Ever wonder what you might score on a golf course if you had the chance to play it a second time, immediately after the first? I got that chance recently at Westview Golf Club and the result was encouraging. My first time through the Middle and Lakeland nines produced a score of 107. My second time through the very same holes resulted in a score of 92. I would say a fifteen stroke improvement is pretty good, no? Okay, the first score may have been an aberration, but still. Westview is a good challenge and 92 is not too shabby.
I hit three consecutive fairways to start things off, but only hit the green in regulation on Middle #2. Two putts finished that hole for par. On Middle #1, I got up and down from just off the green for par. That was well earned. On Middle #3, I failed to get up and down from green side, settling for a 2-putt bogey. Middle #4 is a long par-5 that also finished with a 2-putt bogey. I needed an extra shot to reach the green, thanks to a mediocre drive. A large tree protects the left side and for right handed players who do not draw the ball, it always comes into play.
Going 2-over through four holes is pretty sweet, but the rest of the Middle nine wasn't as generous. On holes #5 and #6, I sculled pitch attempts from one side of the green to the other. In both cases, it added an unnecessary stroke and I finished with double-bogey. I got back on track with a par on hole #7. I also made par on this par-3 earlier in the day. A 3-putt resulted in another double-bogey on hole #8, but I finished well with a bogey on hole #9. My score at the turn was 45, or 9-over.
On to the Lakeland nine and it began with a par! As I did on Middle #1, I got up and down from just off the green. To make par on those two holes is very good. Lakeland #2 and #5 were my blowup holes for the round. I registered triple-bogey on both. A wayward drive led to a penalty stroke on both holes. They were my only penalty strokes of the round. Fortunately, I sandwiched a couple of decent bogeys in between these two debacles.
The last portion of Lakeland was solid, with a pair of pars, a double-bogey and bogey. Holes #6 and #7 were played in textbook fashion – hit the fairway, hit the green, try a putt for birdie and then tap in for par. Boring golf is the best golf! Lakeland #8 burned me for the second time of the day. Both times, I hit the absolute perfect drive, only to mess up with a wedge attempt into the green. This time, I caught the ball a little thin and it rolled into a creek bed behind the green. On the last hole of the day, I almost chipped in for par, but the ball rattled off the flag stick, leading to bogey.
I shot 47 on the Lakeland nine and 92 overall. That felt pretty good – certainly better than 107 did a few hours earlier.
Score: 92
Putts: 36
Fairways: 7
Greens: 4
Penalties: 2
August 25, 2017
August 21, 2017
Westview Warmup
I headed out to Westview early in the morning, hoping to complete two rounds of play. I teed off by myself at 7:15 am, making my way through the Middle and Lakeland nines. Middle #1 is a 402-yard par-4 that plays straight uphill. That makes the hole hard enough, but it also faces east, so the early morning sun shines right in your eyes. I hit my tee shot and didn't see the ball at all. I had a feeling that I sliced it right, so I headed out in that direction. Sure enough, I found my ball in the middle of an adjacent fairway. I tried to pitch back to the proper fairway, but duffed a shot, then sculled one to the other side. I was still blocked by trees, but finally pitched safely back to the fairway. My approach was short and my chip was long, followed by a 3-putt for a score of 9. Great!
I was immediately in a bad frame of mind and it would take me a while to get over it. I spent the next three holes cursing the low hanging sun, as I repeatedly failed to see where my ball even went. Remarkably, I managed to find it every time, but certainly not in the fairways. The grounds crew was also out in full force, cutting grass and getting bunkers ready for the day. Every time I stood over a shot, it seemed a tractor would pay me a friendly visit. To say that I struggled to keep my focus is an understatement. When you're thinking about the sun and lawn mowers, you're not going to make good golf shots. I rattled off three double-bogeys in a row.
The remainder of the Middle nine was more normal. I made par on #5, a 201-yard par-3, and that seemed to get me back on track. My 3-iron off the tee was low and straight, settling in the correct portion of the green, very near the hole. Though I didn't make the birdie putt, I still felt good. I made bogey on hole #6, before making par on #7, another par-3. That one was playing 170 yards and a lovely 6-iron from the tee was just right. Another bogey followed on hole #8, setting up the final hole of the front nine. I hit a 235-yard laser of a 3-iron off the tee, splitting the fairway of this par-4. Yes, the teeing ground is elevated, which accounted for the healthy distance. Unfortunately, I ruined the hole with my wedge play and short game, finishing with a double-bogey.
The Lakeland nine started like the Middle nine – with a blowup hole! This time it was a score of 8 on the uphill par-4. Playing as a single, I breezed through the front nine, so the sun was still an issue. Once again, I had trouble pitching back to the fairway. However, most of the added strokes came after I sculled one out of a greenside bunker and through a hedge that sits behind the green. From that position, I had to play around the hedge to get back to the green. There was simply no chance to go over, under, or through it.
Nothing really good happened on the remainder of Lakeland. My best two holes were #6 and #7 – and those only produced bogey. When your best holes consist of a couple of bogeys, you know things aren't going well. Errors came in all facets of the game. Sometimes it was a bad drive, while other times it was an inability to hit the green or chip it anywhere close. I made a mess on the final hole, an easy par-3, finishing with a triple bogey and an overall score of 107. Okay, next!
Score: 107
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
Penalties: 3
I was immediately in a bad frame of mind and it would take me a while to get over it. I spent the next three holes cursing the low hanging sun, as I repeatedly failed to see where my ball even went. Remarkably, I managed to find it every time, but certainly not in the fairways. The grounds crew was also out in full force, cutting grass and getting bunkers ready for the day. Every time I stood over a shot, it seemed a tractor would pay me a friendly visit. To say that I struggled to keep my focus is an understatement. When you're thinking about the sun and lawn mowers, you're not going to make good golf shots. I rattled off three double-bogeys in a row.
The remainder of the Middle nine was more normal. I made par on #5, a 201-yard par-3, and that seemed to get me back on track. My 3-iron off the tee was low and straight, settling in the correct portion of the green, very near the hole. Though I didn't make the birdie putt, I still felt good. I made bogey on hole #6, before making par on #7, another par-3. That one was playing 170 yards and a lovely 6-iron from the tee was just right. Another bogey followed on hole #8, setting up the final hole of the front nine. I hit a 235-yard laser of a 3-iron off the tee, splitting the fairway of this par-4. Yes, the teeing ground is elevated, which accounted for the healthy distance. Unfortunately, I ruined the hole with my wedge play and short game, finishing with a double-bogey.
The Lakeland nine started like the Middle nine – with a blowup hole! This time it was a score of 8 on the uphill par-4. Playing as a single, I breezed through the front nine, so the sun was still an issue. Once again, I had trouble pitching back to the fairway. However, most of the added strokes came after I sculled one out of a greenside bunker and through a hedge that sits behind the green. From that position, I had to play around the hedge to get back to the green. There was simply no chance to go over, under, or through it.
Nothing really good happened on the remainder of Lakeland. My best two holes were #6 and #7 – and those only produced bogey. When your best holes consist of a couple of bogeys, you know things aren't going well. Errors came in all facets of the game. Sometimes it was a bad drive, while other times it was an inability to hit the green or chip it anywhere close. I made a mess on the final hole, an easy par-3, finishing with a triple bogey and an overall score of 107. Okay, next!
Score: 107
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
Penalties: 3
August 06, 2017
Nobody Gives a Hoot
Having completed the other two courses at Osprey Valley, we headed to the Hoot to complete the tripartite. My last visit to Hoot was in 2009 on the GTA Amateur Tour; it was a 2-day major where I shot rounds of 90 and 89. It's hard to believe that was eight years ago, but the numbers don't lie.
I hit driver, 3-iron, lob wedge into the opening par-5 and then drained an 8-footer for birdie. Boom! Then I hit the second green in regulation, but 3-putt for bogey. What's the opposite of boom? A group of young lads let us through on the third tee and I proceeded to duff my drive just 60 yards ahead. That was embarrassing, but I followed up with a nice deep 5-wood. I had more trouble near the green and finished with a double-bogey.
I made the turn with a 10-over score of 46. That's not bad, but it certainly wasn't very good, either. I was hitting some good shots, but I was also sprinkling in some not so good ones. A giant pull hook off the tee on hole #4 comes to mind. Shots like that are just inexplicable; they seem to come out of nowhere. On hole #8, which is another par-3, albeit shorter, my tee shot was excellent, setting up a routine par. Sometimes the game just doesn't make much sense.
On the back nine, I started thinking about whether or not we would finish the round before sunset. I was pretty confident we would, so it didn't really affect my play. Holes #10 through #15 produced pretty good results, with the exception of #13. I recorded four bogeys over the stretch, plus a par on hole #11, a fun par-5. Unlucky #13 started out with a great drive, but the hole was ruined when my second shot layup was pulled into some woods. I also struggled near the green and finished with a triple-bogey.
Dusk started to affect my play beginning with hole #16. From the fairway, I spotted a group of players making their way to hole #17. In front of us had been clear, but this group jumped in, no doubt to start making their way to the clubhouse. It really wasn't an issue, but I wasn't focused on the right thing. I pulled my approach into a water hazard and finished with a double-bogey.
I was in rushing mode over the last two holes, which is never a good thing. Not surprisingly, I collected a pair of triple-bogeys. An approach shot over a water hazard was pulled on hole #17, resulting in a penalty stroke. On hole #18, the sun was right in our face as we teed off. Without another person watching your ball, there would be no way to track it. I took an aggressive line over a pond and just failed to carry the water. Hitting three from the tee, I completed the hole just fine, but the damage to the score was already done.
In the end, my score was nothing to write home about. However, the round on Hoot wrapped up an epic golf outing that I will remember for some time.
Score: 97
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 8
I hit driver, 3-iron, lob wedge into the opening par-5 and then drained an 8-footer for birdie. Boom! Then I hit the second green in regulation, but 3-putt for bogey. What's the opposite of boom? A group of young lads let us through on the third tee and I proceeded to duff my drive just 60 yards ahead. That was embarrassing, but I followed up with a nice deep 5-wood. I had more trouble near the green and finished with a double-bogey.
I made the turn with a 10-over score of 46. That's not bad, but it certainly wasn't very good, either. I was hitting some good shots, but I was also sprinkling in some not so good ones. A giant pull hook off the tee on hole #4 comes to mind. Shots like that are just inexplicable; they seem to come out of nowhere. On hole #8, which is another par-3, albeit shorter, my tee shot was excellent, setting up a routine par. Sometimes the game just doesn't make much sense.
On the back nine, I started thinking about whether or not we would finish the round before sunset. I was pretty confident we would, so it didn't really affect my play. Holes #10 through #15 produced pretty good results, with the exception of #13. I recorded four bogeys over the stretch, plus a par on hole #11, a fun par-5. Unlucky #13 started out with a great drive, but the hole was ruined when my second shot layup was pulled into some woods. I also struggled near the green and finished with a triple-bogey.
Dusk started to affect my play beginning with hole #16. From the fairway, I spotted a group of players making their way to hole #17. In front of us had been clear, but this group jumped in, no doubt to start making their way to the clubhouse. It really wasn't an issue, but I wasn't focused on the right thing. I pulled my approach into a water hazard and finished with a double-bogey.
I was in rushing mode over the last two holes, which is never a good thing. Not surprisingly, I collected a pair of triple-bogeys. An approach shot over a water hazard was pulled on hole #17, resulting in a penalty stroke. On hole #18, the sun was right in our face as we teed off. Without another person watching your ball, there would be no way to track it. I took an aggressive line over a pond and just failed to carry the water. Hitting three from the tee, I completed the hole just fine, but the damage to the score was already done.
In the end, my score was nothing to write home about. However, the round on Hoot wrapped up an epic golf outing that I will remember for some time.
Score: 97
Putts: 36
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 8
August 05, 2017
Tooting My Own Horn
Fresh off a round at Osprey Valley Heathlands, it was time to challenge the Toot course. This is the only course at Osprey Valley that I hadn't played before, so I was looking forward to it. My first impression of the course was that it was big – as in big fairways, big bunkers, big greens. It definitely encourages you to bomb away.
Driver, 5-wood, lob wedge got me to the green on the opening par-5, but I 3-putt for bogey. The greens were as slick as Heathlands, so 3-putts were possible if starting out far from the hole. My drive on hole #2 found a fairway bunker and my second shot was fat. My third into this par-4 was short, requiring a chip and two putts for double-bogey. It got worse on hole #3, another par-4. I pulled my second shot into a fescue covered hillside, with no chance to find the ball. Yes, there is some fescue on Toot as well. I finished the hole with a triple-bogey.
Holes #4 through #6 were the start of a turnaround, but I was still victimized by the greens. On #4, a par-3, my tee shot was just short of the green on a severe up-slope. I chipped on , but wasn't really near the cup. Three putts ensued for a double. On holes #5 and #6, I nailed the fairways with some good drives and made bogeys. On the latter, I hit the green in regulation, but once again ruined it with a 3-putt. Despite the putting woes, I was feeling good about the round.
On holes #7 through #9, the turnaround kicked into high gear. On #7, a par-3, my tee shot missed the green to the left. I was flag high, but impeded by a tree. Nevertheless, I chipped right beside the cup and followed up with a successful par putt. On hole #8, a 494-yard par-5, I hit driver, 3-wood to about 5 yards short of the green. My drive was only about 250 yards and my 3-wood went almost the same distance. It was only the feeling of “room” that enabled me to go for it with 3-wood. I have not tried that in a long time and it felt great. After the 3-wood bomb, I pitched on and made the birdie putt! On hole #9, I hit the fairway, but my approach was just right of the green. I played a deft little chip and drained the putt for par. Three holes, three putts. You gotta love that!
A 9-over score of 45 at the turn was pretty respectable and I thought perhaps I could actually score well here. Four pars in a row to start the back nine only boosted my confidence. Driver, pitching wedge worked like a charm on hole #10, followed by two putts. A pretty 8-iron off the tee set up a 2-putt par on hole #11. Driver, sand wedge set up the 2-putt routine on hole #12. On hole #13, I busted out the driver, 3-wood combo once again in an attempt to reach the par-5 in two. This one was playing 514 yards, so I didn't come as close as the last time. Nevertheless, I had a short pitch to hit the green in regulation and followed up with two solid putts.
The first hiccup on the back nine came on hole #14, a par-3. My tee shot was pulled into a massive greenside bunker – my current nemesis. Conscious of avoiding the clean pick, my first bunker shot was a tiny bit fat. My second bunker shot was also fat, only emerging to the rough. Fortunately, I got up and down from there to limit the damage to double-bogey.
After that it was solid play once again – not like the par streak I had earlier, but four consecutive bogeys. Hey, I don't mind the bogey train at all. I'll ride that train all day long and take my chances at sneaking in a par or two. My drive on hole #15 was too far right, leaving the green blocked out by some trees. I hit a wedge back to the fairway and attacked the hole from there. I had a chance at a par save, but just missed. On holes #16 and #17, my drives finished in great places – it was my approach shots that were less precise. Still, a chip and two putts to finish off a par-4 ain't bad. Hole #18 is a par-5 that I reached in regulation with three great shots. Alas, I was above the hole and a long way from it, so I succumbed to a 3-putt.
When I tallied it all up, I scored 42 on the back nine and 87 in total. That is my second best score of the year. I don't like to “toot” my own horn, but that's pretty decent.
Score: 87
Putts: 34
Fairways: 10
Greens: 6
Penalties: 1
Driver, 5-wood, lob wedge got me to the green on the opening par-5, but I 3-putt for bogey. The greens were as slick as Heathlands, so 3-putts were possible if starting out far from the hole. My drive on hole #2 found a fairway bunker and my second shot was fat. My third into this par-4 was short, requiring a chip and two putts for double-bogey. It got worse on hole #3, another par-4. I pulled my second shot into a fescue covered hillside, with no chance to find the ball. Yes, there is some fescue on Toot as well. I finished the hole with a triple-bogey.
Holes #4 through #6 were the start of a turnaround, but I was still victimized by the greens. On #4, a par-3, my tee shot was just short of the green on a severe up-slope. I chipped on , but wasn't really near the cup. Three putts ensued for a double. On holes #5 and #6, I nailed the fairways with some good drives and made bogeys. On the latter, I hit the green in regulation, but once again ruined it with a 3-putt. Despite the putting woes, I was feeling good about the round.
On holes #7 through #9, the turnaround kicked into high gear. On #7, a par-3, my tee shot missed the green to the left. I was flag high, but impeded by a tree. Nevertheless, I chipped right beside the cup and followed up with a successful par putt. On hole #8, a 494-yard par-5, I hit driver, 3-wood to about 5 yards short of the green. My drive was only about 250 yards and my 3-wood went almost the same distance. It was only the feeling of “room” that enabled me to go for it with 3-wood. I have not tried that in a long time and it felt great. After the 3-wood bomb, I pitched on and made the birdie putt! On hole #9, I hit the fairway, but my approach was just right of the green. I played a deft little chip and drained the putt for par. Three holes, three putts. You gotta love that!
A 9-over score of 45 at the turn was pretty respectable and I thought perhaps I could actually score well here. Four pars in a row to start the back nine only boosted my confidence. Driver, pitching wedge worked like a charm on hole #10, followed by two putts. A pretty 8-iron off the tee set up a 2-putt par on hole #11. Driver, sand wedge set up the 2-putt routine on hole #12. On hole #13, I busted out the driver, 3-wood combo once again in an attempt to reach the par-5 in two. This one was playing 514 yards, so I didn't come as close as the last time. Nevertheless, I had a short pitch to hit the green in regulation and followed up with two solid putts.
The first hiccup on the back nine came on hole #14, a par-3. My tee shot was pulled into a massive greenside bunker – my current nemesis. Conscious of avoiding the clean pick, my first bunker shot was a tiny bit fat. My second bunker shot was also fat, only emerging to the rough. Fortunately, I got up and down from there to limit the damage to double-bogey.
After that it was solid play once again – not like the par streak I had earlier, but four consecutive bogeys. Hey, I don't mind the bogey train at all. I'll ride that train all day long and take my chances at sneaking in a par or two. My drive on hole #15 was too far right, leaving the green blocked out by some trees. I hit a wedge back to the fairway and attacked the hole from there. I had a chance at a par save, but just missed. On holes #16 and #17, my drives finished in great places – it was my approach shots that were less precise. Still, a chip and two putts to finish off a par-4 ain't bad. Hole #18 is a par-5 that I reached in regulation with three great shots. Alas, I was above the hole and a long way from it, so I succumbed to a 3-putt.
When I tallied it all up, I scored 42 on the back nine and 87 in total. That is my second best score of the year. I don't like to “toot” my own horn, but that's pretty decent.
Score: 87
Putts: 34
Fairways: 10
Greens: 6
Penalties: 1
August 04, 2017
Another Crack at Heathlands
My last round convinced me it had been too long since my previous visit to Osprey Valley, so I decided to play all three courses there in an epic golf outing. First up was another crack at the classic Heathlands. This time, I played the current day routing, which begins on the original hole #11.
The start on the par-5 was good, with three controlled shots navigating the fairway and reaching the edge of the green. I was a long way from the hole and 3-putt for bogey, despite a couple of pretty good efforts. I also made bogey on hole #2, a 168-yard par-3. To do so required a fabulous up and down from the opposite side of the green to where the hole was cut.
The next two holes produced a pair of triple-bogeys. On #3, a par-4, my second shot landed in a greenside bunker. The dreaded clean pick soared past the entire green, while the comebacker was a bit short, setting up another 3-putt. On #4, a par-5, my second shot hit the lone tree on the hole, leading to a lost ball in the fescue. By the way, when I say fescue at Heathlands, I'm talking about knee to waist high stuff. It's no joke!
The remainder of the front nine included a pair of bogeys and three doubles. I hit a horrific 7-iron into the fescue on hole #6, a 173-yard par-3. I butchered the hole last time as well. On hole #7, my problem was a drive that landed in the fescue. On #8, it was a drive that sliced into the forest. I pumped a beautiful drive down the fairway on hole #9, but visited the fescue after trying to reach this par-5 in two.
I was shooting 53 at the turn, which is what I shot the last time around. To break 100, I would have to finish a lot stronger. Holes #10 through #15 produced three bogeys and three doubles. Sometimes, I found the fescue with my drives. When I actually found the fairway, it was my approach shots that dove into the long grass. When I avoided the fescue altogether, it seemed I would 3-putt.
Finally, I caught a break on hole #16, a 131-yard par-3 over water. I hit the green last time I played the hole, but 3-putt from above the hole for bogey. This time, my pitching wedge carried the ball five feet past the hole. The ball spun back and left, finishing about 8 feet below the hole. Alleluia! It was a straight putt, so I stepped up and drained it for birdie!
I ended up shooting 45 on the back nine and 98 overall. Not great, but at least I kept it under 100.
Score: 98
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
Penalties: 6
The start on the par-5 was good, with three controlled shots navigating the fairway and reaching the edge of the green. I was a long way from the hole and 3-putt for bogey, despite a couple of pretty good efforts. I also made bogey on hole #2, a 168-yard par-3. To do so required a fabulous up and down from the opposite side of the green to where the hole was cut.
The next two holes produced a pair of triple-bogeys. On #3, a par-4, my second shot landed in a greenside bunker. The dreaded clean pick soared past the entire green, while the comebacker was a bit short, setting up another 3-putt. On #4, a par-5, my second shot hit the lone tree on the hole, leading to a lost ball in the fescue. By the way, when I say fescue at Heathlands, I'm talking about knee to waist high stuff. It's no joke!
The remainder of the front nine included a pair of bogeys and three doubles. I hit a horrific 7-iron into the fescue on hole #6, a 173-yard par-3. I butchered the hole last time as well. On hole #7, my problem was a drive that landed in the fescue. On #8, it was a drive that sliced into the forest. I pumped a beautiful drive down the fairway on hole #9, but visited the fescue after trying to reach this par-5 in two.
I was shooting 53 at the turn, which is what I shot the last time around. To break 100, I would have to finish a lot stronger. Holes #10 through #15 produced three bogeys and three doubles. Sometimes, I found the fescue with my drives. When I actually found the fairway, it was my approach shots that dove into the long grass. When I avoided the fescue altogether, it seemed I would 3-putt.
Finally, I caught a break on hole #16, a 131-yard par-3 over water. I hit the green last time I played the hole, but 3-putt from above the hole for bogey. This time, my pitching wedge carried the ball five feet past the hole. The ball spun back and left, finishing about 8 feet below the hole. Alleluia! It was a straight putt, so I stepped up and drained it for birdie!
I ended up shooting 45 on the back nine and 98 overall. Not great, but at least I kept it under 100.
Score: 98
Putts: 37
Fairways: 5
Greens: 3
Penalties: 6
August 03, 2017
Heathlands 25th Anniversary
Osprey Valley Heathlands celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special promotion on the 25th of July. The event sold out in about 15 minutes and the best I could do was take a spot well down on the waiting list. Fortunately, I hooked up with someone who managed to snag a tee time – and it was the first of the day to boot!
As our foursome prepared to tee off on the first hole of the original routing, a piper perched atop a nearby mound played the bagpipes for the small crowd that was on hand. Shortly thereafter, the course architect, Doug Carrick, was introduced. He took the ceremonial tee shot before our group followed suit.
The last time I played Heathlands was in 2010, as part of the GTA Amateur Tour. It was a 2-day major, in which I managed to collect rounds of 96 and 85. If I could replicate that sort of form, especially that of the second day, I would have been very happy. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Though I had a fantastic time on a great course, I blew up for a massive score on hole #9. I also struggled over the last four holes with some more big numbers.
The first eight holes were decent enough. I got up and down for bogey from a tough bunker on hole #1, before making a textbook par on #2. My only penalty stroke during this stretch came on hole #3, when I pulled my approach shot into a water hazard. That led to double-bogey, which was the same score I hand on hole #4. My approach from 140 yards found a deep bunker and though I splashed out well, I was above the hole and 3-putt.
A bogey on hole #5 was followed by a double on #6. I made my first excursion into the long fescue on this hole and wasted a shot completely trying to hit it out of there. I went on to bogey the next two holes, mostly by staying out of trouble. The last one was a bit disappointing, as it came on a par-3 after I hit the green in regulation. Once again, I was above the hole, with little chance to stop the ball near the cup.
On hole #9, a long par-5, I sliced my tee shot into a water hazard. Despite the penalty stroke, I managed to get beside the green with my fourth shot. Unfortunately, I was in a bunker. The rest of the hole played out like this. My fifth shot released off the back of the green into a water hazard. After another penalty, I sculled one back into the bunker I had already been in. I hit one fat, then rammed two more into the lip. My 11th shot found the green and I 2-putt for a score of 13. The round was ruined right there.
I averaged bogey golf on the first five holes of the back nine. This included a par on hole #11 and a double-bogey on hole #14. The others were bogeys, obviously. I needed to play bogey golf the rest of the way just to break 100. Instead, I collected a couple of quadruple-bogeys and a triple. On hole #15, my drive went into the fescue. I hacked it out to the fairway, but then found the fescue again near the green. This time, the ball was lost. On hole #16, a par-3, I pulled an iron into the thick fescue again. Another lost ball. On hole #17, my drive wasn't terrible but dove into the fescue. I found that one, but it took three hacks just to get out to the fairway. You get the picture.
To score well at Heathlands you MUST avoid the fescue. On a few occasions, I wasn't able to do that and that's what killed me. You also have to putt from below the hole. I was often putting from the high side with no chance of stopping the ball near the cup. Oh well, maybe next time.
Score: 107
Putts: 41
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 5
As our foursome prepared to tee off on the first hole of the original routing, a piper perched atop a nearby mound played the bagpipes for the small crowd that was on hand. Shortly thereafter, the course architect, Doug Carrick, was introduced. He took the ceremonial tee shot before our group followed suit.
The last time I played Heathlands was in 2010, as part of the GTA Amateur Tour. It was a 2-day major, in which I managed to collect rounds of 96 and 85. If I could replicate that sort of form, especially that of the second day, I would have been very happy. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Though I had a fantastic time on a great course, I blew up for a massive score on hole #9. I also struggled over the last four holes with some more big numbers.
The first eight holes were decent enough. I got up and down for bogey from a tough bunker on hole #1, before making a textbook par on #2. My only penalty stroke during this stretch came on hole #3, when I pulled my approach shot into a water hazard. That led to double-bogey, which was the same score I hand on hole #4. My approach from 140 yards found a deep bunker and though I splashed out well, I was above the hole and 3-putt.
A bogey on hole #5 was followed by a double on #6. I made my first excursion into the long fescue on this hole and wasted a shot completely trying to hit it out of there. I went on to bogey the next two holes, mostly by staying out of trouble. The last one was a bit disappointing, as it came on a par-3 after I hit the green in regulation. Once again, I was above the hole, with little chance to stop the ball near the cup.
On hole #9, a long par-5, I sliced my tee shot into a water hazard. Despite the penalty stroke, I managed to get beside the green with my fourth shot. Unfortunately, I was in a bunker. The rest of the hole played out like this. My fifth shot released off the back of the green into a water hazard. After another penalty, I sculled one back into the bunker I had already been in. I hit one fat, then rammed two more into the lip. My 11th shot found the green and I 2-putt for a score of 13. The round was ruined right there.
I averaged bogey golf on the first five holes of the back nine. This included a par on hole #11 and a double-bogey on hole #14. The others were bogeys, obviously. I needed to play bogey golf the rest of the way just to break 100. Instead, I collected a couple of quadruple-bogeys and a triple. On hole #15, my drive went into the fescue. I hacked it out to the fairway, but then found the fescue again near the green. This time, the ball was lost. On hole #16, a par-3, I pulled an iron into the thick fescue again. Another lost ball. On hole #17, my drive wasn't terrible but dove into the fescue. I found that one, but it took three hacks just to get out to the fairway. You get the picture.
To score well at Heathlands you MUST avoid the fescue. On a few occasions, I wasn't able to do that and that's what killed me. You also have to putt from below the hole. I was often putting from the high side with no chance of stopping the ball near the cup. Oh well, maybe next time.
Score: 107
Putts: 41
Fairways: 6
Greens: 4
Penalties: 5
July 24, 2017
Attitude Adjustment at Glen Eagle
During my last few rounds in Deepwoods competition, I was keeping track of my score and points throughout the round. Years ago, this seemed to work well for me. If I was playing well, it gave me the confidence to continue or to put a poor hole behind me. However, this hasn't been the case lately. Instead, I found that I was rueing over points lost early and then pressing to get them back immediately. This was a big reason for my terrible round earlier in the year at Peninsula Lakes. For the latest Deepwoods event at Glen Eagle, I decided to play without keeping track of my score and to let the chips fall where they may.
I hit some balls on the range prior to the round and was pull hooking almost everything. I was unable to figure out a solution, so I just put it out of my mind completely. I don't want to think about that stuff during a round, so I was happy to accept whatever showed up on the course itself. We teed off on the Red nine and my start was excellent. I was just 2 over par through the first five holes (par, bogey, par, bogey, par). There were some great signs early. I hit the first green in regulation from a fairway bunker. I found the putting surface from a green side bunker on hole #2. I got up and down for par on hole #3. Miraculously, I did the same from a green side bunker on hole #5.
I sculled a 70-yard approach shot on hole #6, then sculled a chip from the back of the green en route to a double-bogey and the first blemish on my scorecard. On hole #7, a par-4, I was just in front of the green after two shots. What should have been a simple pitch and 2-putt began instead with another sculled pitch and finished with a 3-putt triple-bogey. You could say I had a momentary lapse in my short game. I recovered well, finishing the front nine with a bogey and another par. My score at the turn was 44, though I didn't know it, since I wasn't keeping track.
Moving to the Blue nine, I began with a solid bogey. Blue #1 at Glean Eagle has given me trouble in the past, though always when played as the first hole of the day. This time, I drilled a drive down the pipe, which the sloped fairway pushed into the right rough. From 150 yards, some overhanging branches forced me to play a lower lofted club into the green. I took a half swing with the 5-iron, finishing flag high, just right of the green. A chip and two putts finished the hole.
I scrambled my way to a double-bogey on Blue #2, a par-5. However, the real tragedy came on Blue #3. This is a par-3 over a valley that was playing 176 yards to the flag. I hit a 5-iron the perfect distance, finding the green to the right of the hole. In fact, this hole was being used for the “closest to the pin” competition, and I ended up taking the honours. Closest or not, I faced a long birdie putt and proceeded to race one 8 feet past the hole. The downhill comebacker missed as well. Worse yet, I missed a two footer for bogey. I actually earned a 4-putt double-bogey after making the best tee shot of the entire Deepwoods group. Unbelievable.
I missed another short putt for par on Blue #6. On those two holes alone, putting cost me 3 Deepwoods points. I say that in retrospect, as I wasn't thinking about that at all during play. One reason I was able to do so is that I was still hitting lots of very solid shots. One of the nicest was my tee shot on Blue #8, a long par-3 with two ponds protecting the front of the green. Playing into the wind, I launched an easy 5-wood over the pond on the right to the pin that was tucked in behind. I finished on the back fringe, then 2-putt for par. On the last hole of the day, a short par-4, I hit my best drive of the day, followed by an accurate sand wedge and two putts for another par.
When I tallied my score, I was satisfied with 90, though it would have been nice to break that level, even by one stroke. I earned 35 Deepwoods points, which is good, but I really had an opportunity to reach the 40-point maximum. It's okay, I had a good time and the attitude adjustment I made for this round was a big reason for that.
Score: 90
Putts: 37
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
I hit some balls on the range prior to the round and was pull hooking almost everything. I was unable to figure out a solution, so I just put it out of my mind completely. I don't want to think about that stuff during a round, so I was happy to accept whatever showed up on the course itself. We teed off on the Red nine and my start was excellent. I was just 2 over par through the first five holes (par, bogey, par, bogey, par). There were some great signs early. I hit the first green in regulation from a fairway bunker. I found the putting surface from a green side bunker on hole #2. I got up and down for par on hole #3. Miraculously, I did the same from a green side bunker on hole #5.
I sculled a 70-yard approach shot on hole #6, then sculled a chip from the back of the green en route to a double-bogey and the first blemish on my scorecard. On hole #7, a par-4, I was just in front of the green after two shots. What should have been a simple pitch and 2-putt began instead with another sculled pitch and finished with a 3-putt triple-bogey. You could say I had a momentary lapse in my short game. I recovered well, finishing the front nine with a bogey and another par. My score at the turn was 44, though I didn't know it, since I wasn't keeping track.
Moving to the Blue nine, I began with a solid bogey. Blue #1 at Glean Eagle has given me trouble in the past, though always when played as the first hole of the day. This time, I drilled a drive down the pipe, which the sloped fairway pushed into the right rough. From 150 yards, some overhanging branches forced me to play a lower lofted club into the green. I took a half swing with the 5-iron, finishing flag high, just right of the green. A chip and two putts finished the hole.
I scrambled my way to a double-bogey on Blue #2, a par-5. However, the real tragedy came on Blue #3. This is a par-3 over a valley that was playing 176 yards to the flag. I hit a 5-iron the perfect distance, finding the green to the right of the hole. In fact, this hole was being used for the “closest to the pin” competition, and I ended up taking the honours. Closest or not, I faced a long birdie putt and proceeded to race one 8 feet past the hole. The downhill comebacker missed as well. Worse yet, I missed a two footer for bogey. I actually earned a 4-putt double-bogey after making the best tee shot of the entire Deepwoods group. Unbelievable.
I missed another short putt for par on Blue #6. On those two holes alone, putting cost me 3 Deepwoods points. I say that in retrospect, as I wasn't thinking about that at all during play. One reason I was able to do so is that I was still hitting lots of very solid shots. One of the nicest was my tee shot on Blue #8, a long par-3 with two ponds protecting the front of the green. Playing into the wind, I launched an easy 5-wood over the pond on the right to the pin that was tucked in behind. I finished on the back fringe, then 2-putt for par. On the last hole of the day, a short par-4, I hit my best drive of the day, followed by an accurate sand wedge and two putts for another par.
When I tallied my score, I was satisfied with 90, though it would have been nice to break that level, even by one stroke. I earned 35 Deepwoods points, which is good, but I really had an opportunity to reach the 40-point maximum. It's okay, I had a good time and the attitude adjustment I made for this round was a big reason for that.
Score: 90
Putts: 37
Fairways: 4
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
July 18, 2017
Wolf Run Outing
My last round at Wolf Run was a solid 86, so I was looking forward to another crack at the course. I arrived 30 minutes before my tee time, but the first tee was open, so they let me start right away. I hit driver, 3-iron to start the long par-5, but still had 180 yards to the green. I pulled the 5-iron a bit, finishing in the left rough, 30 yards short. This was actually a decent spot. Unfortunately, I sculled my pitch attempt to the back of the green, while the flag was at the front. I proceeded to blast three puts well past the hole, finishing with a 4-putt triple-bogey. I guess I should have taken at least a couple putts before the round began. Oh well.
With that nonsense out of the way, I settled into some nice golf for most of the front nine. Three consecutive bogeys were followed by a nice birdie on hole #5. I went driver, 3-iron once again on this par-5, but this time I had just 90 yards remaining to the green. I hit lob wedge back and left of the flag, then drained a sold 12-footer for the bird. It was my second fabulous putt in a row. On hole #4, I followed a mediocre chip with a great putt for the up and down that saved bogey.
I went bogey, par, bogey over holes #6 through #8. The first of these bogeys was a drag, as I registered a dreaded 3-putt. Nevertheless, I was feeling good. Unfortunately, I finished the front nine just as I started it – with a triple-bogey. I was in a green side bunker on this par-4 after my first two shots. At worst, this should take one shot to get on the green and two putts to finish up for bogey. Instead, I delivered my patented clean pick out of the bunker. The ball rammed into the lip, but still finished on the other side of the green. After a weak chip, I 3-putt for good measure.
Seven pretty good holes bookended by a pair of triples. I vowed to do better on the back. The driver, 3-iron combo worked perfectly to begin hole #10, a long par-5. From 110 yards, my sand wedge came up two yards short of the green. I then 3-putt from the fringe for bogey. A string of bogeys followed me through hole #15. Actually, the string was only broken up by a double-bogey on hole #11. I was on the green of this par-3 in two, but my first putt hit a ball mark that hadn't been fixed. The ball popped a foot into the air and lost all momentum. It wasn't really fair, but those are the breaks.
I had a lovely par on hole #16, a very nice par-4. Measuring 350 yards from the white tees, you must pick the club that will leave a comfortable yardage into the green on your second shot. A water hazard crosses just in front of the green, so the second shot is critical. I hit a 260-yard drive to the centre of the fairway, leaving just 90 yards to go. My trusty lob wedge got the ball behind and to the right of the flag. From there, I made a nice lag and easy tap-in.
The bogey train resumed on hole #17, before shenanigans once again on the last hole of the day. I hit my worst drive of the day – a slice that disappeared behind some trees. There was plenty of room there, but the ground was really soft from all the rain we've had and I suspect my ball plugged somewhere. Rather than go back to the tee, I took a penalty and just dropped in that area. Up near the green, I 3-putt for the seventh time of the day, leading to a triple-bogey. Overall, it was a good day, but my lag putting prevented me from breaking 90.
Score: 93
Putts: 39
Fairways: 8
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
With that nonsense out of the way, I settled into some nice golf for most of the front nine. Three consecutive bogeys were followed by a nice birdie on hole #5. I went driver, 3-iron once again on this par-5, but this time I had just 90 yards remaining to the green. I hit lob wedge back and left of the flag, then drained a sold 12-footer for the bird. It was my second fabulous putt in a row. On hole #4, I followed a mediocre chip with a great putt for the up and down that saved bogey.
I went bogey, par, bogey over holes #6 through #8. The first of these bogeys was a drag, as I registered a dreaded 3-putt. Nevertheless, I was feeling good. Unfortunately, I finished the front nine just as I started it – with a triple-bogey. I was in a green side bunker on this par-4 after my first two shots. At worst, this should take one shot to get on the green and two putts to finish up for bogey. Instead, I delivered my patented clean pick out of the bunker. The ball rammed into the lip, but still finished on the other side of the green. After a weak chip, I 3-putt for good measure.
Seven pretty good holes bookended by a pair of triples. I vowed to do better on the back. The driver, 3-iron combo worked perfectly to begin hole #10, a long par-5. From 110 yards, my sand wedge came up two yards short of the green. I then 3-putt from the fringe for bogey. A string of bogeys followed me through hole #15. Actually, the string was only broken up by a double-bogey on hole #11. I was on the green of this par-3 in two, but my first putt hit a ball mark that hadn't been fixed. The ball popped a foot into the air and lost all momentum. It wasn't really fair, but those are the breaks.
I had a lovely par on hole #16, a very nice par-4. Measuring 350 yards from the white tees, you must pick the club that will leave a comfortable yardage into the green on your second shot. A water hazard crosses just in front of the green, so the second shot is critical. I hit a 260-yard drive to the centre of the fairway, leaving just 90 yards to go. My trusty lob wedge got the ball behind and to the right of the flag. From there, I made a nice lag and easy tap-in.
The bogey train resumed on hole #17, before shenanigans once again on the last hole of the day. I hit my worst drive of the day – a slice that disappeared behind some trees. There was plenty of room there, but the ground was really soft from all the rain we've had and I suspect my ball plugged somewhere. Rather than go back to the tee, I took a penalty and just dropped in that area. Up near the green, I 3-putt for the seventh time of the day, leading to a triple-bogey. Overall, it was a good day, but my lag putting prevented me from breaking 90.
Score: 93
Putts: 39
Fairways: 8
Greens: 5
Penalties: 1
July 13, 2017
Small Mistakes at Scenic Woods
The first four times I visited Scenic Woods, I shot a very respectable 85. The fifth time, which was also my last, I shot 103. The streak was bound to end, but to surpass the century mark was pretty disappointing. I headed out for an early afternoon round to see if I could break 90 once again.
I've had many great shots at Scenic Woods, but I've also had some bad ones. It's amazing how your memory of these shots affects your current play. Hole #1 is a perfect example. It's a long par-5, but very flat and with a wide fairway. I've always felt like I could let loose with the driver here and as a result, I've nailed the centre of the fairway every single time. This time was no exception. In the past, however, I've pulled or hooked a long iron into the weeds with my second shot. That memory must have crept into my subconscious, because I did exactly the same thing this time around. The ball was lost and I was forced to take a penalty, leading to a double-bogey.
I went par, bogey, par over the next three holes, so I was doing okay. The bogey came when I just barely missed an up and down, while the last par came when I successfully pulled one off. A double-bogey resulted on hole #5, only because of some bad chipping near the green. I was right beside the green in two on this par-4, but duffed my first chip and then made a mediocre one, before finishing up with a 2-putt. I was thinking about following through to the target, as I usually pull my chips slightly. The thought was too technical – my thought should have simply been to get the ball near the hole.
The tee shot on hole #6 is one that has given me problems in the past. This is a par-4 with a creek crossing the fairway and then running along the right side of the fairway toward the green. I decided to lay up behind the creek the first time I played this hole and it worked well. The next time, I hit driver over the creek and it also worked well. I guess that second instance convinced me that driver was a good option. On subsequent visits though, it has not worked at all. I've sliced a couple near the 7th hole, right of the creek, and I've also pulled one into some trees very near the teeing area. This time, I sliced one deep toward the 7th hole, leaving me stymied by the tall trees on the banks of the creek. I had to put one in the creek intentionally, just so I could drop back on the other side of the lateral hazard. It all lead to a double-bogey. Next time, I will lay up off the tee.
I went bogey, par, par to finish the front nine, for a score of 43 at the turn. The par on hole #9 was well earned, but should have been a birdie. This is a 168-yard par-3. I have hit very nice tee shots on this hole before. Those positive memories give you confidence, which is priceless. I took aim at the flag just back and left of the green centre and it was a beauty. The 6-iron struck the ball perfectly, launching it on a direct line to the target. The ball bounced a foot and a half in front of the hole and hit the flag stick, ricocheting slightly behind and to the right of the hole. I had about six feet left for birdie, with a putt that broke right to left. I made a really good effort, but it lipped out and I settled for the par.
An atrocious drive on hole #10 struck some trees just ahead of the teeing ground and I found myself just in front of #18 green. A good 5-wood got me back to the right rough on this par-5 hole. I was 210 yards from the green, so it had been a pretty good recovery. I tried to hit another 5-wood, but the rough closed the face of the club and I pulled one into the weeds left. One mistake on a hole is something you can overcome. Two mistakes is another story. I had to take a penalty stroke and finished with a triple-bogey.
I went par, bogey, par, double-bogey, par over the next five holes. Three over par for five holes of golf is pretty good. This included a great approach shot on hole #11, where I was partially blocked out by a large tree. It also included a great 8-iron off the tee on hole #13, a par-3 with a forced carry over a creek. The creek angles back toward the green, hugging the entire left side. It's a great hole. I nailed the right side of the green, then hit a perfect lag to within 12 inches.
Unfortunately, this stretch also included more chipping trouble on hole #14. It was a repeat of what happened on hole #5. Beside the green on this par-4 after two, I duffed a chip, then hit a mediocre one, before 2-putting for double-bogey. An up and down for par on hole #15 took some of the sting out, but those were strokes I just gave away.
Hole #16 is a par-3 that was playing 200 yards. I've hit good tee shots on this hole, but I've also hit some real stinkers, which flooded back to memory as I stood on the tee. As a result, it was another stinker – a duff that travelled 25 yards ahead. My second shot was just off the green, followed by a chip and two putts for double-bogey. Bogey, bogey finish gave me 47 on the back nine and 90 overall. Not bad, but could have been better.
Score: 90
Putts: 30
Fairways: 7
Greens: 4
Penalties: 5
I've had many great shots at Scenic Woods, but I've also had some bad ones. It's amazing how your memory of these shots affects your current play. Hole #1 is a perfect example. It's a long par-5, but very flat and with a wide fairway. I've always felt like I could let loose with the driver here and as a result, I've nailed the centre of the fairway every single time. This time was no exception. In the past, however, I've pulled or hooked a long iron into the weeds with my second shot. That memory must have crept into my subconscious, because I did exactly the same thing this time around. The ball was lost and I was forced to take a penalty, leading to a double-bogey.
I went par, bogey, par over the next three holes, so I was doing okay. The bogey came when I just barely missed an up and down, while the last par came when I successfully pulled one off. A double-bogey resulted on hole #5, only because of some bad chipping near the green. I was right beside the green in two on this par-4, but duffed my first chip and then made a mediocre one, before finishing up with a 2-putt. I was thinking about following through to the target, as I usually pull my chips slightly. The thought was too technical – my thought should have simply been to get the ball near the hole.
The tee shot on hole #6 is one that has given me problems in the past. This is a par-4 with a creek crossing the fairway and then running along the right side of the fairway toward the green. I decided to lay up behind the creek the first time I played this hole and it worked well. The next time, I hit driver over the creek and it also worked well. I guess that second instance convinced me that driver was a good option. On subsequent visits though, it has not worked at all. I've sliced a couple near the 7th hole, right of the creek, and I've also pulled one into some trees very near the teeing area. This time, I sliced one deep toward the 7th hole, leaving me stymied by the tall trees on the banks of the creek. I had to put one in the creek intentionally, just so I could drop back on the other side of the lateral hazard. It all lead to a double-bogey. Next time, I will lay up off the tee.
I went bogey, par, par to finish the front nine, for a score of 43 at the turn. The par on hole #9 was well earned, but should have been a birdie. This is a 168-yard par-3. I have hit very nice tee shots on this hole before. Those positive memories give you confidence, which is priceless. I took aim at the flag just back and left of the green centre and it was a beauty. The 6-iron struck the ball perfectly, launching it on a direct line to the target. The ball bounced a foot and a half in front of the hole and hit the flag stick, ricocheting slightly behind and to the right of the hole. I had about six feet left for birdie, with a putt that broke right to left. I made a really good effort, but it lipped out and I settled for the par.
An atrocious drive on hole #10 struck some trees just ahead of the teeing ground and I found myself just in front of #18 green. A good 5-wood got me back to the right rough on this par-5 hole. I was 210 yards from the green, so it had been a pretty good recovery. I tried to hit another 5-wood, but the rough closed the face of the club and I pulled one into the weeds left. One mistake on a hole is something you can overcome. Two mistakes is another story. I had to take a penalty stroke and finished with a triple-bogey.
I went par, bogey, par, double-bogey, par over the next five holes. Three over par for five holes of golf is pretty good. This included a great approach shot on hole #11, where I was partially blocked out by a large tree. It also included a great 8-iron off the tee on hole #13, a par-3 with a forced carry over a creek. The creek angles back toward the green, hugging the entire left side. It's a great hole. I nailed the right side of the green, then hit a perfect lag to within 12 inches.
Unfortunately, this stretch also included more chipping trouble on hole #14. It was a repeat of what happened on hole #5. Beside the green on this par-4 after two, I duffed a chip, then hit a mediocre one, before 2-putting for double-bogey. An up and down for par on hole #15 took some of the sting out, but those were strokes I just gave away.
Hole #16 is a par-3 that was playing 200 yards. I've hit good tee shots on this hole, but I've also hit some real stinkers, which flooded back to memory as I stood on the tee. As a result, it was another stinker – a duff that travelled 25 yards ahead. My second shot was just off the green, followed by a chip and two putts for double-bogey. Bogey, bogey finish gave me 47 on the back nine and 90 overall. Not bad, but could have been better.
Score: 90
Putts: 30
Fairways: 7
Greens: 4
Penalties: 5
July 06, 2017
Glorious Return to Lakeview
Lakeview is one of the golf courses closest to me, but the last time I played it was nine years ago! It's a decent track, steeped in history, but it does tend to get busy. I had the opportunity to play there recently and was looking forward to it. I played an afternoon round with three ladies and it ended up being a great day.
It was round #15 of the season and the first time I broke 90. Last year, I broke 90 five times over the first 15 rounds, with scores of 85, 86, 87, 86, and 87. I guess the consolation is that I smashed 90 this time around, with a final score of 83. That ranks very close to my best of all time: BraeBen 78, Deer Creek South 81, Granite Ridge Cobalt 82, Willow Valley 83, and Carlisle North/East 83. Those other scores of 83 get the nod because they were on par 72 courses. Lakeview is a par 71.
That's good enough for a hole by hole breakdown, so here we go:
Hole 1 – Par 4 (326 yards)
A straight hole, with trees on either side. I hit 5-wood just left of the fairway, leaving 100 yards to the green. Overhanging tree branches meant I had to punch one low. I took a half swing with the 5-iron, but smacked the ball 15 yards behind the green into some mounds. I hit a fabulous pitch with the lob wedge, just landing on the green and releasing downhill near the hole. A five foot putt with slight break earned a great par.
Hole 2 – Par 4 (423 yards)
The blue tees on this hole are well back, but I didn't let it faze me, delivering a 250-yard drive to the middle of the fairway. A 6-iron off the carpet was a slight miss hit, flying over a deep valley, but short and right of the green. The ball was unplayable in some weeds, so I took a penalty. A 40-yard pitch found the safety of the green. A lengthy bogey putt was a good try, but I finished with a tap in for double-bogey.
Hole 3 – Par 3 (136 yards)
A lateral water hazard protects the right side of this hole. I hit pitching wedge straight, but caught it thin. The ball rolled through the green and off the back right side, very near the flag. It set up the type of chip shot you envision making and I gave it a really god try, finishing a foot short of the cup. No worries, as I collected the tap-in par.
Hole 4 – Par 4 (366 yards)
There is OB along the right side of this hole, but I was in the zone and didn't think about it. I drove the ball a couple yards off the right edge of the fairway, leaving about 140 yards to the flag. The wind was hurting slightly, so I opted for an 8-iron. The ball finished flag high, albeit quite left of the hole location. I cozied up a nice lag and then drained the short par putt.
Hole 5 – Par 5 (591 yards)
A long par-5 with trees bordering the fairway and a creek that angles close as you approach the green. I made good contact with the driver, but was left of target. Overhanging branches demanded another low punch. The 3-iron never got more than chest high and finished well down the fairway. From 180 yards out, I pull hooked a 5-iron that flew over the creek, settling short of some fescue. The grass interfered with my backswing so I gave my next shot a little extra. Sadly, I failed to hold the green, rolling into a bunker. A terrible fifth shot just managed to get out of the trap. A chip and putt finished things off for double-bogey.
Hole 6 – Par 4 (441 yards)
The #1 handicap hole on the course, owing mostly to its length. I sliced my drive right into fairway #5. From there, I punched a 3-iron beneath the trees back across the correct fairway. I was now on the left side with more overhanging branches. From 90 yards, I punched a soft 5-iron and rolled the ball flag high. A great lag and short putt earned a pretty good bogey. This hole is a beast.
Hole 7 – Par 5 (476 yards)
OB covers the entire right side of this hole and can come into play. I made good contact with the driver, finishing on a mound just left of the fairway. I hit 3-iron off a pretty severe up slope, propelling the ball to within 90 yards of the green. Next, a full lob wedge got me to the front of the green. My birdie putt was too aggressive, rolling well past the hole. I just missed the comebacker, taking my only 3-putt of the day and a somewhat disappointing bogey.
Hole 8 – Par 4 (345 yards)
There's no need for driver on this hole, but I didn't see any down side to using it, either. I hit a straight shot, but caught it a hair fat, scrubbing some speed off before contact and hence, losing distance. I still carried a water hazard crossing the fairway and had just 130 yards to the green. Pitching wedge got me to the back of the green and I needed a delicate lag on the sloped putting surface. I judged the speed perfectly, leaving a short par putt.
Hole 9 – Par 3 (217 yards)
I hit my 3-iron low all the time, but this one was even lower than usual – a bullet that skimmed right over the entire green, finishing just short of some long fescue. The flag was nearby, but the grass was interfering with my backswing and my first priority was to keep the ball on the green. I managed that, but had a long par putt. I actually blew the putt well past the hole and had to make a tricky 6-footer for bogey. Not bad.
Hole 10 – Par 3 (151 yards)
This hole was playing a little shorter, so I went with pitching wedge off the tee. I missed the sweet spot and finished just short of the green. I tried to chip one close, but clipped the top of a mound, which scrubbed some distance. I was left with a long uphill par putt, which I left four feet short. I calmly hit the next one for bogey.
Hole 11 – Par 4 (415 yards)
Like the previous hole, this one plays over the course driveway, which is always a little disconcerting. I focused and nailed the fairway with a 275-yard drive. It was a front flag position and I judged the distance perfectly with pitching wedge. I finished two yards right of the green. My chip came up short and then I missed a makeable par putt, settling for bogey.
Hole 12 – Par 4 (328 yards)
The Bell Hole. No other hole at Lakeview garners as much attention. The hole wraps around the corner of a condominium property, so OB is definitely in play. I hit a perfect 5-wood to the fairway at the bottom of the steep hill. Any further and the ball would have gone into a creek, but instead, I had exactly 100 yards to the severely elevated green on the right side. A lovely sand wedge carried the ball flag high. Nailing this green in regulation is a feat. I made a good uphill attempt at birdie, but finished with a tap-in par.
Hole 13 – Par 4 (413 yards)
The teeing ground on this hole is a little awkward, in relation to the fairway up ahead. I aimed over a tree on the left side and carried it nicely, finishing right beside the 150-yard stick. My 8-iron came up a little short and right of the green. I pitched past the hole to make sure I was on the correct green level. This left a long par putt that didn't drop. Bogey was the result.
Hole 14 – Par 4 (339 yards)
I did not hit a great drive on this hole, but still found the right centre of the fairway, 130 yards from the green. Pitching wedge carried the ball to the front of the green, pretty close to the flag. I had a good look at birdie here and gave it a go. Unfortunately, the ball didn't drop and I settled for an easy par.
Hole 15 – Par 4 (329 yards)
I wasn't really trying to, but I cut the corner on this short, dogleg par-4. I flirted with some tree branches, but my ball got through, settling on the left edge of the fairway, just 40 yards from the green. It's downhill and the green slopes away from you, so I landed a little wedge shot short of the green and let it trickle on. The 13-foot birdie putt was downhill, with not much break. This was all about speed and I judged it perfectly for birdie!
Hole 16 – Par 5 (466 yards)
The shortest par-5 at Lakeview, but maybe the hardest. I pulled my drive slightly, finishing under a spruce tree. I did well to punch a 3-iron through a couple more spruce trees ahead, five yards short of the perfect layup spot. I was in decent position, but in the rough and on a down slope. I hit 6-iron, but came up 15 yards short of the green. Next, I plunked my pitch shot into a bunker. The rough was thick and lush and I just didn't swing hard enough. One shot to get out of the sand trap and two putts earned a double-bogey on this one.
Hole 17 – Par 3 (95 yards)
One of two holes that can be played as #17, this devilish little one is the original. You tee off and shoot over the creek to a postage stamp sized green cut into the side of a hill. It is sloped severely from back to front. I hit sand wedge, launching a ball way in the air. It landed one yard short, bouncing back to the low spot well below the surface of the green. I lobbed one on, then hit a huge breaking putt to within a foot. The final stroke was for bogey.
Hole 18 – Par 4 (440 yards)
I don't think this hole was playing its full length. I got a hold of one with the driver and let out a satisfied “Wooo” in celebration. I was surprised to see later that it caught a mound just left of the fairway. I had a slight up slope and was 140 yards from the green, which is perched atop a steep hill. Not wanting to be short, I opted for 7-iron and it was the perfect choice. It launched high in the air and hit the green, finishing just behind and left of the back pin position. The downhill birdie was makeable, but I just missed, taking an easy par instead.
Woohoo! I love games like these.
Score: 83
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 7
Penalties: 1
It was round #15 of the season and the first time I broke 90. Last year, I broke 90 five times over the first 15 rounds, with scores of 85, 86, 87, 86, and 87. I guess the consolation is that I smashed 90 this time around, with a final score of 83. That ranks very close to my best of all time: BraeBen 78, Deer Creek South 81, Granite Ridge Cobalt 82, Willow Valley 83, and Carlisle North/East 83. Those other scores of 83 get the nod because they were on par 72 courses. Lakeview is a par 71.
That's good enough for a hole by hole breakdown, so here we go:
Hole 1 – Par 4 (326 yards)
A straight hole, with trees on either side. I hit 5-wood just left of the fairway, leaving 100 yards to the green. Overhanging tree branches meant I had to punch one low. I took a half swing with the 5-iron, but smacked the ball 15 yards behind the green into some mounds. I hit a fabulous pitch with the lob wedge, just landing on the green and releasing downhill near the hole. A five foot putt with slight break earned a great par.
Hole 2 – Par 4 (423 yards)
The blue tees on this hole are well back, but I didn't let it faze me, delivering a 250-yard drive to the middle of the fairway. A 6-iron off the carpet was a slight miss hit, flying over a deep valley, but short and right of the green. The ball was unplayable in some weeds, so I took a penalty. A 40-yard pitch found the safety of the green. A lengthy bogey putt was a good try, but I finished with a tap in for double-bogey.
Hole 3 – Par 3 (136 yards)
A lateral water hazard protects the right side of this hole. I hit pitching wedge straight, but caught it thin. The ball rolled through the green and off the back right side, very near the flag. It set up the type of chip shot you envision making and I gave it a really god try, finishing a foot short of the cup. No worries, as I collected the tap-in par.
Hole 4 – Par 4 (366 yards)
There is OB along the right side of this hole, but I was in the zone and didn't think about it. I drove the ball a couple yards off the right edge of the fairway, leaving about 140 yards to the flag. The wind was hurting slightly, so I opted for an 8-iron. The ball finished flag high, albeit quite left of the hole location. I cozied up a nice lag and then drained the short par putt.
Hole 5 – Par 5 (591 yards)
A long par-5 with trees bordering the fairway and a creek that angles close as you approach the green. I made good contact with the driver, but was left of target. Overhanging branches demanded another low punch. The 3-iron never got more than chest high and finished well down the fairway. From 180 yards out, I pull hooked a 5-iron that flew over the creek, settling short of some fescue. The grass interfered with my backswing so I gave my next shot a little extra. Sadly, I failed to hold the green, rolling into a bunker. A terrible fifth shot just managed to get out of the trap. A chip and putt finished things off for double-bogey.
Hole 6 – Par 4 (441 yards)
The #1 handicap hole on the course, owing mostly to its length. I sliced my drive right into fairway #5. From there, I punched a 3-iron beneath the trees back across the correct fairway. I was now on the left side with more overhanging branches. From 90 yards, I punched a soft 5-iron and rolled the ball flag high. A great lag and short putt earned a pretty good bogey. This hole is a beast.
Hole 7 – Par 5 (476 yards)
OB covers the entire right side of this hole and can come into play. I made good contact with the driver, finishing on a mound just left of the fairway. I hit 3-iron off a pretty severe up slope, propelling the ball to within 90 yards of the green. Next, a full lob wedge got me to the front of the green. My birdie putt was too aggressive, rolling well past the hole. I just missed the comebacker, taking my only 3-putt of the day and a somewhat disappointing bogey.
Hole 8 – Par 4 (345 yards)
There's no need for driver on this hole, but I didn't see any down side to using it, either. I hit a straight shot, but caught it a hair fat, scrubbing some speed off before contact and hence, losing distance. I still carried a water hazard crossing the fairway and had just 130 yards to the green. Pitching wedge got me to the back of the green and I needed a delicate lag on the sloped putting surface. I judged the speed perfectly, leaving a short par putt.
Hole 9 – Par 3 (217 yards)
I hit my 3-iron low all the time, but this one was even lower than usual – a bullet that skimmed right over the entire green, finishing just short of some long fescue. The flag was nearby, but the grass was interfering with my backswing and my first priority was to keep the ball on the green. I managed that, but had a long par putt. I actually blew the putt well past the hole and had to make a tricky 6-footer for bogey. Not bad.
Hole 10 – Par 3 (151 yards)
This hole was playing a little shorter, so I went with pitching wedge off the tee. I missed the sweet spot and finished just short of the green. I tried to chip one close, but clipped the top of a mound, which scrubbed some distance. I was left with a long uphill par putt, which I left four feet short. I calmly hit the next one for bogey.
Hole 11 – Par 4 (415 yards)
Like the previous hole, this one plays over the course driveway, which is always a little disconcerting. I focused and nailed the fairway with a 275-yard drive. It was a front flag position and I judged the distance perfectly with pitching wedge. I finished two yards right of the green. My chip came up short and then I missed a makeable par putt, settling for bogey.
Hole 12 – Par 4 (328 yards)
The Bell Hole. No other hole at Lakeview garners as much attention. The hole wraps around the corner of a condominium property, so OB is definitely in play. I hit a perfect 5-wood to the fairway at the bottom of the steep hill. Any further and the ball would have gone into a creek, but instead, I had exactly 100 yards to the severely elevated green on the right side. A lovely sand wedge carried the ball flag high. Nailing this green in regulation is a feat. I made a good uphill attempt at birdie, but finished with a tap-in par.
Hole 13 – Par 4 (413 yards)
The teeing ground on this hole is a little awkward, in relation to the fairway up ahead. I aimed over a tree on the left side and carried it nicely, finishing right beside the 150-yard stick. My 8-iron came up a little short and right of the green. I pitched past the hole to make sure I was on the correct green level. This left a long par putt that didn't drop. Bogey was the result.
Hole 14 – Par 4 (339 yards)
I did not hit a great drive on this hole, but still found the right centre of the fairway, 130 yards from the green. Pitching wedge carried the ball to the front of the green, pretty close to the flag. I had a good look at birdie here and gave it a go. Unfortunately, the ball didn't drop and I settled for an easy par.
Hole 15 – Par 4 (329 yards)
I wasn't really trying to, but I cut the corner on this short, dogleg par-4. I flirted with some tree branches, but my ball got through, settling on the left edge of the fairway, just 40 yards from the green. It's downhill and the green slopes away from you, so I landed a little wedge shot short of the green and let it trickle on. The 13-foot birdie putt was downhill, with not much break. This was all about speed and I judged it perfectly for birdie!
Hole 16 – Par 5 (466 yards)
The shortest par-5 at Lakeview, but maybe the hardest. I pulled my drive slightly, finishing under a spruce tree. I did well to punch a 3-iron through a couple more spruce trees ahead, five yards short of the perfect layup spot. I was in decent position, but in the rough and on a down slope. I hit 6-iron, but came up 15 yards short of the green. Next, I plunked my pitch shot into a bunker. The rough was thick and lush and I just didn't swing hard enough. One shot to get out of the sand trap and two putts earned a double-bogey on this one.
Hole 17 – Par 3 (95 yards)
One of two holes that can be played as #17, this devilish little one is the original. You tee off and shoot over the creek to a postage stamp sized green cut into the side of a hill. It is sloped severely from back to front. I hit sand wedge, launching a ball way in the air. It landed one yard short, bouncing back to the low spot well below the surface of the green. I lobbed one on, then hit a huge breaking putt to within a foot. The final stroke was for bogey.
Hole 18 – Par 4 (440 yards)
I don't think this hole was playing its full length. I got a hold of one with the driver and let out a satisfied “Wooo” in celebration. I was surprised to see later that it caught a mound just left of the fairway. I had a slight up slope and was 140 yards from the green, which is perched atop a steep hill. Not wanting to be short, I opted for 7-iron and it was the perfect choice. It launched high in the air and hit the green, finishing just behind and left of the back pin position. The downhill birdie was makeable, but I just missed, taking an easy par instead.
Woohoo! I love games like these.
Score: 83
Putts: 33
Fairways: 6
Greens: 7
Penalties: 1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)