Golf at Hilton Head Country Club - Tuesday and Friday.

Visited the Club this afternoon to book my golf, as an owner here at Bluewater we get a round for 4 per day at only cost being the cart/s. I need to hire right hand clubs. At 4.55pm I was the only car in the car park. I wonder if the course was closed after the heavy storm late morning.

Anyway, the beautiful ground in the upmarket estate is just stunning to see. Ken is excited to be going out on this course.

He also can play Golden Bear Golf club , Hilton Head a Jack Nicklaus course, but has a strong preference for the country club which is only 5 minutes drive out the front gate of this resort.

The weather improved and the incessant rainfall disappeared as Ken left at 11.20am to get to the course and sing-in. He is scheduled to hit off the 10th Tee at 12.00pm and is playing as the last member of two foursomes. some are younger but most of these club members are mid 70’s to early 80’s and with a cart they get around quite well. Ken plays off 22 and this places him third in the two groups. We play for US$10 with a pool of US$80, which is then largely used for food and drinks at the Scull Creek Boathouse, where they retire too as the Country Club restaurant/ bar will be closed.

After the continuous rainfall over night and early morning the Course has had the sting taken out of it.

Ken has a set of Callaway Maverick and finds them an excellent choice. He drives well, hits his 3 woods well, approaches are getting onto the green and importantly, he putts extremely well.

We only see two alligators sunning themselves later in the day. This is a beautiful course with many water hazards. He has also booked for 12.40pm on 4 July, American Independence Day.

The first hole played was the 10th with a slight left dogleg and Ken put his pitch to 12 inches and made the putt for a par. An excellent hole with 3 terrific shots and a simple short putt.

The 12th Hole was a tough hole over water,. Ken only just cleared the water with a drive of 165metres, then was well positioned. Plays well then a long pitch from 80 metres to 6 feet and sinks the tricky putt for a good 6. He then has 5 holes with scores of 5 on each hill, including a double bogie on the very tough 14th, where his first shot a long 3 wood, didn’t carry the waste area. So a double bogie 5 resulted and not much could do about it. Some of the other members of my 4some were having significant challenges.

The Spanish Moss on so many trees is a feature of the golf course. In the middle two photos are the wastelands and you need to hit a 3 wood in excess of 155 metres.

So I was delighted to come home to the 18th with an excellent score of 44 shots and 20 Stableford points. At this point I was equal second in the 2 groups. But I was absolutely delighted with my golf.

A strange experience occurred on the way back to the first. I inquired of the group as to whether I could take a photos. It was apparent that several were uncomfortable and one of my group indicated that it is against club policy for privacy purposes and there are supporting leagal opinons. I backed away and agreed not to take photos or identify any members of the 2 foursomes.

We drove to the First tee after several used the facilities and then grabbed cold water, as the weather which had been overcast was now improving and it looked as if we would have 2 hours of sunshine. Ken again started the 1st hole with an excellent par, including a downhill put from 25 feet. He played an excellent number 2 one of the most difficult rated holes with a 5 (bogey) after the putt stopped one roll short. There was a disappointment on the par 5 6th hole where his second was slightly off line hit a cart path and bounced at right angles leading to a 7 ( double bogey). Ken finished the last 3 holes in good fashion with 3 bogies and resulted in a score of 44 strokes and another excellent 20 Stableford point, making a total stroke score of 89 and a Stableford score of 40 points. Ken easily won the competition in the 2 foursomes.

A couple suggested that even though the rating was 71.0/ 137 for the white’s , my handicap looked too high. But none the less a great day out. I doubt that my handicap was too high, I just had a day out using a lovely set of Maverick (Callaway Clubs).

Following the 4 hours and 10 minutes round the group suggested that we go to the Skull Creek boathouse and have a drink. At this time there was nothing open at the Hilton Head Country Club to have a relaxed casual drink.

We enjoyed a plate of crumbed shrimp and a couple of Beers. Ken had a Scull Creek Pale Yellow Ale and then a doors light. He left the winnings in the pot and went back to Bluewater whilst the rest of the group continued to enjoy their drinks and relax. He is booked again on Thursday ( Independence Day - 4th July). May play with a couple on that afternoon, but I am likely to be with other members.

It has been a unique experience. A beautiful challenging course and you pay for any mistakes. I wasn’t really long enough to get into much trouble and in my terms I played very well and to my handicap.

Back at Bluewater for a shower and change. Jeanette cooked a lovely meal. We are very fortunate.