As most of you know, I started my golf season with a round of hickory sticks at the World Hickory Golf Day in Cambridge. The Golf Historical Society of Canada hosted and its an annual event that marks the start of my golf season. Well, fast forward it to Monday past and I teed it up on the links with my friend Jack. We did a quick nine holes (temperature was 29° C or 84°F) and it was a great start to what I hope to be an awesome season. I hit some good, poor and great shots. Let me explain.
Continue readingMattawa Golf and Ski Resort
Feeling Good About Losing A Match
I was knocked out of the Open Match Play event held at the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. It was the second round and he is a very good player. I played very well, but I was out gunned yesterday. Golf is an amazing sport where on any given day anything can happen. The interesting thing about our match, each of us only gave one hole to our opponent. The rest of the time, the holes were won outright by a birdie. Misha closed me out 3 and 2, yet the match was much closer than the score.
My opponent, Misha, is a long hitting player whose greatest advantage is length. I hit some very good drives, yet Misha was easily 40 yards longer. Not only did he hit the ball a great distance, he was straight and in play on all shots except for one (he still shot par on the hole after taking one penalty stroke).
During the front nine, neither of us putted all that well. We had several opportunities but I was the only one to make birdie. After the front nine, I was 1 up and I shot a one over par 38. Misha also shot a 38 with only one bogey for the round.
On the 10th hole I missed a short putt to go two up. I opened the door a crack and Misha took total advantage. Rattled off four consecutive wins with three birdies and a par. Suddenly, I was down three with four holes to go. After pressing the next two I was closed out 3 and two.
I played Misha last year and won the match. The difference this year was Misha’s control with every club. If he missed, he did so by the narrowest of margins. His putting heated up on the back and I could not keep pace. When we finished I was one over and he was two under. It was a great match and I am hoping to play against him again next year.
On a side note, I mentioned that I play hickory sticks and had an extra set given to me by Lorne Emery, president of the Golf Historical Society of Canada. He said that he would be interested in playing a round with them in September. I will connect with in a few weeks and he can give them a try.
Well, I am out of the match play competitions for this year. Not winning is new, but my ego can take it. 😉 I a happy to lose to Misha because he won the match!
I want to thank Mike and Brenda the owners and operators of the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort for their continued support of the match play tournaments.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Never Giving Up In A Golf Match
It is impossible to determine the outcome of two equally matched golfers. The slightest error or bad bounce could determine the end results. During a Match Play format, there are 18 mini matches rolled into one larger event that will determine the winner. Have a poor hole, well, forget it because it is only 5.5% of the total score. Therefore, it is important to never stop playing because you will neve know what will happen or what fortunes may be hiding around the corner. I found that out yesterday in my match against Scott. The result of the match was determined until the last hole!
Continue readingThere Will Be A New Club Champion At Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort
My efforts to be the club champion at the Mattawa Golf and Ski resort will end this year. I played my first round match against a great young player yesterday and he sent me packing. I lost 1 up and the match could have finished in my favour, but alas Alex emerged victorious. Having said that, it was the best match I experienced in years and want to congratulate Alex and wish him well in the next round.
Continue readingPlaying A Difficult Golf Shot
Every golfer faces a challenging shot while playing golf. It comes in all forms regardless of our best intentions. Depending on the course you play, there may be a plethora of golf shots that each of us would consider difficult. At my home course of Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort, the six hole from the back tees offers a great challenge to my game. Others may not find it a challenge, but I sure do. The funny thing is that it is others may not see the same issues because this hole fits perfectly to their game. Let me explain.
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The Grateful Golfer 