Gunning for the Cup
Trip Start
Jul 18, 2008
1
6
24
Trip End
Dec 31, 2008
Alexandria,
Virginia,
United States
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The round is played on one of Belvoir's two 18 hole courses, Gunston. You can consider it a championship quality course because it was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones and in 1995 it hosted a US Open qualifying event. I heard that only one qualifier broke par on the course and there were a lot of complaints that the set-up was too tough. The Gunston course definitely will test your game and I am happy anytime I manage to break the century mark. Unfortunately, the Army is planning to level the course and build an Army museum. Hopefully the federation of retired generals who regularly play here can save the course from demolition. It is too good of a track to be lost to the ages.
I needed to drop 2 clubs out of my bag to make it legal because I typically carry 5 wedges (16 clubs) in my bag. I decided to leave the driver and 4 iron in my car. Gunston is so tight and punishing I needed more control on the tee box vice the extra distance that the driver gives me. I played this course last Friday and Sunday to see whether I would miss the clubs. I did not miss them...game on.
The competition is a shotgun start and there were two separate days to play; one in July and this one in August. I chose to play in August hoping that the extra time can give my game enough practice to make the cut. I was assigned to the group starting on hole#1. I really wanted to start on any hole after #4, because in my opinion the first four holes are a bitch and I would rather have several holes under my belt before tackling these four. In the past, I have posted monster scores around 30 for the four holes...ouch! Today, things started well. On the #1 344 yard par 4, I drove the ball to the right of the fairway about 125 yards away from the green. I placed my 8 iron approach shot about two feet from the hole. However, I missed the birdie putt, but I was happy to start with a par. At the end of three holes, I was three over par and on track to break 100; then I came to the 4th hole, 456 yard, par 5. When I addressed the ball on the tee box, I felt uncomfortable and should have step away...No, I pressed on and promptly sliced one out of bounds to the right. After getting back to the fairway and laying 4 about a little over 200 yards from the green, I smashed a 5 wood that sailed over the green and lost into the woods. Fortunately, the tournament rules limit you to double par on any hole. I gladly took a 10 on the hole knowing it would have been much worse. The rest of the front nine went better with a par on the 382 yard par 4, #6. I posted an average score for me, 54.
Knowing I needed to play the back nine in 45, I hunkered down and focused on each shot. I know it was still possible because on Sunday I played the back nine in 43. I summoned the spirit of Tiger Woods since I was outfitted with his Sunday best, black pants and red shirt. It did not look promising when I scored a 8 on the 464 yard, par 5, #11 hole. I pared the next two par 4's (#12 and #14). When I chipped in the ball on the 180 yard, par 3, #16 for a birdie, I knew I had a shot. I finished the back nine with my goal of 45 and the round with a 99. Now, I just have to hope it is good enough to make it to the next round.
