Realizing a Dream

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?