The President's Putter

I leave on Jan 2 for England to participate in my first ever President's Putter. I hope to have at least a few rounds at Littlestone and Rye. We'll see what happens. I play Gareth Jones on Thursday the 4th at Littlestone. It will be great to catch up with Gareth -- he and I played together last year at Oxford. For those unfamiliar with the Putter, I've included a little excerpt from Rye's website. Enjoy.

The President’s Putter Rye – isn’t that where they play the President’s Putter? Yes it is, since 1920 in fact. The Oxford & Cambridge Golfing Society, founded 22 years earlier for ex-participants in the golf match between the two universities, decided in addition to fixtures against various clubs to hold an annual meeting at Rye in early January. The format of the main event is scratch match play, the basis of university golf, and currently attracts a field of about 160. Thus the winner must survive seven or even eight rounds over four days, frequently in adverse weather, without undue delay since at that time of the year play is only possible between 8.00 am. and 4.30 pm. But herein lies the genius of the instigators, for the length of the evenings provides ample opportunity for sociable reunion, if not an obstacle course for those aspiring to success on the following day. Nearly everyone stays in or around the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, where amid its cobbled streets a myriad of inns and restaurants contributes to the congeniality. Players range in age from 20 to 70, some playing regularly – David Hayes the 2006 winner with a handicap of plus two – others barely picking up a club from one year to the next as work and family commitments intervene. Nevertheless the Old Course at Rye can be a great leveller and with the greens at their slickest and best in winter, never truer was the adage that ‘the man who can putt is a match for anyone’. Serious fun is the theme, exemplified by the presentation of a silver medal to the winner in exchange for the victorious ball. On the back of the medal are inscribed the Latin words ‘Primus inter pares’, which are freely translated by everyone else as ‘he was lucky to win’.

Golfing Friends

Last weekend I was in Colorado for Craig Melville's wedding (more pictures to come) and while I was out there I got a round of golf with 2 former teammates from the Pomona High School golf team. In the picture from left to right: Neil Seeley (PHS '96), Zac Adams (PHS '95), Michael McFadden (PHS '96), Dave Runyon (Niwott). It was a great time. 

First round in England

Today I rode my bike (yes with my clubs) to the nearest golf course in Oxford. The club is Southfield (http://www.southfieldgolf.com) and it's about a 20 minute bike ride from my flat. It was quite an adventure just getting there as the roads are tight and my bike is a little unstable. There were two classic moments: the first one was riding around a turn about with clubs on my back - I'm pretty sure the cars had no idea what to think. The other was riding up to the turn off road, which is called Hill Top. I learned the hard way why it's called Hill Top. I had to ride straight up hill for 8 blocks just to get the clubhouse. I think I'll take a cab or a bus next time. Now onto the course and my round. I played as a single. There was a twosome behind me that didn't want a single since they were playing a match and the twosome in front of me did not speak English and they rented the only cart I saw today. So it was me and the Oxford breeze. It was an excellent way to begin golf in England. Southfield is a splendid course. A lot of elevation changes and it was very difficult to save par if you missed the fairways. It was also tough to score when the wind picked up (but that was only for a few holes today). As for my round it started off quite nice with a few pars and one bogey through the first 5 holes. Hole 3 was a difficult hole. Driving straight downhill into a very narrow fairway, you are left with a straight up hill approach shot into a green you cannot see. Par here is a wonderful score. Hole 3 from the green:

I finished up the front nine with a double bogey on 9 for a 39. I was a disappointed in my score but very happy with the course. Now onto the back nine. I made a few great saves after some wary drives. No one would have believed the par putt I made on 12 - a 208 yard par 3. Only 30 feet or so but it dropped right in with perfect speed. But my legs and body started to get tired on the finishing holes. I bogeyed 15, 16 and 17. Each because of a mental error or something I should have stopped. But 18 I made up for it hitting the par 5 in two and just missing my eagle putt for a tap in birdie. 38 on the back for a 77. Not bad and I look forward to many more rounds at Southfield.

Arrived in England ... Itching to play

I'm still waiting to get my first round of golf in England. Granted I've only been here one day (I'm writing this September 15th). I will document my rounds as I'm studying abroad.

Pebble Beach Trip - May 2004

...revenge will be mine. It's only a matter of time before I'm back again. Four of us (Justin Zado, Chris Roerick, Mike McFadden, and Dave Runyon) are seen walking down hole 17. Thanks to Dave's wife, Lauren, the four of us had tee times at Spanish Bay, Spyglass and Pebble Beach. She set it up for Dave's 30th birthday. What a sweet surprise. Kelly, my wife, came up for the trip too. It was an awesome weekend and I know we all want to come back. Feel free to e-mail Dave and ask him if it's possible to hit 18 in two. While you're at ask him if Spyglass is really that tough.