Connemara Golf Club was holding an open singles competition today and graciously allowed us to participate with local players. Weather cooperated other than the omnipresent 25-30 mph wind. Links golf is postgraduate golf -- very difficult to learn and play under the finest conditions. High winds make it doubly so. For example, on #8, a 449 yard par four against the wind. Chuck, no short hitter, hit a good drive and a decent three-wood, leaving him with approximately 120 yards to the green. He then hit a six-iron onto the front portion of the green, still a club short. Contrast Chuck's experience with Bino's downwind drive on #2 of 320 yards, leaving him a gap wedge 80-yard shot to a foot. (First birdie of the trip!) The wind is a constant factor and can disturb any usually routine shot. Couple that with hard, fast greens and you have the essence of links golf. That being said, there was some very competent golf played today, particularly by Bino who registered a very respectable 30 points in the Stableford competition. Chuck, with 24 Stableford points, reached the #7 par five (525 yards) with two prodigious shots and easily two-putted for birdie. Mike was steady on the back side with 16 Stableford points (26 overall) but remains birdieless, apparently a source of amusement to his fellow travelers. We are slowly acclimating our games to the links setting and getting the feel of these slick greens. Sand play by all players has been excellent. Tomorrow we return to Connemara for team competition. Can't wait. This is awesome golf.
Woo hoo to you McBino....first birdie of the trip!! And I like your photographic line up, you made Chuck look "not-so-behemoth"!! Sounds like you all had some exciting holes, I'm sure there's a birdie waiting for you Mike! Hang in there and just swing like Bino and Chuck!! Oh yes, and god bless the spouses!
ReplyDeleteFinally a bird. I was beginning to give up and threaten a hunger strike until one was made. Cheers to the golf and the Chuck golf diary, the secrets of which the world yearns to know. R. Driscoll shot 71 to lead the CC on the first day, ahead by 3. JS playing with Davidson and Walsh in three hours.
ReplyDelete