Saturday doubleheader wrap: A disappointment

On one of the hottest days of 2010, we played both River Run II and Endwell Greens.

With the unbearable conditions, I don't think anyone predicted we'd finish the day with no changes in the overall score -- but that's what happened.

River Run II wasn't quite as nice as I thought it was going to be, based on its website. It was alright, but not as nice and manicured as I'd hoped from the lavish descriptions.

I played pretty well on the front, but surprisingly, when we went to the back and each hole was shorter (and a par 3), I played worse. I dropped four more shots on the day as Alex finished strong on the last few holes -- which has become, unfortunately for me, a trademark of his game.

Of course, I broke 100 -- for the first time -- but that's really nothing to be proud of on a par 56.

Endwell Greens just played absolutely impossible -- there's no other way to say it. I'm actually relatively impressed with my 112 considering how tough it was to drop the ball onto the green. These had to be the hardest greens we played all year, without a doubt. Alex was cursing at them, and if I wasn't playing slightly better than him and trying to maintain the mental edge, I would've done the same thing.

I ended up beating him by four on the day, missing a 2-foot nothing putt on the final hole (No. 3; we had to start on 4 because the club championship was still wrapping up when we arrived).

We did play with others on the day, but I'm writing this post in a hurry because we're leaving shortly to play the season's 11th course: Tioga Country Club. Chris Vito and Jay Boulia joined us in the morning; Vito played tremendously well on the back after really stinking it up on the front. Jay, as expected, beat the three of us -- it really irks me that he's still better than me at this point.

In the afternoon, Chris Ameigh joined us and shot 150, but it was good to hang out with him again. I also had some interesting conversation with the girl driving the drink cart around. She was nice.

Needless to say, as is always the case with these things, I feel very confident in the after-Alex-works-a-full-day round. I've eaten an awesome late lunch, put on suntan lotion and bug spray, hydrated all day and scoped out the course online. If I don't win on a day like today, I probably don't deserve to win the whole thing.

Also, it's 90+ out again right now, and it still hasn't rained this month. Hopefully Tioga does a respectable job watering its greens, or we may be chipping past sundown on, from what I've gleaned online, is a pretty nice course.