No golf league last week as I was up in Canada fishing. This week in golf we entered the week .5 points back from first place after Mike scored 4 out of 5 points last week on his own.
We took on John Hawley and Joe Bidwell. We played really solid and took the first half of the match. We split the second half of the match 1 hole each and we ended up winning more holes for the bonus point.
We played the front nine this week and again the 9th hole curse got me again. I have topped the ball on that hole on every second shot and the streak continues.
With our 4 points this week we moved into first place by .5 points. One more week to go!
I shot a 40 for the week with 3 bogeys and a double.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Golfing Gross National Golf Club
Gross National, also known as Francis Gross Golf Club is the best kept of course in the Minneapolis city courses. Opened in 1925 it was the third course opened by the city. It was built largely in response to the popularity of the game in the roaring 20s and the success of the Theo Wirth course, and then the Columbia course. Originally called the Armour Golf Club after the Armour & Company meat packing business which developed the golf course and then sold the land to the Minneapolis park board on a 20 year loan. This was the first course with grass tees and greens, and rates here were more than double the previous two courses ($1 instead of .40 cents for eighteen holes!)
Unfortunately, like all courses in the area, the great depression happened and for 23 years the city struggled to pay the loan owed on the course. Armour & Company was remarkably generous and over time helped pay operating costs and then eventually forgave some of the interest owed on the loan when it agreed to let the park board re-negotiate and purchase the course outright in 1947. In 1964 the National Amateur Public Links tournament was held here.
So back to present day, as I mentioned the course very well kept, especially for the rounds played per year (40,000-50,000). Due to our recent dry spell with high heat the ground was especially hard which caused some favorable and some unfavorable bounces.
The course offers three sets of tees, blue, white, and yellow. The blues are recommended for handicaps of 6 or better, the whites from 18 to 6. We played the whites. There is not a lot of danger on the holes other than the trees lining every hole. If you can manage to miss the trees and keep it straight the only other hazards in play are some green side bunkers. In general the rough was fairly playable, though some areas were a little thicker than others it never played too penal.
Hole 1 is a straight ahead par 4 at 351 yards. 200 yards out from the tee you can find a hill that will add extra yards to your drive before turning uphill. The green slopes rather severely from back to front so anything long can lead to a very quick downhill putt.
Hole 2 is a slight dogleg left par 4 at 386 yards. Hitting driver off the tee is too long as the hole turns at around 230 yards. The better play is a 3 wood moving right to left off the tee. You can cut the corner but the fairway slopes left and that side is heavily wooded so it is safer to play center or right. The right side has more room past the fairway than it looks before the trees.
Hole 3 is an uphill par 3 at 179 yards. Again this green is sloped back to front and being long is trouble.
Hole 4 is another par 4 at 405 yards. The first hole where driver is safe off the tee for me. You must avoid the large tree on the left side of the fairway off the tee. A high drive can clear that tree and leaves a short iron to the green.
Hole 5 is another par 4 at 347 yards. The fairway is somewhat domed so anything hit to either side will tend to run off to that side. A straight tee shot makes for an easy hole. One stuck off line makes for a hard hole with many trees to contend with.
Hole 6 is a 365 yard par 4. The ideal shot here is to split the trees down the middle of the hole. The right side is the less problematic as the left has a lot of tree to contend with.
Hole 7 is a long par 3 at 198 yards. I nearly jarred my tee shot, missing just left of the hole by less than 6 inches. You can see my pitch mark in the photo below. The green is rather large but relatively flat.
Hole 8 is a 378 yard par 4. A slight dogleg right, I hit the most perfect draw shot off the tee here and ended up with a 303 yard drive. One of my prettiest shots of the year. Unfortunately I juiced a half swing wedge just a little too much and one hopped off the green.
Hole 9 is the only par 5 on this side at 520 yards. Favor the right side of the hole here as a large tree is on the left and beyond that a stand of trees on the left blocks any attempt to advance the ball on line to the hole.
The course, like the other Minneapolis courses is an old school layout the favors shot making and placement off the tee, rather than just letting you bomb away. I really enjoy that kind of course and Gross is one of the better public examples of it in the Minneapolis area. The fairways and greens were in really nice shape.
This is my first round played here this year. The only bad thing about the course, and something I seem to always find when I play here after work is the incredibly slow pace of play. We had a 6:08 tee time and did not finish our nine holes until just after 9:00. That is just too slow. I did get to see a nice sunset on hole 8 though.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Golfing The Links at Northfork part 2
As part of my golfing adventure last weekend at the Links at Northfork, I finally remembered to bring my camera so lets take a gander at the course.
I played from the blacks as this is where the tournament tees will be. Yardages mentioned here represent that.
Hole 1 is a straight ahead par 5, at 495 yards, with danger on the left as the hole is bounded by a road there. This hole, like many on the course plays completely different based on if the wind is hurting or helping. With a helping wind you can easily be inside of 200 yards off the tee. With the wind in your face it can require three to reach. The right side is certainly safer off the tee but there are a couple of waste bunkers there that are hidden off the tee.
Hole 2 looks like it is a dogleg left but the green is actually behind the center bunker off the tee. The best play is just to the left of that bunker on this 385 yard par 4. You can choose to layup short of that bunker. Doing so can leave a lengthy second shot into the green however.
Hole 4 is the first par 3 you encounter. At 160 yards the right side of this green is trouble with marsh. A large bunker front left protects this side.
Hole 5 is kind of a gimmicky hole but always offers a bit of fun off the tee. A large hill hides the green which is just at the base of the hill on the right. A placard near the tee touts this is the site of the longest hole in one in Minnesota. You need to be able to carry 270 to get near the green. Being on the hill is trouble and the back side is protected by a series of bunkers. Playing to the left of the hill is not bad and offers around 150-130 yards into the green. The risk usually is not worth the reward here. During the tournament this was our first hole. Since it was best ball two people had hit safe shots to the left so I hit over the hill. I had one of my best shots all year and got over the hill and short of the green by about 10 yards.
Hole 6 is an elevated tee shot to a rather wide open fairway on this 375 yard par 4. Both sides of the rough have plenty of sand to find. On the far left is out of bounds but you will likely loose a ball in the long grass before actually going OB. The fairway has a cross bunker on the right side about 300 yards off the tee.
Hole 7 is another gimmicky hole. 2 greens allow for a varied experience on this hole. The right green is closer than the left. On either, hitting the green is critical as danger surrounds both of these small greens.
Hole 8 always seems to be a challenge. An uphill tee shot on this 415 yard par 4. You cant see much danger off the tee. Just aim down the middle here. Sand is on both sides off the fairway but is probably more in play right. The green is narrow but wide and hitting to the correct half the pin is located on is critical.
Hole 9 is a par 5 that requires a long tee shot in order to tempt you to go for the green in 2. Water protects the front of the green and starts about 70 yards from the hole. There is room to miss the green right but left is wet, as is long of the green. There is a couple of bunkers behind the green but the couple of times I have been long it seems like I always miss their saving grace. If the wind is at you it is best to play it safe with three shots on this 479 yard hole.
Hole 10's landscape is as wide open as can be with the driving range right of the tee and the practice loop to the left. The best play here is to the right-center or right of the sand at the left corner of this dogleg left. Playing too far left will find the widest part of the massive waste bunker. If you can clear the sand off the tee then you should have less than 200 yards to the green on this 471 yard par 5. If the pin is front this hole can be a eagle opportunity.
Hole 11 offers two angles off the two to two fairways. Between the fairways is a bunker complex. The left fairway runs out about 260 off the tee and the right at about 300. If you can avoid the sand on your second the green is pretty accessible as it is fairly large.
Hole 12 is a long par 3 at 180 yards to a shallow wide green. A small hill in front of the green bisects the putting surface. With wind this hole can be a brute to find the putting surface. This is my putting surface in the tournament. I had to make a pretty decent 8 foot putt this week for par after we opted to take a tee shot on the fringe for three chances at chipping it close failed.
Hole 13, I like to think of as the transition hole from the links style course played so far to a more Minnesota feeling tree lined course. While this hole doesn't have many trees, it has in fact only one but it is prominent in the middle of the hole. Playing to either side of the tree is OK as the left side is actually usually pretty thin grass. The second shot is to an elevated green that can be tricky if you dont get near the pin. The green falls off back and right.
Hole 14 is a tough par 5. You must hit your tee shot down the right center of the fairway. Anything hit left will be blocked by trees. Hitting right can find OB in people's yard. The hole doglegs left slightly and turns into the woods. The green is tucked back in the woods and getting on in 2 here is a really really good accomplishment. The green has 2 tiers front and back, so hitting to the correct one is critical but undulations make either tier a challenge.
Hole 15 is the final gimmick hole and my least favorite on the course. A sharp dogleg left, the fairway ends about 230 yards out and going that long can bring trees into play on your second shot. The best play is to try hit the 150 yard marker in the fairway. From there it is an uphill second to a green that has some bunkering and slope from back to front.
Hole 16 is a tough par 4 at 381 yards. The fairway is bisected by a large hill. The right side of the fairway extends out further on the top tier. The left side of the fairway ends shorter and once you go over the hill danger can await if too far left. The best play is center right over the hill. Make sure you have enough off the tee though as several bunkers are at the bottom of the hill before the fairway picks up again. The second shot will be uphill to a green tucked into trees. The green is fairly large and since the second shot is uphill, hitting to the correct spot on the green is hard to judge.
The 17th is the last par 3 and one of the nastiest greens on the course. The green has a center spine that runs off both left and right and is sloped pretty sever back to front. Hitting the green of the tee does not guarantee a par. Also with the elevated tee and wind in your face it can be hard to reach this green without an extra club or two. It seems my favorite spot is the pot bunker short and left. The most accessible pin location is lower left as balls collect there easiest.
Hole 18 is a long finishing par 3 at 408 yards that seems to always have wind in play. A bunker complex in the left rough will catch anything hit there. Water comes into play on the right at about 100 yards out and is in play all the way to the green.
I played from the blacks as this is where the tournament tees will be. Yardages mentioned here represent that.
Hole 1 is a straight ahead par 5, at 495 yards, with danger on the left as the hole is bounded by a road there. This hole, like many on the course plays completely different based on if the wind is hurting or helping. With a helping wind you can easily be inside of 200 yards off the tee. With the wind in your face it can require three to reach. The right side is certainly safer off the tee but there are a couple of waste bunkers there that are hidden off the tee.
Hole 2 looks like it is a dogleg left but the green is actually behind the center bunker off the tee. The best play is just to the left of that bunker on this 385 yard par 4. You can choose to layup short of that bunker. Doing so can leave a lengthy second shot into the green however.
The third hole, a 381 yard par 4, introduces the first water hazard on the course. A pond down the right side. The left side offers a respite for shots not into the fairway but long grass and some mounds make shots from there not that desirable. Don't go long on this green. There is little room behind before your ball will be lost in the long grass.
Hole 4 is the first par 3 you encounter. At 160 yards the right side of this green is trouble with marsh. A large bunker front left protects this side.
Hole 5 is kind of a gimmicky hole but always offers a bit of fun off the tee. A large hill hides the green which is just at the base of the hill on the right. A placard near the tee touts this is the site of the longest hole in one in Minnesota. You need to be able to carry 270 to get near the green. Being on the hill is trouble and the back side is protected by a series of bunkers. Playing to the left of the hill is not bad and offers around 150-130 yards into the green. The risk usually is not worth the reward here. During the tournament this was our first hole. Since it was best ball two people had hit safe shots to the left so I hit over the hill. I had one of my best shots all year and got over the hill and short of the green by about 10 yards.
Hole 6 is an elevated tee shot to a rather wide open fairway on this 375 yard par 4. Both sides of the rough have plenty of sand to find. On the far left is out of bounds but you will likely loose a ball in the long grass before actually going OB. The fairway has a cross bunker on the right side about 300 yards off the tee.
Hole 7 is another gimmicky hole. 2 greens allow for a varied experience on this hole. The right green is closer than the left. On either, hitting the green is critical as danger surrounds both of these small greens.
Hole 8 always seems to be a challenge. An uphill tee shot on this 415 yard par 4. You cant see much danger off the tee. Just aim down the middle here. Sand is on both sides off the fairway but is probably more in play right. The green is narrow but wide and hitting to the correct half the pin is located on is critical.
Hole 9 is a par 5 that requires a long tee shot in order to tempt you to go for the green in 2. Water protects the front of the green and starts about 70 yards from the hole. There is room to miss the green right but left is wet, as is long of the green. There is a couple of bunkers behind the green but the couple of times I have been long it seems like I always miss their saving grace. If the wind is at you it is best to play it safe with three shots on this 479 yard hole.
Hole 10's landscape is as wide open as can be with the driving range right of the tee and the practice loop to the left. The best play here is to the right-center or right of the sand at the left corner of this dogleg left. Playing too far left will find the widest part of the massive waste bunker. If you can clear the sand off the tee then you should have less than 200 yards to the green on this 471 yard par 5. If the pin is front this hole can be a eagle opportunity.
Hole 11 offers two angles off the two to two fairways. Between the fairways is a bunker complex. The left fairway runs out about 260 off the tee and the right at about 300. If you can avoid the sand on your second the green is pretty accessible as it is fairly large.
Hole 12 is a long par 3 at 180 yards to a shallow wide green. A small hill in front of the green bisects the putting surface. With wind this hole can be a brute to find the putting surface. This is my putting surface in the tournament. I had to make a pretty decent 8 foot putt this week for par after we opted to take a tee shot on the fringe for three chances at chipping it close failed.
Hole 13, I like to think of as the transition hole from the links style course played so far to a more Minnesota feeling tree lined course. While this hole doesn't have many trees, it has in fact only one but it is prominent in the middle of the hole. Playing to either side of the tree is OK as the left side is actually usually pretty thin grass. The second shot is to an elevated green that can be tricky if you dont get near the pin. The green falls off back and right.
Hole 14 is a tough par 5. You must hit your tee shot down the right center of the fairway. Anything hit left will be blocked by trees. Hitting right can find OB in people's yard. The hole doglegs left slightly and turns into the woods. The green is tucked back in the woods and getting on in 2 here is a really really good accomplishment. The green has 2 tiers front and back, so hitting to the correct one is critical but undulations make either tier a challenge.
Hole 15 is the final gimmick hole and my least favorite on the course. A sharp dogleg left, the fairway ends about 230 yards out and going that long can bring trees into play on your second shot. The best play is to try hit the 150 yard marker in the fairway. From there it is an uphill second to a green that has some bunkering and slope from back to front.
Hole 16 is a tough par 4 at 381 yards. The fairway is bisected by a large hill. The right side of the fairway extends out further on the top tier. The left side of the fairway ends shorter and once you go over the hill danger can await if too far left. The best play is center right over the hill. Make sure you have enough off the tee though as several bunkers are at the bottom of the hill before the fairway picks up again. The second shot will be uphill to a green tucked into trees. The green is fairly large and since the second shot is uphill, hitting to the correct spot on the green is hard to judge.
The 17th is the last par 3 and one of the nastiest greens on the course. The green has a center spine that runs off both left and right and is sloped pretty sever back to front. Hitting the green of the tee does not guarantee a par. Also with the elevated tee and wind in your face it can be hard to reach this green without an extra club or two. It seems my favorite spot is the pot bunker short and left. The most accessible pin location is lower left as balls collect there easiest.
Hole 18 is a long finishing par 3 at 408 yards that seems to always have wind in play. A bunker complex in the left rough will catch anything hit there. Water comes into play on the right at about 100 yards out and is in play all the way to the green.
Single digits again!
After climbing back out of single digits to a 10.2 and then 10.5 the last two handicap revisions, today I fell back to a 9.3, an all time low!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Columbia Golf League Week 12
After last night we have three more weeks to go in the regular season. Before last night we were in third place back 4 points. This week we took on Gary Kjos and Scott Barnes.
Mike had a rough start of the round but I played well enough to win the first half points. We took the holes 3 to 1. On the back side it came down to the last hole, the dreaded 9th. I don't know what it is about that hole but every time I play it I hit a good drive to the fairway, am sitting 100 yards out and every time so far I have skulled my approach shot. This time was no different but fortunately this time, I hit it so thin that I did not fly the green. Instead I ended up rolling just to the front edge of the green. I had a fairly good chip to about 3 feet. My putt for par was to hard and I hit through the break, missing the hole. Mike managed to get on in 2 and got down in 2 for his par. We took the hole, and with that the back half and the total holes points, for a clean sweep 5.
I shot a 41 and Mike had a 46. It was good to finally win all 5 points again. Hopefully we will have gained some points on the leaders this week.
Mike had a rough start of the round but I played well enough to win the first half points. We took the holes 3 to 1. On the back side it came down to the last hole, the dreaded 9th. I don't know what it is about that hole but every time I play it I hit a good drive to the fairway, am sitting 100 yards out and every time so far I have skulled my approach shot. This time was no different but fortunately this time, I hit it so thin that I did not fly the green. Instead I ended up rolling just to the front edge of the green. I had a fairly good chip to about 3 feet. My putt for par was to hard and I hit through the break, missing the hole. Mike managed to get on in 2 and got down in 2 for his par. We took the hole, and with that the back half and the total holes points, for a clean sweep 5.
I shot a 41 and Mike had a 46. It was good to finally win all 5 points again. Hopefully we will have gained some points on the leaders this week.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Golf Golf Golf- A weekend at the Links at Northfork
This weekend I went on a bit of a golf binge. The annual Girard memorial calcutta was this weekend at The Links at Northfork in Ramsey. I was able to work some extra hours Monday-Wednesday so that I could take Thursday afternoon and Friday off to play some warm up rounds at The Links.
On Thursday I went out to the course by myself and had gorgeous weather to play. The course was not too busy but unfortunately I got stuck behind the slowest twosome around. Apparently they had money on the round and kept apologizing for their slowness, but never offering to let me play through until the ninth hole. Because of the slow play in front of us a single caught me after only the first hole while I was waiting on the second tee. We decided to pair up. I forget the gentleman's last name but his first name was jay and he was a member at the course. he said he plays every day, at least nine holes after work. On Thursday he was off for the week so he thought he would come out and play a quick round. Too bad we were not able to play that quickly. Despite the putrid slowness of our round, I must have been inspired by Jay's excellent play. I shot a 41 on the front with nothing worse than a bogey on the card. 4 pars and 5 bogeys. On the back I ended up nearly eagling the short par 5 10th and had a tap in bird. I parred 11 and then chipped in on 12 for another bird. On 13 I had another easy regulation par. So through 4 on the back I was 2 under for the side. Unfortunately I ended up going on a bogey train after that and finished with 5 straight for a back 39, giving me an 80.
Feeling confident from my first round I returned on Friday with my friends Trent, Kris, and Keith. Keith was a last second confirmation as he had been diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg earlier in the week. After tests revealed the clot vanished he was cleared to play. We had another great day on the course. Usually the winds on the links style course can be pretty fierce and it was very unusual to have 2 days in a row with little to no wind. Everyone kind of hacked it around on the front. I managed to shoot the low round of the group with 42. I had 3 pars and 6 bogeys. On the back nine I had some problems controlling my drives and ended up taking a 44. I could not repeat any of my previous day's birdies and that compounded with the poor tee play resulted in at least one double on the back.
After the round we headed to NE Minneapolis where the calcutta team drawing and auctioning were happening at Jax Cafe. The draft was not bad but the auction seemed to last forever. We did not get done for over 4 hours. This year we set an all time purse record from the auction at $44,000. A couple of teams for the first time broke the $4000 mark. Including at team that had the best player in the tournament's history with a +2 handicap. He was a member of the Nike tour and could hit the ball a country mile and dead straight. We had the privileged of watching him play, as we were the team behind them in the tournament.
Our team went for $1800, third lowest in the tournament. My friends Trent and Kris were A players on two teams and went for the lowest of any teams at $1500 and $1600.
I guess you could say this year was the year of the bargains as Trent and Kris' teams finished 1st and 2nd, tied at -11. We finished at -10 tied with another team but lost in a sudden death playoff to finish in fourth place. It was my first time in the money circle and a pretty fun time. Certainly better than last year when we finished at even par and dead last.
On Thursday I went out to the course by myself and had gorgeous weather to play. The course was not too busy but unfortunately I got stuck behind the slowest twosome around. Apparently they had money on the round and kept apologizing for their slowness, but never offering to let me play through until the ninth hole. Because of the slow play in front of us a single caught me after only the first hole while I was waiting on the second tee. We decided to pair up. I forget the gentleman's last name but his first name was jay and he was a member at the course. he said he plays every day, at least nine holes after work. On Thursday he was off for the week so he thought he would come out and play a quick round. Too bad we were not able to play that quickly. Despite the putrid slowness of our round, I must have been inspired by Jay's excellent play. I shot a 41 on the front with nothing worse than a bogey on the card. 4 pars and 5 bogeys. On the back I ended up nearly eagling the short par 5 10th and had a tap in bird. I parred 11 and then chipped in on 12 for another bird. On 13 I had another easy regulation par. So through 4 on the back I was 2 under for the side. Unfortunately I ended up going on a bogey train after that and finished with 5 straight for a back 39, giving me an 80.
Feeling confident from my first round I returned on Friday with my friends Trent, Kris, and Keith. Keith was a last second confirmation as he had been diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg earlier in the week. After tests revealed the clot vanished he was cleared to play. We had another great day on the course. Usually the winds on the links style course can be pretty fierce and it was very unusual to have 2 days in a row with little to no wind. Everyone kind of hacked it around on the front. I managed to shoot the low round of the group with 42. I had 3 pars and 6 bogeys. On the back nine I had some problems controlling my drives and ended up taking a 44. I could not repeat any of my previous day's birdies and that compounded with the poor tee play resulted in at least one double on the back.
After the round we headed to NE Minneapolis where the calcutta team drawing and auctioning were happening at Jax Cafe. The draft was not bad but the auction seemed to last forever. We did not get done for over 4 hours. This year we set an all time purse record from the auction at $44,000. A couple of teams for the first time broke the $4000 mark. Including at team that had the best player in the tournament's history with a +2 handicap. He was a member of the Nike tour and could hit the ball a country mile and dead straight. We had the privileged of watching him play, as we were the team behind them in the tournament.
Our team went for $1800, third lowest in the tournament. My friends Trent and Kris were A players on two teams and went for the lowest of any teams at $1500 and $1600.
I guess you could say this year was the year of the bargains as Trent and Kris' teams finished 1st and 2nd, tied at -11. We finished at -10 tied with another team but lost in a sudden death playoff to finish in fourth place. It was my first time in the money circle and a pretty fun time. Certainly better than last year when we finished at even par and dead last.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Columbia Golf League Week 11
Last weeks golf league was a disaster for me. I ended up playing the worst round of the year and shot a 49. I played so badly that on one hole I sh@nked the ball so badly it left the course and landed on Central Avenue. Luckily Mike had a good week and carried our team to split the round's points at 2.5. We lost the first 4 holes 2-1 and then won the last 5 2-1.
Hopefully that is not a sign of things to come for this weekend.
Hopefully that is not a sign of things to come for this weekend.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Golfing the Thief River Golf Course.
Over the 4th of July I went back to Lisa's home town of Thief River again. W e were able to play 2 rounds at the local course there.
On the first round, early Saturday morning it was just Jeremy and I. We got around very quickly (2.75 hours) as no one was on the course. best yet, I had my best round ever shooting a 76! I had 3 birdies, one front and 2 on the back.
The next day I played with Lisa, Jeremy, and Bob. It was Bob's first round of the year. I did not get the the birdies like the day before but still managed to shoot an 80.
Take a look at the sweet old school cart I saw on the course.
On the first round, early Saturday morning it was just Jeremy and I. We got around very quickly (2.75 hours) as no one was on the course. best yet, I had my best round ever shooting a 76! I had 3 birdies, one front and 2 on the back.
The next day I played with Lisa, Jeremy, and Bob. It was Bob's first round of the year. I did not get the the birdies like the day before but still managed to shoot an 80.
Take a look at the sweet old school cart I saw on the course.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Columbia Golf League Week 10
This week we took on team 15 Chris Neher and Jay Nelson. I showed up to the course on time for the first time in a couple of weeks but Mike was a little late and showed up right before we teed off. This week mike gave me some incentives to golf good:
1 drink if I got 2 birdies or an eagle
1 drink if I shot under 39
1 drink if we won all 5 points
This week we played the front half.
I had tree trouble on the first 2 holes and got bogeys on both. On the third hole I three putted for yet another bogey. Then on hole 4 I finally got it together and made birdie. Hole 5 I had a great one putt for another birdie. back to back! So one of the drinks was won.! We also took the first half of the points so things were looking good.
On hole 6, I hit a high tee shot that left me 220 yards out. I hit a good 4 iron but it ballooned in the wind and ended up short and right of the green. I was unable to get up and down from there so I recorded another bogey.
Hole 7 I had a tap in par after just missing what would have been my third birdie.
So going into 8 I was 2 over. I hit my tee shot on 8 onto the green but was left of the hole had a fairly long putt. I ended up leaving it terribly short and missed the next giving me another three putt bogey. Mike also was on in one and missed his par putt, causing us to push the hole. This cost us as we were then even on the back instead of being up one.
So onto 9, and 3 over. All I need to do is to make par to shoot a 39. I hit a good tee shot and was 100 yards out in the middle of the fairway. Unfortunately I skulled my second over the green and down the massive hill that is behind the green. With a bad third shot I was on the fringe. Another chip onto the green and two putts gave me a 6 for the hole.
No celebratory 39 drink for me. Also Mike was inspired by my putrid shot and also skulled his shot over the green. He also got a 6 on the hole. We ended up loosing the back half to our opponents and split the total holes won, so we only received 2.5 points.
All in all I played well with a 41 but it felt worse with that awful last hole.
We did drop out of first place and were 1 point back going into this week so with only 2.5 points there is no guarantee we did not fall further behind.
1 drink if I got 2 birdies or an eagle
1 drink if I shot under 39
1 drink if we won all 5 points
This week we played the front half.
I had tree trouble on the first 2 holes and got bogeys on both. On the third hole I three putted for yet another bogey. Then on hole 4 I finally got it together and made birdie. Hole 5 I had a great one putt for another birdie. back to back! So one of the drinks was won.! We also took the first half of the points so things were looking good.
On hole 6, I hit a high tee shot that left me 220 yards out. I hit a good 4 iron but it ballooned in the wind and ended up short and right of the green. I was unable to get up and down from there so I recorded another bogey.
Hole 7 I had a tap in par after just missing what would have been my third birdie.
So going into 8 I was 2 over. I hit my tee shot on 8 onto the green but was left of the hole had a fairly long putt. I ended up leaving it terribly short and missed the next giving me another three putt bogey. Mike also was on in one and missed his par putt, causing us to push the hole. This cost us as we were then even on the back instead of being up one.
So onto 9, and 3 over. All I need to do is to make par to shoot a 39. I hit a good tee shot and was 100 yards out in the middle of the fairway. Unfortunately I skulled my second over the green and down the massive hill that is behind the green. With a bad third shot I was on the fringe. Another chip onto the green and two putts gave me a 6 for the hole.
No celebratory 39 drink for me. Also Mike was inspired by my putrid shot and also skulled his shot over the green. He also got a 6 on the hole. We ended up loosing the back half to our opponents and split the total holes won, so we only received 2.5 points.
All in all I played well with a 41 but it felt worse with that awful last hole.
We did drop out of first place and were 1 point back going into this week so with only 2.5 points there is no guarantee we did not fall further behind.
Golfing Crystal Lake Golf Course
This last weekend I played Crystal Lake golf Course in Lakeville. I had played this course a couple of times last year and remembered thinking they kept it in great shape.
It was a beautiful day out and the course was absolutely packed. The course has rather close tee times so it seems like common practice to have people stacked up to start.
The first hole is a 490 yard par 5. The hole has a slight dogleg right initially. At the corner a large pond prevents cutting off distance. The second shot must carry the water and set up for a shot to a rather small, elevated green. Not the easiest hole to warm up on.
One thing you will find if you play here is that though there are a fair number of hazards in play, they also do a great job of using the rough as a hazard. The second cut of rough is really thick grass and hitting your ball out of it cleanly is not easy.
The second hole is a downhill par 3 at 180 yards. The tee is elevated and you have a pretty good vista of the surrounding neighborhood from here. A large bunker protects the front of the green.
The third is a dogleg left par 4 at 397 yards. It is best to hit to the 150 stake and then play a mid iron in rather than try to be too long off the tee. This hole has OB on each side where houses are. At the dogleg several bunkers on either side are in play, as is one short-right of the green.
4 is another par 4 at 396 yards. Water is in play to the right where a beach bunker lines the hazard. Left is OK but too far left and you can run out of room. The green is bunkered to the right.
The 5th is similar to 4, a slight dogleg right par 4 at 329 yards with water on the right. Hitting the ball left is the better option but you will need to negotiate the bunkers short left of the green on your second.
Hole 6 is a slight dogleg left with water right off the tee and bunkers to the left of the fairway. hit over the bunkers and you'll have a short shot to a green bunkered on both sides.
Hole 7 is a straight ahead uphill par 4 at 334 yards. Hitting to the green is not the best approach and laying up to the left side of the fairway is probably the best play. S tay away from the right where trees will eat your ball.
Hole 8 is a straight forward par 3 at 127 yards. The green has some undulations so placement is key.
Hole 9 is a par 5 at 525 yards. The best play is to split the fairway bunkers on either side off the tee. If you can make it over the hill you will have 220 yards to a green slightly down hill. Water protects the green short and a large bunker complex prevents an easy miss left of the green. The green is reachable in two but it is risky.
Hole 10 is a straight ahead par 4 at 366 yards. Water is in play along the right side.
Hole 11 is a frightening tee shot. You must carry marsh to what looks like no fairway. The hole doglegs left and there is actually a fair amount of room to land. There is more room right then you might think too. The hole is 374 yards and there are bunkers at the dogleg on the left side. The green is relatively open, except for some bunkers right.
Hole 12 is a 168yard par 3 with bunkers protecting the green both sort left and right. You must also carry the tee as long grass will get any balls flubbed off the tee.
Hole 13 is a tough par 5 at 516 yards that requires three good straight shots to reach the green in regulation. The first landing area ends within reach of driver. From there you must hit a good long iron to the left side of the fairway to avoid trees right that can block your shot of the green on your third. Trees line both sides of this hole.
Hole 14 is a 145 yard par 3 with more bunkering on either side of the green.
Hole 15 is a dogleg left at 364 yards. The best play is a long iron out to the center or right of the fairway. From there play a good approach to the green.
Hole 16 is another par 4 at 380 yards. The best play is over the small tree on the left of the hole as the fairway turns left of the tee. Be aware that the fairway is split in two on this hole and a drainage ditch separates the two fairway areas. This is a reachable ditch off the tee and is trouble if your ball lands there.
Hole 17 is a dead straight 379 yard par 4. Just hit it straight and long. Tough to get in trouble off the tee here. Hitting long over the green can leave a tricky downhill shot back to the putting surface.
Hole 18 is another fairly straight par 4 at 374 yards. Bunkers are in play left and right off the tee. The green also has bunkers right. The parking lot can come into play if you hit left on your second shot. I remember once hitting into the parking lot as a wedding party was congregating out there. Luckily no one was hit and no cars were damaged but be aware of the danger there!
My memory of the course was correct. This course is in really nice conditions. it is fairly easy and short. You really don't ever need to hit driver here. From the tips it is only 6300 yards. From there it has a slope and rating of 70.8/132.
I played fairly well after the first hole and shot an 84 on my outing.
It was a beautiful day out and the course was absolutely packed. The course has rather close tee times so it seems like common practice to have people stacked up to start.
The first hole is a 490 yard par 5. The hole has a slight dogleg right initially. At the corner a large pond prevents cutting off distance. The second shot must carry the water and set up for a shot to a rather small, elevated green. Not the easiest hole to warm up on.
One thing you will find if you play here is that though there are a fair number of hazards in play, they also do a great job of using the rough as a hazard. The second cut of rough is really thick grass and hitting your ball out of it cleanly is not easy.
The second hole is a downhill par 3 at 180 yards. The tee is elevated and you have a pretty good vista of the surrounding neighborhood from here. A large bunker protects the front of the green.
The third is a dogleg left par 4 at 397 yards. It is best to hit to the 150 stake and then play a mid iron in rather than try to be too long off the tee. This hole has OB on each side where houses are. At the dogleg several bunkers on either side are in play, as is one short-right of the green.
4 is another par 4 at 396 yards. Water is in play to the right where a beach bunker lines the hazard. Left is OK but too far left and you can run out of room. The green is bunkered to the right.
The 5th is similar to 4, a slight dogleg right par 4 at 329 yards with water on the right. Hitting the ball left is the better option but you will need to negotiate the bunkers short left of the green on your second.
Hole 6 is a slight dogleg left with water right off the tee and bunkers to the left of the fairway. hit over the bunkers and you'll have a short shot to a green bunkered on both sides.
Hole 7 is a straight ahead uphill par 4 at 334 yards. Hitting to the green is not the best approach and laying up to the left side of the fairway is probably the best play. S tay away from the right where trees will eat your ball.
Hole 8 is a straight forward par 3 at 127 yards. The green has some undulations so placement is key.
Hole 9 is a par 5 at 525 yards. The best play is to split the fairway bunkers on either side off the tee. If you can make it over the hill you will have 220 yards to a green slightly down hill. Water protects the green short and a large bunker complex prevents an easy miss left of the green. The green is reachable in two but it is risky.
Hole 10 is a straight ahead par 4 at 366 yards. Water is in play along the right side.
Hole 11 is a frightening tee shot. You must carry marsh to what looks like no fairway. The hole doglegs left and there is actually a fair amount of room to land. There is more room right then you might think too. The hole is 374 yards and there are bunkers at the dogleg on the left side. The green is relatively open, except for some bunkers right.
Hole 12 is a 168yard par 3 with bunkers protecting the green both sort left and right. You must also carry the tee as long grass will get any balls flubbed off the tee.
Hole 13 is a tough par 5 at 516 yards that requires three good straight shots to reach the green in regulation. The first landing area ends within reach of driver. From there you must hit a good long iron to the left side of the fairway to avoid trees right that can block your shot of the green on your third. Trees line both sides of this hole.
Hole 14 is a 145 yard par 3 with more bunkering on either side of the green.
Hole 15 is a dogleg left at 364 yards. The best play is a long iron out to the center or right of the fairway. From there play a good approach to the green.
Hole 16 is another par 4 at 380 yards. The best play is over the small tree on the left of the hole as the fairway turns left of the tee. Be aware that the fairway is split in two on this hole and a drainage ditch separates the two fairway areas. This is a reachable ditch off the tee and is trouble if your ball lands there.
Hole 17 is a dead straight 379 yard par 4. Just hit it straight and long. Tough to get in trouble off the tee here. Hitting long over the green can leave a tricky downhill shot back to the putting surface.
Hole 18 is another fairly straight par 4 at 374 yards. Bunkers are in play left and right off the tee. The green also has bunkers right. The parking lot can come into play if you hit left on your second shot. I remember once hitting into the parking lot as a wedding party was congregating out there. Luckily no one was hit and no cars were damaged but be aware of the danger there!
My memory of the course was correct. This course is in really nice conditions. it is fairly easy and short. You really don't ever need to hit driver here. From the tips it is only 6300 yards. From there it has a slope and rating of 70.8/132.
I played fairly well after the first hole and shot an 84 on my outing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)