Today we played Whitestone Golf course.  The course was in OK shape.  The fairways were a bit hard, and the greens are grainy and bumpy.  Number 13 green was in pretty bad shape with a lot of winter damage evident.  Sand traps were pretty muddy and not really easy to get out of.  We all played pretty well.  Ed had an eagle on #2, but couldn't capitalize on it and shot a 95.  Russell had an 85, Joel had 88 and I had 89.  Ed and Russell played another 9 from the blues and Ed came alive on this 9 and beat Russell.

Next week we are playing Champions Circle, which we haven't played in a while.  I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Sherrill and I drove over to TMS after lunch and found 3 geocaches.  We have a travel bug we picked up in San Francisco with a goal of visiting all the NASCAR tracks in the U.S.  While we were in California, we took it to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.  We took it to TMS in Fort Worth and I'm going to take it with me in a few weeks to Indy.

Well, we are back from San Francisco.  We had a great time sightseeing and geocaching, but NO golf.  There was just too much to do in a few days, but maybe on the next trip.  Northern California is really beautiful with awesome giant redwoods and beautiful ocean views.  In the interior part, there are so many beautiful vinyards and farms. Not at all what I think of when I think of California.

This week, we are playing Whitestone in Benbrook.  I have golf withdrawls and am really looking forward to it.

Today we played Hawk's Creek with Higgy subbing for Doc.  The greens are a bit bumpy and a few bare lies in the fairways, but generally the course was in good shape.  My back held up fairly well today and I had one of my better recent rounds with an 89.  Russell had an 85 that could have been better but his putting was a bit off today.  I will be in San Francisco next weekend with Sherrill, so Higgy will sub for me next week also.  Ed called a few times from Pagosa.  He was going to try to get a round in this afternoon since it was 26 this morning!!

Next week it's Waterchase.  Have a blessed Easter.

Time to Changes those Grips

Here's why you should change your grips at least yearly.  The grip is one of the most important components in golf and the only part of the club that you actually touch.  Grips are made of materials that age and wear as a function of time and use. Ozone, heat, dirt and oils from your hands all age your grips and cause the natural degradation of the grip. The traction that a fresh grip provides lets you hold the club lightly without the subconscious fear of losing the club during your swing. This relaxed state promotes proper swing mechanics and wrist action. While a worn grip causes you to grasp the club tighter, causing arm and wrist tension that inhibits proper swing mechanics and leads to a loss of power and control. A fresh set of grips is an inexpensive and fast way to bring a noticeable change to your game.  You can usually find specials at Golfsmith or install them yourself.  It's not hard and there are plenty of self-help sites that describe the process in detail.

I'm going to help out at the church on Saturday, so I am going to try to get an early tee time at Hawk's Creek.  It will save me around an hour on Saturday.  The last time I played at Hawk's Creek it was in really nice shape.  There will be an airshow there this weekend, but hopefully we'll have most of our round in before it starts.  Ed is going to Colorado and Higgy is playing in his place.  Higgy will also sub for me next week while we are in San Francisco.  I'm hoping Sherrill has recovered sufficiently from her double pneumonia to make the trip. 

Congratulations to Charl Schwartzel.  This year's Masters was one of the most entertaining I've seen in years.  Tiger and about a half dozen others were in it until the last few holes.  I really felt bad for Rory McIlroy.  He totally tubed it on the back nine.  His play on #11 kind of reminds me of me, except we play triple max on any hole.  The pressure of being in the lead on the back nine at Augusta has to be tremendous.  It's kinda like the pressure I feel when I am either in the lead or even with TGO going into the back nine at Rockwood or Ditto. 

Southern Oaks was in bad shape.  The winter has taken a toll on the greens.  Several greens are dead and the rest are very spotty and rough.  The ball was hopping all over the greens.  The weather was pretty good though and we had fun.  Ed is coming on strong the past few weeks, and he and TGO tied for top spot with 88.  Joel had an 89 and as usual, I finished last with a 90.

Ed and Russell were going to play more, but they couldn't get on until 2:30 so they decided to skip it.  Next week is Week is Whitestone in Benbrook. 

I stopped on the way home and picked up 2 geocaches.

We're playing Southern Oaks tomorrow in Burleson.  The course is about 16 years old and designed by Fort Worth native Mark Brooks.  I have played it when it looked like this picture, and I'm hopeful that it somewhat resembles it tomorrow.

I played 4 times last week and my back and hip is pretty well shot, so no high expectations tomorrow.  I will definitely have to cut back in the future though.

The 4 Amigos are together for this week, but in two weeks, Ed and I will be gone, so Higgy and probably Bob Tole will be playing with TGO and Joel.  I'll report on the results tomorrow afternoon.

Sherrill and I found 6 geocaches yesterday afternoon.  We are only 18 away from 500 finds!

Ed and I played Fossil Creek today at 2:00.  It was a bit windy, but a really nice day.  I had a really well played front 9 with a 43 and a lot of good shots.  My hip acted up on the back and I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.  I shot 53 for a 96!  Despite the score and relative slow play in front of us, we had a really good time.  I think Ed beat me by a few shots.  I'm really looking forward to Southern Oaks on Saturday.

I played this afternoon at Bridlewood.  I have NEVER played in that kind of wind!  It was gusting to 50 mph and it was impossible to stand still over the ball.  Based on the conditions today, I was very satisfied with a 93.  On #8, a 132 yard par 3, I hit a 5 iron right on the screws into the teeth of the wind and came up about 50 feet short!  Under normal conditions, that would have gone about 175 yards.  I played high stakes wolf, for me at least, at 3 bucks a hole and was fortunate to win $9.  On Saturday we are playing Southern Oaks in Burleson.

I'm playing Bridlewood in Flower Mound today with the Fort Worth Center Golf Association.  It rained some this morning, but should be fine.  It is really windy though and that could be a problem.  I'm looking forward to reconnecting with some old friends and making a few new ones.  Ed and I played this course about 6 months ago and I had a good time there.

What a great start to the baseball season.  The Rangers beat the hated Red Sox 9 to 5 on Friday and took them to the woodshed again last night by a score of 12-5.                                                     GO RANGERS!!!

Today Ed kicked our butts!  He had an AWESOME round and played consistently good golf.  He had a 41 on the front and 42 on the back for an 83.  TGO had an 85 and Joel had an 87.  I brought up the rear at 91, but felt ok with my game.  I hit all the fairways but 1 today, but had 4 triples, several due to putting. 

I had a call from TGO this evening.  To celebrate his good day at the course, he took Annette out to dinner.  Sparing NO expense, he decided to throw frugality and caution to the wind and they dined at IHOP.  Not sure where we'll play next week, but I'll keep you posted.