Da Big Kahuna does Kentucky (and more)!

By: Da_Big_Kahuna Mood: i love golf Date: 07/25/2007 16:19:22 Music: None

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted...Since that time I have gotten in 3 rounds of this wacky sport. The first was 2 weeks ago, while visiting my wife's family in KY. We had a blast with the family, getting to know cousins and relatives that we did not even know existed. Her 2 older cousins knew I was an avid player and wanted to show off their local course that had another cousin as Assistant Greenskeeper. The Battlefield! I don't think I have ever played a course on a Sunday morning with Civil War cannons going off in the back ground. OMG! Here I am right at the top of my (horrible) back swing, and....BOOM! The ball goes squirting off to the right like I had kicked it off the tee. Laughter and giggles were heard for miles. I guess it would have been nice to see the sign that read "Civil War Re-Inactment Today".  I am not the most educated man in the world, but weren't there only a handful of Civil War battles fought in Kentucky? Oh well, after getting my swing under control to only swing AFTER the cannon blasts, I played pretty consistant. The course was beautiful. Rolling hills, thick rough, and lightening fast greens for the rest of the day. I scored pretty well for not knowing the hidden nuances of this little course. And beating all three of my wife's cousins was the highlight of the day.

Later that same week...The wife was still on vacation and wanting to take the children to Kings Island Amusement Park. I was up for it but not for an entire day. Luckily for me, her boss (the kind man that he is), knew I was probably going a little stir crazy being around her for an entire week (He only has to be around her for 40 hrs a week). So, he extended his condolances and told me to meet him at his club for a round with him and some of our mutual acquaintances. Great day,not too humid, gentle breeze and lots of sunshine...This was the perfect setting for a day on the course.     After assuring my wife that I would play the round, and then meet her and the kids at the park for the rest of the day, I turned off the cell phone and tee'd up the drive of my life (okay, the day)and striped that Titleist right down the fairway about 310 yds (and not in the rough). Fluffed an 8 iron to about 6ft, and birdied the first hole! A string of pars followed, allowing only 2 bogeys to bring me down on the front nine. I am up on the group by 6 shots! I'm on fire!!! Then, on the back nine, the spirit of Jean Van deVelde crept into my body and my game plummeted faster than an alcoholic falling off the wagon! Nothing would go right...hit it thin,hit it fat, slice, MASSIVE duck hook. Nothing I tried would work. I haven't drank in 15 yrs, and I have to tell you...I don't even think a double shot of Cuervo could have helped me. My wife's boss kept looking for the AED machine (cause I was dying!) Though after the round, after the laughter (directed at me), and after a very large lemonade, I figured out my problem. My head got in the way of my swing. I was back in the clubhouse in my head BEFORE I had even gotten of the course. Lessoned learned!

I was fortunate the day after to spend the afternoon with my 7 year old son at the local par-3 course. My brother-in-law had given me a free round w/cart for Xmas. My son, Jake begged to go. If you haven't figured out...I am a push over when it comes to him playing golf. We had a blast. 18 holes of bonding and learning. It is the greatest feeling seeing your son blast one screaming for the green, seeing the ball hit the fringe and roll onto the green, and then seeing his eyes light up when he says to me..."you're away Dad!" (Yes, my son is a smartass, just like his Mom). We played all 18 and then went back to the clubhouse, bought an ice cream, and watched people work on their putting. I cannot think of a better day.