My Florida Golf Vacation, Entry One: I'm Not Dead
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 6, 2010 9:39 AM EST
in Playing Golf
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PrintI've been down here in sunny (but not all that warm) Orlando, Florida since Wednesday night. I came down here to play in what's known as the Old Greensburg Cup. It's a four day golf outing with a ton of future in-laws of mine. Three generations of family are here - and some non-family, too - to play some killer golf courses.
In the first two days, we have teed it up at two Disney tracks: Magnolia and Osprey Ridge. The first day was Magnolia. I probably played 12 really good holes and six abysmal ones. First round of the year, first round with an entirely new set, and likely the pressure of playing in a competition did it to me.
The concept is simple: each round has two nine-hole match play affairs based on net score per hole. Play better than your handicap and you'll do nicely. Don't and prepare to get rocked - like I have.
I was seven shots better yesterday at Osprey Ridge, but honestly it could have been another seven. I played stupidly with the driver in my hand on holes that I didn't really need it. Then I had a couple of obscene three-putts. It just was not all there yet.
In about 90 minutes, we tee it up at Sugarloaf Mountain. It's a Crenshaw co-design that has been recommended to me by literally everyone I have talked to about this trip. I've got a great round planned today even though I have absolutely zero chance to win the Cup.
Since I hadn't posted in two and a half days, I wanted to keep everyone apprised of my activities. There's a lot more to come from the trip, including posts on some of the architecture I have seen, what I did with my future family, and some equipment reviews.
In the meantime, do you take a golf vacation each year? Who do you go with? Is there anything on the line?
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Myrtle Beach
every fall with 7 very good buddies. Usually play 4 days, 27 holes each day. We call it “The Fall Classic”; it’s cumulative score with handicaps applied. We always have a truly wonderful time and it’s something we look forward to every year. This year will mark the 12th anniversary. Great friends, great golf, great food, and a couple of cold brews: already can’t wait for this year’s trip.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
I can tell ya Ryan
what’s doing ya in….it’s those new sticks, and the grooves your not used to..Not so much golfing vacations, but just good times going to my place in Hawaii and playing some of the most beautiful locations on earth…have to work around birthdays, anniversaries, etc…Sometimes if one or two of the boys and their families go with me, we play together, otherwise I usually play with some assistant pros on the Island…great whale watching in season, sunsets, crackers, cheese, sausage and of course, strong drink and good cigars….Ahhhh, life is good and memories sweet….STUB
In early March, Orlando
and Baltimore can be almost the same temps. It was 57 degrees and sunny today and warmer tomorrow.
Ya gotta be in Naples or another southern Gulf Coast city for guaranteed 80’s. It’s crowded, but who cares. You’re either on the golf course or eating or at the hotel/condo.
I'll keep an eye out for you...at www.oneeyedgolfer.blogspot.com
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Mar 6, 2010 8:29 PM EST reply actions
The big difference between the two is the grass. Down in Florida, the courses are usually pretty green about now, while here and up in Baltimore, the grasses are mostly dormant.
Still though, it’s good to be able to play the home course and start getting a feel for what 2010 will bring.
by Charles Boyer on Mar 7, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
and here I was thinking that your entire life was a golf vacation…except when there is 9’ of snow on the ground ! :-)
My golf trip every year is The Henburger Cup in October – a three or four day trip with 19 other golfers (yes – there have been women on the trip) playing a semi-Ryder Cup tie – hosted by the guys from Southern Golf Weekly. We’ve been to Myrtle Beach, Destin, Vegas, Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, MS., and Port St Lucie, FL. (and yes – it’s a first paid – first in affair if you’re putting this on your calendar for 2010) :-)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I go abroad every year a few times
but only played once overseas…the Nicklaus course in Cancun. Every August, however, I go with the mob (Wife’s relations) somewhere in Britain for 2 weeks. Sometimes it is a gamble with the weather, but I have played golf courses all over Britain the last 20 years and had some cracking rounds on great courses. Twilight rounds usually go for half price and as the sun sets near 9pm, it’s bliss, often no one around. Getting around in less that 3 hours is common. With the lads at work, we usually go away a few days up north, or away days. There is never enough time in the year.
How big of a process is it to travel to some of the great Mediterranean courses ? Is train travel worth it to go that far from the UK ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Court, golfers I know always fly.
To get a train or go by car from here to Spain or Portugal takes 24 hours..flying there takes 6 at most including checking in/out.
Easing...just hypothetical of course,
but if 2-3 blokes from the colonies were to travel to the UK and meet up with a certain someone who already owes copious pints, and there were say 7-8 days of freedom, which Scottish courses would be played, maybe 4-5, before fatigue sets in….and what time of the year would be best…all conjecture of course….Hmmmmm!!!!!…STUB
St Andrews is always a must, Stub.
The West course at North Berwick and Crail are two of my favorates. There are so many up there. I’d say in July or August after a lot of the rough has burned out a bit. When it is lush in May it is murder to get out. The beer is good anytime :)
Not dead, but almost got shot!
Dear Ryan,
Great meeting and playing with you this week. Hope MP is doing well tell him I said hello. So when are the SL and SBW comments coming?
In anticipation,
The Gardner
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