Last Sunday was the perfect punctuation for our most difficult season ever. Former Member Greg said: "this must be what golf is like in Hell."
What was that course?!
Let's start with the good: It was probably the best overall conditioned course we've played in awhile. Greens were receptive and rolled true (a little slow but I highly doubt they cut them after all that rain). The fairways were over-seeded and not nearly as flooded as we feared. And the rough actually had grass — a rarity this time of year in Florida.
All the par 3s were nice looking. I liked the 9th hole. The green contours were interesting and well done. The weather was great, and the late tee time was appreciated by the Members with social lives! Umm... that's about it.
Tampa Bay G&CC kicks you right in the dick from the opening tee shot. Not quite in the same way as Lake Jovita South or Bloomingdale. Instead, you're asked to either hit a 200 yard shot leaving 180 in to a tiny green... or a 240 yard draw past some houses that will find a lake if it draws too much, or find OB if it doesn't. The second hole was insane - 506 yards with a legit 20-yard wide fairway the entire hole. Lake on the left and OB on the right.
Nobody with any architectural knowledge designed this course... which is probably why I can't find who is credited with this abomination. The white tees didn't look much better. Sure... it's shorter, but the landing areas are the same postage stamps. Everyone metaphorically threw up on themselves out there... perhaps leading to one Member physically throwing up on himself after the round.
Usually you can look at our
scorecard and quickly identify a handful of easy holes. I guess that would be the 4th hole — the only par 3 not playing 180+ into a wind. But there's only one non-par-3 where someone didn't make an 8 or higher.
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Whatever... this recap needs to keep moving.
Geoff won by making bogey on the last two holes - which is pretty damn impressive. Travis was the only Member to better his score on those holes, and Tony actually parred them both!
As Geoff relaxed on the patio, Troy blew a two-stroke lead with some untimely penalties. He played amazing all day... and might be one of our best approach players at the moment.
Other shit I noticed:
- Gorecki was the ONLY person to make par on all the par 3s. It's very likely the first time in his life he's done this.
- Crum had himself quite the day. He is officially the first player to owe 3 pitchers. But his back-nine 70 is still not as bad as
Steve P's back-nine 72 in 2012. And that was when our max was double-par!
- Crum also finished the season with 50 points... which he only earned by tying Chandler's "ghost" in Match Play. Meow-ch.
- Four guys earned points while still owing bad pitchers. That's probably a record.
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Great season everyone. We have a few outings planned during our long break (one I'll post later today). Check back often... post your own outings... get involved... and be sure to pay your bar tab.
