I have finally been welcomed back into the commentary box. It has been a long time between drinks, but I finally scraped a 1 up victory today at Te Marua golf club in the Hutt Valley.
The day started well as JP and I mapped out our US itinerary for a couple of hours and then sent this draft out to a few chaps who have kindly offered to help us out. If we can arrange to get on the 60 or so courses we have on our wish list, it will make for a pretty amazing couple of monthsâ?¦ (and feel free to make suggestions of must play US courses below this blog)
Wellington turned on a stunner today which has resulted in the crowds flocking to St Johns bar and other summer hot spots. It is fair to say the climate here leaves quite a bit to be desired so when it does come right, like today, the Wellingtonians definitely make the most of it.
Te Marua golf course was a well manicured track about 30 minutes drive from Wellington city. The first tee shot was a highlight as we smoked it out across the river, to a challenging dogleg par 4 - the toughest hole on the course. After yesterdayâ??s experience of putting on glass, the greens today were at the other end of the spectrum and initially both of us really battled to get the ball to the hole. Te Marua is infamous for having either out of bounds or water on 16 of the 18 holes and we were warned that we would really struggle to play to our handicaps here. However, the tees were forward for the mid-week men, and with such good conditions the course played relatively straight forward. The one dilemma for both of us were the unusually bouncy greens â?? when we hit a shot in the ball literally bounced 2-3 feet in the air as if the greens had trampolines implanted underneath them. Bizarre.
I was cruising in the match and was 4 up with 5 to play before Jamie sorted his game out and started rolling in the birdie putts left right and centre. He was standing over an 8 foot putt on the last to halve the match (and make his 4th birdie of the back nine) but (un)fortunately it just slid by so the miracle comeback was not completed. The scores ended 78/81.
We are now back at the girls flat in Mt Victoria about to enjoy a beaut dinner. It has been great to see Gret this week and hear about her first week in the new job.
M
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Congratulations Goldie, you finally won one.
To play in the States - Bethpage Black, Kiawah Island, Desert Springs Golf Resort and Desert Willow Golf Resort both in Palm Desert near Palm Srings CA
Check out http://www.golfdigest.com/rankings/courses/greatest/2009/05/100_greatestgolfcourses for other ideas.
Good luck guys, sorry I can't make it down to Terrace Downs for the Launch but look forward to some games up in Auckland
Posted by Ben Paterson, 19/01/2010 9:35pm (3 years ago)
Love the site guys - thanks for letting us believe that it's OK to 'waste' five hours every weekend! The word is that Pine Valley in New Jersey is amazing (and almost impossible to get onto). Make it on and I'll make a donation...
Posted by Phil, 19/01/2010 8:47pm (3 years ago)
Great to hear from you Michael, I enjoy reading of your adventure daily.So glad you could catch up with Gretta and enjoy some fine food,drinks and fun.Awesome Wellie turned on some great weather too!!! See you next Monday. Drive safely. Gael
Posted by Gael O\'Connell, 19/01/2010 8:19pm (3 years ago)
Chisholm Park
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