A golf highlight

I want to extend a cyber thanks to my generous brother, Dave. He recently attended a charity auction for the Red Cross and outbid everyone for a pass for three to play golf with a member at none other than Oak Hill CC. He offered one spot to me and he and his son, Chris, took the other two. I am sure that the Red Cross thanks him for his monetary gesture, and I want to let all of you know that I thank him for the invitation to join him.

What a fantastic experience! We played the famous East course on Saturday 10/2. It was cool and blustery but we did not care. Just to be able to play on those hallowed grounds made the elements fade just a bit. We did get drenched in a 10 minute downpour, but again, we were being treated to a world class golf course by our host. We had lunch in the grill room, hit Titlest golf balls on the range, practiced missing putts on the fastest greens I have ever played on ( later found out that they were nearly 13 on the stimp meter) and then hit the links. I have to say that while I knew full well where we were playing, I focused on mechanics and kept it in play. I tried not to think about shooting about a million due to weak nerves. After blasting my first drive into perfect position, I/we were off.

Our forecaddy, Brian Funk, was up ahead flagging down any errant shots and offering tremendous insight as to distances and green undulations. Boy, he was good. He spent 5 years caddying on the LPGA before settling here in Rochester.

The sun finally came out on the 15th green and we headed into the final 3 holes in much needed warmth. As I stood over my final drive on the 18th hole I remembered the thrilling end to that PGA Championship last summer. My drive actually ended up about 6 feet from where Shaun Micheel's did on the last day of the tourney. (of course he hit from the tees about 50 yrds behind ours) Our pin placement was on the right side of the green and as I stood over my final approach shot, I envisioned his 7 iron (from 175 yards) soaring to the left side of the green and landing just inches from the cup. I was scared to death, standing there with my measley 4 iron in hand, from the very same spot. Just one more decent shot and I was home free. It ended up on the green about 30 feet from the pin. While I did not hit mine quite as close to the hole has he did, I was no less proud of my shot. Any of you that have played there can attest that the approach shot on 18 is a bit nerve wracking. I managed to curl in my third putt to end my round with a bogey. But I did not care.

I had shot 77 on a course the brought the best to its knees last summer. I had survived. My aim was to keep it under 85 and I certainly did that. This may sound very strange, but that round is probably my finest moment on any golf course at any time in my life. I have shot even par twice and this tops those two rounds. I applied my gift and skills (thanks Dad) of golf to that course and I posted a 77, which is exactly what my handicap says I should have shot. Thanks Dave for the oportunity, and thanks Dad for this game.