Change of plans.  We will be playing Hawk's Creek in Fort Worth on Saturday.  I have been advised the course is in good shape and we haven't played there in a while.  One of the NEW benefits is NO MORE FIVESOMES!  This has really slowed down play in the past, and I'm glad they have changed their policy.  The 4 Amigos will probably meet at IHOP for breakfast and an early dose of mind games from TGO.  Of course Ed and Russell will probably meet at 5:30 for breakfast to ensure they have at least 2 full hours of practice prior to the round.  More to come.  By the way, this IS a picture of Hawk's Creek.

This Saturday, we will be playing Meadowbrook Golf Course in fort worth.   The course is immaculate and picturesque as you can see by the photo on the left.  OOPS, that is #3 at Pinehurst #2.  Anyway, we will have thoughts of Pinehurst as we meander along the Meadowbrook golf course.  TGO has already begun the mind games, which I believe are good for about 4 strokes per round.  He has already disparaged last weeks pairings and has dissed the snake, so he is in rare form.  Can't wait to post some pix and a wrap up of our coming round.

Today Joel and I played Riverside in Grand Prairie with my friend Johnny Morrow.  It was really nice, but quite windy.  I had a rough time today with my right hip giving me fits.  None of us played very well though.  I picked up after #16 and gave myself triples on 17 and 18.  Joel won with a 91 and Johnny and I each shot 98.  I'm hoping for a better round next week at Meadowbrook.

What a gorgeous day!  I played Iron Horse today after work.  The course is in pretty good shape and the greens were pretty fast.  I had a 41-48 for an 89.  We played behind 4 of the worst players I have ever followed.  Their divots were so deep, they got mineral rights with them (thanks TGO).  They were fanning on shots and generally playing without any golf etiquette.

Saturday me, Joel and Johnny Morrow from work are playing Riverside.  I'm looking forward to it, but it won't be the same without Russell and Ed.  We will have the old gang back together next week.

We had a great time at The Tribute.  The course is in pretty good shape with generous fairways but wind and trouble everywhere.  We used our Idealogolfer voucher and played for $59.  We also got a yardage book, bag tag and divot tool.  TGO had a challenging day for him.  We were all pretty much in the hunt the entire match.  Surprisingly, I got ahead and stayed there all day, finishing with an 86.  Joel had 88, Russell had 90 and Ed 96.

I took some photos.  These are antique clubs in the lobby of the clubhouse.  This is Ed and Russell on the putting green behind the clubhouse.

This is the 18th fairway.  I hit my best drive of the day at 288 yards.

I played at Cross Timbers in Azle today.  They have a really nice waterfall (the picture came a bit dark).  The course was actually in pretty good shape and a really good deal for $24 (senior price).  We had a fivesome, but still finished in 3.5 hours.  I had my best round in about 4 months with an 89.  I'm looking forward to Saturday.

False alarm.  They are aerating at The Retreat so the same group is playing Cross Timbers.  Not quite The Retreat but it's golf.

I'm going to play "The Retreat" golf course in Cleburne on Wednesday.  I've never played there and I'm looking forward to it.  Has anyone played there?  If so, let me know what your impressions were.  I'm playing with Tony B, his financial advisor Greg and JB Kelsoe, so even if I don't play well, the company will  be great!

The 4 Amigos minus Ed had a good time at Tierra Verde today.  We teed off at 8:25 and it was pretty windy.  TGO had a rough front nine, shooting a 48, but came alive on the back with a sweet 42 for a 90.  Today, we were all in it until pretty close to the end.  Joel was steady (44 + 44) with a smooth 88 to take today's round.  I was consistent if not spectacular with a 46 + 46 for a 92 and third place.  I'm pleased though that I am hovering around 90, which is way more fun than the 100's.  Next week we play "The Tribute" in The Colony.  It is a true links course and should be fun.

After golf, Sherrill and I went to Valley View and found 23 geocaches, which brings our count to 411!

Yesterday Ed and I played Fossil Creek in Fort Worth.  We played with a fellow named Tim from Michigan who is down looking to relocate to this area.  I called TGO to join us, but alas, he is far too valuable to Southwest Airlines to take leave.

It was really windy and we played from the blue tees.  Club selection was difficult due to the wind, which at times seemed like at least two clubs.  We finished in about three hours.  My game seems to be coming back a bit.  Ed and I were both in the 90's.  I had 92 (43-49) with a couple of triple bogeys on the back, but I did sink a 20 footer on #2 for birdie.  Saturday the 4 Amigos minus Ed will play Tierra Verde.  I hope the wind dies down.

My apologies to those who’ve been trying to access the blog and getting a “server overload” message, but I have been inundated with requests for a contest on the blog.  I am requesting comments from all readers of this blog for your favorite brand of irons.  The winning commenter, chosen at random, will receive a Bottileri 50 inch heavy putter with head cover from my extensive collection of putters.  If the winner is local to Keller, Texas, they are eligible for a 1 hour personalized putting lesson from me as well.  An alternate prize to the lesson will be an 8 X 10 glossy reprint of me giving a putting lesson to Mr. Aldo Linguine of the newly formed IANPGA (Italian American Near Professional Golf Association). I will be accepting comments for this contest until March 20, 2011.

Sherrill and I celebrated finding 6 caches today by dining at Babe's in Roanoke.  It's an old place with great fried chicken, home style vegetables and the biscuits are to die for.  If you haven't been there lately, they have done a really great job of modernizing N. Oak street.  They've made a boulevard of it from just north of highway 170 to business 114 with many new restaurants.  They have German, Mexican, BBQ and much more.  Kendall should find out which tower he will be assigned to within the next three weeks.  We're hoping for something close to home and family.

St. Andrews, Scotland?  No, it's the clubhouse at The Tribute golf course in The Colony.  It is a tribute to the great courses of Scotland and is a true links course.  The 4 Amigos will be playing there in 2 weeks.  I found a great deal I couldn't pass up on IdealGolfer for a round at $59.  I think Ed is the only one of us who has played it, and we're looking forward to it.

It was MUCH COLDER than we expected.  Ed and TGO used their cart cover.  We tried to play without Joel's cart cover, but gave in after nine and it really made a difference.  It was not golf as usual.  Well some of it was usual; TGO smoked everyone today with an 82 (42 + 40).  Considering the wind and cold, it was an outstanding round.  The unusual part was that I came in second ahead of Joel and Ed.   I had a 90, Joel shot 94 and Ed a 95.  Joel was in rare voice today, offering numerous "salutations" after a number of fat shots.  My back didn't feel too bad afterwards.  In fact, I found 2 caches on the way home.  Hopefully we'll have better weather next week when we will play Tierra Verde.  Ed will be unavailable, and hopefully Higgy or Bob can play.

The 4 Amigos will be playing one of my favorites Saturday, Waterchase Golf Course in Fort Worth.  It is really well layed out and always in excellent shape.  TGO began the mind games last Monday for tomorrow's match.

The picture here is of the #3 green.  The 3rd shot is the key on this par 5.  It's going to be windy and damp, but not exceptionally cold, so we should have a good day.  Stay tuned for a blow by blow wrap up of the round.  GOLFQ no longer has a coupon for Waterchase.  Go to http://www.waterchasegc.com/ and print out a coupon good for $10 off.

Sherrill and I had a banner day of caching.  We found 8 this afternoon.  Most of them were smalls or micros.  I still stumble with logging in the finds via the Iphone, but I'm getting a handle on it.  We'll celebrate by having dinner at Zoe's, a new Greek restaurant by our house.

This Saturday the 4 amigos play Waterchase in Arlington.  It is one of my favorites and I'm really looking forward to it.  The weather might be rainy, but the temps will be high 40's to mid 50's, so we should be fine.

I have been chastized by "The Great One" of CMC for erroneously posting him with a paltry 85 instead of the sparkling 81 that he shot.  In his comment to me, he indicated he shot an 81 (41+42).  With his substantial golf skill and extreme ability to trash talk and brainwash the opposition, it is obvious that math may be a little lower on the food chain for TGO.