I shot 100, and left eight lengthy putts within 6 inches of the cup. I missed a 20-footer on 18 that would've given me 99, which has been my target score for 2 years now. I lost a total of two balls all day, on a course where losing balls is not a difficult task. Needless to say, I was crushed by this result.
I played unbelievable on the front nine. Out of this world good. Lost just one ball, into the water on 7, which is a long, difficult par 5. I left the scorecard in Alex's car, so I can't really go through the whole round like I normally would, but it doesn't matter. I killed it on the front, and Alex played well enough to only drop a stroke, as I went out in 49 and he went out in 50.
We made the turn and I continued my stellar play. I was hitting my driver tremendously well, hitting excellent long iron shots, and when I needed the hybrid to help me out, it was there, too.
Somehow, Alex outplayed me on the back. It was tremendously discouraging as it relates to my chances of winning this whole thing: I played well enough to shoot probably low-to-mid-90's, ended up not breaking my only true goal for the day, and wasted what may well be my best opportunity to really post a low number for the season, as now we are approaching the point where we need to start playing some of the more difficult courses, like Tioga.
Halfway through this challenge, I find myself down nine shots, and lost ground on one of the few courses where I thought I had an advantage, seeing as I'd played Afton last fall. The conditions were simply perfect today, I had a good night's sleep, I felt great, played great, and lost three shots. I walked off the course shaking my head, for myriad reasons.
Other quick notes from Afton: The ads are true, it's really not fa ... As Alex may touch on (if he ever decides he's going to write again), the girls working the clubhouse here were better than "golf course hot" ... The course was in spectacular condition, especially compared to how I remember playing it (very) late last fall ... I really can't overstate how disappointed I am to not break 100. My only 8 of the day was on 18, and I was in great position hitting 4 -- even after drilling my tee shot OB (the second ball I lost all day) -- to chip on and make 6 or even 5. Eight was an unacceptable score from the position I was in. What a chokejob on my part.
I'm going to need help to close the gap soon. Read: I'm going to need Alex to melt down soon. He's proven to be quite the choke artist, but then again, so have I.
We may not play next week as I'm going home, he's going to a wedding, and some other lame excuses like that. It sucks, because this is not the note I wanted to leave this challenge on. I'll need to be ready to make up some ground the next time out, that's for sure, before this thing gets out of hand.
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