Silver Lake

Round number 3 was played at Silver Lake in Orland Park, a 36-hole layout that is usually busy, but the twilight rates are decent, so I went after work with a relative. He was a little late, so our tee time was pushed back, and the league got ahead of us, resulting in our teeing off on the North Course.
We actually started on 13, because 10-12 were being airrated. The grass was pretty smooth, so my contact on the ball was improved over the 1st 2 rounds. I had no pars on the first segment of holes, but had a shot near the road that went thru 2 trees and landed near the green, and a passerby in a car said "Nice shot." Cool. We then went to the South course and played 16-18. I was 5 over on that segment. Then we went to the front on the South and played 1-4. On 4 I drove to 100 yards, then put a PW stiff to 4 feet. I buried the putt, just hitting it hard enough, for my 3rd birdie of the year in 3 rounds. We then played 10-11 and called it a day. So no pars, 6 6's, and a 79 for 15 holes. I was 19 over par, which projects to about a 92 over 18, so again, getting a little better with the full shots. We took 3 hrs and 20 min to play.

The Meadows

Todays goal in round 2 was to play better on the back 9. The weather was similar to last week, cold wind blowing, sunny, eyes dry. I started with a yellow ball, hit my 1st drive on the driving range, found a yellow ball that was Probably mine, and lost it on Hole 2 in the water. Ranger reminded me to keep cart 90 degrees from ball on front and cart path on back. Had 3 6's to start, then settled in with a par on 7 after driving the ball so far I couldnt find it till after I hit another ball. So 48 on the front with 18 putts, and 4 fairways. Grass was pretty short, and greens were a little slow. Made a 20-footer to save DB on 9. On to the back. Lost drive on 10, and had 3 6's on par 3's and 2 5's. This is a testament to the length of the holes and the wind. Parred 12 and 15; tho on 15 was 25 yds away in 2. Then the shot of the year on 18. After driving right near a trap, I stuck a 6iron stiff 1 foot away. Tap-in bird. 2 rounds, 2 birds. Not bad. Final numbers 46 and 14 putts for total of 94, 6 shots better then last round. Hit 6 fairways, and had 32 putts. Left with good taste in my mouth. Have to get a lot better 80-30 yards away.

Opening Day - Windburn in Beecher

Another season begins - this time at Shady Lawn, or Cardinal Creek. I've hit 3 buckets, and putted twice, and chipped once. Really not enough, esp. since most work is on turf, an annual problem. Weather also has been coolish. Goal is to break 100 today. Played North side first, made my first putt(1 foot). Hit 5 FW on front, so decent drives. The rest of the clubs were subpar. Hit way behind about 6 balls, resulting in muddy divots. Best drive was on 5, 25 yds from green, still needed great lag after approach thin. Got 1st birdie on 8, a par-5, draining 20-footer crossgrain. Good to get off schnod; the longer you go without one of those, you start pressing. Had 4 4's on front, for 48. Not bad. Almost had sand save on 7. Greens were a little slow, probly cause of wet. Back nine pretty bad, for me. Didnt hit 1 fairway with wood. Had 4 bogeys, couldnt keep momentum from 3-hole stretch on front going (1-over). 2 snowmen not acceptable, but its the first round. Hit 6 fairways, had 34 putts, and too many pitches/chips were mishit. So a 52 on the back (South) adds up to an even 100. Wind was hard on my eyes and face. Will try to practice sometime this week. Grass contact needs to improve.