Journal Entry #1
Monday, 4/28/2003
by: John K. Darling
SeniorFriendlyGolf.com will have a series of short features (I don't like long articles either) that will be of interest to senior, 55 and older (or 50 if you choose), golfers who enjoy golf and are ever hopeful. The original objective was to develop a system to rate courses to alert senior golfers to the friendliness of specific courses. Unless you want the aggravation, why play a course that is designed to challenge and put away avid low handicap and pro golfers? Hey, we high handicappers play golf for enjoyment, right? After discussing this objective with some golf oriented folks, I have decided the articles will also focus on Golf academies and schools, teaching professionals, health and conditioning issues, equipment, food, motels, tips, and just about anything else that interests me or you as senior golfers. I'll even let you know if the margaritas are tasty. I intend to be the Rush Limbaugh of senior golf. I am going to write about what interests me. If you like it, come along. Of course you can let me know what interests you as well. I may run out of material. Just email me at john@seniorfriendlygolf.com.
On the other hand, anyone can benefit from the SFG ratings. Maybe you are a low handicap golfer, not even a senior, so you want to seek out the challenging courses, like the one mentioned below in this article. Well, if that makes you happy, then an SFG-3 rating is friendly for you.
Who am I? I retired a couple of years ago from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service where my duties allowed me to get in a round of golf every couple of years or so. I will be 67 in June and live in Colorado Springs. Being retired, I do my best to golf twice a week, once on my own and once in the senior league at the Valley Hi Senior golf course in Colorado Springs. In the winter I play if it's above 40 and wind below 15 MPH. I also sneak off to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to do some "divoting" from time to time. My ambition is to break 80, but first I have to break 90 and 100 consistently. My handicap is 22. I'll keep you posted.
Troon Golf has always interested me, but who can afford it? In December I had my left hip completely replaced, and the surgeon said I could get back on the links in 90 days. So, I booked a golf school in Rancho Mirage at the Weston Mission Hills Resort three months out from surgery. The school included two days of four hours on the range with two other seniors and one day for three hours by myself with Bobby Steiner, the teaching professional. Each day after the practice range we played 18 holes on either the Pete Dye or Gary Player courses. Yep, I was exhausted, but happy. And when you book a school your green fees are usually included so you better play. The frozen peas for my tendonitis, shoulder rotator, and groin were extra.
Troon golf? Yeh! I got to play two courses. I didn't know it when I booked the school, but both Weston Mission Hills Resort golf courses are Troon managed. That means quality plus, and all the personnel was courteous and helpful.
In my next article I'll get more into the golf school. It was exceptional and I highly recommend it to anyone (760-328-4393). However, as far as "SeniorFriendlyGolf" is concerned, the Pete Dye course is NOT friendly (probably an SFG-3 on a scale of SFG-10, friendliest). It was designed to be tough and challenging for scratch golfers and professionals, and it is. So, if you are one of those low handicap guys, you will probably love it. What is most peculiar about the course is that someone thought having a four to six foot dry yellow course grass perimeter around sand traps would be beautiful. Tell you what; hit your ball into one of those perimeters, and you are in the bunker, and that is not beautiful. Know what a funnel is? That's what those yellow parameters were for the sand traps. And, there's lots of sand. I counted 62 sand traps on the scorecard. I couldn't count them while I way playing because I was too busy looking for lost balls. There are five water holes but only four come very much into play. Of course the course was beautiful. I do recommend playing it, but know what's in store for you.
The Gary Player course is "Senior Friendly." I would rate it SFG-7. While the course is longer than the Dye course, it is not as aggressively bunkered, and those nasty yellow perimeters are absent. Fairways are more open, and even though there are 10 bodies of water, only six come into significant play. The waterfalls are peaceful and great photo opportunities. You may even see a fox or two running around and the rabbits are quite large, but not as large as Texas Jackalopes. It's worth your time just to enjoy the hike around the course, but I hope you can break 90. Reservations 760-328-3198.
If you want to know more about the SeniorFrientlyGolf rating system, click on that icon on the SFG home page.
I look forward to hearing form you. Let me know what you think.
John
Email: john@seniorfirendlygolf.com postal mail: P.O. Box 38951, Colorado Springs CO 80937 Voice Mail & Fax: 888-264-7966