Started out kinda cool. Cart path only. Very wet. 58*. Eventually CPO was lifted on the back nine. Temps got up to high 60s.
Willy blew me off. Joey couldn't play. So rushed to get out solo in front of a foursome. No time to find rhythm on range after 2-day layoff, and though my cold drive on 1st was okay, I could tell it was not the tempo I have been using. Hit it straight, but was playing for a draw. So was left hanging way out right, adding 40-50 yards to the green, 198 yards from the pin. Think I hit 5W. Hit it well, but still short of green. Then decent chip and 2-putt to start with bogey.
As I'm walking off the green I see Gene come riding out and he drops off Mike to play with me. Younger member. 20-something. Seemed to have a pretty decent game. Unfortunately I was off a little. Took me til the 7th to find some sort of workable swing. Had to do a lot of grinding. Missed too many greens. Not one of my best rounds. Salvaged a decent back, but damage already done on the front.
Also, there were dozens of AJGA officials and volunteers riding all over the place getting the course ready for the big event this weekend. It was like a PGA set-up crew who took over course. It was like Grand Central Station on the front, which did not help my rhythm at all. There was literally always someone in a cart waiting for you to swing somewhere along the cart path. Or else they were driving up over a ridge on a cart while you are trying to concentrate over the ball, or worse in the middle of a swing. It was quite annoying and I let it get to me. Once we got on the back, it was a lot quieter and I played a lot better, making some real good shots. Still didn't putt all that well. And, did not drive the ball great, but not terribly either. Iron game kept me in it on the back.
Mike is an 11 handicap. He hit the ball well, but got in trouble once or twice and ended up with an 89. I felt like he played at least as well as I did.
