The Land of Dreams, Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines is a bucket list course. It should be visited and played by every serious golfer or golf fan. It is a destination that has always been on my short list and was  fortunate to have a chance to play there this past March.  Torrey Pines is a short drive due North from downtown San Diego. From the San Diego airport it is door to door around 30 minute drive. During our visit, we traveled south coming in from north of the Los Angeles area. The last few minutes of the drive were truly spectacular as we crossed a long flat stretch of Pacific Coast highway and climbed up past Torrey Pines State Park and onto the property. 

Shoreline views from Torrey Pines State Park which sits adjacent to  the Torrey Pines golf course property

The property sits on rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, majestic is an understatement.  California is known for it's pleasant weather and clear days which holds true for the San Diego area. We arrived at the property right around dusk and had the opportunity to explore the grounds for a few minutes with the remaining daylight. We were treated to grand first views with a sunset over the two golf courses and Pacific Ocean.  

First view of Torrey Pines came at sunset, truly a sight to behold 

During our visit we stayed on property for a night at The Lodge and it was an excellent choice. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a five star experience. The nightly rates are expensive, but you get what you pay for. The lodge has a wonderful rustic feel, as you enter  it's as if you've stepped into a cabin in the woods with high ceilings and a fire cracking in the background. The staff was attentive and the rooms were spacious and well done, I could have not played golf the next day and been truly content. Well, that may be a stretch. 

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is well worth the stay if you are in the San Diego area

Torrey Pines is home to two golf courses the North and the South course. The South Course is longer and more difficult than the North Course. The South Course has  also hosted two US Open's, 2008 and most recently 2021. The 2008 US Open is regarded of one of the great Opens of all time. Tiger Woods won a gritty performance in a Monday playoff against Roco Mediate. The most impressive part of Tiger's victory was the state in which he did it playing on basically one leg with two stress fractures and a torn ACL. As I wrote that I had to try and stop and try and comprehend it, and it is difficult. In addition to the two majors, Torrey hosts a annual PGA tournament with the Farmers Insurance Open which utilizes both courses throughout the four day tournament.

Torrey is a municipal course and one of the finest in the country.  A 2021 Golf.com ranking listed had it at number 5 behind courses like Beth Page Black and Chambers Bay. The course is very accessible, residents of San Diego are able to play for very affordable rates and can play either course between $50 and $70. I paid around $220 for non-resident green fees. Torrey gets a lot of traffic, the South Course gets around 92,000 rounds per year played.

I had a mid morning tee time  on the North Course and was up bright and early hours before I teed off. This gave me plenty of time to further explore the grounds and observe the course operations.  The tee time process at Torrey Pines is a fine tuned machine. The pro shop sits in the front center of the property with easy access to holes 1, 10, and 18 for the North and South course. Golfers are asked to report in ahead of their scheduled tee time. A loud speaker echoing across the outside of  the pro shop announces each tee time and also calls out golfers who have not showed for their tee times. There is a wait list and if a golfer does not show, the spot is quickly filled. I did not see any groups go out with less than four people.  The 92.000 rounds annual rounds on the South Course makes sense now.  Once I hear Markham called over the loud speaker, it was time to give it a go.

The North Course has five tee boxes. The blacks are listed as permission only and carry 7,258 yards. I played the middle green tees which play 6,343 yards. The front nine opens with two straight forward but long par fours providing early tests with long iron approach shots without a sizeable drive off the tee. 

The first hole opens with a long straightforward par 4

The par 3 third is another straight forward hole that provides the first distant views of the Pacific Ocean in the background and a small taste of things to come on the back nine. I found the front nine to be a very solid opening nine but did not think there was any standout or memorable holes I would find myself pondering over ten years later. The ocean views were very limited as holes four through nine stretch more inland and finish back by the clubhouse.  I finished the par 5th ninth with a birdie which was a nice way to head to the back nine.  From everything I had heard and read, I knew the front nine really sets up  to a spectacular back nine holes which offers expanding views of the Pacific and plays closer to the high cliff ledges that Torrey Pines was built.  

The back nine opens with a  506 yard par 5. From the tee box, you can see the blue of the Pacific in the distance. A good tee shot carries over a small hill and you are left with the first special view of the round. This is also the first hole where you have to deal with paragliders which gleam their  way across the outskirts of the course over the Pacific and provide for a memorable approach shot.

Pristine views and a paraglider overhead for approach shot on the par 5 10th

The 11th hole is a short uphill par four. Big hitters may be able to reach the green or come close with an accurate tee shot. Even a wayward tee shot leaves you with a fairly reasonable approach shot, I managed to miss left and find the sand.  The par three twelfth ended up being one of my favorite holes on the course. The hole is a moderate in length par three  which requires carry over a ravine. I hit a shot right at the pin that for about 5-10 seconds after the ball landed and disappeared the thought of a hole in one solidified in my mind.  Even some of my playing partners thought the same.  As I walked to the side of a tee box my shoulders slumped as I saw the ball about 8 feet to the right of the pin. As it would have it, I missed my birdie put.

A near hole in one turned into a missed birdie put on the par 3 12th hole

The thirteenth is a slightly uphill par long par four where staying right to avoid out of bounds on the right. The fourteenth starts in what my mind was my favorite three hole stretch on the golf course.  A dog left par which requires a blind tee shot and then carries back downhill with more ocean views. After your approach shot, the anticipation really starts to build as you approach the signature hole on the golf course. 

An uphill walk carriers you to what I would say is the most spectacular golf hole I have ever played. The tee box looking down provides truly spectacular views of the Pacific and in the distance the surrounding La Jolla and San Diego area.  It was truly majestic overwhelmingly visual golf hole, in a way it did not even feel real. Looking back at the picture, it does it justice in some regard to the true beauty and design of the hole,  but is a golf hole that can only be taken fully  if played. I pulled my tee shot to the left of the green and the green side bunker. The pin was placed towards the front right of the green and I was able to roll a nice chip down close and walk away with a par. 

The signature hole of Torrey Pines North, the par 3 15th, a unforgettable golf hole

 The sixteenth hole carries to another breathtaking view with a uphill dog right. The tips are way up a hill providing a great panoramic view of the surrounding property and peers down right over the ocean. I backed up a nice par with a triple bogey.  Seventeen is a manageable par five followed by a long par four to wrap up the North Course.

Views from the uphill dog right par 4 16th

 It was a spectacular round of golf. The views and temperatures were as nice as you could ask for in a round as a cool crisp morning lead to a warm southern California day with a blue sky that seemed to stretch for miles.  While it wasn't my most crisp round, it really doesn't matter in a place like this.

Torrey Pines is a special place. So much to take and and reflect on from around a twenty period hour in the property: The Lodge, the dinning, the accessibility of the course to the public, the world class golf,  world class views, the majesty of the par 3 15th,  perfect temperatures, paragliders in view on approach shots, and laid back California vibes. Having only played one of the two on site courses, I now have the perfect excuse to return. 

Breaking 80

 If I have figured out one thing about golf, it is that you can always improve. It doesn't matter what skill level you are, there is always get better. Improvement can be measured in a single aspect of the sport like improvement in consistency in chipping or working on a mitigating the number of three puts in a round. It can also be measured in terms of the golfers score.

As I have played more and more golf over the last few years, I have learned about myself specifically that I cannot go out and expect my score to drop every round. I may go out one day and shoot a 88 and then shoot a 95 the following weekend. 

When I am playing frequently, there is typically a score range I shoot between. During the summer of 2021 and into the fall of that year, I saw my score range make some progression moving from a similar aforementioned range of upper 80's to low 90's to a refined range of low 80's to mid 80's. This was really a huge step for me. I didn't come out and shoot 83 overnight, but noticed over a string of rounds that my median score dropped. Looking at five rounds in September/October timeframe, I posted scores of 84, 86, 85, 85 and 81.  As the scores dropped during this period of time, I found myself with personal bests on the score card as the summer went on. First it was a 85, then a 83 and finally something I never thought may happen as a amateur golfer, breaking the 80 barrier. 

While hours of practice certainly helped lead to this personal best 79, there were a number of other factors and observations from this round that were important takeaways on my way to crossing the 80 barrier for the first and hopefully not the last time.

Going Lower Than Normal On Troublesome Holes

If you play a specific golf course enough there are certain holes that may give one trouble. For me on  The Highlands course at the Atlanta Athletic Club, one of my troublesome holes is the par four third. For a single digit handicapper, number three should not present too many challenges. My first challenge is that it plays as a long par four, for me. Playing 407 from the whites, but always seemingly feeling longer than that, I find the fairway a low percentage of the time and I always seem to be between a four to six iron on the approach shot. Even if I find the fairway, a long iron is putting my odds of a green in regulation at a much lower mark. The higher the iron on a approach shot, the higher percent change of finding a green in regulation. 

Finding success on  troublesome holes can instil confidence and can help drive a great round

On this warm summer Atlanta day, I happen to hit a good tee shot with and found myself with a reasonable yardage for my approach shot. I ended up  finding the left side of the green. With a pin placement on the right side of the green, I had a nice lag put to card a par on a hole where I often find myself with a crooked number. Flipping the script early in the round on a normal troublesome hole instilled some early confidence and helped keep the scorecard in a good position from the on set of the round.

Multiple Numbers in the Red

At my current handicap and skill level, a birdie on the scorecard is a welcome sight. Stating the obvious, one stroke under par helps reduce a golfers overall score. I consider it a good day if I card one low number in a round. On this day I carded two birdies which was a huge driver to a personal best score. My first came on the par 5 second, which is a scoring hole for a good golfer. 

Take advantage of the scoring holes on the course, par 5 4th of Highlands pictured here

It's a fairly straight forward par five nothing tricky about it.  I found myself with a sand wedge in my hand for my third shot and hit a really nice approach and had inside a five foot put for birdie, which I made. Carding an early birdie and throwing a second one on the scorecard on a hole where I had never made one in the many rounds of Highlands is one of the more memorable moments from this round.

Miss hits turning into gold

One of the signature holes in my opinion on the Highlands course is the par four tenth. It is also incredibly challenging. The hole dogs left and requires a downhill tee shot leading you into a difficult green where anything missed right is in the drink. If I took my average scores from the times I have played this hole through the years, I would be pleased if that average came out to a six. 

Approach shot on number 11 is demanding and carriers  high risk 

I hit a good drive and found myself positioned well for my approach shot. For the most part on this approach shot, I typically aim to the left side of the green which is the safe play on any day no matter where the pin placement. The pin was tucked in on the right side of the green, maybe 10 yards or a little further from the water. I hit a clean approach shot, but found my trajectory on a much different line than was intended. While I thought I was lined up towards the left side of the green, my shot carried over the water and landed just a few feet from the hole. Truly a stroke of luck where 94 out of 97 times that kind of mis hit leads to a ball in the water. It wasn't a slice, as it truly had a great trajectory and my inability to accurately line up for a shot correctly actually rewarded me and did  not hurt me I sunk the birdie put and walked off the 11th green feeling like a lucky man.

Rolling Some Puts

I had six one puts on the round, four of those coming on the front nine which was certainly a driver to 39 on the first nine holes I don't know exactly how my historic history compares with one puts in a round but I would venture to guess I do not have many rounds with more than 3 or 4 one puts.  Two of the puts were over twenty feet with a low probability make.  One puts carry a lot of weight on the scorecard.

18 Holes of Focus, and the Next Shot at Hand

Concentrating for every single shot throughout the course of a four to five hour round is incredibly demanding.  Golf requires your utmost attention at all times. One laps in concentration in can lead to a blow up a hole and quickly turn a good round south. I have had rounds where things were going well and then I throw up a eight on a par four, not a good feeling. I have so much respect for the professionals who go out and throw up scores in the 60's and low 70's for four days in a row all while competing against the best golfers on the planet.

Not thinking about my score during a round is a critical mindset for me when I am on the golf course. If you are playing well it's easy to start counting your score or looking ahead at remaining holes just forecasting what you need to shoot for the remaining holes to card a certain score. Or just the opposite, counting strokes after a rough stretch can take your mind off where it should be, the next shot. This is a dangerous game and the golfer should only think about their next shot at hand. The mind is a critical factor to success in golf. 

The back nine of Highlands requires concentration and precision on every shot

It was a difficult day to be walking 18 as the round got progressively warmer in the sweltering Atlanta July humidity.  My biggest concentration laps came on the 14th hole. I wasn't counting at the time, but entering the 14th hole, I was one under par on the back nine. I hit a good drive and missed the green long on my approach. I had a tough chip shot, skulled it, and left the hole with a double bogey as a result of the mis hit. I found negative thoughts and energy entering my mind after that hole along with fatigue from the humid Atlanta day. 

While the energy factor in tough conditions can be tough to overcome at times, negative thoughts can always be set aside during a round, or in life for that matter. Any hint of a negative thought should be automatically replaced with pure focus on the next shot.  I didn't implode the rest of the round, but also did not finish as strong as I would have liked, finishing the final four holes three over par. I will never know for sure, but maintaining the right mindset for the end of the round could have led to a even lower score. 

Have Fun, Be Relaxed

Tension in golf can destroy the golf swing.  For the most part on this day, I felt relaxed and at ease. I wasn't letting swing thoughts overpower my mind and I let my swing guide me through the round with minimal thought.  If I myself tight, nervous or just overthinking during a round it typically will lead to a high score. It sounds so simple on paper, but having fun and playing at ease is a critical part to a succesful round. 

Take It Back for More

On this day July day I accomplished something that I would have said was not feasible a few years ago.  A 79, or whatever your goal may be, do not come over night.  They come through repitive practice on the driving range, sand trap, short game area and the practice green. They come with training and conditioning of the mind. They come with not letting mis hits get to you. They come with time on the course. They comes with failure and doubt. They come with constant study of the golf swing, yet never fully understanding. I know I won't shoot a 79 every round, but I also know if I don't challenge myself to reach the next threshold of success, I might not ever arrive. 

 

Course Review: The King and Bear

In March of 2020, I was in the middle of a job change and had the opportunity to take a week off and enjoy a short period of unemployment before I started my next work venture. For anyone changing jobs, I would highly recommend building in time off after leaving your old post and starting anew. I found the transitional week of unemployment incredibly relaxing and restorative; the only part I would change was more time off if possible.

For the first part of my week off, I mapped out a solo golf trip, working my way through various parts of Florida with final destination being Amelia Island north of Jacksonville. My travels started in Tampa where I headed north to the World Woods golf facility and had a nice warm-up day, getting in 27 holes. From there I cut east across the state and played somewhat of a slum of a course in the St. Augustine area. My golf venture highlight came the following day at the King and Bear Golf Course.

The King and Bear course is located just south of the city of Jacksonville in an area known as the World Golf Village (dreamy right?).  The World Golf Village is also home to the World Golf Hall of Fame. The course was co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer: The King and The Bear.  Ironically both were inducted into the World Golf's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1947. It is the only course in the world the two golf legends co-designed together. Between the two they have designed over 600 golf courses across the world. Not a bad resume builder to add for two of the greatest to ever play the game.

Competitors and rivals on the course, Palmer and Nicklaus were great friends off the course (Picture source: Eleven Warriors)

The clubhouse and course amenities were in great shape. It was clear that they continue to put the proper money into the grounds course for upkeep and maintenance.  The course has a great practice facility and short game area with complimentary range balls included in your round, so be sure to get to the course early to knock a few around. There are five tee box options.  From the tips, the course plays 7,279 with a course rating of 141 (though I'm not quite there yet). As always, find the tee box that is well suited to your skill level and game. I played the blues, which carry 6,506 yard with a course rating of 133, which is probably right about where I need to be (my scores escalate when I get into the 6,800 yard range).  

The front nine brings water into play on many hole and offers unique challenges, particularly on a windy day

I played on a perfect blue sky, crisp, March morning. I could have shot a 130 and been pleased just with the perfect spring Florida weather, maybe.  The grounds were quiet and it was pretty evident the tee sheet was pretty clear early on in the round, which is a really nice way to take in a great golf course.  The course is forgiving enough, but difficult at the same time. The fairways are wide and the greens were rolling true and quick.  For the March timeframe, the course was in great shape. The fairways looked good and the greens were in great shape. 

The front nine carries many great views of the famous Spanish moss 

I found water one of the primary hazards to contend with for most of the round. One of my favorite parts of the front nine  design were the number of oaks with Spanish moss, a which is apparently a nod to the St. Augustine Florida area.  The front nine is more of a transporting design compared to Palmer's back nine, which has more of a feel of a traditional Florida course. 

The closing 18th hole capping off the Palmer designed back 9

I don't have too much to pick apart on this course. It's a great layout and can enjoyed by any skill level. It was a great experience to take in two very different designed nine holes within the same course.  While the first course most think of in the Jacksonville area is TPC Sawgrass, The King and Bear warrants playing you are in the area if for nothing else to see course design and characteristics of two of the greatest to ever play the game. It doesn't hurt that The World Golf Hall of fame is down the street. 

I found this quote on the back of the scorecard and thought it was a great outlook of two great golfers with a known rivalry who maintained a long friendship and worked together to design a great course just south of Jacksonville. Go check it out.

"Arnold and I have been good friends for many years we've also been competitors both on the golf course and in business, so I see The King & bear as a wonderful opportunity to bring our friendship together."

Cabo Course Review: Cabo Del Sol Desert Course

Cabo San Lucas is nestled on the southernmost tip of Mexico's Baja peninsula, basically an extension of Southern California.  Arrive in the Los Cabos airport and weave your way through the largest population of timeshare sales people in North America along with multiple outdoor bars and you're on your way to an outdoor playground.  

The appeal to Cabo for golfers and non golfers alike is the quite ideal weather during most of the months of the year.  Cabo receives less than a inch of a rain each month January through June.  If you like the sun during the winter, this may be your place.  Highs in the upper 70's feel a lot warmer with dry air and no cloud cover. 

Cabo is somewhat of a booming golf course mecca with many of the courses in the Cabo area built in the past 25-30 years and includes the likes of Quivira Golf Club, Diamante, and The Ocean Course at Cabo Del Sol.  The Cabo San Lucas area is home to around 18 different courses, and from what I could tell, each course likely entails spectacular view.  Head south from the airport and the number of golf courses start to appear about like the Cabo cacti. I counted at least six courses visible from the road. The area really has a unique topography, with rugged desert mountains, dipping hills and large cacti all nestled along a spectacular backdrop of pristine blue water in the form of the Sea of Cortez and the Atlantic Ocean. Not a bad mix to build a course and provides justification to the number of big names who have  designed courses in the area including the likes of Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, and Tiger Woods. 

Cabo Del Sol is home to two golf courses, the public Desert Course and the private very renowned Ocean Course, now known as the Cove Course (I guess they got tired of the name?). You will find the Jack Nicklaus-designed Cove Course near the top of every Mexico top golf course list. Naturally when I checked in for our Desert Course tee time, I re-confirmed the Cove Course was private/we could not play it; it never hurts to ask. 

Golf in Cabo isn't cheap, greens fees for the Desert Course were $250 per golfer, which based on research of the area seemed about average for public courses.  The Desert Course is a visual dream. Designed by Tom Weiskop, the course offers stunning desert and ocean views throughout the round along with some hilly holes and a few tee shots that leave you contemplating strategy off the box. Reviewing Weiskop's course design list, it would appear he has a knack for the desert course design with several high name courses in Arizona and also of note the recent redesign of Torrey Pines North Course   

The Desert Course plays 7,049 yards from the tips. We played the blues, which carried a very manageable 6,142 yards. The course opens with a moderate dogleg part four and right away you're greeted with many of Cabo's signature cacti and bunkers in which to navigate.  If you find yourself navigating cacti on more than one hole, you are in for a long round most likely.  Clear the bunkers on the left and your setup for a manageable 130 yard or less approach shot. 

The opening hole of the Desert course proves if nothing else it will live up to its name

The second hole leads you to a short par three that was played around 154. A manageable par 5 third and par 4 4th lead to what I thought was one of the signature holes on the course, the par 3 5th. In terms of visual appeal, it offers it all: rocks, sand, cactus, palm trees, water and a pretty splendid mountain view.  Add all these factors up along with a brisk headwind and you get the number 1 hole handicap on the course.

The par 3 5th is one of the more visually appealing holes on the course and can carry a element of intimidation no doubt designed to distract the golfer from his or her shot preparation 

Like much of the round, I found myself long off the green  on the 5th hole with a misjudgment in yardage for the conditions despite learning early on that the ball was really flying. My previous round had been in Atlanta with a wet course and temperatures in the low 40's so it was quite a drastic change. I will note that it was really nice to play a completely dry course. In Atlanta winter golf mostly consists of courses that do not often fully dry out over the course of the winter months. 

The par 4 sixth was a memorable hole with  one of the tighter fairways on the course 

The front nine closes with a fun set of holes including one of Weiskop's signature drivable par 4's; an uphill 230 yard shot that should leave you no worse than par.  Number nine is a uphill dogleg par 5.  A very manageable hole with a generous sized fairway, I missed about a five foot putt for birdie. Forgiving fairways are the case for many of the par 4's and 5's on The Desert Course. 

The short par 4 6th is one of the very manageable front nine par 4's

The back nine snakes its way back towards the Sea of Cortez and the views become more and more stunning with each hole. I found the front nine slightly easier with several short par fours, I also played better on the front so that could have something to do with why the back nine hole by hole detail is brief.  

The long par 3 17th offers wide views of the Sea of Cortez 

The Desert course closes with a long slightly downhill par four and two par fours to end it. The 18th hole provides a spectacular downhill view of the area and pristine waters of the Sea of Cortez. 

Course management is key to success at the Desert course. Throughout the round I probably had 4 to 6 50 to 70 yard shots, which should be shots you provide yourself with birdie chances more times than not. I found myself hitting the backs of greens or in the rough for a lot of the round. I should have picked this up early on in the round and adjusted accordingly but I found myself making the same mistakes all day. A few simple thoughts going into the round reminding myself of the warm temperatures and dry ground likely would have saved a few shots on the round.  

I found myself in real trouble on 2 holes for that day and that was simply due to poor tee shots where I found myself dropping and playing from behind, pressing to try and manage a salvageable score. The generous sized fairways can  provide opportunity to put up some low numbers. There are a few demanding holes where a smaller landing area for a in bounds tee shot is required. Keep it in the short grass and out of the desert. 

If I go to Cabo again, I won't play the Desert Course again simply because there are so many great course options in this area. Overall, I really enjoyed The Desert Course. It's a fair challenge if you're playing the tees that align with your skill and handicap, but not overwhelming difficult. The blues have a slope rating of 130. Make sure to stop and take note of the scenery and a special views of the ocean on the closing holes of the course. The course staff and amenities were top notch. Put it on your list to play when you're in the area and make sure you have more than one day to hit the links if you make the trek to Cabo. 

Defining A Signature Win

  If the 2021 Atlanta Braves season ended today July 2, 2021, I would sum up the season in one word, inconsistent. The team has been seemingly looking for that game all season that is the one they will look back on as a difference maker to get the season turned around.  The one win that puts them on a run where they win the next 12 out of 15.  So far, they have had a few signatures wins per say, but have not been able to make a pro-longed run to move to the top of the NL East standings, or even over .500

On paper, the game last night had the makings to be a great pitchers duel, and for the most part that held true. Ian Anderson has been one of the more consistent pitchers for the Atlanta Braves, facing the best starting pitcher in the world, Jacob deGrom.

The first inning got off to a rocky start. Anderson looked shaky early, giving up a quick walk, stolen base and base hit to put the Braves in a 1-0 hole against Jacob deGrom, which may as well be 10 runs against the reigning Cy Young Winner.  

The tide shifted quickly as leadoff hitter Ehire Adrianza, who was a last minute lineup addition for an ailing Ronald Acuna Jr.  slashed a grounder down the first base line.  Aggressive baserunning led to Adrianza being thrown out at third. This was a pivotal moment in the game against a pitcher like deGrom, where early runs, let along runs at all, are seemingly unheard off (hence 0.69 era entering the game) . The Braves wisely challenged, and the call was overturned. Two batter’s later the run scored on an Albies base hit.

Early aggressive baserunning proved  both high risk/high reward 

With the score tied at one, Austin Riley took a 99 MPH fastball and deposited it just over the right field Chop House wall. What had transpired in just a short few minutes against the games best pitcher was almost unthinkable, yet the Braves led three to one after the first frame.

Both pitchers would really settle in after that point. Apparently, the Braves angered deGrom with their three-run first inning outburst as he would go on to pitch 7 innings and strike out 14 batters. He did not give up a hit after the second inning.  At one point his strike to ball ratio was close to 5/1. His fastball was still hitting 99 in the sixth inning. I could never pull for an opposing pitcher, but watching deGrom is something else. He is simply a magician on the mound and is and on a different level than any starting pitcher in the game right now.

Take away one inning, and Jacob deGrom's performance was dazzling

Anderson’s only other blemish came on a seventh inning Dom Smith solo homerun to cut the deficit to 3-2.  After 7 strong innings from Anderson the Braves turned it over to their leaky bullpen. Chris Martin survived trouble in the eight, but Dom Smith struck again in the top ninth against fellow Smith , Will, to tie the game.

Ian Anderson deserved better, a ninth inning blown lead took away his chance to win the game

The game would head to the bottom of the ninth, and the Braves would have a chance to win. These games for the most part in 2021 that have been close late or right in the grasp of a late win, the Braves have lost for the most part. A rather dramatic bottom of the ninth led to a Freddie Freeman walk off single. It was rather fitting for the reigning MVP who came into the game winning at bat 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts.  

Freddie Freeman's four strikeout night was quickly forgotten with a game winning base hit

This was the type of win the Braves needed. A loss would have been another head shaking night in a season that has been full of them. Despite blowing a late 3-0 lead late in game 1, the Braves won the series and sit just 3.5 games back of the Metropolitans heading into tonight’s contest against the fish.

The Braves finish the first half of the season with a very favorable schedule including six games with the Marlins and a three-game series mixed in with the Pirates. If there was ever an opportunity to take momentum and run with it from last night's win, now is the time. The Braves are at the 80-game mark, they haven’t been above the .500 mark all year. Many wonder if they will break that mark, including myself. If they are going to break that mark and not think about .500 again in 2021, this is the time.

The Braves have proved this year they can still compete with the best of the best, as we saw in last night’s playoff esc game. What they need is more night in night out consistent performances. The starting pitching has stabilized, and we all know this offense is more despite the missing presence of Ozuna and Travis d'Arnaud. Help could be on the way   sometime this summer in the form of d'Arnaud and the return of Yona to add starting pitching depth.

Acuna has carried this team at times, the Braves will need other regulars to step up int he final months of the season to have a
chance to win the division 

 The bullpen will likely be a major flight risk unless mid-season trades are made to improve what has been one of the worst parts of the club. Since we can’t look forward to watching an All-Star game in Atlanta, lets look forward to at least having a chance of looking down at .500 come the All Star break and the rest of the 2021 campaign.  The Braves will know come September if what looks like a big July 1 win against Jacob deGrom and the Mets is actually a signature win.

The Other Fall Classic

Here we are, Masters week 2020 in the middle of November, just like everyone expected. When the Pandemic hit, sporting events begin to drop off the schedule like dominos. First NBA, then March Madness Men's basketball tournament, shortly there after baseball further along came baseball. The sporting word collectively held it's breath only to learn that The Master's would be postponed, not canceled. Several weeks, no several months,  in spring 2020, the sports world stood still, our country went into lockdown. 

 As I write, the Thursday round is in full swing and what a  welcome sight the pristine fairways and greens are of August National.  A fall Masters: A longer second cut, yellow and brown leaves falling, large spaces of green grass normally filled rows deep with patrons left void, the usual blossoming azaleas of Amen Corner  seemingly empty.  One constant, the course is in immaculate condition. Defending Champion Tiger Woods got off to a fast Thursday start as he looks to defend his 2019 green jacket. What a special tournament it was for Tiger last year capturing his 5th green jacket and 15th major in dramatic fashion putting him one green jacket behind Jack and three behind him for total majors. 

I never in my right mind thought I would have a chance to attend a Thursday round let alone a Sunday round. For years upon years, I have applied for the Master's ticket lottery every year. When I get a response email from the Masters, I usually do not even get any anticipation anymore given the seemingly next to nothing odds of wining the lottery.  To say I was blown away to win the lottery and receive 2 Sunday tickets would be an understatement. Finding out I won the Master's tottery and attending the 2019 Sunday Masters final round, looking back at it, both are very memorable in their own right. 

 With severe weather set to hit mid afternoon, it was an action packed morning with groups starting on both one and ten for the first time ever on a Sunday. After almost no sleep from excitement, we got to the grounds early only to find a long snaking line before the gates opened. The strategy of where to place our chairs (see previous post to further your Masters chair placement knowledge) led us to the pond on sixteen where we got front row seat on the ropes.  The only disappointment of the day came when we  learned there were no exceptions to early alcohol sales before 12PM on Sunday's at The Masters. We walked the course for several hours before settling back in our seats on the sixteenth hole to watch the last ten or twelve groups come through. As the day went on the leaderboard only got more and more crowded. As we settled in at sixteen we had to rely on whispering patrons around us, roars from other holes and a constantly changing scoreboard to know what was going on outside of 15 and 16. 

2019 Masters Sunday, what a Sunday it was. 

With our seats on sixteen, we had a great vantage point of the approach shot on the 15th hole in addition to the 16th hole. We watched Justin Thomas hit a hole and one on sixteen and wondered how it may get much better than that. Tiger was playing in the final group with Francisco Molinari who came into Sunday with a two shot lead. Coming into 15 Molinari had faded with a fatal tee shot on 13th in the water. Was it Tiger's time? Tiger's Sunday red broached the hill and came into view for his setup and approach shot on 15.  The drama at this point was oozing more than a bears honey pot going into hibernation. A beautiful approach shot left tiger with a sizeable but makeable eagle put. He put it close and tapped in his bride putting himself in soul possession of first place at thirteen under par.  Tiger moved onto 16 with a chance to further his stake at another green jacket. 

The other picture I have from 2019 Masters is a Saturday edition of The Augusta Chronicle, a foreshadowing of things to come Sunday. 

On a day of things I will never forget, Tiger's sixteenth tee shot may be the top of the list. I consider it the etching moment of his round and sealing moment of victory. Tiger's tee shot on the famous par 3 landed on the back slope of the green and made it's way down towards the hole, with the crowd on its feet, everyone was thinking the same thing, this could go in. The ball trickled by the hole leaving Tiger with a short birdie put that would win him The Masters. People say the gallery roar after his tee shot on sixteen was one of the loudest that has been heard before at Augusta. 

While I have never been a big Tiger Woods fan, this victory was an incredible one to watch. One where it looked like it could have gone to one of maybe six or seven different players at one  point late in the round with a crowded leaderboard on the final holes. Myself and many others were in belief that Tiger would never win another major, I was certainly wrong about that. With the level crowds on 18, we were not able to see Tiger's winning put, but we had a front row view of the shots that won him another major, The Masters.

Because of the epic proportion of the ending, the phrase 2019 Masters will be etched in golf and sports history forever as one of the great endings and moments for any kind of sporting event. What will The 2020 Masters bring, time will tell. Golf and sports fan are glad to have this event on as the leaves fall and the season begins to change to winter with the best news of all that we get to take it right back to Augusta for the very next major in April 2021. 

Historic golf at the Cape Arundel Golf Club

 Maine might not first jump off the page as a golf state, particularly due to it's cold winters which leads to a relatively short golf season. The days of warm but pleasantly crisp air in this state lead to perfect summer golf conditions. Prior to a recent visit, I would not be able to tell you one golf course in the state. This visit took us to Kennebunkport, Maine. Limited course research was needed for the area as there were really only two course options.  The obvious selection was the Cape Arundel Golf Club. 

Founded in 1896, Cape Arundel carries a rich history and unique course layout

Cape Arundel sits just outside the town of Kennebunkport. The course is filled with rich history. Founded in 1986, it is one of the oldest golf courses in Maine. When the courses was founded, it was only the 74th golf course in the United States and took up design from three time US Armature Champion Walter J. Travis. The list of names to play the course is quite distinguished and includes four Presidents; Nixon, Clinton, George H. and W. Bush. In 2011, the course dedicated it's clubhouse to longstanding honorary member George H. Bush, deemed the '41 House'. George W. Bush remains a member to this day.  

The clubhouse is dedicated to former honorary member George H. Bush

Take some time to stroll through the front room of the small clubhouse to get a deeper dive into the course history. Classic Pictures of Arnold Palmer and George H playing a round together, George. H taking a call on the course likely during his Presidency, and  Phil Mickelson smiling in a car during a round were a few standouts.  The course is semi private, so you may run into some regular members during your round, or maybe even a former President. 

George H. Bush and Arnold Palmer pictured during a round at The Cape Arundel Golf Club

Upon entry to the course, the road leading to the clubhouse takes you through  three different holes; yes you read that right. For a minute, it may feel like your passing through the 18th or 1st fairway at Saint Andrews Old Course. Keep your eyes peeled on the drive in for groups teeing up as you pass through the 11th and 18th fairway and also along a short par three. On our way out of the course, we had a drive sail right in front of us, thankfully missing the car. 

An errant tee shot to the left on number 6 may venture onto the road leading to the clubhouse 

 

The course has a driving range, but it is a members only facility. The driving range carries a similar theme to the main clubhouse in honoring the Bush's and is named '43'.  Warmup opportunities for non-members provides a small putting green just to the side of the clubhouse so you can at least get a feel for the greens before heading to the first tee. The putting green is quite peaceful with a boarding tidal pool and sizeable structured houses behind it.  The members only range is well regarded. This is a great course to walk and I would certainly recommend it over taking a cart. The course culture really was a pleasant experience. Everyone we ran into had a smile and fairly laid back attitude. If your playing golf in Kennebunkport in the summer there is probably not too many reasons not too smile.   The starter gave us great recommendations for how to approach shots on the course for a first time round and gave us some background on some of it's rich history. 

Limited chances to get loose or get the swing right prior to your tee time  if your not a member at Cape Arundel 

From the back tees, Cape Arundel plays a rather short 5,859 yards and is a par 69. There is only one par 5 on the course, a 476 dog leg left on 9 which brings you back towards the clubhouse.  All the par 4's from the back tees are less than 400 yards.  The course if filled with small rolling hills, tidal pools and ponds. Changing winds from the near by coast line and complex greens can throw havoc into even a low handicap golfers round.  The short yardage should not be overlooked or create the perception that this is an 'easy' golf course; in my experience, no golf course is easy. A great quote summarized  from the course ratchet Walter Travis speaks of the easy appearance of the course but the difficulty that lies ahead to Chace par.  A great quote summarized  from the course ratchet Walter Travis speaks of the easy appearance of the course but the difficulty that lies ahead to chase par.

Views from the first tee at Cape Arundel, anything too far left brings trouble into play

Keys to success at Cape Arundel follow similar stories to other courses and the game of golf in general; find the fairways and greens. You do not need to be a long hitter to find success on this course. Finding fairways and understanding the complexity of the greens will help you score.  The greens seemed to get more and more deceiving as our round went on. They were true in roll but had a number of false front's and small landing areas. I ran into big trouble on number 10, easily the most difficult green on the course in my option.  I left my approach shot in the front right bunker. I had an impossible bunker shot with a no error landing area that rolled off the back of the green.  What looked like a  salvage  bogey opportunity quickly turned into a triple and a rough start to the back nine. Even my chip back towards the hole is one that you lose sleep about at night. 

The 10th green pictured above has a small slightly elevated landing area anything short or long is big trouble. Shades of Pinehurt No. 2 here.  

The course character really comes out on the back nine. In addition to a higher level of green difficulty and complexity, you face four holes on the back with tee shots over hazards. Kennebunkport a the time had been in an extended drought, so many of our drives came over dried up body's of water. The winds for our round were relatively calm. The course is just a few miles from the coast, the next day their were gusts of 20 miles per hour at times from a day long of scattered storms. A tee shot turns into a different tail when your facing gusting winds throughout your round. 

One of the great tee shots on the course comes on the finishing hole

The 18th hole provides a very memorable tee shot over a large tidal pool with a slightly bending uphill fairway to the left.  It's a fitting end to this short, but strategically designed Walter Travis course.  If your in the state of Maine at a time of year when golf is an option, this is a course you should check out. Come walk the course of President's past while taking in a course that represents Maine's summer topography so well, all the while letting  and let your mind spin trying to walk away with two puts from these Walter Travis designed greens. 

Course Raiting/Slopes

Black Tees: 67.8/123
White Tees: 65,1/116
Green Tee (Women): 68.2/120

Auburn and Athens Do Not Get Along

2020 will now mark 19 straight Auburn Georgia games attended spanning from age 12 to 31.  If it feels like Auburn never wins in Athens in recent years, that is because it holds true. Auburn has not tasted a victory in Athens in it's last six attempts, dating back to a last minute win in 2005. To be honest, out of those six games , there have not been to many moments where it felt like Auburn was going to pull the game out. Several blowout mixed in there. Georgia simply has Auburn's number right now in Athens.  In a wild and whacky year, the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry will take place in the early days of October, week 2 of the season. Week 2 is usually some kind of non conference tune up for these teams, but not this year. 

Georgia comes in with questions at quarterback after switching quarterbacks in the first half of their season opening win at Arkansas. JT Daniels, the USC transfer, has been medicinally cleared but it remains to be seen what his health status truly is  and impact the former five start recruit may have on the game. Georgia carriers yet again what looks to be an elite defense. Auburn has a rebuilt offensive line, defensive line with new names and numbers running all over the field.  Bo Nix looked solid and matured in his decision making in week one and carries playmakers in the backfilled and at receiver. It's the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry in  week 2 - what in the world.  In a weird year for college football, where there will be less crowd noise and home field advantage in a league that thrives on it, maybe that's what Auburn needs to get a long awaited win in Athens:

2020 Game Prediction:

Auburn 23 Georgia 17

Auburn breaks the 6 game losing streak in Athens

Reflecting on an incredibly inaccurate prediction 10/9/2020

Kiawah Course Review

Like most during these times, we had recently been looking for somewhere to get away. Under normal circumstances, I may not consider a trip to the beach, but we are living in different times. One great thing about the beach is there is usually a golf course near by. 

Tucked off the South Carolina coast just south of Charleston sits the island of Kiawah. A two lane road is the only way on and off  this low country island which stretches only ten miles in diameter. The drive in is a memorable one as the two lane road is lined with overhanging trees shading the road while bringing in the building low country marsh as you approach the island. 

Kiawah is known to most for the Ocean Course. The crown jewel of the island has hosted 1991 Ryder Cup and 2012 PGA Championship along with numerous other tournaments and is set to host the 2021 PGA Championship. If you are looking to play the Ocean Course, make sure to book your lodging through the resort.  Non resort guest greens fees without caddie tip is $480, the cost is significantly less when staying at the resort. 

The Ocean Course, seen here from beyond the 18th fairway, is set to host the 2021 PGA Championship

While I did not play the Ocean Course on this trip, I took in some limited observations on the course and surrounding area. The Ocean Course sits on the far eastern end of the island.  Once you reach the course grounds, you are just about at the end of the island. A two lane road winds you through a gated mostly residential community leading up to the clubhouse.  The clubhouse is by and far the smallest I saw out of three different island courses I went to. Parking is very limited as buses were transporting island guests to the course while we were there. I would imagine hosting a major championship is quite the logistical feat for this island; busing thousands of patrons in from Charleston or other surrounding areas is likely the only option for anyone not staying on the island. With that being said, staying on the island of Kiawah for the week of the PGA Championship in 2021 would be the way to go. 

Regarding the golf itself, I would imagine the average or even the well seasoned golfer is in for a pretty difficult 18 holes.  First and most obvious the wind would be a key factor throughout your day on the course. On the Kiawah website it notes that depending on the day, wind direction and strength, players can experience up to a 8 club difference on a hole. That is wild to think about, going from an eight iron one day to a four iron next day for the same shot.  In addition to wind, tight fairways, water, and a plea-thru of sand increases the difficulty on the famed Ocean Course. From the brief segment of the course I could see, I had even greater appreciation for what Rory did here in 2012, dominating the field by 8 strokes on his way to winning his second major.  I look forward to getting back to the Ocean Course and teeing it up sometime down the road. It has the history and feel of a bucket list course; one that you want to experience with friends vs. joining with a group you don't know.

Looking onto the 18th green of the Ocean Course 

The first course I had a chance to play at Kiawah was Cougar Point. I played the white tees from this Gary Player designed course which carriers a very manageable 6,139 yards. The front nine, known as the marsh side, is a beautiful stretch of golf and really magnifies the low country aspect of the island.  The opening hole a very manageable short par 4 playing 320 yard from the whites. I hit a good drive and was left with inside a 100 yard approach shot; hitting the green and walking away with a two put was a really nice way to start the round. 

This is the view you want when it comes to a  manageable approach shot in golf

A short par 3 and par 5 are next on the scorecard before the course hits what I would consider it's three hole signature stretch.  Hole four is a slight dog leg right and ranks as the number 1 handicap. The fairway narrows some on this hole, but the difficulty that comes into play is in form of a tight green surrounded by deep marsh land on the back and right side of the hole. As you work your way up this hole, some of the most panoramic views of the course come into play. I was really taken back by some of the tranquil beauty of this three hole stretch.

The fifth hole plays fairly straight, but with big trouble all the way along the left side in form of the Kiawah river.  Your approach shot is another tricky one with marsh surrounding three sides of the hole this time around. Keep the ball in the center of the green even with a left pin placement. 

Another approach shot with a do not miss the green scenario, though a more forgiving nature than number 4 green

Hole six provides one of the best views on the course, along with one of the most intimidating tee shots. The signature par 3 on Cougar Point, the tee shot does not play as deceiving as meets the eye. Open space can be found on the right side of this hole, though your target should still be the green center or right center. If you can get through this tough three holes stretch without too many crooked numbers, you will feel pretty good about yourself and the remaining holes in front of you. 

The signature par 3 on Cougar Point one of the best views on the course, just before my tee shot I had a large blue heron cross the marsh in front of me

The remaining three holes on the front nine carries away from the clubhouse and features holes that are suited to score on for good players. After a long difficult par four to start the back 9, a series of manageable holes begins to wind the course back to the clubhouse. The back nine moves away from marsh water landscape and was really nice in it's own right, but I found the hole 4 through 6 as some of the most memorable moments and views from the round.  That may have been because I hit more fairways and greens on the front nine.

A moment of shade on the par 5 11th hole in one of the many Kiawah signature overhanging trees

Cougar Point finishes with a very memorable but difficult  hole with a great view. Your tee shot requires carry over a large body of water. The approach brings a number of factors into play, first being the wind as you begin to move towards the ocean. 

Tee shot on 18 requires carry over water before a tough approach shot to finish your round

Set the difficulty aside, the approach shot on 18 (or third shot in my case) provided for one of the more stunning views of my time on the island. A long green with water on the left showcased by the recently re-built Cougar Point clubhouse. The clubhouse was re-designed and finished about a year ago and is a must see when on Kiawah. Even if your not a golfer, it's also a great spot to grab lunch or dinner and watch golfers finish their round from it's expansive outdoor patio. 

One of the most eye opening views at Kiawah is the Cougar Point clubhouse

After convincing myself I would not play another round of golf on the trip, I teed it up the next day at Osprey Point. Osprey Point sits in the center of the island. Like Cougar Point, there are no ocean-side holes, but it has many natural lagoons and marshes surrounding the fairways and greens. The first two holes open with water running the left side, but very manageable sized fairways should, key word being should, keep you dry to start your round. 

Pristine views do not take long to come into play here as seen from the second hole par 3 

Also similar to Cougar Point, Osprey Point has a par three that requires a significant carry over natural marsh, making for a signature hole and special view to take in early in the round. This course has four very unique par threes, no one built or designed the same. The same could be said for each hole on the  course which was something I appreciated about the way Tom Fazio designed this course.

The next standout hole for me came on number nine. The ninth is a longer par four that plays upwind over a large body of water. The aggressive play is up the left side of the fairway. I went safe, or smart, and played a good drive up the right side which left me with a long approach shot into the wind. 

One of my favorite holes on the course a dog leg left which requires a tee shot up the right side of the fairway, that is, if your playing safe

The start of the back nine begins a three hole stretch along Canvask Pond on the backside of the clubhouse. I will never forget the tenth hole, particularly because of the large gator pond that sits not too far from the tee boxes. This tee shot took an extra level of focus and concentration. I found myself taking a peak to the right while taking a few practice swings to check their proximity. Additionally, the the cart  was sitting a little closer than normal to the tee box. I hit a solid three wood down the pipe and quickly moved on. 

Teeing off on the 10th requires extra focus with added distractions, I was glad not to be walking the course at this point

A series of short par fours and a par five lead to the fifteenth hole which was a rather unique par 3 with one of the largest stretching sand-traps I have ever seen on a par 3. Similar to many holes on the island course, if you can put the hazard or sand out of sight and out of mind, you will be fine. This sand here shouldn't come into play unless your tee shot is well short or errant left or right. Just hit it right down the middle.

Fly the imposing sand-trap on fifteen and your left with a large challenging two tier green

 The closing two holes bring you back up along the pond you start the back  nine against.. As is a common theme in Kiawah, water carries the entire hole on the left side, keep middle right on these holes to avoid trouble. 

A thunderhead builds in the fading light on Osprey Point's 16th hole

If you are looking for a quiet island getaway with plenty of opportunity to play pristine golf courses, look no further than Kiawah. The Ocean Course will draw the golf faithful, but courses like Cougar Point and Osprey Point should be more than considered on a trip to Kiawah, they should be played. Between the two courses I played, Cougar Point had the lasting impression on me, though Osprey Point is a wonderful course in it's own right. Both courses capture the tranquil beauty of the island with vivid low country landscape, marshes, lagoons and a wide range of species from deer, to blue herons, to gators. The courses are challenging, but also provide fairness at the same time. Green speed was a bit slower than expected; all fairways and tee boxes were in excellent condition. The rough would not bury you enough to destroy your hole. The one thing that every golfer can probably agree on about Kiawah, you likely will not get out of a round here without making at least one unintentional golf ball donation to the South Caroline low country.