Golf is a sport that offers so much to so many. Regardless of your intention, golf can produce results. I have played many rounds that were focused, peaceful and unincumbered by white noise. During those rounds, I feel I can conquer the world with a single shot. Other rounds, it is nothing by a grind and every shot is a challenge. In between these extremes anything can happen. I remember one round in the distant past where I was on a rollercoaster of shots that resulted in a very low score. At the end I was exhausted, but elated with the final result. It was definitely a walk on the wild side of golf.

The round of golf happened at Circled Pines in Borden, Ontario. It has hence been renamed Borden Golf Club. My round started off very fast putting my mind and attitude on a high. I chipped in for birdie on the first hole. Stuck my approach shot to within three feet for birdie on the second and lipped out for birdie on the third hole. Starting two under is always a great feeling and I was riding a high.

The fourth hole is a long par 5 with bunkers on each side of the landing area off the tee. I hit what I though was a golden shot only to have my ball hit the far lip of the second bunker on the right and stay in the sand. I was close the lip and could only advance the ball 50 yards…..into an unfixed divot that was perpendicular to the pin! So, I grabbed my trusty 7 iron and squibbed the ball another 50 yards. I am now sitting three with 200 yards to go to the middle of the green. I selected my 5 wood, choked down and hit a pure shot to 25 feet from the pin. I could still salvage par. Alas, a three putt later and I was even par after four holes. So much for my emotional high of a great start.

Without going into every shot, I road the rollercoaster through the round with 3 more birdies, 2 more doubles, and a bogey to finish two over for the round. Normally a great score, but not when you make a total of 5 birdies during the round.

Fast forward a bunch of years. I have written about the Tale of Two Nines and my North Granite Ridge adventure. Both were rounds of great and very poor golf. I did not mention my even par round Osprey Links where I shot a four over on the front and four under on the back. I could go on, but rounds like the ones above are definitely a walk on the wild side.

We never know what is going to happen when we tee it up. I have had some crazy rounds and solidly efficient rounds. Regardless, playing golf offers so many opportunities for a wild ride both in score and emotions. This unknown factor is one of the main reasons I love playing golf. Who knows what is in store next spring, but I can tell you I am holding on tight as I anticipate the wild rides to come.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!