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'Tough-It-Out III': The Trans-Atlantic Starter Clubs Uneven Open THIRD EDITION!

Mon, Oct 28 2013 3:55 PM (614 replies)
  • CerinoDevoti
    3,232 Posts
    Tue, Sep 24 2013 6:40 PM

    BZ and I played the front 9 only because I was unable to get started when we could have gotten all 18 played. We started with the idea of finishing all 18 but just as we got to 9, we realized we wouldn't be able to finish so we stopped after 9 and collected all the data.

    The round was going exactly as I hoped it would for myself. I was playing conservative protecting pars by playing to the fat of the greens when I could. I was able to cover a bogie by making a birdie on the 6th hole from inside of 4 feet. Going to 9 even par was working fine until I got the ultimate unlucky bounce on my drive. It landed on the downslope to the right of the big hole short of the fairway and blasted way out into the high weeds. My first attempt to get out resulted in hitting it about 8 yards but it got to the regular rough. I made my mess and took the double but it wasn't what I had in mind. I figured most everyone would be making a bogie so I felt like I gave a shot to the leaders there. Meanwhile BZ showed a marked improvement in his game and I think he's going to be much improved relative to par after the round. He also played the 9th hole to perfection. He got the bounce I  wanted off the drive. He hit a perfect second shot that always lands short. He then hit a sweet approach but unfortunately, he missed his par putt. I know pars there will be few and far between so seeing the good attempt was a thrill.

    As for our par 3 GIR, BZ missed the green on #3 while I got it on. On #6, we both got on the green in style. The following is all the screenshots I collected. I always take fairway and green of myself on the front 9 anyway and I took a screen shot of BZ's clubs as we teed off just in case.

    BTW Corwyn, thank you for telling me what those arrows before our names are for. I had no idea and never tried clicking them. Unfortunately, I saw your post well after I had closed the game client.

     

  • Corwyn
    2,410 Posts
    Tue, Sep 24 2013 7:14 PM

    CerinoDevoti:
    BTW Corwyn, thank you for telling me what those arrows before our names are for. I had no idea and never tried clicking them. Unfortunately, I saw your post well after I had closed the game client.

    Of course, Cerino. I realized you would be long done... but just wanted to mention it for the future, and for anyone who was interested. 

    It's great that you could remember the par 3 info while it was fresh. Thanks!

    And thanks for such a detailed description of your front 9. And bad luck on #9. That sounds like a tough break. I have to say, in my practice goes, I've found every hole (except #6 and #16) to be a real challenge. The potential for disaster anywhere is huge! It's going to take extraordinary focus, and discipline, and of course, a good day with the putter, to get round anywhere near par. And, of course, #9 is horrible. I think I was a bit dismissive of Jay when he questioned our choice of tees on that one... sorry Jay! It really is a brutal hole.

    Oddly enough, I've also found the approach to #2 to be an absolute beast, on a hole which has typically been an anticipated birdie in every other format. I'm always catching a downslope and careening through the back, or pulling it left into nightmare territory.

    One thing I do like about the setup though, is that it does seem to reward creative shot-making. If you can visualize and execute a true links run-up shot, that may well be the best option to get close on a number of holes.

    Good luck everyone! We'll need it...

  • BigInigoMontoya
    208 Posts
    Tue, Sep 24 2013 7:38 PM

    Corwyn:

    As of now we are hoping to play Thursday evening.  I'll let you know if anything changes.

  • CerinoDevoti
    3,232 Posts
    Tue, Sep 24 2013 7:54 PM

    Corwyn:

    CerinoDevoti:
    BTW Corwyn, thank you for telling me what those arrows before our names are for. I had no idea and never tried clicking them. Unfortunately, I saw your post well after I had closed the game client.

    Of course, Cerino. I realized you would be long done... but just wanted to mention it for the future, and for anyone who was interested. 

    It's great that you could remember the par 3 info while it was fresh. Thanks!

    And thanks for such a detailed description of your front 9. And bad luck on #9. That sounds like a tough break. I have to say, in my practice goes, I've found every hole (except #6 and #16) to be a real challenge. The potential for disaster anywhere is huge! It's going to take extraordinary focus, and discipline, and of course, a good day with the putter, to get round anywhere near par. And, of course, #9 is horrible. I think I was a bit dismissive of Jay when he questioned our choice of tees on that one... sorry Jay! It really is a brutal hole.

    Oddly enough, I've also found the approach to #2 to be an absolute beast, on a hole which has typically been an anticipated birdie in every other format. I'm always catching a downslope and careening through the back, or pulling it left into nightmare territory.

    One thing I do like about the setup though, is that it does seem to reward creative shot-making. If you can visualize and execute a true links run-up shot, that may well be the best option to get close on a number of holes.

    Good luck everyone! We'll need it...

    I hear ya about the second hole. I played well to the center of the green and still ended up left of the green pin high. I decent pitch and putt saved it for me. I'm not sure what I did wrong as I was sure I played well safe there. As for 9 it's bad but the same for everyone. I played it all wrong. I was going back and forth between hitting the 3 wood to the center of that big hole. The rough there is manageable enough to get out to the fairway reachable to the green. I went for a little glory and got bitten by the course. Tried it just once in the 9 holes and paid the price. That's what this course is all about for me. If you play too safe and scared you get nothing. If you go for just a little too much, the course punches you in the gut right away. It's a very fine line to walk to get around in par with this set-up. This is low wind. Imagine the pain, blues and agony if we went high wind like we have in the past.  lol

    ~CD~

  • oneeyedjohn
    9,581 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 3:20 AM

    I've done a few practice runs, and Yes, a few holes are just unreachable, even with all the skill in the world.

    The advantage we have here is that one can avoid disasters, like u can have at Oakmont, or Merion & Olympic.

    So I expect to see a lot of sub 75 scores here.

    And If I don't win the best improvement from Rd 1 to Rd 2, them I'll be well pi$$ed, LOL

    Thanks Ben,

  • Corwyn
    2,410 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 7:19 AM

    Corwyn:
    UPDATE re 1st Round ::

    I'm close to calling the first round finally done... But am willing to give the four remaining players one last chance today to play if they can. I know that they have all had some special circumstances (family illnesses, sudden major work commitments, etc.) that dictate the need for the most flexibility possible:

    Timbo1984  |  jlucky3333   |   Wesdogg75  |  GEHL13

    Corwyn:
    Also, I'm going to allow Gehl13 to play his 1st round late if he can and wants to, once his internet is back up after Monday night. (If you remember, he suffered from Neil's disconnect part way through their game).
    Since I've already committed to allowing Jordan (Gehl13) to play into today due to his internet troubles, and the unfortunate disconnect, I'm allowing all 4 players till midnight tonight to try and get their games in if possible. And I'm PM'd all of them with this information.

    Please post in the thread if you can and want to play (in fact, please post either way so we know what's going on). Ideally try and connect with one of the other 4: see special sheet.

    Thanks, Corwyn

    Just to follow up on yesterday's message regarding wrapping-up the 1st Round.

    Wes did manage to play yesterday. Hooray!

    Sadly, I haven't heard back from Tim or Jordan... but James sent me a message yesterday evening (unfortunately, my Messages seem to be being delayed. Before they were just not showing up unless I refreshed repeatedly, now there seems to be a delay as well, as I didn't get James' message till this morning. Please, everyone, do post in the thread as well as PM'ing me, just in case).

    James had to go off on an emergency trip to WA, but would still like to play and will need a marker today. Please post times that work for you, James (and perhaps you could also be green and at the ready). 

    Anyone willing to subject themselves to more Oakmont punishment and mark for James?

    Thanks!

  • filmslayer
    2,340 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 8:21 AM

    i could , but it would have to be after 5 Est. ....

  • deedles77
    2,077 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 8:49 AM

  • deedles77
    2,077 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 8:52 AM

  • deedles77
    2,077 Posts
    Wed, Sep 25 2013 9:59 AM

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