Sitting in the car on the way to the airport I was feeling a bit nervous I must admit, meeting 25 new faces, half of which will be new golfers that I'll try and "take under my wing" as we say where I grew up. A big responsibility in my eyes and one I never take lightly. After getting checked in, flew thru passport control, tax free, I ran into a good friend and former student headed to France for a weeks practice, cool to see him as always. After saying bye to Rikard I made my way to the gate and after a few minutes of getting there I started running into a few more friendly faces and so it began early that morning on a way to a Turkey trip...
My room was very nice and the hotel was total Vegas, interesting and always a cool experience to see the architecture of the human mind in full display. Got an early nights rest and was at the golf course at 0715 fixing a buggy and stocking up on h2o. It was going to be a long but enjoyable day. The next three days were filled with 18 holes playing lessons, short game stuff in the evening and for me an early night in the sack falling asleep in front of the 24 hour a day golf channel.
Wednesday I was up at approximately 0415 to stretch and get the body awake for the first 18 hole round in a long time... Uh, at 0724... Was super lucky to have 3 wonderful golfers that dared to challenge the Monty's Maxx Royal in Belek! Didn't have time to warm up, not even a small bucket and pulled the first drive way left on the get go. Actually made a 4 par rumble through the first four, short game practice saving my butt and then made a few bogeys and a few more pars on the way in.
You'd have to ask the guy who kept score what I shot, maybe 7 over maybe 10, I wasn't keeping track, there was no point... Playing golf without warming up is really not very smart, not for injuries that will happen at some point, your body, mind in general and definitely not your golf game. I normally have a rule, no warm up, no play. I broke that rule this one time and it was enjoyable. But for me, who really does need at least an hour at the club to really get warm, it all comes down to how we as individuals swing the club and what kind of stress we put on our different body parts. Getting a little scientific maybe but it's true, we all need to listen to our inner voice in regards to what gives us the best chance for success on the course and off. Everyone who plays golf has their own relationship with it and that's a good thing. Think how crowded it would be if everyone wanted to play early or late for that matter? It's good we are different.
Thursday was a normal work day, which I enjoyed very much, had another good dinner with the members and early to bed. Friday I was lucky enough to play with three golfers who, let me coach them when I thought it was nessassary and otherwise try and play a decent round of golf. Thanks guys and gal! Was five over going into 15 and with 2 par fives on the home stretch I figured maybe I could get to +2 for the day, a pretty decent score for my second round in maybe almost 8 months, fun... Well, I busted my drive in the short rough on the left side and had 225 into the green, hit the 17 degree Adams so sweet and I really thought I was home. Figured it would roll in. Nope. Bunker. 30 yards from the flag.... Hehehe. Blast a 9 iron almost to the fringe and left the chip 7 feet short. You can guess... Jupp, miss that putt. Jada.
End up making a great up and down on the tough par three 16. I manage to put myself in a situation on 17 that required a miraculously hit 5 iron from a severe downhill lie in the rough into a pretty good wind to 8 feet to give myself a chance to save par on the par five 17th...ya... That's right, don't ask 🙄
Burned the edge there but made three solid golf shots to make a great bird on 18 that gave me a little better taste in my mouth. What's that? Plus six or something.. Ja ja...Had a really fun day with my foursome, got the rest of the day free, had one to many beers with by the pool and fell asleep in my room about 6... Woke up to the phone, shit, last dinner... Whew... Splashed some water, brushed the pearls and was in the elevator in two shakes.
I was tired, a little woozy from the golf and beer but not out of sorts, just tired. The members enjoyed what looked to be a good meal and after a nice speech from the big boss I tried to politely excuse myself to retire to a glass of ice cold Coke, couple bottles of water and fell asleep again in front of the golf channel way before 10
Saturday was moving day, not super fun for anyone... 🛫 ✈️✈️ 🛬....
We all made it, safe and sound, everyone whole, some with tans, others with burns, but lots of fun memories we all took home. Tomorrow I have gotten free, thanks tot man, appreciate that 👊
I think I'll need at least the first three days of next week to prioritize moving into my apartment at the club and if everything goes as I hope, I should be all moved in by the absolute latest Thursday and Saturday it all begins at home...
Look forward to seeing all the golfers that find their way to us at Aas Gård Golfpark & Hakadal GK!
😀🏌👍👊
Kev
