Get out there and Golf! Free today.

Just got in from my first solo turn of the Orcas Island Golf Course for the season.  I golfed for FREE today (April 18th) and YOU CAN TOO!  While I enjoy golfing with others I really like getting out early (not as early as Jim S. does. Whew!) and hearing the birds twittering away in the early morn. Watching my errant putts arch across the dew as they go on their own little journey. It is a great way to relax and put all those pressing "things to do" in the background for a bit. I’d golf in the evening, but I feel guilty playing when my beloved is working evenings.  Morning just work out better for me.

Well back to FREE GOLF TODAY ….. The Taylors have purchased the course and are making some changes I always thought would be good.  That being a driving range. Before you play your complimentary game today go hit some balls just accross the road in what was the 9th fairway.  I see they have the pump house labled at 210 yards.  Be fun to try and hit it.  Remember the old barn that used to be just the other side of the putting green there by the club house. I tell you no lie. The first time I teed it up on Orcas Island I hit the broad side of a barn. 

Speaking of a relaxed time did you watch the Masters last weekend.  I just loved the casual way the eventual  winner, Angel Cabrera, just hung in there and enjoyed the game. He’d hit a putt and it would miss and he’d look at it like - "Who moved the hole?" He must of made more then he missed though.  He did win. Kenny Perry could sure feel the pressure down the stretch.  Came down to it and his chipping clubs betrayed him.  I know how he feels.  Mine betray me just about every shot. I’m getting used to it though.

Tiger and Phil Mickelson had a great dual there on the last day.  Tiger is a great player and you don’t need me to tell you that.  I think he over does on the stress and concentration though. Sometimes he growls at the putt so much I’d think the ball would just jump over two inches and drop in the hole.  If it gets that serious a game for me please steal my clubs. 

Justin Taylor and his Dad out on Orcas Island have changed the last three holes around a bit.  On hole 7 you used to tee it up on the knoll above the 6th green.  They moved the tee southwest and made a par three going into the former 8th green.  That will probably keep my shots out of the wet area by the former 9th gold tee.  For the new 8th you tee off the old 9th tee and work your way north across the former 8th fairway. (Come to think of it it is still the 8th fairway just in reverse).  You hole it out on the former 7th green.  Not a bad Par 5.   Then you walk across the road and play a Par 4 9th hole, teeing it up on what the high school golf team calls the Bonus Hole. For me this morning the Bonus Hole, that is the new 9th, was a bonus - it was the only one I parred.  Woo-eee!  What a finish.

As I came into the last shining experience of my golf day I noticed some fellows swinging away on the new driving range. Was a sight to behold. I hear Jess Goffeney, fresh out of the Golf Accademy in South Carolina, is giving lessons.  Might have to look in that too.

So get out there today and support Justin and the Taylor Family and get some FREE GOLFING in. 

See ya in the rough,

Rick Boucher