Skins Saturday - Golf side game

Last week my golf buddy suggested that we do a little side bet for our golf game.  It is similar to the skins game that they play on the PGA, except our bet is only starting at a quarter.  The first time we did it, I won a toonie ($2.00 canadian).  The next day, I lost .50 cents.  So as you can see, it is not very much but it still fun and it makes you try to do better each hole.  My golf buddy, takes care of the scoring because, for some reason, I get an extra stroke on at least eight of the hardest hole out of the 18 holes.  As there are no gimmes and no mulligans, so the scores are real.  Because we play almost 4 days a week, we don't really keep score each time, but sometimes I do it just to see how my average is.  Last year we played a different game where he gives me a few strokes and we have to give a quarter for every stroke I am over his score.  As we go along, he started giving me less and less stroke, as I improve my game sometimes.  We are very lucky that we are able to get back into golf a little earlier than most of the area in British Columbia.  In addition to that, we are able to play just as a two some and do not have to play with other people.  Our course is like a big family of golfers, mostly members and regulars, so almost everybody knows each other.  I am very lucky to have joined this course and have met some some friendly golfers.  Not to forget the maintenance team truly takes care of the course.  My home course is Hillview Golf Course.

Tee Time Thursday - Golf course opening

Believe it or not, the executive golf course in our area is opening this week.  At the same time there are several golf course in the Okanagan that has been given approval to open as long as everyone abides by the rules and restrictions.  I read some of the rules of the other course and depending on the whether it's an executive or regular course, the restrictions are very  similar with a very strict warning that if golfers do not follow rules, they will be ask to leave the property.  Here's what was posted on their website.

The entire food and beverage department is closed until further notice.

Please be aware of the numerous health and safety protocols.  Social distancing rules must be followed.  If you are unable to adhere to all of our posted safety protocols you will be asked to leave the facility... no exceptions.

Stay 2 meters apart - 2 club length rule

You must have a tee time - no drop ins

No cash - contactless card payment only

No tables/chairs - just golf then go

Limited number of tee times - be flexible

No practice greens

One person in the pro shop at a time

No pull carts

No rental clubs

No power carts to start

Upside down cups - do not touch the flag

No bunker rakes

<This is not an inclusive list - there will be more restrictions when you arrive>

I am hoping that there will be some markers on the ground near the tee boxes so golfers don't congregate.  Hopefully the tee times are booked with longer spaces, like ten minutes instead of 7 minutes apart.  Some of the courses are only allowing members only for the first couple of weeks.  I am hoping that no one gets stupid during the early openings that the Chief Health Officer shuts the place down because of someone trying to find loopholes or just being a cactus (I can't use the other word).   If you are going out, please stay safe and follow the rules. 

Final Friday - Last day of golf

It has been a very good year for golf.  My very first time being a member of a golf course. This friendly and amazing golf course that is only five minutes drive from our home.  The year we arrived I was only able to play for a few months because we were busy with getting our house organized.  That year the snow arrived on November 1 and never left until the middle of March. At first I just bought what they call a punch card since I was not sure how often I was going to play.  Then I realized that it was worth it becoming a member, so I did.

They give you this nice wooden badge with your name on it and the current year of membership.  So far I have two of those.  I was wondering how many rounds of golf I completed in 2019.  It was time to count all the cards that I kept to keep track of the rounds.  I am sad to report that I did not make the 100 marker.  Due to vacations and the weather and some off days, I am still happy to have gone out 95 times.  It is also a very important year because on August 28, I got my very first and maybe the only HOLE IN ONE.  My hubby is going to make some sort of memory box to include all the souvenir I got to remember that day.  The ball, the tee, the score card, the mug, a pin, and the special tag that my golf buddy had specially made for me.  Since I already paid for my 2020 membership, I know that my goal for next year is to surpass the 100 marker.  I can only do that if the weather cooperates, my health is good and my golf buddy is available to play as much as schedule allows.  Now it is time to plan on how to get busy during the winter months to stay in shape, as well as to keep the mind active.  Although I still have outstanding projects that needs to be completed, I will have to start being more creative with my sewing, painting and maybe even get back to practicing playing the guitar and keyboard.  As I say goodbye to golf, I am saying hello to a more productive winter. 

That's my feet and my lucky ball.

Ladies who witnessed my hole in one.

My golf buddy.

August blooms.

October flowers getting frozen.

Whaaat Wednesday - Hole in One

Today I got up early because I was adjusting back to pacific time from eastern time.  I checked my calendar and it showed I was going to volunteer for three hours.  After I got ready, I thought maybe I should check with the guy I am supposed to work for.  So I sent him a message and I got reply that he thought it was next week and that he will be busy for most of the day.  Since I was all dressed and ready to go, I thought maybe I will just golf with the ladies.  I called the pro shop and found out the last group had just heading to hole #1.  The course is only a few minutes away so I changed to my golf outfit while my hubby loaded my clubs and cart in the car.  Anyway, I was able to catch the group on hole #2 and then joined the group in front as they were only a threesome.  I was a bit winded and on the hole #3, I got a par.  By the way, this is the ladies group that collects money if you putt more than two putt for each of the hole.  Luckily, my putting was working and I was doing 1 or 2 putts.

When we got to hole #8, I hit my ball and the path was pretty straight but was not sure if I made the green.  Some of the ladies asked me if I knew exactly where my ball went.  I sort of said, it should be below the small mound or just before the green.  While walking I started looking for my ball just in case it ended in the first cut rough.  I got to the green and there was no ball to be found.  I continued checking the back of the green and no ball.  The other two ladies helped looked for my ball around the outside of the green.  I even went back on the right side of the fairway, just in case.  One of the ladies said, check the hole.  In my head,

I am thinking why, I would never get it there.  I headed for the hole, and OMG, my ball was

in the hole.  HOLE IN ONE.  I started dancing, got my camera, and the ladies all have me a hug, then more photos.  The group behind us was wondering what was happening and then

they all started yelling.  Anyway, my very first HOLE in ONE.  Hole #8 about 130 yards.  By the way when we finished 9 holes, I did not have to pay anything since I didn't putt more than two.  The owner of the golf course was in the pro shop and I told him what had happened.  Shortly after, I got a beer mug and was told that I get a drink on the house.  As a rule I would buy everyone in the club house a drink, but I guess that is not the case on this course.  I also received a pin from the manager.  It's too bad we didn't see it go in because

it was a bit far to see and the hole was situated below the little mound.  This is probably going to be the first and last.  LOL.

That's my feet while I stare at my ball in the hole. 

My own Hole in One beer glass courtesy of Hillview Golf Course.

The pro told me to write the date on my ball and asked the 3 ladies who witnessed.

I placed this pin on my green fleece golf jacket.

Twisted Tuesday - When no one listens

You know what happens when you are in a golf tournament and it's one of those Best Ball rule, well this is my story and I am sticking to it.  Last week I was asked to join a team for a golf tournament.  Although everyone had a great time, I was the unlucky one.  Why?  Because on the last hole, I twisted or rolled my left foot.  The team decided to use the ball

that was on an uphill lie and after I hit the ball, I took a step and my left foot rolled as there was a small hole.  The good part is that we were on the last hole but the bad part is that I am now in pain and limping.  I called my hubby to bring some ice which he did so efficiently.  While sitting at dinner, my left foot was having a very cold bag of ice.  I believe it truly helped my left foot.  Back to the reason why.  If my team listened to me and use the ball that was perfectly situated on a flatter side, just a few feet from green, then maybe my foot would have not rolled.  Sometimes it pays to listen because just maybe it might make sense.  Anyway, the damage has been done, I am off golf for at least two weeks since the doctor says

to rest the foot, elevate the foot and ice it for 20 minutes every few hours.  It should be OK after 10 to 14 days.  I am just happy that nothing is broken and the pain is not as bad.  Now I really have to pay attention to the contour of the fairways and certain sections of the course.

If you can see the bunker on the left side just before the green, that's the location of the ball.

Throwback Thursday - Deep Cliff Group

Almost two years have passed since I quit my volunteer work at the Deep Cliff golf course.  I miss playing with my friends who were volunteers as well but like me, have quit also.  One of them actually still works there as a paid employees.  So I am trying to arrange a Thursday morning golf day so we can play like old times.  Deep Cliff is a beautiful short course with 18 holes with six par 4's and the rest are par 3's.  It is a great exercise as it's very flat and no hill to worry about.  Most of the players walk the course but some seniors prefer to use the cart so they don't delay the pace of play.  They have renovated the restaurant and now they even serve their own beer.  Anyway, I am looking forward to playing with my buddies Mo, Mark and Ethan.  When we use to play every Thursday, we always have a lot of fun and stories to share.  Sometimes we stay for one beer or stop by at the local dive bar because they have free pool before 6 pm.  Hopefully we can play a few more rounds when the weather gets really warm and drier.  

This is hole # 18 and above is the pro shop and the restaurant.

Maybe Monday - Golf Fix Lesson

Do you remember the expression "you can't teach old dogs new tricks"?  Well, I guess in golf you can.  After three years of my last golf lesson, I decided to take another one just to see if something can be tweaked to improve my game just a tad.  It took a bit of contemplating on whether to take in the golf course where we play or find some other instructor at another site.  Since we have been playing our weekly golf at the one close by my house, I decided to inquire.  Finally a couple of weeks ago, I met with Kevin.  Just in case you are wondering how I picked him as the instructor.  Remember my favorite minion, his name is Kevin.  My hairstylist is named Kevin.  So why not pick one with the same name.  OK maybe some people would pick according to their experience, etc.  I did my research and with some recommendations, Kevin was the man.  We have met twice and the result is amazing.  I know I need to practice what he has done not only on the course but on the range.  What was great about Kevin is that he did not give me TMI.  He also did not change a lot of my habits, etc.  What he did was to keep it simple and only a few things to remember.  His technique of teaching was very easy to understand.  At times he would compare some process to my baking. Very interesting but I get it.  Now all I have to do is practice what I have learned.  So maybe you can still teach old dogs (me) a few tricks.  Hopefully someday I'll get to do this.

 

Fairway Friday - I am truly in love with golf

Many years ago when I first started playing golf, I said to myself that maybe this was not for me.  It is the most difficult sport that I ever picked to try and do.  Most of the sports that I play did not start at a young age.  In fact I did not want to play any when I was in my teens because I did not want to have any scar or marks on my legs due to cuts or accidents that happen during a particular sports.  My legs were much more important then.  I played a little tennis in my 20's, started playing squash in mid 30's and tried golf in my mid 40's and then gave up.  At some point many of my girl friends from work played golf and I started going a bit more with them, but I was at the bottom all the time.  One of the things that I wanted to do when I retire was to golf at least once a week and maybe more.  Now that I have my regular foursome, I am really enjoying each and every round because I did improve

with time.  Most of the time we don't even score so we can truly have fun.  Sometimes they find great deals on some harder courses but it's all worth it.  I am not scared to try them as long as I have fun doing what I love the most, be outdoors and getting some exercise.  In the last four months we have gone to beautiful golf courses in the Bay area and some are out of town courses.  Recently we have named our group as "the three old men and a babe".  They are very easy going guys who just want to have a day doing what they love to do - Play Golf.

Here's a list of the golf courses that I have played since 2010.

• Pacific Grove Golf Links
• Cinnibar Hills
• The Ranch
• Coyote Creek
• Bayonet Golf Course
• Spring Valley
• Spring Hills
• Santa Teresa
• San Jose Municipal
• Los Lagos
• Sunnyvale Municipal
• Poplar Hills
• Pajaro Valley GC
• Eagle Ridge
• Summit Point
• The course at Wente Vineyards
• Boulder Creek
• Table Mountain

 Here's a photo from Pacific Grove - poor man's Pebble Beach. 

I realized that I'll never be able to have awesome scores but I am happy with my game.  It takes a lot of practice hours, lessons, maybe even great clubs to obtain a certain score but since I don't have time and patience for these requirement, it is what it is and I am having a great time each time I play with my group, my other friends and once in a while in a tournament.  I just love GOLF.

Tidying Tuesday - March equals Spring Cleaning

One of my BFF from Canada thought it was hilarious that I need one day a week for myself when I already golf twice during the week.  I have assigned Tuesday as my ME day but not necessarily a day that is all about me.  It's a day where I try to catch up on house work, blogging, sewing or crafts, being Jeff's secretary (after all these years, I am still filling papers).  Although the majority of the bills are paid electronically, the bills are still on paper and for the sake of record keeping, I am still filling it on their assigned folder.  As I go through the motion of tidying up, I found a box and couldn't remember what I kept inside. OMG, there it was, the pile of golf score card for 2015.  I wasn't really sure the purpose of it but at that time, I would just put the card in this box.  I forgot to take a photo of it so I can's share with you but you could just imagine how thick it was.  The good news about tidying up, I have completed my tax forms for 2015 and I will be able to submit it two months before the deadline.  Another item in our agenda is finalizing the all inclusive vacation for the summer. We have received confirmation and paid for everything. You know what this means, right.  I will starting to count sleeps before this vacation.  We might do some small trips before that, but for now that's our big get away for 2016.  If you remember my post at the beginning of the year with regards to completion of forms for Canada and USA.  Well, it's a bit of a struggle with two months going by and we are still not finished.  Most of the forms are completed but only on a draft format.  We have started photocopying the required evidence and hopefully we could finalized everything this month.  

 

 

 

Must have Monday - When is it a good deal

The news arrived just before the holidays.  One of the golf courses we play annually for a tournament is closing.  It was a little further from our area to play but we enjoyed our annual trip to play an awesome event.  Unfortunately they can't keep it open due to financial reason. They can't afford to pay the water to maintain the course.  They had two 18 holes and one is like a championship course.  Just after Christmas I received an email message advising us that they will be having the golf shop open to sell all the merchandise.  I was not sure if I needed anything but after New Year, I received another message and the discount was amazing.  Jeff and I decided to travel that distance to find what I can get if there was any left.  Lucky for me I wear the not so popular size shoes.  Check out what I got for a very great deal.

A rain jacket or wind breaker which is perfect for winter golf.

My SIL will give me two thumbs up because it is the right brand of golf shoes.

This might have to wait until spring before I can wear it and I might even alter a little.

Like the above item, this too will have to wait for the summer or until I need a new pair.

When it's a good deal, you can never have too many balls.  I've used the orange ones and lost already two.  LOL

 

Team Thursday - The Presidents Cup is on

For those of you who are avid golfers or an avid fan of golf, I don't have to remind you of this great golf event.  The USA versus the INTERNATIONAL.  Of course it's a bit difficult to cheer for one and not the other because some of my favorite players are on each side of the team.  I have recorded each day of the competition because of the time zone it will be difficult to watch live.  This year's cup is being held in Incheon City, S. Korea and I know that's at least 12 hours ahead of PST.  Each of the team is represented by the best in each of their country.  It will be an awesome four days of just exciting golf and team spirit.  I can't wait for it to start.  In case you are not aware of the players representing each team, here they are.

May the best team wins.  Good luck to Jordan and Jason.  Both my favorite who are representing USA and International.  This will be fun but difficult to cheer for.