Started out with Bernie and Ben (from Pro Shop). Matt joined us for the back nine. Unfortunately had a great round going until Matt showed up. I enjoy playing with Matt, but for some reason the dynamics changed just enough to throw me off my game a tick. Since he and I always seem to go head to head, shot for shot, I think I may have pressed to show him what he missed out of me on the front. In the end, he didn't shoot any better than I did on the back, but I was still disappointed after such a good front. Only big highlight on back was a double breaking 40 foot putt, downhill through a valley, then back uphill on 14th. As we drove up to the green and saw my ball sitting on the edge of the green, I could see the putt was nearly impossible. I said to Ben, "Check this putt out." He said, "I've been watching you putt all day. If anyone can read this and sink it, you can." Well, he was right! Dead center, perfect speed.
Otherwise, after a good front nine, started the 10th in the right fwy bunker near the front lip. Caught the lip on the way out, moving about 10 yards. Then pissed I hit the lip, never settled in properly for my 3rd and missed the green right, down by the water's edge. Ended in double. I started blowing the round on 10 and it never really got much better after that, with the exception of the birdie on 14. Ended with a 3-putt GIR on 18th.
Haven't been hitting my 3W that great the last few rounds. It wasn't that long ago that Bernie commented on how consistently well I hit my 3 wood. Not sure what I'm doing that has changed, but I know I am losing confidence with it right now. I pulled 3H instead, twice yesterday, for lies where I normally would have hit 3W. Need to get to the range and figure it out.
Bernie blew up on the first hole and shot over 50 the front nine. He was ready to quit after nine, but decided to stay for a few more holes. Eventually he came back slowly, but with the exception of back to back pars at one point on the back, his game was toast right from the start. Ben hit the ball pretty good, but didn't break 90. Maybe 95. Matt was my only real competition and he got in trouble with his long distance enough times for me to stay with him on the back. His short game was good. He probably shot 41 or 42.
