It was a slow-starting morning with an overcast sky and approaching thunder. We had scheduled a 10:00 a.m. potluck breakfast with Bill & Linda and Steve & Evin.
Of course the rain came just before 10:00. But, it only lasted a few minutes and barely got the ground wet. Actually, we could use some rain. :)
Before long we were all sitting at the table on our patio having bacon, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, and biscuits.
With bellies full, the next thing on my agenda was to figure out when & where Steve and I were going to play golf.
We ultimately decided to drive the 20 miles to Elk Ridge Golf Club. It was the perfect day to give it a try because they had a 2-for-1 special going this holiday weekend, and it's normally a $65 - $75 golf course.
We turned in past the entrance, .....
and drove through a heavily wooded area with no houses anywhwere around.
We paid our $32.50 and were soon on the elevated driving range which provided a pretty good view on its own.
Soon, we were off. The gold tees play from 7,000 yards, but they didn't even have those out as an option today. We played the blue tees from 6,600 yards.
The first hole, like many of the holes, is a dogleg in which driver is too much club. I think I hit driver five times all day.
The tees, fairways, and greens were beautiful as the course wound through the woods, ...
along a lake, ...
over marshes, and around ponds.
If we hit it straight off the tee to the proper distances, we were hitting the next shot off of lush, green carpet. For the most part, except for putting, my game was working today and I finished the front nine with a 41.
Steve just raved about the course. He was ready to live here all summer and become a ranger just so he could play this course over and over. :)
The tenth hole is a par three from an elevated tee straight down to a large green.
Now, if you notice, the bunker in front of the green on the right, is shaped like a pig. That was supposed to be a joke by the course designer since the owner of the course is Lou Schmidt, the founder of HoneyBaked Ham. Lou loved the pig, so they left it in. :)
Here's a shot from the 10th green looking back up the hill to the upscale clubhouse.
We continued on and I finally made a birdie on the 11th. Then we saw our first people of the day as we caught up to a foursome on the 13th. Here's a shot back down the par 5 fairway of the 13th.
My putting didn't really get any better, but the rest of my game stayed pretty sharp. Other than hitting one shot a little too good on a par three and flying the green, I was pretty consistent. I finished the back with a 42 for a total of an 83.
Elk Ridge is a wonderful course. It was ranked as the 2nd best new public golf course in the country when it was built in 1992, and it still wins awards.
With proper course management, I found it easier than Thunder Bay, at least easier than Thunder Bay's back nine. And except for the bunkers, which were a little shabby, it's in much better condition.
Steve, who has played many of the best courses in North & South Carolina thought it was near the top of the list of any course he has ever played. I wasn't quite ready to go that far, but you can bet I'll be back whenever they have their 2-for-1 specials. :)
As soon as we got back from Elk Ridge, it was time for another meal. :)
The six of us had another potluck at our place. Evin made a chicken spaghetti dish while Linda made beer bread and the other Linda made a caesar salad. No pictures of us eating this time. :)
After dinner, Evin brought out some fresh-baked cinnamon rolls for dessert. Oh, they were goooodddddd. :)
Then, with our four friends leaving tomorrow, we capped off the evening with some time around the RV park community firepit.
The firewood is complimentary and I got a pretty good fire going. Linda went into her campfire trance. :)
Dave & Rebecca joined us for awhile and we chatted late into the night.
As Bill & Linda and Steve & Evin turned in, we did our hugs and handshakes as we knew we might not see them tomorrow morning. We had a great time over this holiday weekend and we wished them safe travels.
Yep, another rough day. Wish you could have joined us. :)
I should just quit reading your blog...Do you know how hard it is to be here wanting to sell and go and I have to keep reading how much fun you 2 and all your friends are having? All kidding aside you guys seem to have it all figured out. Hope to meet you some day.
Rich
Posted by: Rich Oliveria | Tuesday, June 01, 2010 at 03:40 PM
This entry shows that you can live a life full of joy without the trappings of the world. Rich said it right. You have figure it all out. And to that I say you are an inspiration to many. The only thing missing from Lind'a campfire trance is a glass of wine to toast the ending of a full day. We've set a date and are counting the days.
Posted by: Jerry & Carol | Tuesday, June 01, 2010 at 09:54 PM