Bull Run - Continuing the Master's Tradition
This golf misadventure is brought to you courtesy of Groupon. Meaning Joe and I had until the end of the month to use the Groupon for Bull Run before it expired. Also, it is Master's Sunday and I'm playing golf instead of watching the final round of the Master's. You may ask why would I commit such a sin and miss out of the Super Bowl of Golf? Quite frankly, I'd always rather be playing than watching golf. But the genesis of my tradition starts with the 2011 Master's, or, the Master's Meltdown...
After watching the third round of the 2011 Master's, I figured Rory would run away with it, therefore I scheduled a tee time at Twin Lakes for the afternoon, figuring everyone would be watching the Master's so I could sneak a round in and catch the last few holes. I did set up my phone to receive text alerts in case there was a charge from a certain player who likes to wear red on Sundays. I remember reaching the 7th hole when I get the first text message that Tiger had two birdies in a row. I then get to the 8th hole and suddenly Tiger had more birdies. I joked with my playing partner that the only way anyone would have a chance is for Rory to just completely come unhinged. No sooner than I started to make the approach on the 9th hole, I get a text message that Rory just got a triple bogey on the 10th hole. I proceed to par the 9th hole and run into the clubhouse to watch the rest of the Master's in a very crowded clubhouse restaurant. Suffice to say it was riveting and one of the best finishes ever. Charl Schwartzel closed with four straight birdies to take the green jacket. Ever since then, I've scheduled tee times at just the right times for me to play the game and watch the last few holes in the clubhouse of the golf course I'm playing. This year, the golf course was Bull Run.
Date: Sunday 4/13/2014
Location: Bull Run Golf Club, Haymarket, VA
Score: 85
Excuses: Car to Tee Box
Course Conditions: Excellent. Evidence of recent aeration but it did not affect the roll of the greens. Some holes were cart path only but pace of play was outstanding (it was Master's Sunday after all). The only downer was the wind. It was quite fierce at times.
The Good: 32 Putts
The Bad: Windy conditions reeking havoc off the tee.
The Ugly: Finishing with two doubles, my only two doubles of the day.
Always a fun round with Joe, who managed to edge me on the back nine thanks to a well played 18th hole in which he found the Par 5 in two and two putted for birdie. Great job! And looking back, I was chafed that I finished double - double, but an 85 isn't horrible considering I didn't hit the practice green or driving range before the round. As Martin Laird once said "What do you expect?" Professional golfers practice for hours before a round, I get out of my car, grab my golf bag, strap it on the back of a cart, change my shoes, grab my driver and hit. Expectation management is the key to happiness on the golf course. Or at least to limiting your frustration. Good round, bon temps.
We even finished with enough time to watch the last 4 holes of the Master's and Bubba Watson run away with it. A good show by Jordan Speith but just wasn't his time yet. But considering he's 20 years old, he'll definitely have a few green jackets before he's done.
BACK TO THE RANGE (and the Putting Green)!
Next Stop: South Riding (This time For Real)
After watching the third round of the 2011 Master's, I figured Rory would run away with it, therefore I scheduled a tee time at Twin Lakes for the afternoon, figuring everyone would be watching the Master's so I could sneak a round in and catch the last few holes. I did set up my phone to receive text alerts in case there was a charge from a certain player who likes to wear red on Sundays. I remember reaching the 7th hole when I get the first text message that Tiger had two birdies in a row. I then get to the 8th hole and suddenly Tiger had more birdies. I joked with my playing partner that the only way anyone would have a chance is for Rory to just completely come unhinged. No sooner than I started to make the approach on the 9th hole, I get a text message that Rory just got a triple bogey on the 10th hole. I proceed to par the 9th hole and run into the clubhouse to watch the rest of the Master's in a very crowded clubhouse restaurant. Suffice to say it was riveting and one of the best finishes ever. Charl Schwartzel closed with four straight birdies to take the green jacket. Ever since then, I've scheduled tee times at just the right times for me to play the game and watch the last few holes in the clubhouse of the golf course I'm playing. This year, the golf course was Bull Run.
Date: Sunday 4/13/2014
Location: Bull Run Golf Club, Haymarket, VA
Score: 85
Excuses: Car to Tee Box
Course Conditions: Excellent. Evidence of recent aeration but it did not affect the roll of the greens. Some holes were cart path only but pace of play was outstanding (it was Master's Sunday after all). The only downer was the wind. It was quite fierce at times.
The Good: 32 Putts
The Bad: Windy conditions reeking havoc off the tee.
The Ugly: Finishing with two doubles, my only two doubles of the day.
Always a fun round with Joe, who managed to edge me on the back nine thanks to a well played 18th hole in which he found the Par 5 in two and two putted for birdie. Great job! And looking back, I was chafed that I finished double - double, but an 85 isn't horrible considering I didn't hit the practice green or driving range before the round. As Martin Laird once said "What do you expect?" Professional golfers practice for hours before a round, I get out of my car, grab my golf bag, strap it on the back of a cart, change my shoes, grab my driver and hit. Expectation management is the key to happiness on the golf course. Or at least to limiting your frustration. Good round, bon temps.
We even finished with enough time to watch the last 4 holes of the Master's and Bubba Watson run away with it. A good show by Jordan Speith but just wasn't his time yet. But considering he's 20 years old, he'll definitely have a few green jackets before he's done.
BACK TO THE RANGE (and the Putting Green)!
Next Stop: South Riding (This time For Real)
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