November 29, 2010 - Buenaventura Golf Course, Ventura, California

At long last we have come back to our "home" course, Buenaventura in lovely Ventura, California.  Buenaventura Golf Course  It's where I started playing again and where I broke 100.  I've missed playing here, although it's been lots of fun playing on other courses too.

The very interesting sculpture at the Buenaventura entrance.

I was worried about the weather - it's been very cold and windy, but by the time we ate our tuna sandwiches at home, it had warmed up for us and our 12:21 tee time.  

Stan on the first tee.

The first two holes were great for me, I bogeyed them both, and I felt that I was on my way to a great game.  Stan didn't do as well, but he is usually a slow start on a course and does better later on the front nine.  The third hole wasn't so good.  We both hit right into the trees and just couldn't recover.  I hit a 9 and Stan an 8.  The 4th hole was a series of blips and limps along to the green.  The scores were the same as the third hole; not a very good sign.  By then, Stan was ready to go home, but we persevered and "stayed the course."  

I am usually the Queen of the Threes at Buenaventura.  I have birdied the 11th hole a couple of times and made par on other threes at the course.  I just didn't have the touch on the front nine today and shot 5 on both par threes.  Very, very disappointing.

Last week we had a short game lesson at River Ridge with Joe.  He gave us very good pointers on how to chip low and then roll or chip high and have it stay put.  He also gave us a short putting lesson.  I was looking forward (with a bit of anxiety) to testing how well I'd learned what he had taught me.  I had a real chance to try it on the 9th hole.  I made a low chip from atop a small hill.  It hit the green and seemed to be going straight.  It wavered a little and straightened itself out, seeming to go right to the hole.  I was cautiously hopeful that it would go into the cup, and I was jumping up and down just a little bit in anticipation.  Well, the impossible happened.  The chip shot went right into the cup, and I bogeyed that hole!  Stan let out a whoop - he was so excited for me!!!  It wasn't the only time that I was able to use my new chipping skills.  There were several more opportunities, and the ball actually went where I wanted it to go.  My putting was better today, too!  Fantastic!!!  Thanks Joe!!

Even though I had a good score on some of the holes on the front nine, I didn't do better than bogey and wasn't happy with my play.  It was very disappointing to have two good holes at the beginning and then to have two 9s and an 8.  My drives were not great, I chunked and topped a few fairway shots and just didn't like how I was playing.  Stan played slightly better than me, and he was more consistent.   


Somehow I was able to make a change on the back nine.  I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I felt something click on the 10th and 11th holes.  I was keeping my legs bent and driving the ball, watching it leave the tee and/or the ground and following through.  The "woosh" as the club traveled along the grass and smacked the ball was something I could feel happening, and every stroke, every fairway shot, every pitch and chip was going just right.  

I had some problems with the 12th, 13th and 15th holes, but otherwise, I was doing well.  I made par on two of the remaining par threes (the Queen of the Threes was back!), and bogeyed the 11th and 18th. 

Stan had beautiful, beautiful drives on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes.  The 16th hole for him was a mixed bag, though.  His fairway shots were bad, then good, then bad.  We wound up with the same scores on these three holes; double bogey 6 on the 16th, made a 3 par on the 17th and bogeyed the 18th with a 6.  


I actually felt like I was starting to manage the course for the first time.  On the 18th hole in particular, I had a great drive and first fairway shot.  On my second fairway shot, I decided to use my 5 iron in some long grass because I was pretty sure I could dig it out with that club.  Unfortunately I needed a longer club to go a greater distance, but I didn't have one, so I made the safe choice and aimed to the left to avoid water and sand on the right.  Wouldn't you know it, the ball actually went where I wanted it to go!  Amazing!  I then had a chip shot.  I took a look at the hills around the green and the green itself to see where I wanted to hit the ball.  I used my 9 iron so that I could hit it fairly low and have it roll on the green toward the pin.  And, incredibly enough, the shot went to the spot and at the speed I intended it to go.  I was so excited by this!  It was a very fulfilling end to an up-and-down game.

My score was 110 and Stan's was 105.  When you consider that I had two penalty strokes and no longer go by the double-par rule and count every stroke, it was a pretty good day.  Stan lost 5 balls and had 5 penalty strokes. 

We are playing Buenaventura again on Wednesday, this time with Mike and Bill.  I hope to do better, as always. 
 

November 23, 2010 - GolfTec Lesson, Oxnard, California

One of the things that Stan and I have done to try and improve our golf game is to take lessons.  Before I would even go back on any course, I wanted to try and correct old mistakes.  We took three lessons from Bogey Bob in Newbury Park which got my confidence up enough to pick up my clubs and start golfing after 6-1/2 years.  After playing a while, Stan signed us up for a diagnosis of our swing at GolfTec in the Golfsmith store in Oxnard.  GolfTec  After the diagnosis, we signed up for lessons with Joe Dougherty, the resident pro.  jdougherty@golftec.com  What can I say?  We love Joe, not only for what he has done for our game, which is plenty, but because he is a great guy and a terrific instructor.  

Stan and Joe in one of the GolfTec bays.  Notice the GolfTec hat which Stan received after breaking 100!

Golftec offers a terrific environment to learn golf.  Not only do we have Joe's instruction, but we have access to our lesson, drills and comments on our personal website.  Joe is accessible and is able to translate a complicated game into words and concepts we can relate to and use in a practical setting.   

A video comparison - my swing to a pro's.

We were lucky to have him play 10 holes with us on our trip to La Quinta in October.  We are going back to La Quinta this weekend with GolfTec (a great deal - $450 per person for two nights at La Quinta Resort and unlimited golf on beautiful - and tough - courses), and we hope to play with him again!

November 19, 2010 - Tierra Rejada Golf Club, Moorpark, California

Happy Anniversary to me and my wonderful husband of 23 years!  Every day with you has been a gift.  I love you very much and look forward to sharing more laughs and love and creating more memories (golf and otherwise).


My last full blog entry was riddled with frustration.  I was so upset about my game that I almost didn't want to play today.  But I went to the driving range yesterday and practiced some of the new techniques I had learned from Joe.  I was feeling better about my game and hoped I would show some improvement over the last time I played.

We golfed with Seth Perry (for his birthday he received a round of golf at the Tierra Rejada Golf Club) and Bill Switzky.  Seth is a personal trainer and is married to Amy, who runs the awesome boot camp I go to three times a week.  She has changed my body (and Stan loves it as much as I do).  Amy's Boot Camp  Wouldn't you know it, but today's boot camp was particularly tough.  The one day I didn't want an arm workout . . . that's what I got.  I prayed my arms wouldn't be shaky the rest of the day.

The weather report wasn't great.  No rain was forecast, but it was very gray and rain was expected from Saturday through Monday.  Cloudy weather is great for boot camp (it keeps the sweat factor down), but I wasn't excited about playing golf in the cold.  So, I got home, showered off the sweat and the sand (our boot camp was on the beach today), threw on a few layers of clothes and brought along a jacket for good measure.  Stan picked up Bill and Seth while I was prepping, and I jumped in the car for the ride to Moorpark (about 45 minutes).  Along the way drizzle happened.   I wasn't happy about the development, and Seth asked me if I would melt in the rain.  I confirmed that I would, but we were committed to playing golf no matter what.  Stan reminded me that we had played in the rain before.  Yeah, but that was in La Quinta and Hawaii and it was 90 degrees outside, not 60 degrees!  I admit that I am a fair weather athlete.  I like perfect conditions while playing tennis or golf, and I want my pool or ocean water to be in the 70s or 80s before I get in.  You can't always get what you want.

Moorpark is a very nice area - part agriculture and open space, part suburbs.  Our daughter and her new husband got married at beautiful Walnut Grove just last July - a left turn off the same exit that we turned right on.  Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Ranch  Moorpark is a nice venue for a golf course.  Tierra Rejada Golf Club

A light rain was now falling as we went to the clubhouse to check in (a special rate of $50 per person, including the cart), but that didn't dampen our spirits, by golly!  We went to the driving range where we made a sorry attempt to warm up by stretching a bit (we had to - we had a personal trainer to try and impress), and by the time our game started the rain had stopped.  I forgot my cell phone at home, so I didn't have Evernote to chronicle our exploits.  I'll have to rely on my extremely poor memory to recount the day.

Stan, Bill and Seth - all smiles.

The first hole, a par 5, was a monster.  Seth played from the blues (580 yards), Stan and Bill from the whites (544 yards) and I played from the golds (511 yards).  If anyone had played from the blacks, they would have had 610 yards to cover.  The hole was very pretty, though.  There was a pond and babbling brook by the green, although it took forever for me to get there.  The front nine is chock-full of par 5s, three to be exact, and they are long ones.  The merciful thing about that is that there are only two of them on the back nine.  

Our tee time was around noon, and we were pretty hungry by the time we were finished with the first hole.  That could also be because we were exhausted from the distance we had to cover just to get to the second hole.  Bill did an instant replay of the sandwiches he made last week, with a no-onion adjustment to my sandwich.  He claims he has it down to a science, and I'd have to agree - yummy sliced turkey piled high with cheese, lettuce and a smear of both dijon and mayonnaise.  Thanks again Bill for being a sandwich maker extraordinaire!  Stan and I supplied drinks, carrot and celery sticks, apples and the ever-present Lays potato chips.  

 The second hole was a par 3.  Stan made par (yay!), Seth and I bogeyed and Bill shot a 6.  On the 3rd hole, a par 4, I made par!!!  I was starting to feel my way around the course, even though this was one of the tougher courses I had played.  It reminded me a bit of the course in Paso Robles.  I have to make a note here that Bill shot a 14 on this hole.  He was bound and determined to finish, and was in good humor about it.  He cracked a few jokes here and there, which continued onto the 4th hole.  But things were not going well for our friend, and we were concerned that Little Billy might make an appearance.  

This course has a lot of elevation changes.  There are many holes played uphill and many played downhill.  There are blind spots off the tee, a ravine or two and very narrow fairways.  The designers have given each hole cute little names like "Opening Belle," "Lily Pond" and "Ridgeline."  The name for the 4th hole is "Bootleg Hill."  I have renamed it "Implode."  Each and every one of us (except Seth) shot a 10.  At least that's where I stopped counting.  It's a sharp dogleg right, and I cannot remember how many shots it took for me to get to the green.  To be honest, I don't even remember if I picked up the ball because I had no chance of even making double par.  Seth birdied the 5th hole, I shot an 8 and Bill and Stan shot 6.

Stan and Seth bonded over the incredible chasm that was the 6th hole.  To have to shoot over that seemed next to impossible, but they both did it.  

I made it too!

Bill's frustration level was starting to elevate, although I have to give him credit for keeping things under wraps.  He decided to pack it in after the 6th hole.  He stayed with us until after the 9th, when we dropped him at the clubhouse where he could have a drink and keep warm while the three of us finished off the rest of the course.  We were sad to see him go, but it was certainly understandable; who wants to be upset for another two hours?

Seth is a beautiful golfer.  I know he wasn't happy with his play today, but to me he was terrific.  He has great form, hits the ball solid and far and looks every part like he could be on tour.  Even better?  He's a lot of fun to play with.  He is leagues above us, yet never made us feel that we were dragging him down in any way.  

Stan has been playing great golf lately.  I do believe he has turned a corner.  Not only did he shoot a 96 the last time he played, but Mike Mahr just told me that Stan had a 40 to 50 foot putt that he sank on the 18th hole that day.  Stan has been driving, approaching and putting very well today.  I'm very happy for him that his game is improving.  It makes it so much more fun to play when your ball goes straight, far and where you want it to.

The back was better for Seth and me.  Stan shot about the same.  Although I shot a couple of 8s, I made par on the 11th and 14th and bogeyed the 12th.  Stan made par on the 14th and bogeyed the 11th and 13th.  Seth made par on the 12th and 16th, bogeyed the 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th and birdied the 17th.  And we did enjoy the beauty of the back nine.

Seth near the water's edge.

Enjoying the beauty of the course.  I really am happy even though I don't look it!

I would love to come back and try this course again.  There is something about it that is very inviting.  I don't know if it's the rolling hills and natural beauty, the smell of the California Bay, the challenge of the course or that I think I can do better, but I want to give it another go.  I was fairly happy with my play considering the length and unfamiliarity - I shot 117.  Stan shot 109, absolutely marvelous, and Seth the Wonder Boy shot a very disappointing (to him) 89.  Oh brother!

November 17, 2010 - Mountain View Golf Course, Santa Paula, California

NEWS FLASH!!!  Stan broke 100 today!  Not only did he break 100, he shot a 96!!!!  I wasn't with him (he played golf with Mike Mahr and Seth Perry), but he deserves a mention today on this momentous occasion!  Congratulations Stan!  We love you and are very proud of you!

November 15, 2010 - Seabee Golf Course, Port Hueneme, California

There's something really special about being on a military base, even if it's just to play golf.  You look around and see all these exceptional young men and women who have volunteered to risk their lives and protect our country.  After we drove onto the base, Stan commented that there were probably all kinds of weapons there - after all, we are a country at war.  It's easy to lose sight of that.  We are safe in our daily lives.  We run to the market, go to the movies, take our kids to school, play golf.  We don't have anyone shooting at us, bombing us or arresting and torturing us.  We really have no fear in our comings and goings, but these kids can be called up at any time to face down an enemy that wants them dead.  A big thank you to all of you who take on the responsibility of protecting us and our country.  

It was just Stan and me today.  Back to basics and our little twosome.  It's been a while since we had played alone, and I was looking forward to golfing with my best golf buddy (and a pretty good caddie, to boot).   We were fresh off a lesson from Joe at GolfTec and anxious to put the lesson into practice.  I did feel that I should have gone to the driving range before attempting a round of golf, but the timing didn't work out so we played instead.


It's hard for me to remember what happens on individual holes when I play golf.  I'm jealous when someone says, "I two-putted on the 7th hole" or "My drive on the 14th got lost in the trees."  I wish I could remember that stuff.  So, because I can't, I have taken to using Evernote, which is a free app on my iPhone.  As an aside, I LOVE my iPhone.  I've never used a phone the way I use this one.  I use it for GPS, weather forecasts, Google searches, finding a coffee house or what movie is playing around me, getting emails and text messages, voice memos, dinner reservations on Open Table, finding out what song it is I just heard and playing games.  It is the greatest invention known to man (at least in my little world).  Anyway, Evernote lets me make multiple comments and I can play them back later, which re-creates the game for me in a way that just keeping score can't do.  


We ran late getting to the course today.  I didn't feel prepared or relaxed.  And so it began:  As it was the last time we played the Seabee course, the first hole was a nightmare.  Stan hit absolutely every tree that might have been in his way and shot an 8.  I dribbled my way to the pin and ended up with a 7.  Not a great way to start the game.  This hole makes you want to quit the game of golf, just in general.  

Was this an omen?

On my last entry I mentioned that Stan didn't like wearing his golf shoes because they made his feet hurt.  He decided to give them another go, and he thinks that they caused him to grip the ground a bit better.  And they were comfortable.  Hallelujah! 

Stan - happy in his shoes.

I had a good drive on the 3rd hole, a par 4, which set me up for a bogey.  Stan got a bogey on the 2nd and 3rd hole, so I felt that the jitters were out of the way and we could play a calmer, more productive game of golf.  So much for that thinking.  I shot a 10 on the next hole, a ladies' par 5, which was pretty disappointing after my bogey.  On the 5th hole, I was ready to give up this game completely as I wasn't playing well at all - I shot a 7 on a par 4.  But on the 6th hole, a par 3, my tee shot landed on the green.  Unfortunately, I three-putted, but the tee shot still gave me hope.  


Rounding off the front nine, I did something on the 8th hole I had never done before.  Real, calculated course management.  It's a par 5 with a water hazard right in front of the green.  I made my tee shot and a fairway shot.  I didn't think I could get over the water at that point, no matter what club I used (it was over 130 yards) so I laid up.  I used my 8 iron and got right to the water's edge.  I used my 7 iron so I could get loft and some distance, and, lo and behold, it actually went over the water and almost landed on the green!  

After the 9th hole, Stan wanted to add up the scores.  I did not want to know how I did because I thought it would depress me and I wasn't doing too well mentally as it was.  I wanted to have a clear head in approaching the back nine.  Stan prefers the back of this golf course.  I really don't, but I shot pretty much the same on the back as I did the front.  Stan did much better, which proves that your head plays as big a role in a golf game as your ability.  


There aren't many videos or photos of me, since I'm usually behind the camera, but Stan took quite a few today, so here's my drive on the 10th.  I bogeyed this hole!

There is a very long, very wide patch of dirt/sand on the back nine (can't remember which hole but I think it runs along the 12th and the 14th).  It's not a sand trap, there are no rakes, so you can ground your club in making the shot.  Stan wound up in it today on the 12th, but got out just fine and double-bogeyed both that hole and the 14th.
 

I am a truly lucky woman.  Stan is the most agreeable guy to go through life with, let alone play golf with.  Even when he isn't doing well, he has a great attitude.  Witness a shot on the 18th hole:

At the 17th hole, Stan was at 45 and was very hopeful that he would par the 18th and make a straight 50.  That 18th hole just wouldn't have any of it, though, and he wound up with a 51 on the back, for a total of 108.  Not too bad for a guy who thought he was playing a terrible game.  I shot an embarrassing 121.  

 


No dining segment today.  We played at 12:40, so we had egg salad sandwiches at home and brought nothing but granola bars and water to the course.  I'm making macaroni and cheese and a salad for dinner tonight; not photo worthy but I hope it'll be good.  It's a white food day.

Here's the upshot.  I really, really don't like this course.  I haven't a clue if my poor playing is the result of my dislike or that I'm just regressing instead of progressing, but I have decided that I won't play this course again until I'm back on track.  I don't care if other courses are more expensive.  I don't look forward to playing here, and I don't want that negativity to creep into my psyche and ruin my enthusiasm for the game.  I like golf too much for that to happen.  I'll go to the driving range before I play another golf course.  I have to practice what I learned at my lesson before I get on the links again.

November 9, 2010 - Seabee Golf Course, Port Hueneme, California

It's good to be back home.  After a week of playing catch-up and visiting our newly-married kids in Redondo Beach, we got a call from Bill Switzky (aka Little Billy), asking us if we wanted to play on the Seabee Base for a grand total of $17.00 which included 18 holes, a cart with GPS and range balls.  Who could resist that deal?  

The Base isn't my favorite place to play.  It isn't the prettiest course in the world, but it's close to home and inexpensive even when it's not $17.00.  For my level of play, I'm probably paying too much even on that course.  I wanted my first experience back home to be at Buenaventura, but it wasn't to be.

We couldn't have picked a prettier day to play.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  I have learned to appreciate our cooler weather here, especially when it comes to outdoor activities.  Playing golf in heat and humidity is an energy drain.  Our weather here can be cool and windy, especially in the afternoon, but I just pretend I'm on the links in Scotland.  I tend to run cold, so I have to bring several layers of outer garments, just in case.  I usually wear long pants unless I'm 100% certain that it will be 75 degrees or warmer.

Our outing began with us picking up our golf buddies, Bill Switzky and Mike Mahr.  Since we all live within walking distance, it was an easy thing to do, and we were on our way.  Seabee Golf Course   Bill and Mike have been playing about the same amount of time.  Rumor has it they have the same temperament on the course.  I've played with Mike a time or two before I began the blog, and if there's a "Little Mikey" around, I haven't seen him.  He may do a slow burn and release it in other ways (or have an ulcer), but I haven't witnessed any club throwing or cursing . . . yet.  Bill told me that he is restraining himself around me, which is much appreciated.  

We did not start out very well.  On the first tee, each and every one of us took our Mulligans.  It was a pathetic start, believe me.  A dribble here, a shot into the trees there, and we were off and limping along to our second shot.  Believe it or not, I rescued myself on that hole and actually shot a bogey!

 
The nice thing about playing with our neighbors is that we are all about the same level (except for Stan Weiner who is a level, if not more, above us).  We make some good shots, and then some not so good.  Stan kept hitting to the left, but still had some very nice drives and fairway shots.  He made par on the 6th and 7th hole, shot a 10 on the next one (a par 5), and then made another par all on the front 9.  It was a good day for him.  He made par on the 15th and bogeyed the 18th.  Me?  I did OK, I guess.  I bogeyed a few and made one par on the 15th, but other than that it wasn't a great performance.  

Stan won't wear his cleats.  When we first started playing, we walked this very course and Stan wore his golf shoes.  His feet were killing him after that game, so he swore off his shoes.  He wears tennis shoes or cross-trainers now, but I think it's a mistake.  His feet don't grip the ground when he swings, and his left foot swivels around.  I think it's throwing off his shot.  True to form, the husband won't listen to the wife.


Bill was our lunch angel.  He made absolutely delicious turkey and swiss sandwiches.  The turkey was sliced thin and stacked high.  He put some Maui onions on there (a nod to our Hawaii vacation but purchased in Oxnard), which I took off my sandwich.  I love onions going down, but not so much later.  We provided carrot sticks, potato chips and drinks.  There was an aggressive twosome behind us.  We let them play through on the 7th while we sat in our carts under a shady tree and ate our lunch.  It was perfect.  Thanks Bill!

Little Billy made a slight appearance today.  But Little Billy thought there might have been a Little Netsky showing as well.  I have to admit that I might have uttered an expletive or two (under my breath, of course), and I think I "dropped" my club once.  

 
Even though Bill may have been frustrated with his game, he and Mike both played well, as the scorecards show.  Mike shot 102, Bill 104, Stan 107 and I shot 108. 

Mike spoke to his lovely wife, Karen, on the 18th hole and made plans for dinner.  I was way too depressed to cook (or so I said), so at 6 pm we all made our way over to The Italian Job, a local Italian cafe.  The Mahrs and Switzkys walked.  Stan was too pooped, so we drove.

We had a lovely time there.  We have eaten there a number of times, but the Mahrs and Switzkys are very friendly with the owner, who spent some time at our table and took our picture.

Left to right:  Mike and Karen Mahr, Stan, me, Angela and Bill Switzky

We started with a wonderful antipasto.  It had grilled peppers, several cheeses (burrata, smoked and traditional mozzarella), duck pate, proscuitto and a number of other items.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of our meals (I'm still learning this blogging thing), so the link to the site is below where you can get an idea of what they offer and their pricing.  I got the tortelloni with pumpkin in a delicious and creamy sauce with chopped tomato.  Stan and Bill ordered the lamb, which came with a side of potatoes that were more like breakfast potatoes than something you would see on a dinner plate.  But Stan said they were really good, and they went before the steamed vegetables, which Stan doesn't really eat anyway.  There was purple and white cauliflower, carrots and green beans in a light sauce with herbs.  Angela ordered linguini with clams, Mike ordered Spaghetti Bolognese and Karen ordered the pasta special, which was, I believe, a tortelloni stuffed with ricotta in a cream sauce.  I promise to do a better job on the food description and pricing next time.  After all, this blog is called Driving and Dining.  The Italian Job Cafe

November 1, 2010 - Kai Ka'anapali Course, Maui, Hawaii

This was our final golf day in beautiful Ka'anapali on Maui, and we played the Kai course ($129 per person).  I had heard that it was an easier course, and I was ready for that.  I felt brutalized by the Royal course and did not want to play it again.  

This time there were five of us:  Stan B., Stan W., the Switzkys (Bill and Angela) and me.  We rented clubs from Bill's source ($60 for two sets), and I had Callaways, which was very exciting for me.  I was ready to play with a name-brand club and see if it made any difference.  There was a Big Bertha driver, a 4 iron and several hybrids in the bag, along with the rest of the standard clubs.  Angela had a 10 iron in her bag, which I had never seen before.  Our game plan was for the girls to ride ahead in our own cart and have the boys play a threesome behind us, but the powers-that-be at the course had other plans.  They put me with the Switzkys and had the Stans play with a twosome, who, as it turns out, were also staying at the Marriott.  

From left to right:  Bill, Angela, me, Stan B and Stan W.

Bill Switzky has an evil twin.  I'd heard about him, but never met him.  They call him Little Billy, and he presents himself only on the golf course, and only when Bill isn't having his best game (which, I had heard, could be fairly frequently).  Little Billy is prone to cursing, throwing his clubs and walking off the golf course.  I told Bill that I wasn't particularly interested in meeting Little Billy, but I'm not sure it's something that can be controlled.  Sort of like "The Three Faces of Eve" in golf shoes.

Bill on the 5th.

Today was a very nice weather day.  Sunny and a bit on the humid side, but beautiful blue skies and a nice breeze.  I was looking forward to this new course with happy anticipation.  It was a good thing I hit the ball pretty straight most of the time.  The grass off the fairways was on the long side.  You wanted to stay out of it, because if you had the misfortune of landing in that hay, it was like being stuck in mud.  Angela and I had the darnedest time getting out of that stuff - wood, iron, wedge, we tried them all and just couldn't dig out.  Frustrating it was, and it added many strokes to our score.  So, the key was hitting them straight and landing on the fairway (duh).  

Angela made yummy tuna sandwiches on wheat bread for us.  What a treat!  I didn't take a photo of them, but, trust me, they were good.  Even though Stan wasn't playing with us, Angela made sure that he had a sandwich before we all took off.  It was like having your own catering company travel along with you.  I missed playing with Stan.  He's my golf buddy.  I had no idea how he was doing, if he liked the guys he was playing with, if he was hungry, tired, happy or sad.  

The Stans - waaay back there.

I wound up driving really well with the Big Bertha driver, and I fell in love with my 4 iron.  I tried using a 3 wood and a 4 hybrid on the fairway, and they failed me (it couldn't have anything to do with my skill level), but I had a measure of success with the 4 iron and I stuck with it.  I can't wait to research the possibility of getting a long iron club when we get back.  I'll try a hybrid again, but I'm really learning to love my irons.  I'm excited at the prospect of a new club or two. 

This course has a charming, charming Sugar Cane Train running through it.  We saw it chug through twice, and waved to the kids that took it for a ride.  

Little Billy stayed out of sight for most of the game.  I think he peeked out every now and then, but there were no major sightings of him.  Every once in a while, Bill would mis-hit the ball a time or two on the same hole or wind up in the sand.  I would clap my hand over my mouth, thinking "oh, that's not good," and expect Little Billy to pop out, but it never really happened.  I guess that Bill was happy enough with his play today.  I'm glad for that, for him and for all of us.

Angela is a nice golfer.  She drives the ball very well and has a good short game.  Her score wasn't as good as I think it usually is; she was tired today and the humidity was getting to all of us.  She was with me when I broke 100 on the Buenaventura course at home.  I think she may be a good luck charm for me - I seem to play better whenever she's around. She sees what I'm doing wrong and I'm grateful for her insight when she mentions it.  I really don't mind when people correct my game - even when Stan does it.  I know they are only trying to help me, and believe me, I can use any help at this point.


I can think of worse things in life than playing on a golf course on Maui.  Golf courses are pretty in general, but looking at the beautiful Pacific, the swaying palm trees; a person could get used to this.  After this trip, Stan and I are thinking about bringing our own clubs when we travel.  If we could devise a way to put four-or-so clubs each in our bags, this will save us hundreds of dollars in club rentals if we play more than once.  We're already paying top dollar just to play golf, adding the cost of club rentals spikes that cost quite a bit.

When all was said and done, I wasn't unhappy with my play or my score.  Stan B and I both shot 113.  Stan W said the course killed him.  He shot 104, which wasn't great for him, but it is a score I would have been deliriously happy with.  Bill shot 104 as well, and Angela came in at 126.   (I can't figure out why these scorecard photos show up vertically.  I'll have to try and solve that mystery.)

Once we blew the grass off our shoes, we headed up to the clubhouse to rest our tootsies and have a beer.  (One of my favorite things about this golf course is they have an air pressure hose to blow the grass off your shoes - much more effective than a brush that you run your shoes over.)  Angela is British by birth and loves dark beer (Stan B and she are kindred beer spirits), I opted for a Corona, as did Stan W.  All in all, a lovely day, where we made more golf memories.  

We head for home on November 3rd, back to the golf courses at home.  I wonder how playing here will affect how I play at home.