First
handicap hole, long, straight 4-par. Heading west now. We're in the James
River's flood plain here, even though we're roughly 5 parallel fairways
up from the river's bank. Floods about every other year or so, always puts
the fifth hole out of commission for a couple weeks, and usually the sixth
as well. Couple years ago, came all the way up here to the third fairway
- you can see the red markings on the trees in the left rough there where
they marked the water's level as a reminder.
The
green on this hole is slightly elevated - the architect liked uphill greens.
Although some of our par-4's are not that long they all play longer than
the yardage 'cause they're mostly slightly uphill. Not real noticeable
until you've played here a few times and realize you're coming up short
on a lot of your irons to the greens.
Okay,
pull out that 10.5 degree Burner and rip it. . . <smash> Christ,
you killed that! I haven't carried to that little cut in the fairway all
year. Fairways must be drying out a little to get that kind of roll. Right
down the sprinkler line. Nice damn shot, Rufus! <walk, walk, walk,walk,
walk - man, you crushed it>. . .
Let
me check that sprinkler head there - it's marked 176, so you're right at
around 170. Pull out that 6-iron again. Pin's about in the middle looks
like. No trouble in front of the green - run it up there if you want. Hit
away . . . <clink> Well, that ain't so good. Pulled it dead left
into the woods. I think I saw it drop though. Let's go find it . . . <walk,
walk>
<Rustle,
rustle, scrounge, scrounge> Here it is. No shot. You're gonna have to
punch it out sideways and take your lumps. <tap> Safely back in the
fairway, about 55 yards from the flagstick. I'd carry it back to the hole
rather than running it, see if you can put it tight . . . <click>
Well done - 12 feet. See if we can save your bogie <walk>. . .
12
feet, pretty flat, pretty straight, left edge of the hole but don't let
it outside the cup. . . <roll, burp> Ah shit, nice putt, but that
little hop knocked it off line. Pick that one up. Double bogie. After that
drive, that's a shame. We'll get it back on the next hole! <walk, walk>.
. .
Looking
from the tee down the tree lined 3rd fairway. Click on thumbnail for larger
version of image.