I managed to get a quick nine holes on Tuesday afternoon, a rarity this very busy fall. The course is actually in fantastic shape, but my schedule has left few holes for these opportunities. I shot a very respectable 42 on the nine I did play, but had to walk off after nine in order to attend to some at-home activities.
It was a great season. I played upwards of 70+ rounds of golf I figure, and of course (you remember!) I hit the now attainable sub-80 round.
I have really enjoyed my five years as a member of Coloniale Golf Course, and I will certainly miss the freedom of running off to the course whenever I like on a summer's day.
Kathleen and I are expecting our first child this coming April, which far more exciting than any of the excitement I had playing the great game. I'm sure I'll get out and play a few games next season, but certainly not with the ferocity I have in the past years. And perhaps our little one will grow up to be the next Annika, or Nicklaus, and I will be the first one to teach them to keep their head down, and arm straight.
See you next season!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Back from the yearly golf trip
I'm back recently from our yearly trip through Kimberley BC, playing some of the best courses in that area, including two new courses - Shadow Mountain and Wildstone (A Gary Player design). We also played St. Eugene, Bootleg Gap and of course Trickle Creek. All fantastic courses. My scores, however, not fantastic. However, someone took this photo of me on the #1 tee box at Shadow Mountain at the tail end of my swing. I think it's great shot, nicely balanced swing finish. It was, unfortunately, the best shot I hit all week.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I DID IT!
We are still on our cross country road trip, currently on our last day in Ottawa, and we have played what is likely going to be our final round of the trip. The first three rounds were on spectacular, yet difficult, courses in Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and on the Bruce Peninsula in Georgian Bay. Most my rounds were in the high 90s, if not low 100s, but most of them were on the start or end of a long trip on the road.
Today we played a childhood favorite course of mine near Winchester Ontario called Cloverdale Links. A nice links course, but friendly.
HOWEVER - I BROKE 80!!!!
Here's the card
Hole/Par/ my Score
1 /5 /5
2 /4 /4
3 /3 /4
4 /4 /4
5 /5 /6
6 /4 /5
7 /4 /4
8 /3 /2
9 /4 /4
OUT 36 / 38
10 /4 /4
11 /4 /5
12 /3 /4
13 /4 /4
14 /3 /3
15 /5 /6
16 /3 /4
17 /4 /4
18 /5 /6
IN 35 / 40
OUT 36 / 38
PAR 71 / 78
I was putting great, and my iron play from 150 yards in was spectacular. I was a bit worried that if I had a 79 on a par 71, I would have to put an "start" beside the 79, considering it would have been an 80 on a regular 72 course, so I was happier to have shot a clear 78
The other funny part of the story was that we had great weather, albeit windy, but the storms stayed away from us, until the last hole, after our drives, and before our approach shots the heavens opened up, and not a small rain but 1 step away from an all out hailstorm. My playing partners picked up and huddled under their umbrellas. I wasn't going to quit though, only needing a double to break 80. So in the driving rain I hit my gap wedge on the green (this being my 4th shot actually after a penalty for putting my drive into the fescue), I knew I only need a double bogie to break 80, giving me 3 puts for a 79. I hammered my long 80 foot putt up the hill to within gimme range for bogey, and tapped it in for the 78. Cheering on the green, while being soaked from head to toe.
A memorable Kodak moment.
Today we played a childhood favorite course of mine near Winchester Ontario called Cloverdale Links. A nice links course, but friendly.
HOWEVER - I BROKE 80!!!!
Here's the card
Hole/Par/ my Score
1 /5 /5
2 /4 /4
3 /3 /4
4 /4 /4
5 /5 /6
6 /4 /5
7 /4 /4
8 /3 /2
9 /4 /4
OUT 36 / 38
10 /4 /4
11 /4 /5
12 /3 /4
13 /4 /4
14 /3 /3
15 /5 /6
16 /3 /4
17 /4 /4
18 /5 /6
IN 35 / 40
OUT 36 / 38
PAR 71 / 78
I was putting great, and my iron play from 150 yards in was spectacular. I was a bit worried that if I had a 79 on a par 71, I would have to put an "start" beside the 79, considering it would have been an 80 on a regular 72 course, so I was happier to have shot a clear 78
The other funny part of the story was that we had great weather, albeit windy, but the storms stayed away from us, until the last hole, after our drives, and before our approach shots the heavens opened up, and not a small rain but 1 step away from an all out hailstorm. My playing partners picked up and huddled under their umbrellas. I wasn't going to quit though, only needing a double to break 80. So in the driving rain I hit my gap wedge on the green (this being my 4th shot actually after a penalty for putting my drive into the fescue), I knew I only need a double bogie to break 80, giving me 3 puts for a 79. I hammered my long 80 foot putt up the hill to within gimme range for bogey, and tapped it in for the 78. Cheering on the green, while being soaked from head to toe.
A memorable Kodak moment.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
On the Road...
Today Kathleen and I leave for an extensive road trip. Our furthest destination will be Ottawa to visit my family, but the loop will carry us through the prairie provinces, the upper portions of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, crossing at Sault Ste Marie. After a two day stay at Kathleen's Dad's on the Bruce Peninsula we continue to Ottawa.
We have tee times starting tomorrow at Dakota Dunes south of Saskatoon (A Canadian tour stop), The King's Walk in Grand Forks North Dakota (an Arnold Palmer course) and Cobble Beach Golf Resort in Owen Sound Ontario (one of the top rated Canadian courses).
Our travel home from Ottawa will include stops in Toronto and Chicago for some MLB games (Jays VS Yankees, and Cubs VS Marlins), and then through Illinois (a brief appearance by Indiana), on through Southern Michigan, Wisconsin, skirting the top of Iowa, trekking through South Dakota (including Mount Rushmore and Deadwood) cutting through the corner of Wyoming and passing through various points of eastern Montana before hitting the southern Alberta Border and on to home. When all is said and done, We'll have been on the road for 21 days and nearly 10,000 kilometres (about 6200 miles).
Blogging will happen in various places:
Our main travel blog: http://johnandkathleen.blogspot.com/
My golf blog: http://johnsgolfblog.blogspot.com/
We have tee times starting tomorrow at Dakota Dunes south of Saskatoon (A Canadian tour stop), The King's Walk in Grand Forks North Dakota (an Arnold Palmer course) and Cobble Beach Golf Resort in Owen Sound Ontario (one of the top rated Canadian courses).
Our travel home from Ottawa will include stops in Toronto and Chicago for some MLB games (Jays VS Yankees, and Cubs VS Marlins), and then through Illinois (a brief appearance by Indiana), on through Southern Michigan, Wisconsin, skirting the top of Iowa, trekking through South Dakota (including Mount Rushmore and Deadwood) cutting through the corner of Wyoming and passing through various points of eastern Montana before hitting the southern Alberta Border and on to home. When all is said and done, We'll have been on the road for 21 days and nearly 10,000 kilometres (about 6200 miles).
Blogging will happen in various places:
Our main travel blog: http://johnandkathleen.blogspot.com/
My golf blog: http://johnsgolfblog.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
One more before I leave
Managed in another 18 holes this morning, a bit last minute.
Again, had a stellar start getting through the first seven holes at even par, then an acceptable bogie on 8 - followed by an unacceptable triple on nine which left me at four-over 40 on the front. The "fun" continued on the back going triple, double, and bogie on 10-11-12, a glimmer of hope on 13 with a birdie, good bogies on 14 and 15, but a tough double, bogie, and triple to finish 16, 17 and 18 to come in at 49 for an 89 total.
Putting on the front nine was fantastic - just 12 puts over 9 holes, including two 20+ foot par saves. Aside from hole 13, there really was nothing good to talk about on the back.
Now I really am leaving - see you June 15th.
Again, had a stellar start getting through the first seven holes at even par, then an acceptable bogie on 8 - followed by an unacceptable triple on nine which left me at four-over 40 on the front. The "fun" continued on the back going triple, double, and bogie on 10-11-12, a glimmer of hope on 13 with a birdie, good bogies on 14 and 15, but a tough double, bogie, and triple to finish 16, 17 and 18 to come in at 49 for an 89 total.
Putting on the front nine was fantastic - just 12 puts over 9 holes, including two 20+ foot par saves. Aside from hole 13, there really was nothing good to talk about on the back.
Now I really am leaving - see you June 15th.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Updates
It's been a while since I've golf blogged, even though I've played quite a few rounds, including a day where I managed 45 holes in about 8 hours (with a lunch break).
Anyhow, here are some scores, with no stats
May 19th (the 45 hole marathon day)
Round 1 - 87
Round 2 (nine holes) - 52 (yeesh!)
Round 3 - 96 (perhaps 45 holes is too many in one day)
May 21st - 86 (I should also brag at this point that my wife shot 50 on the back nine!)
May 24th - 97 - of course, it was on Men's night - I always suck on Men's night
May 28th - 89 - a game up ups and downs birdies to triples...
May 29th - 94 - 44 on the front - won't talk about the back
Today ... well, today was nearly a career round. I shot 85, which is the best round of the year (I've had 86 twice this year) but the real story is that on the first 9 holes (which was the back nine today) I shot a 38. Best 9 hole round ever I think. just two bogies and 7 pars. the back nine started well - pars on 1 and 2, bogies on 3, and 4, and then ... disaster. A nine on the par 4 5th. After that I sort of gave up, one more par, a double and finished in with two bogies for a 47. The round that could have been! The quintuple was definitely the turning point, putting my third shot in the water, and then hit my dropped shot into the deep green-side bunker, thinning over the green, and a chip and two putt for nine.
Anyhow, I'm on a business trip now for about two weeks, so no golf for me.
See you after June 15th.
Anyhow, here are some scores, with no stats
May 19th (the 45 hole marathon day)
Round 1 - 87
Round 2 (nine holes) - 52 (yeesh!)
Round 3 - 96 (perhaps 45 holes is too many in one day)
May 21st - 86 (I should also brag at this point that my wife shot 50 on the back nine!)
May 24th - 97 - of course, it was on Men's night - I always suck on Men's night
May 28th - 89 - a game up ups and downs birdies to triples...
May 29th - 94 - 44 on the front - won't talk about the back
Today ... well, today was nearly a career round. I shot 85, which is the best round of the year (I've had 86 twice this year) but the real story is that on the first 9 holes (which was the back nine today) I shot a 38. Best 9 hole round ever I think. just two bogies and 7 pars. the back nine started well - pars on 1 and 2, bogies on 3, and 4, and then ... disaster. A nine on the par 4 5th. After that I sort of gave up, one more par, a double and finished in with two bogies for a 47. The round that could have been! The quintuple was definitely the turning point, putting my third shot in the water, and then hit my dropped shot into the deep green-side bunker, thinning over the green, and a chip and two putt for nine.
Anyhow, I'm on a business trip now for about two weeks, so no golf for me.
See you after June 15th.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 16th Round Totals
NEW CLUBS! I have six new clubs in the bag - a TaylorMade Burner driver, a new 3 and 5 wood (Adams Speedline Fast 10s) and three new wedges by Adams (Tom Watson design) 52 degree gap, 56 degree sand and 60 degree loft. Scores are likely to reflect a setback as a result as I get used to them, but so far, I really like them. Just so you don't think I'm cheating, I have retired my Nike Ignite, my Orlimar fairway woods, and my Nike wedges. Anyone want to buy some used clubs? I had thought about getting new irons, but I think that can wait another year, still really like my Calaway Big Berthas. I would however, not be opposed to finding some hybrids for my 3 through 5 irons.
Here are the stats for today's round at Coloniale.
Temperature - +20 C
Wind: 20 km from SE
Sunny.
Round total - 93 (46/47)
Net score - 78
Birds - 2
Pars - 3
Bogeys - 5
Doubles - 6
Others - 2 (both triple)
Putts - 30
3-putts 0
Fairways - 2/14 (14%)
G.I.Rs - 3/18 (16%)
Penalties -3
The Good - LOVE the new wedges, especially the 60 degree. A degree of loft I've had an on-again, off-again relationship with - however, from 90-100 yards, it is now my club of choice, as well as those deep pot bunkers, of which we have a few. The new driver is also going to be good - but it will take some getting used to. Had some bad misses with it today, but also some spectacular results. Will definitely take some range time to get the timing down.
The Bad - Well, driving I guess (even thought it also falls under good), when they were bad - they were very bad. The wind was still a little up, but no where near as bad as the weekend.
The ugly - the Mosquitoes! They are now out in full force I'm afraid. The cologne of the summer will be Deep Woods Off. A nice late may frost would be nice to kill them off, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen now.
Here are the stats for today's round at Coloniale.
Temperature - +20 C
Wind: 20 km from SE
Sunny.
Round total - 93 (46/47)
Net score - 78
Birds - 2
Pars - 3
Bogeys - 5
Doubles - 6
Others - 2 (both triple)
Putts - 30
3-putts 0
Fairways - 2/14 (14%)
G.I.Rs - 3/18 (16%)
Penalties -3
The Good - LOVE the new wedges, especially the 60 degree. A degree of loft I've had an on-again, off-again relationship with - however, from 90-100 yards, it is now my club of choice, as well as those deep pot bunkers, of which we have a few. The new driver is also going to be good - but it will take some getting used to. Had some bad misses with it today, but also some spectacular results. Will definitely take some range time to get the timing down.
The Bad - Well, driving I guess (even thought it also falls under good), when they were bad - they were very bad. The wind was still a little up, but no where near as bad as the weekend.
The ugly - the Mosquitoes! They are now out in full force I'm afraid. The cologne of the summer will be Deep Woods Off. A nice late may frost would be nice to kill them off, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen now.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
May 12th Round Totals
Here are the stats for today's round at Coloniale.
Temperature - +20 C (eventually)
Wind: 40 km, gusting to 60 km from the SE
Sunny.
Round total - 90 (45/45)
Net score - 75
Birds - 0
Pars - 6
Bogeys - 7
Doubles - 4
Others - 1 (one triple)
Putts - 32
3-putts 2
Fairways - 3/14 (21%)
G.I.Rs - 6/18 33%
Penalties - 6
The good - Driving was mostly great - including a drive on 9 measuring 322 yards, and on 10 measuring 346 yards (see wind!) - pars on six holes, including 15, 17, and 18 into the driving wind was also a highlight.
The bad - 6 penalties! For example after my 322 yard drive on 9, my second (which was a wedge in on a par 5) was wet. Putting was not spectacular today.
The ugly - the WIND! depending on the direction of the hole, 150 yards in was anything from a sand wedge to a 5 iron! Losing 2 sleeves of balls to water was also rather ugly, but it makes a 90 sound almost reasonable, all things considered.
Temperature - +20 C (eventually)
Wind: 40 km, gusting to 60 km from the SE
Sunny.
Round total - 90 (45/45)
Net score - 75
Birds - 0
Pars - 6
Bogeys - 7
Doubles - 4
Others - 1 (one triple)
Putts - 32
3-putts 2
Fairways - 3/14 (21%)
G.I.Rs - 6/18 33%
Penalties - 6
The good - Driving was mostly great - including a drive on 9 measuring 322 yards, and on 10 measuring 346 yards (see wind!) - pars on six holes, including 15, 17, and 18 into the driving wind was also a highlight.
The bad - 6 penalties! For example after my 322 yard drive on 9, my second (which was a wedge in on a par 5) was wet. Putting was not spectacular today.
The ugly - the WIND! depending on the direction of the hole, 150 yards in was anything from a sand wedge to a 5 iron! Losing 2 sleeves of balls to water was also rather ugly, but it makes a 90 sound almost reasonable, all things considered.
Open Season!
After one of the longest winters in recent memory, all the courses in the Edmonton area are now open, and golf season is officially open. Most courses didn't open until last week, which is about 2-4 weeks behind schedule. I haven't played a full round yet at Coloniale, but I will this morning. I did get in 18 holes at Lewis Estates last week, in a driving rain, and then two 9 hole rounds at Coloniale in the nicer weather this week. The wind is very stiff right now though, bringing in the warmer southerly air, so I won't complain too much.
Scores so far for me are a 95 at Lewis Estates, and two 45 nines at Coloniale. Today will be the first round I count towards my 2011 handicap. The winds are still howling up to 60 km/hr - but from the SE they are mostly helping. Only about 7 holes are greatly effected in a negative way. NW gusts are far more troublesome on this course in my opinion.
Some new clubs coming into my bag. I'm still working with my 2002 Callaway irons, and 2002 Nike driver, as well as some older Orlimar tri-metal fairway metals. I decided this year I should at least upgrade my fairway metals. So I found a deal at Golf Town for a 2009 TaylorMade Burner driver, 3 wood and 5 wood. Even if I don't like the driver, the deal was good enough to warrant the purchase for the fairway metals. I may also upgrade the irons this year, the same 2009 irons are at a very low price, so who knows! I will for sure be buying a new 56 degree wedge, as mine has seen enough scratches and scrapes from poorly maintained traps, and questionable rocky water lies that it's quite chipped up. The TaylorMade wedges are on sale for about $80, pretty unbeatable. A new 60 degree may also find its way in the bad at that price. The grooves on all my irons are also showing signs of age. I figure they've been through about 500 rounds, so they don't owe me anything. At the very least, they all need re-gripping as it's been 3 years since I've done that. So why not save the $150 on new grips and put it towards new irons (the last part was for the benefit of my wife to read). My Odyssey putter though, even though we occasionally have a strained relationship, will stay in the bag.
I don't get the new clubs until at the earliest tonight, so I will play another round with my old set, and will test the new gear out on Saturday at the earliest.
Speaking of my wife and golf, it appears she is completely hooked now. We both had a swing analysis done late this winter, and she is showing immediate improvement off tee and fairway after figuring out how to turn her hips through her swing. Off the reds last night, she out-drove me at least 2 times, and I wasn't hitting them short. We are planning a lengthy car trip across the country this summer, made lengthier by the number of times we stop to play golf. There is no greater joy in my life right now than sharing this past-time with her, especially as I watch her game improve off the tee. A few lessons on short game and she'll be in the low 100s in no time, and pushing towards the completely attainable 90s.
Hope my Canadian followers are getting in some good early rounds, and the rest of the season is sunny and warm for many more rounds!
Scores so far for me are a 95 at Lewis Estates, and two 45 nines at Coloniale. Today will be the first round I count towards my 2011 handicap. The winds are still howling up to 60 km/hr - but from the SE they are mostly helping. Only about 7 holes are greatly effected in a negative way. NW gusts are far more troublesome on this course in my opinion.
Some new clubs coming into my bag. I'm still working with my 2002 Callaway irons, and 2002 Nike driver, as well as some older Orlimar tri-metal fairway metals. I decided this year I should at least upgrade my fairway metals. So I found a deal at Golf Town for a 2009 TaylorMade Burner driver, 3 wood and 5 wood. Even if I don't like the driver, the deal was good enough to warrant the purchase for the fairway metals. I may also upgrade the irons this year, the same 2009 irons are at a very low price, so who knows! I will for sure be buying a new 56 degree wedge, as mine has seen enough scratches and scrapes from poorly maintained traps, and questionable rocky water lies that it's quite chipped up. The TaylorMade wedges are on sale for about $80, pretty unbeatable. A new 60 degree may also find its way in the bad at that price. The grooves on all my irons are also showing signs of age. I figure they've been through about 500 rounds, so they don't owe me anything. At the very least, they all need re-gripping as it's been 3 years since I've done that. So why not save the $150 on new grips and put it towards new irons (the last part was for the benefit of my wife to read). My Odyssey putter though, even though we occasionally have a strained relationship, will stay in the bag.
I don't get the new clubs until at the earliest tonight, so I will play another round with my old set, and will test the new gear out on Saturday at the earliest.
Speaking of my wife and golf, it appears she is completely hooked now. We both had a swing analysis done late this winter, and she is showing immediate improvement off tee and fairway after figuring out how to turn her hips through her swing. Off the reds last night, she out-drove me at least 2 times, and I wasn't hitting them short. We are planning a lengthy car trip across the country this summer, made lengthier by the number of times we stop to play golf. There is no greater joy in my life right now than sharing this past-time with her, especially as I watch her game improve off the tee. A few lessons on short game and she'll be in the low 100s in no time, and pushing towards the completely attainable 90s.
Hope my Canadian followers are getting in some good early rounds, and the rest of the season is sunny and warm for many more rounds!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The dead of winter.
It is March 2nd, and golf is still a LONG time away:
(the view from the end of my driveway)
(the view from the end of my driveway)
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