beautiful and you should try to play the course for the sheer adrenlin rush it can provide. I recommend it as one of you future to play courses.

Back from the coast

2009-04-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

Well here is the scoop....we played two rounds of golf at Sandpines Golf links and it is a beautiful course. Nice fairways and greens, white fluffy sand and a great setting. The only problem is the WIND, and I mean 25 to 30 mph winds, that hit you from all directions. I discovered that I do not like playing in a constant wind, it wears you out and causes you to overswing as well as trying shots that most amateurs have no right attempting. That of course is a personal opinion. After finishing the second round I was so tired that the next day was spent in recoop mode. The question for you is "how do you like playing in the wind?

Back in the Swing

2009-04-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

Winter is clearing out so it is time to dust off the old blog and give it another try. We now have the blog fully operational, according to my tech guy....technology is great when it works, but it is a headache when it doesn't.....sound like your golf game? It sounds like mine. My question for the day is "How can you can play the same hole on a golf course and on one day you birdy or par it with ease, then on the next day you can't even seem to find the green?" Well later this week I will be playing Sandpines Golf Course in Florence, Oregon, it is one of the courses I featured in my book. After I get back I will give you an update on the experience. Until then keep swinging.......

Salishan Golf Course

2009-02-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

Just spent a week on the Oregon coast at one of our favorite places, the weather ranged from great to stormy, that's why we like it. When the weather cooperates I like to find a golf course to play. I haven't played Salishan for about 7 or 8 years and on a day after the frost cleared I got my chance. There have been some real positive changes on the back nine. New greens and at lest three new hole locations that make it a lot more fun and interesting. Number 10's green is tucked more over to the water on the right side, number 14 is a little shorter with a new green and new bunkers to guard it from the incoming shots, and the biggest change is the 15th hole, you used to hit up hill to a blind green now you hit down hill to a slopping green while looking out at the ocean. The course and greens were in great shape, even considering it is winter. I would suggest if you have the opprotunity to get to the coast this winter and find a clear day you stop by Salishan and give it a play. My favorite hole would have to be the par 5 eight hole, because it will take 3 very well placed shots to give you a chance to score at least a par. Let me know what you think of the course and if you have played it recently let me know which hole you would pick for a favorite..

Weather Question

2009-01-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

What are you doing when the weather is too bad to golf? In Oregon that is more of a question than for some of you in those sunny all year around areas.

Favorite Golf holes and Courses

2009-01-12T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, what is your favorite golf hole and what course is it on? Can you also tell me why you like it so much? Another question I would like you to answer also is "What golf course would you most like to play and if it could be arranged would you actually take time off to play it?

just a info note

2009-01-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

If you want to leave a comment, just click on the comment notation at the end of each section and then type away.....looking forward to hearing from you....Lou

Note to All My Friends

2008-12-31T11:44:00.000-08:00

This is my first entry into my own blog....just want to welcome you all the the site and would like to hear from you about any golf courses, holes, jokes, funny incidents, etc. that you would like to share....just remember I might be gathering info for another book....hope to hear from you on a regular basis, so lets chat....Lou

About The Author

2008-12-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

Lou Black is an avid amateur golfer who lives in Salem, Oregon. In spite of Oregon's rain, he managed to play over 120 days in 2008. He is living his retirement dream: play golf, help family and friends, build things, read, travel, and have coffee with his buddies.

Lou is a member of Crosscreek Golf Course, a public course that opened membership in 2008. Lou owns membership card #1, something he'd never mention but those around him do.

Born in Illinois, Lou moved with his family to the Los Angeles area when he was 14. He was the first in generations of his family to attend college, and he used athletics to get there. He trained tirelessly, on his own at first, to become a high school sensation, whose records remained for decades at Upland High. He continued his basketball career at Chico State University, where he also played soccer, breaking records as a goalie.

Lou earned his Master's Defree in Coaching from CSU then began his teaching career in Northern California, moving to Salem to coach basketball, soccer, and eventually serve as Dean of Men at Western Babtist College, now Corban College. The last 28 years of Lou's career were spent at State Farm Insurance. He retired in 2005 and, although he enjoyed his career, he hasn't stopped grinning since.

Lou shares a 1941 cottage with his wife, Jan. Their three grown children and their families live within an hour of Salem. Lou is an enthusiastic father and grandfather.

Writing is new to Lou, and so is blogging.