Those avid forummers will recall that a forthnight ago I had a double bogey on 17 and hit a drive OB on 18 to finish second in the monthly stableford when it was there for the taking.
Well I think I've done the same in the monthly medal. I have to be honest and say it may have been karma as I had a lucky front nine (balls going through branches, taking good bounces and finding nice lies). Hit a ropey 2nd at our 2nd to only just stay in bounds but had an unrestricted swing to put it on the green and make par. Had a sandy save on 4 (rare for me). Was hitting ok but not great but managed to get out in 41 (+6).
Managed to single putt 10 from about 12 feet on 10 for a par and then hit a great chip on 11. The ball was just out of a deep bunker on the slope about 3 foot above the sand. Managed to get a stance and popped it up and holed the putt for a flukey par. Had a good par at 13 from the front of the green (2 putting from about 30 feet coming up a slope).
Then the rot set in. Three putted for a double on 14 after a poor tee shot meant laying up. Hit a crap approach to the par 5 15th from the rough. Only had 105 downwind and hit 9 to take into account the heavy lie but caught it heavy.
Hit a rubbish approach into 16 when SC made it clear 9 iron was the club and I decided to hit PW anyway. Why?? Three putts from the front. Came to 18 knowing a par 5 would be good for a 69 (-1) in tricky conditions with a stiff old breeze. Hit the best drive of the day and a great 5 wood to the left side giving myself the best angle and 85 yards. That should be either an easy 52 degree or a 9 o'clock swing with a PW. As it was downwind went with 52 and hit a rubbish swing way right and lucky to get over the pond. Hit a 6/10 chip and the putt just stayed high side.
My putting lesson yesterday was paying off as there were a lot more single putts from distance and my overall distance control and holing out was better. I drove OK but my iron play (usually my strength) was pretty poor and I missed so many greens.
I haven't seen the final result but know that there will be a few that come in under par. Its becoming a habit now to be close but not quite sealing the deal. I'm not sure if its because I get tired (due to my diabetes and pancreas), I get ahead of myself (tried very hard to focus on one shot at a time) or if its just not my time yet to win. Bloody frustrating though.
Well I think I've done the same in the monthly medal. I have to be honest and say it may have been karma as I had a lucky front nine (balls going through branches, taking good bounces and finding nice lies). Hit a ropey 2nd at our 2nd to only just stay in bounds but had an unrestricted swing to put it on the green and make par. Had a sandy save on 4 (rare for me). Was hitting ok but not great but managed to get out in 41 (+6).
Managed to single putt 10 from about 12 feet on 10 for a par and then hit a great chip on 11. The ball was just out of a deep bunker on the slope about 3 foot above the sand. Managed to get a stance and popped it up and holed the putt for a flukey par. Had a good par at 13 from the front of the green (2 putting from about 30 feet coming up a slope).
Then the rot set in. Three putted for a double on 14 after a poor tee shot meant laying up. Hit a crap approach to the par 5 15th from the rough. Only had 105 downwind and hit 9 to take into account the heavy lie but caught it heavy.
Hit a rubbish approach into 16 when SC made it clear 9 iron was the club and I decided to hit PW anyway. Why?? Three putts from the front. Came to 18 knowing a par 5 would be good for a 69 (-1) in tricky conditions with a stiff old breeze. Hit the best drive of the day and a great 5 wood to the left side giving myself the best angle and 85 yards. That should be either an easy 52 degree or a 9 o'clock swing with a PW. As it was downwind went with 52 and hit a rubbish swing way right and lucky to get over the pond. Hit a 6/10 chip and the putt just stayed high side.
My putting lesson yesterday was paying off as there were a lot more single putts from distance and my overall distance control and holing out was better. I drove OK but my iron play (usually my strength) was pretty poor and I missed so many greens.
I haven't seen the final result but know that there will be a few that come in under par. Its becoming a habit now to be close but not quite sealing the deal. I'm not sure if its because I get tired (due to my diabetes and pancreas), I get ahead of myself (tried very hard to focus on one shot at a time) or if its just not my time yet to win. Bloody frustrating though.
)
