A (wind)rose by any other name

Sunday 3rd (night)

I left for Windrose golf course about 1-30 and despite missing one turn off arrived about 2pm. Despite the storm warnings, I saw only a few drops of rain as I was driving there and none for the rest of the day. In fact it was warm enough while I was waiting to tee off that I was wishing I'd worn a skirt or shorts.

Range balls were not included at this course so I started with some putting practice instead. The greens were much better than yesterday by the simple fact that they hadn't been cored. I then went to the chipping area, where there were lots of balls. I bought 4 back and drove them off the driving range just to get my eye in, then did some more putting. I was putting pretty well with the new putter but this didn't quite get reflected on the course.

When I checked in I was told I was in a 3 ball with the Craig party but just before we were due to hit off another guy joined us. Craig and Ebi were African or African-American and Jaleel was Indian so we were a mixed bunch. Craig is an Art valuer and Ebi is a geologist with an oil company. Jaleel was only 15 and still at school. None the less he was hitting them up with the rest of us. In fact, were were all playing fairly well and had only a few times when we had to look for balls. Unfortunately the group in front weren't quite so consistent and every time we got to the next tee, they seemed to be playing their seconds after a short and crooked drive.

After a bit of a wayward start, my drives settled down and I again hit a lot of fairways. I only had 32 putts today which was also satisfying and had 87 in total which again is around my handicap. Ebi was the best of the rest with 78.

This course wound through a housing estate and had many more picturesque holes than yesterday. There were quite a few where you had to hit over water but I finished with the ball I started with. There were also a number where the trees came into play making hitting the fairway essential and there were a lot of doglegs as well. The 16th and 17th went around a swampy area, with the 16th a par 3 and 17th a short par 4 with the temptation to try and drive the green. After I parred the 16th, I admit I was trying to do this but pushed my drive to the right a bit and was safely in the short rough, through the fairway. I chipped on and got my par. Jaleel went for it and finished in the pond just in front of the green. I wasn't even aware that was there. I did have 1 birdie today on a par 5. After a great drive, I duffed my second but hit a brilliant 3rd shot to within a foot of the hole.

It took us nearly 5 hours today and was about 7-45 when we finished and put our bags in the car. The club house was closed by then, so Ebi, Craig and I went to a Japanese steakhouse nearby and had some drinks there instead. There was a very personable barman there who made a number of suggestions. I had a strawberry Daiquari and then at his suggestion a different iced cocktail called heavenly paradise or similar which was in fact very nice. While were having drinks we exchanged numbers and will try and play next weekend, probably Sunday. Brandon is trying to organise a game on one of the private course where his father is a member for Saturday, I think. Ebi is working in Nigeria but has about a month off before he goes back and is planning to play a lot of golf.

I stopped in at a Chinese buffet place, a few blocks from home, for dinner.