Mike and I arrived late Friday night to the luxurious Waldorf Astoria (within Walt Disney complex) and hit the hotel bar for a drink (me having my staple Guinness and Mike having his G&T). While watching March Madness, we ordered the best pork sliders I have ever had, even if I never had pork sliders before, they were unbelievable! As absurd as the prices were at Waldorf, the food was excellent and the price was right on a corporate card. On Saturday morning, I got a egg/cheese sandwich and an orange juice. Guess how much it cost? $25, ah ah choke, are you kidding me!? If any justice was had, the sandwich was enormous and filling.
Our first round of the day was at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, an immaculate 7,000 yard par-72 course right outside our hotel room. It was literally a half wedge from the balcony of our room. As usual, Mike and I set the stage for a big 54 hole match over the weekend, playing $3 Nassau with birdies, sandies, closest to pin on par 3s, and three putts. My first shot of the trip was a hybrid down the right side of the fairway on a straight away 364 yard par-4. I made a standard par to start. I followed with another par, then got wayward (missing mostly right, with a few hooks left...think i was setting my wrist angle too late) with my tee ball and made bogey, double, and bogey. My final score was 81 (+9). I went +7 on the four par-5s. The golf course had grass very much like the Northeast and the greens were beautiful (never a single bump on a putt). The greens were all heavily guarded by bunkers and pitched. I played a nice short game to manage my way around the course. Weather 85 and sunny. Match results, Flionis wins all around. Players partners = no others. Best holes of day: Mike eagles par-5 eighth, sticking long-iron within three feet and I went back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17, including a chip in on 17.
In the afternoon, we joined up with the Woburn legend Tommy Coleman and his son-in-law Jonathan. The golf course was Grande Pines GC, a par-72 7,000 yards. It was a nice golf course, but not as well conditioned as Waldorf. Mike took home the match by shooting 76. I had 81, highlighted by a very solid wedge game. My new Cleveland CG15 wedges are working very well inside 125 yards. I hit multiple shots tight to pins from wedge distance. Murphy had the shot of the day when he punched out of the woods from 130 yards and the ball settled within 15 feet of the hole and he sank the birdie putt. At first, we never thought he would find his tee shot and then he makes birdie. I couldn't match it! Tommy was a blast to play with, including many humorous remarks such as the first tee when he approached the Cornell golf team and said 'nice food you guys got up there'...made no sense to me...the kid responded in befuddlement, 'we do have nice cafeterias'.
For dinner, we ate at the Bull & Bear Steakhouse. I got a 28-day dry aged NY Sirloin (all natural). And the French Beignets were unreal, first time I've ever had em'. Probably top 3 meals I have ever had. Remind me to take you there next time we are in Orlando! So worth the money...
Living the life of rich and famous this weekend....Day 2 includes a Pro-Am practice round at Grand Cypress Resort - 830am shotgun, then followed by lunch, pool time, and the Pro-Am pairings party at Bay Hill...where I meet "THE KING"
Stay tuned
