Golf this summer (2011)

This year, 2011, I played a bit of golf, practiced quite a bit and shot several good scores. After moving to Connecticut to start a new job, I was able to go to the range 3-4 times per week in the evenings before going "home" to my small studio apartment.

I played in my company's golf league this summer and had some good rounds where I not only scored well but hit the ball extremely well, especially with my driver. One round, in particular, I hit my drives at or over 300 yards and straight down the middle. I happened to win that match, coming back after going several holes down in the beginning.

I also played in the Columbus Amateur Championship in August. The coolest part of playing in the CAC was playing in the same foursome with my good friend Jack. In the first round, I made quite a few mistakes and ended up with a mediocre score of 84 at Turnberry. Jack was the leader of our flight, shooting an 81 and another guy in our foursome was in second. I was tied for fourth in the flight.

The second round, at Champions, started well for me. We started on the back nine and after a poor tee shot on 10, I chipped very close and got an unexpected par to start the day. The guy in second had a super tee shot, within birdie range but missed the putt and parred the hole as well. I played the rest of the back nine well and had a 41 going out. Jack struggled and soon played his way out of the lead and the tournament. The guy in second place played okay but I had passed him with my 41.

The guy in second place then put two balls out of bounds on #1, our 10th hole. He eventually took an 8 on the hole, shooting himself out of the tournament.

For me, the second 9 started out pretty well too. I didn't play #1 well but only bogeyed the hole. On #2, I hit a 6 iron, wanting to get the ball to the hole and not end up short. The tee shot was a good one and tracked the flag the hole way. I saw the ball bounce close to the hole and then past, settling at the top of the green and rolling a little back toward the hole. Walking to the hole, I laid my bag near the path and took my putter. As I turned to the hole, I saw that my ball had kept on rolling and had settled within an inch or two of the hole. I almost had a hole in one and hadn't even seen it.

I played okay from 3-5, parring 3 and 5. #6 was my downfall. I hit a really bad tee shot and compounded the error, eventually scoring a 9 on the hole, the highest score I have ever made on the hole. I went par, bogey, bogey from there in and ended up with an 87 (which could have been could have been an 81 - I tripled the 4th hole). I thought I had played my way out of the tourney. Surprisingly, I ended up finishing 3rd, something good for the 16 good holes I played.

This summer I had many good scores and my career best, a 76 on the Tunxis course in Farmington, CT.

I was happy to play some good rounds and to play in the GE league. It is a nice way to meet people and play once a week. I don't think anything will ever top the TOCGL for friends, fun and playing a great golf course, Champions. I'd like to find a league that plays Timberlin, the local course close to our new home. I have yet to play Timberlin but intend to play it quite a bit next year.

One of the coolest things that happened in golf this year was Mari went with me several times to the range. We had a great time, hitting the ball off the tees, putting and chipping. She really loved it and wondered why she hadn't played all the years she could have. I hope we can continue going to the range and maybe taking a lesson or two together and possibly playing a game or two together. Who knows where it will all go.

My golf goals for the coming year are:
- have fun, always have fun when playing or practicing golf
- go to the range many times with Mari (once a week?)
- take a lesson or two with Mari (need to find a good, friendly lady pro)
- practice 2-3 times per week on my own
- play in a league 1-2 times per week (GE and local)
- practice putting either at home or at the range 2-3 times per week
- putt past the hole (or in)
- chip past the hole (or in)
- play in the CAC in Columbus
- play in an amateur tourney in CT
- break 80 more than once
- play 15-20 full rounds
- play 15-20 nine hole rounds
- take a Florida or California or Arizona vacation to play golf in 2012

Have a good one. KipK