Ya know what I like about the Pebble Beach course?
1. the stunning views;
2. getting to deal with negative and near-negative numbers in the putting formula;
3. the sheer (or is that shear?) optimism (recklessness?) involved in placing my aim out over a chasm or down on a beach and still hoping to hit near the pin with a 28 mph sidewind.
The highlight of my first round though was when the Rules Official tracked me down while I was in the sand below one of the cliffs, collecting some unique rock specimens. He said I was unduly delaying the game. “Unduly?” I said, incredulous. “How can you name a course ‘Pebble Beach’ and not realize that’s a siren call for everyone to look for ocean pebbles during a round!?” He was not amused, and that’s when the Senior Rules Official arrived. Same start to the conversation. But I also added, “That’s like naming a course St. Andrews and not realizing people will stop to pray for help, especially when the wind screams out of the heath.” She was not amused either. So, I trudged back up to the fairway with my “quarry,” and continued the round.
Sufficeth to say, my concentration was broken. The F9 -5 was joined by only a -2 B9. However, there were cheering moments: lots of putts from fringe, one of which went in (!) and 100% on scrambling and sand saves. While I hope for better next time, and I’m a bit worried that Confucius says: “Bird in hand make hard to blow nose,” I’ve carded the first round at
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