Pleasant Valley - "The Windy Corner"
Date: Saturday 2/19/2011
Location: Pleasant Valley Golf Club, Chantilly, VA
Score: 98
Excuses: 50 mph wind gusts, breach of 2011 golf resolutions
Course Conditions: Not bad for February.
The Good: The greens rolled well, the fairways were in pretty good shape, a lot of the tall grass and fescue in the hazards was cut way back (saved me a few strokes).
The Bad: Cart Path Only
The Ugly: The wind
Generally speaking, I am a golf nut. I didn't know how serious of a nut I was until I voluntarily walked from my car to the clubhouse in a steady 25 mph wind with the far too occasional 50 mpg wind gust.
The Thursday before the round, it was in the mid 60's and perfect. On Friday it was in the mid 70's and more perfect (did I mention it was February in the Mid Atlantic?). Sadly, excess work crushed my hopes of getting onto the links on those days so I had to wait until the weekend.
The day started out "kind of" normal (at least for me). I ran in a 5K that morning in the same wind. In short I managed to finish despite the wind reorienting itself to blow in my face for at least 4 out of the 5 kilometers.
After I finished running I decided to have some breakfast to give me some energy to play golf. Sadly I did not take into account the extra time it took me to finish the 5K and ended up running late to my tee time.
However, practicing good golf etiquette, I called ahead to the golf course and rescheduled for a later tee time. Amazingly enough, there were lots of open times...
When I arrived at the golf course I was given the option to play immediately or to wait. In order to get the round in and save enough time for dinner, I decided to play immediately. This of course constituted a breach of a few of my 2011 golf resolutions (see #1, 2, and 5).
For a small tangent, my 2011 golf resolutions (if I want my game and my enjoyment of the game to improve):
1) Show up early to every round (basically stop running from my car to the first tee box)
2) Practice before every round. Hit the range, the chipping area, and the putting green.
3) Hit the range at least once during the week
4) Take a few lessons
5) Plan around rounds, not the other way around
6) Manage your expectations and enjoy the game. Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at. - Jimmy Demaret
Back to the story:
What followed in the next 4.5 hours was very laughable. I managed my expectations very well factoring in the excessive amount of wind and my lack of practice. By the end I was quite happy I broke 100.
Positives: 30 putts, even with two 3 jackers and an always impressive 4 jacker. Good pace of play.
Negatives: Inability to hit a good knockdown shot. Not giving enough credit to the wind when factoring in approaches (no greens in regulation).
Overall, I was just happy to be out there playing. However I was quite happy when the round was over...
Next Stop: Cannon Ridge
Location: Pleasant Valley Golf Club, Chantilly, VA
Score: 98
Excuses: 50 mph wind gusts, breach of 2011 golf resolutions
Course Conditions: Not bad for February.
The Good: The greens rolled well, the fairways were in pretty good shape, a lot of the tall grass and fescue in the hazards was cut way back (saved me a few strokes).
The Bad: Cart Path Only
The Ugly: The wind
Generally speaking, I am a golf nut. I didn't know how serious of a nut I was until I voluntarily walked from my car to the clubhouse in a steady 25 mph wind with the far too occasional 50 mpg wind gust.
The Thursday before the round, it was in the mid 60's and perfect. On Friday it was in the mid 70's and more perfect (did I mention it was February in the Mid Atlantic?). Sadly, excess work crushed my hopes of getting onto the links on those days so I had to wait until the weekend.
The day started out "kind of" normal (at least for me). I ran in a 5K that morning in the same wind. In short I managed to finish despite the wind reorienting itself to blow in my face for at least 4 out of the 5 kilometers.
After I finished running I decided to have some breakfast to give me some energy to play golf. Sadly I did not take into account the extra time it took me to finish the 5K and ended up running late to my tee time.
However, practicing good golf etiquette, I called ahead to the golf course and rescheduled for a later tee time. Amazingly enough, there were lots of open times...
When I arrived at the golf course I was given the option to play immediately or to wait. In order to get the round in and save enough time for dinner, I decided to play immediately. This of course constituted a breach of a few of my 2011 golf resolutions (see #1, 2, and 5).
For a small tangent, my 2011 golf resolutions (if I want my game and my enjoyment of the game to improve):
1) Show up early to every round (basically stop running from my car to the first tee box)
2) Practice before every round. Hit the range, the chipping area, and the putting green.
3) Hit the range at least once during the week
4) Take a few lessons
5) Plan around rounds, not the other way around
6) Manage your expectations and enjoy the game. Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at. - Jimmy Demaret
Back to the story:
What followed in the next 4.5 hours was very laughable. I managed my expectations very well factoring in the excessive amount of wind and my lack of practice. By the end I was quite happy I broke 100.
Positives: 30 putts, even with two 3 jackers and an always impressive 4 jacker. Good pace of play.
Negatives: Inability to hit a good knockdown shot. Not giving enough credit to the wind when factoring in approaches (no greens in regulation).
Overall, I was just happy to be out there playing. However I was quite happy when the round was over...
Next Stop: Cannon Ridge
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