Today started out like the other two days we've spent here in Ka'anapali at the very lovely Marriott Maui Ocean Club. Up for a very early morning 5 mile walk along the beach with Laurie and Steve Weiss (our neighbors and new in-laws - who were wonderful and invited us here) and Karen and Mike Mahr (also our neighbors). Stan opted out because he wanted to be rested for our golf game with Ginny and Tony Kurtz (also our neighbors). No snorkeling for me today for the same reason. Yes, the entire Oxnard neighborhood is here for a relaxing vacation away from everything (except our neighbors). We've been having a great time with the wonderful family that is our exceptional neighborhood; we're here until Wednesday, November 3, and plan to get in at least two more rounds of golf.
At 11:30 we met Tony and Ginny at the Pool Bar for a quick bite before we left for the golf course. Ginny had a pulled pork quesadilla which she loved but I have no photo of, and I have no idea what Tony ate for lunch. Stan and I both had a tuna sandwich on ciabatta bread with lettuce and tomato ($9.00!!!). Oh, well, it's Maui and we're on vacation.
The weather had been humid in the morning and was a predictor for the hurricane-like storm we were to face on the course. When our golf clubs were dropped off at the hotel lobby, we were off in the Kurtz's rental car for the 3-1/2 minute drive across the street to the beautiful Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course. Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course
The cart guys (cart caddies?) were quick to wipe down the very wet seats in our carts, load us up with towels (boy, did we wind up needing them), and sent us on our way to the first tee. The palm trees were blowing, the rain was pelting down, and Tony arranged his cart so that the rain would hit the windshield, not he and his lovely bride. That didn't last very long as the weather quickly got worse. We couldn't believe how hard the wind was blowing and how hard it was raining, but that didn't dampen our spirits, by golly! We were bound and determined to play team match play and have fun doing it no matter what the weather! It was team best ball - the Blocks versus the Kurtzes. Besides, there were no weather refunds.
The photos don't show just how bad the weather was, but if you watch the videos, you can hear and see the wind and maybe catch a raindrop or two.
Oh, I wish we could hear what tips Tony gave us on the first tee. Maybe it would have helped us play better the rest of the day.
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| No matter where we are, boys will be boys! |
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| A beautiful break from the rain. |
Playing best ball is a lot of fun. The great thing about it is that it takes a lot of pressure off of you. If your partner has a lousy shot, you have an opportunity to rescue him/her and save the day, and vice versa. If you both have a bad shot, well, you both share the blame. Stan can get pretty competitive, and both teams played pretty evenly for the entire game. The Kurtzes were up by one approaching the 16th hole, which we got lost trying to find. Now, this golf course happens to close promptly at 6:00 pm. We had 10 minutes left to play when we teed off, and Stan and I were on the green in 3. Ginny and Tony were still on the fairway lieing four when we had to pick up the balls and go back to the clubhouse. Stan contended that since we were on the green in 3, we were certain to win that hole which would make us all square for the match. Tony argued that there was no way to know what would happen on the green once they got on so a winner couldn't be determined. Ginny just shook her head, not quite believing the conversation. Stan suggested 1) we continue the match at Buenaventura when we get back or 2) we ask the group what they thought. Tony suggested we look it up in the rule book. They finally agreed to call it a draw, which meant we were all square. And we all agreed we should play again, but maybe just a regular game of golf.
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| All's square in love and golf. |
After all that huffing and puffing, both on and off the course, Ginny and Tony needed a drink. We went back to where it all began, at the Marriott Pool Bar, and ordered tropical drinks while the wind still blustered around us.
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| Tony after a windy day on the golf course and two Mai Tais. |
We decided to walk down the way to Whaler's Village to Leilani's for dinner (808-661-4495). After we girls had a glass of Fume Blanc and Tony had a Tanqueray on the rocks with olives, we shared a basket of lovely warm bread and butter with our own Baby Kula Greens salad with Papaya Lime Dressing, Maui onion and crispy wontons ($5.95). Ginny, Tony and I had Cracker & Parmesan Dusted Monchong (a mild white fish) with a lemon caper reduction, rice and vegetables ($23.95), and Stan had the Baby Back Ribs with garlic-parmesan fries ($25.95). We were all very happy with our meals, shared some personal history and called it a night.
On the 28th, we are going to another golf course, inland I think, to play with Mike, Bill (yes, they are our neighbors) and possibly Ginny. I'm praying for better weather.
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