Waimea

I have been golfing a lot this summer. I have not written a lot about golf because there are more important things to rattle on about but today, much like Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam sings in his 1990 song “Alive,” have I got a little story for you….

I woke up early. I was catching up on email and watching Tiger Woods take over the British Open. When all of a sudden I looked up and Tiger knocks in a shot from 204 yards with a 4 iron into a stiff breeze. It was a blind shot, and counted for an eagle and put tiger three shots ahead of his nearest competitor. Now, the Open still has two days to go, but I like Tiger’s chances.

So, I head to the course to play my round of golf. I hook up with a local guy named Aaron who asked me if I wanted to pair up - I did and proceeded to shoot 5 on the first hole, 9 on the next hole and 7 on the hole after that - ouch! A terrible start. A start that could make me quit in years past. I never got rattled and just battled my way back with a number of pars and bogeys. 48 for the front nine - pretty high for me this summer, but very good after starting off with 21 strokes in three holes.

I stepped up on the back nine and promptly made two pars in a row - then came to the 12th hole, the hardest on the course and made a 5, not bad for that hole. Made par on the next hole (3) and came to the par 5 14th. On the 14th I hit a huge drive that I thought might go out of bounds, but it stayed in - I ended up with a bogey (6) on that hole. Hit another green on the par three, two putted for par. Again made another par on 16 with a 15 ft par putt. I was pumped - I was only 2 over par and on pace for my best nine holes of golf of my life.

I stepped up to the tee on 17, a par five and hit a terrible drive - got back into play and two putted for bogey - I was a bit bummer to be +3, but still thought hey this could break your low nine anyway. 40 I think was my previous low, and this season I have only gotten to a 41 as my lowest.

I approach the tee shot on the 18th hole and pull it slightly and put it in a bad lie. There is a tree that I cannot avoid in front of me. I have a slim chance of playing a hook around this tree and still having the distance to get it to the hole. I hit the shot and knew it was perfect - right at the pin, hits on the green and ends up six inches from the hole almost an eagle - but a tap in birdie (3) leaving me with 38 for nine holes, a career best. 38+48= 86 a great comeback from a terrible opening set of holes.

Tiger got his eagle, but I got my 38 - : ) JVD