I played my first game on the open side of the game play events Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. It was a head -head struggle against one of, if not the, best player at my home course. Len is a great player who touches the ball for a very long time, has a great touch around the green and is a strong putter. I let my work cut out if I got the chance to win this competition. We decided to play the ball down and as a result we both found a number of very difficult lies as the round progressed. Anyway, it was the same for both of us and as such the fairest way to play our round. It turned out that this competition was a Seesaw struggle without a story book that ended.
The first two holes did not produce the kind of start that I had expected. I both bogey and Len walked up to the third hole two. I thought I didn’t have to panic in a panic, but just played my game and keeps the ball in the game. To be honest, my places was what let me down … at least at the start of the game. Surprisingly, I took the next two holes for the same reason that I lost the first two. It quickly came to light that every error would be capitalized by their opponent. With the competition now even after four things looked up (at least from my point of view).
We have made the 5th hole with pars with not really exciting photos, only solid wave of both players. This trend changed to the Tee -shot of the 6th Hole. Len hit his ball within 2 feet and had a tap for a birdie. It was a great shot with a light draw and no release. It was a perfect shot to go a hole in one. On the 7th hole, the ball pulled to the left, hit a tree and bounced into the center of the fairway. The golf gods were favorable during that shot. He made a great approach and we were both for Birdie. When I walked to the 8th tee, I was only one down. I was in a great position, all taken together.
While we on the par 5, 8th hole, the inequality in our driving distances came to light. Without any exaggeration, Len drove me with 30 to 40 meters on each par 5! Yup, I was never able to reach the greens in two and he had the chance every time. This difference in distance changed my strategy for course management when I accepted the situation. So I concentrated on fairways and greens. For the most part it worked well, although in this case he ran two after an easy Birdie.
The 9th hole took place in favor of Len. After a very unusual second shot, Len was 25 meters from the pin of the green. I was on the pony about 10 meters from the pin and thought I could get a point back and only one nine could go down to the rear nine. Well, thinking was foolishness when Len came in for Birdie and won the gap. Now I was three down on my way to the back nine and wondered how I could make a kind of comeback.
While he was on 10 on the Tee box, Len asked if we played the whites or blues for the rear nine. I thought about it and offered to play the blues that he also corresponded without hesitation. I thought it might be the change I needed to make a run at the game. From longer distances, about 320 meters further over the nine holes, I absolutely have to hit the fairway to have the chance to touch the vegetables in regulations.
When we turned the corner, something happened. I won the first two holes and was on my way to the 13th hole. I was solid and hit the fairways and greens who needed me two points. However, Len was not stopped for long. He used his large ball that stood out to win the next two holes to raise his lead from one to three with four more holes. The rest of my story is a good example of why you never give up during a match game if there are no gaps to play yet.
While we played the next three holes, Len struggled a bit and picked up my game. It was the chance in the fortune I needed to push this game to the last gap. It turned out that I won the next three and we were bound to the final round. I wanted to point out that I hit my best 3 wood in a long time on the par 5, 17th hole. I finished about 15 meters from the Green (that is about a 230 Yard 3 wood) and could go up and down for Birdie. We all ran to the 18th hole tied. Who had thought!
Well, this is where the Cinderella story ends. I was the first to hit my ride on the right on the right and pushed on the right (Rookie error). As soon as Len said where my ball went, he selected smartly, an iron selected his ball to the marker of 150 meters. Totally a smart game! While I played 3 of the tee, with my 3 wood, I finished about 125 meters from the pin in the middle of the fairway. This should have been my favorite club from the start.
Not to give up, I touched what I thought was a perfect wedge on the pin. It was a perfect distance, but I think I was a bit excited when I hit the ball in four over the green with 3 meters. I stepped up and down, but Len went cool to win the game. It was an anticlimactic way to finish, but I have to give the honor for never charging and walking away with a well -fought victory.
Yesterday’s game was a dozy. It had all the confirmations of a fun and exciting competition. We both took a number of great photos, had some happy bounces, but never admitted at any time. The best part of the game was playing again with Len. He is a great athlete and competitor. But even more important, he is a gentlemen who was fun to talk to and compete against. This is the second game in a row where I really enjoyed golfing with the result secondary. I wish the best when he goes to the next round and hope that his happiness will take place.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
#fantastic #day #golf