Yesterday I had a practice round on the Old Course at National. Pristine as always, but especially with Club Champs this weekend. Scoring was Par and I had -8. Played with a mate who brought two international friends from overseas. They werent playing comp and was social for them. For mine it was hard to focus at times as they were quite jovial with many jokes and sledging between themselves. It was hard to find groove. So rusty after 2 weeks off, no confidence with the driver off the tee, which you must have on this course otherwise its gone.
Well today was Round 1 of the Club Championships at The National.
Usual windy conditions greeted us C Grade players on the Moonah Course. As you prob know club champs is stroke. For us, it's 3 rounds qualifying. not thinking about finals.
Atmosphere was tense. 4 of us didnt know each other, and with so much at stake everyoen was srs bsns.
First three holes was 2 over and feeling fine. Driving the ball well. Even into the wind. I spent 40 mins pre game on short game and putting. Thank god, short game was keeping scores low, but putting was letting me down. 48 on the front 9 was nice, despite some lost balls and an embarrassing top of ball from the tee that dribbled some 40m into a tussock on the 9th.
Then it turned to shit. Absolute shit. 55 on back 9 which was truncated by course evacuation (all 3 courses at the schank) due to storm. A burst of heavy rain, wind causing umbrellas to turn inside out. 30 mins huddling around a wooden toilet facility with others. Calls to the clubhouse seeking instruction. We got back out and continued.
Humidity, sunshine came. Weather was giving me the shits as was the hayfever. golf is hard enough as it is!!!
So upset with the back 9. Finished with an 8 on the final hole which put gross score over 100. still fuming. But must get head back into the game as Round 2 is tomorrow. Old Course.