So today’s the last Sunday in July, which means that the next time I tee one up it’ll be August. Which means that the “summer” golf season of June-August has one month left.
So how’s it going so far for you? The weather has, as you might imagine, been a real factor (not to beat a dead horse but that Mens Journal written-on-a-crayon piece I referenced last week failed to mention that weather is an enormous factor in rounds played) with several heat waves and more than normal thunderstorms. Hopefully you’ve been able to get out there and enjoy some good golf.
The Quicken Loans National hits our area next weekend, however it’s not at Congressional this year, but rather it’s at RTJ Golf Club in Gainesville/Lake Manassas (pick one- I’ve seen both), VA. While this sounds all good and well, from the official site to buy tickets (the Tiger Woods Foundation website), there’s this nugget:
Buy your parking early and save. Parking will be at Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Drive, Bristow, VA 20136.
$10 per day, General Admission Parking (Tuesday-Sunday)
Having anything to do with the clusterfuck that is Jiffy Lube Live is, frankly, a disaster waiting to happen. Ask anyone who’s ever attended a concert there, and they’ll tell you horror stories. Plus, they’re charging people to park at what is possibly the most-hated venue in the DMV (it’s a tie between Jiffy Lube Live and FedEx Field)? What’s that about? I attended this event back when it was the old Kemper Open. Walked up on Sunday with some co-workers and paid $28.00 to get in and parking was free at Marriott HQ/Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Pay in advance now, and that same ticket is now $45.00. So I’m now paying DOUBLE what I paid when the tournament was at the old TPC Avenel (now TPC Potomac- I played there in 2012 as a guest of a former colleague- it was a fantastic course…if you get a chance well worth your time). So I’ll pass; I’ll have a few beers that will be cheaper than the $10.00 chilled horse urine that they serve up (and mine will taste better), and I’ll have access to clean, private washrooms and more comfortable seating. Oh, and at my “private suite”, once the round is done, I won’t have to sit on the parking lot that is I-66 for hours on end.
I played yesterday (Saturday) at Little Bennett. Other than the greens being a bit furry (they were cutting the greens while I was playing) the course was in great shape.
12th hole. Waiting to hit my 2nd shot while they mowed and re-cut the green. Made par from here. GAHH!
It’s hard to complain about carding an 81, except that take away 2 three-putts and that becomes a 79. Still, it’s a tough course and for my two cents worth an underrated test of golf.
Not scary at all. Just hit it long and straight. What could be easier?
I got on a 5-hole par train starting on #10, where I hit the fairway and was on in regulation on every hole. Had 2 tap-ins of 2″ for pars, but in reality I can’t complain even if I’m doing just that right now.
Note. Going right with your second shot is not suggested. Just saying.
All in all, a solid round. The wreckage appears below.
Scorecard from my round on July 25th. Played from the whites except on 2 holes where I played from the blues.
This week the PGA Tour is in my hometown area (I grew up in Mississauga, Glen Abbey is in Oakville which is next to Mississauga). When Graham DeLaet withdrew this week due to injury I figured there’d be no chance of seeing a Canadian lead, but here we are on Sunday afternoon with two Canadians (David Hearn is tied for the lead, Adam Hadwin is T6) on the front page of the leaderboard. Given that a Canadian hasn’t won in over 60 years I’d like to see Hearn pull it out.
Shameless plug: for more that just golf follow me on Instagram. It’s like my blog, but less wordy and more boozy.
Enjoy August, and hit ’em straight,
Your friends @ SGIC
Leave a Reply