June 7 - Today was a Golf Channel Am Tour event at Lake Winnipesaukee GC in New Hampshire. A one day 18 hole scratch event. When I saw this on this schedule, I made it a point to get here. I played it in 2013 with my friends on our annual Sunday River trip and loved it. This course meanders through the woods, up and down significant elevation changes, with holes cut in many different shapes and it demands good placement off the tee and a solid short game. The weather was excellent, sunny and 70s; course conditions were solid (especially given most courses struggled from a harsh winter); greens were not running fast but rolled well.
My ball striking/putting led me to a 74 (+2) and a seven shot victory. I hit 12 greens and 10 fairways. Aside from two three putts, my putting remained hot. I drained multiple putts over 15 feet, including a 35 foot birdie putt on the par 3 4th hole. I was 2 under through 8 holes then had a hiccup mid-round with a 4 over stretch on holes 9-12.
The first hole is memorable to me. With over a 100 foot drop from the tee to green, I drove the green last year from 340 yards. This year, the tee was set up at 380 yards. I like to think I can it far, but no chance reaching it this year. I decided to hit driver anyway and got to about 45 yards away. I pitched it to 10 feet and rolled in the birdie! (Note, one of my playing partners drove it greenside...kid was crushing the ball all day, but had difficulty keeping the ball in play...he withdrew mid-round given the struggles; hitting it long without some accuracy is not a good formula; if he straightens it out, than potential is high)
My fellow competitor G. Barton and I commuted from Charlestown together and shared a lot of golf and business stories. G, I hope to see you at a future event soon and maybe Kiawah next year!
Play aggressively smart,
K
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