Cruise Golf

     Recently I went on a five day cruise to Mexico.  I do this quite often and have gone to courses in the different ports of call that the ship visited.  My cruise line of choice is Carnival, since we have cruised with Carnival on several occasions. Each time, if I didn't play I did go to the seminars and as a writer for a golf magazine I always introduced myself to the pro on board.  Our conversations were very good about the game, instruction and the courses the cruise line visited. On this particular cruise, nothing: no pro, no seminar, no lessons and no escorted trip. Something was not right.
     On the third night of the cruise, I went to have a cigar in the bar that was set aside for smokers and met the hotel manager who was having a cigar and an off duty cocktail.  I asked him what was happening and if Carnival no longer offered golf on its itineraries. He explained that for the amount of guests that were taking advantage of the golf shore excursions and taking lessons, it was not worth the expenditures.  They had suspended the program.
     I kind of can see where they were coming from and it was purely an economical decision.  I have played golf  a couple times off the ship and the largest group on board that went to play was fifteen. Think about it a moment; on a ship of almost 2500 passengers, only 15 go to play golf.  That is about .5 % which is not cost effective. Though I am a huge supporter of golf, the program couldn't sustain itself on board.

     Today, they do offer golf excursions, but the price only includes transportation to and from the course and green fees.  They are not escorted by a pro.  This is kind of sad and from my experience I always had a great time with the pro. the almighty dollar is king, I guess and it is important to make money to stay in business.  If you have to look at your expenditures you also have to look at your revenues. If it isn't contributing, it may have to go.  Such is the way of the golf program on Carnival.          

Tough Course

     Some of you are probably wondering about what I think is the toughest course I have ever played, or maybe not.  I am willing to share that with you now. You may be disappointed but I want you to also keep things in perspective.  I have not touched a club in a month and as far as golf is concerned, I am not thinking too clearly right now. My back has been out-way out-for almost three months and I really want to play but can't. Hopefully, I will be able to get out the first week of February.
    The most difficult course I have ever played is the miniature course on board the Carnival Cruise Line Ship the Splendor.  Have any of you tried to putt on a rolling ship.  The greens are tough to putt when the ship is rolling. Speed is very difficult to judge and the break is "close your eyes" exciting.  You would swear that the putt broke one way and goes the other. It is a tough nine-hole track.

     OK, I know this was a cop-out.  I haven't been able to go out and play some new courses to share with you and I will write about some of those I have played when I was writing for the magazine.  Right now, given my health, I can't do that.  I ask you to be patient as I plan to write more and share pictures.  Until then, I will do what I can.  

Twas The Day Before Christmas

     I don't know if I could get in trouble for writing that as I think someone has the copyright to it, but if they want to sue me, let them take their best shot.  I have Legal Shield, well actually I don't this month because I couldn't pay for the membership.  If you are going to sue me, please wait until next month when I  renew my membership. Also, don't tell anyone because I don't want to have it come under a preexisting condition.  That doesn't have a thing to do with golf or travel, does it?
     I don't have much to say right now on the great game and I think it best I keep it simple.  As my gift to you, I will share some of the pictures I have taken on some great courses.  I hope you like them.  Finally, I would like to wish you and your's a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Enjoy the pictures.

Love Hate Relationship-Part 2

     Yesterday I talked to you about Bayonet and Blackhorse.  I mentioned DeLaveaga located in the hills above Santa Cruz.  As was true with Bayonet/Blackhorse.  I truly hated the course and vowed that I would never play it again.  When you go on vacation in Santa Cruz which is a Pacific Ocean Seaside resort located about 50 miles north of Monterey, your affordable  golf options are limited.  You can play Pasatiempo which is a classic Alistair MacKenzie design and is expensive to play, or you can play DeLaveaga which is a municipal course and is much more affordable. The choice is a no brainer when you are on a budget.   
     DeLaveaga is a challenge.  the one thing that you better be good at is uphill, downhill and sidehill lies. there are very few places on the course that afford a level lie.  The fairways are demanding with steep barrancas surrounding most of the fairways. If that was not enough, there are mature pines and cypress trees that make shotmaking a must.  There is a lot of strategy involved when you play this course and patience is a must.
    You must know the course in order to place the ball in the correct position.  Driver off the tee is not always the best choice. It truly is a thinking man's course.  I didn't take it seriously the first few times that I played it and I hated it because of my attitude. I am sorry with that opinion Tim (The head pro at DeLaveaga) but that was just how it was. A few month ago I played the course with a friend and decided it wasn't going to beat me. I decided to take the smart approach and think about strategy. Instead of the normal 105 or 102, I cut ten strokes off my score and shot a 92.  It wasn't because I palayed any better, it was because I played the course smarter. I actually enjoyed my round.
     I plan to go back to the course and do a complete evaluation of the course with pictures and comments.  I have to talk to Tim about that one and I will do so soon.  My greatest success on this trip was on the #10 hole, which is a par 5.  There is a very small landing area because you have to carry a huge barranca on the left side of the fairway with out of bounds on the right.  I hit a huge drive into a great position and then took the barranca out of play.  I was so excited about my second shot being safe and in position for a possible par that I wound up getting too excited and double bogeyed the hole. I was still satisfied that I didn't take a higher number and was really excite that I finished the hole instead of evoking equitable stroke control.

1.      The views from the course are wonderful and the holes are very picturesque. It is a great place to play but by all means buy a course guide.  FOLLOW IT!!!!

   

Stay With Me

     I have to almost apologize to you my reader.  It has been a very long time since I have actually taken this blog seriously, and it really saddens me.  I do have an excuse though.  I have been laid up with a bad sciatic attack and have been unable to do much of anything.  I am just now able to walk for any length of time.  My legs feel like jello and my breathing capacity has to be built up again as I am winded very easily.  But, rest assured I am getting better quickly and hope to be out on the course soon. Another fact of the matter is I have gotten away from my love of writing as well.  I must make it a priority.
     I love golf.  I love writing and taking pictures of courses.  I should do that more.  The fact of the matter is that I retired to write and write about golf and travel. I have gotten far away from that.  I enjoy sharing my golf and travel experiences with you as well as the photographic images and stories. At this point, I intend to come back and write.
     

What's Next

      I want to thank you for tuning in on my blogs.  My task today is to let you in on a bit of my thinking as to what I am going to do with this blog.  I am going to continue writing it, make no mistake about it.
     The direction I think I am going to take is to bring you more courses to play.  I want to post more pictures and comments about the courses I play.  That should be the thrust of this.  I must make a confession right here that my health has not been what it should be. The truth of it is, I am now just able to walk.  My back has gone out in a sciatic episode that was the mother of all attacks.  I haven't touched a club in over a month   and that was a painful adventure at best.  At any rate, watch for more articles and pictures.
     For now, most of the courses will be reruns that I probably have written about in the magazine I wrote for.  They are some great courses though.  Well, that's it for now, enjoy and wish me luck.

It Still Hurts

     It still hurts!  I know it is a sign of getting older, but that doesn't make it any less painful.  Your body starts hurting in places that you didn't know you had and those pains come more often.  Your best friend priorities list changes from spouse/significant other (wife, girlfriend and since it is 2012 domestic partner), golf buddies to health care provider--in my case, chiropractor.  He plays golf by the way and is very good, a single digit handicapper who is a member at a local exclusive country club. I know, I have payed his dues recently with my office visits and my sciatica pain.
     My friends list has taken on a different look.  Top of the list is my chiropractor and health care provider, significant other and then --sorry guys--my golf buddies.  Guys, I love you like brothers but when I am in pain decisions have to be made. Bottom line is I have to rest my back so it doesn't hurt.  I am not going to play tomorrow to rest it.  Besides, I am down on quarters and have to do my wash.  Me not playing is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you.  Actually, I'm not playing so it won't hurt.  Look out for Monday--I hope.

   
     See what a sciatica problem will do to you.  This was me before I  went to the chiropractor yesterday morning.  Ice and bed rest and I will feel like myself again. Off to the couch to sit with an ice pack on my back.






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