I managed to play golf in 17 states as well as Canada and Mexico. I didn’t expect these anecdotes to turn into tomes; however, I want to talk a little about some of the courses:
I’ve only played a few courses where the pros play. Very nice.
But I want to mention that these courses in small towns are usually the pride of the whole town. They are well maintained and not expensive to play.
While we were visiting my wife’s sister, she told me that she thought the next town—Richmond, Mo. – there was a golf course. So I got directions and drove off.
Richmond has a hometown miniature golf course! I was sent to join a trio. Turns out, they were high school football coaches from Kansas City. An hour drive, but they were members there just because of that course. What place!
My wife and I called three families of her cousins who were also my friends from years past. We told them we weren’t sure when we would be there. They said, “See you when you get here.”
We arrived late afternoon in Greencastle, Ind. While looking for a motel, we passed a golf course. After we settled in, I told my wife I’d be back – maybe I could play nine.
So when I got into the place, I see about 30 guys on this big deck. It was clear they had a walk of sorts. When I walked into the pro shop the gentleman said they were just wrapping up for the day. He invited me to have a hot dog and a beer. I asked him if I could play nine. He said: “Of course. Take any of those carts over there.” I reached for my money clip. Nine dollars. He said I could also play the back nine, and the 10th tee is “down there.” I grab a cart, put on my golf shoes, grab my clubs and drive back to the tee. The scoreboard reads: “Par 4, 280 yards, white tee.”
When I look out, I see a nice little pond guarding the left side of the green. There was also a water spout in the middle. Swing two clubs a few times to get ready, country music plays a bit. I can’t hear much talking – I know everyone is watching me from that deck. I’m thinking to myself, It just hit. You will never see any of them
friends again. Try to make a good pass at it.
When I hit him, I said to myself: Hang in there, honey. He hit it about 20 yards short and flowed to the green. From where I’m standing, it looks like it’s in front of the flagpole. When I go to the green, I have a 5-footer. This green is flat. I later find out, the entire golf course is flat. I remove the flag. I don’t know the speed. I’m just going to ease it up there. Whatever happens, happens. It turned out great.
I didn’t look back. I play a fast nine. When I’m done, I go to the pro shop. There are some guys still out on deck. The profession asks, “How did you do?” “It looked like you had the eagle 10.” I told him that I had birds no. 16, but I had three bogeys – even-par 35.
The pro said: “You have to be an ‘A’ player. Tomorrow morning we will have a fight. Will you be around? We lack ‘A’ players.
I told him I would have to talk to my wife. When I got back to the motel, I asked my wife if she had called the cousins yet. She said no. I told him I was invited to play a scramble in the morning, would he mind? Naturally, she said, “Sounds like fun. I’ll sleep late and sit by the pool.” I told him we should finish by 2.
I attend a course. Take my stuff and check out. The profession says, “Hey, glad you can make it. What’s your name again?” I don’t remember telling him my name last night. He calls out to one of the guys, “Hey, Erskine, this is your ‘A’ player.” I can’t remember the names of our other two players, but I do remember Erskine. I never heard that name again until one of the fellows being chased by Crocodile Dundee in that movie was named Erskine.
We shake hands, he introduces the other two players. We’re starting with 1, the beginning of the rifle. Everyone heads to their cars.
We move to no. 1, par 5, 509 yards. This course is flat. I can not see green, and told them so. They told me: “The green is over there, on the other side of those trees” It’s on the left, 180 degrees. I was told we should drive past that line of trees, hit left at a 45 degree angle, then hit the third shot to the green.
“How wide is that strip of trees? I asked, and was told it’s about 75 yards and it’s 50 yards to the trees.” I can hit my 7-wood a little farther than that, but that’s all I’ve got.
I ask about the order they want to hit. They said what most players do: “D” player, “C” player, “B” player, “A” player. When it’s my turn, I hit him hard and high. We are looking for it to come down. No one sees it go down. About halfway down the fairway, they have an intersection.
My ball is facing the green. It was funny to me that when I hit the ball, I would be to the right of the green, but when we got the ball, it was in front of the green. So we get there, my ball is a little overboard, and 20 yards short of the green. The stake is about 20 feet. We have a field of 27 meters.
I’m thinking a small step might be good. I am also thinking of a 4 inch high back swing. Like a bullet, 2 inches from the ground, it hits the pin dead center, takes a slight hop back, and stops 5 inches from the cup.
Erskine says to player “D”, “You put it there, go meet it”. The player starts over and Erskine says, “Not with your 6-iron! Use your shooter!” The player said: “My conqueror broke. I thought I’d use yours.”
We only had three other birds. One of them came at no. 10. I own that hole! Regular small 75.
I had a good time. All good friends. But as I told myself at number 10 the night before: I’m not going to see any of these guys again.
