Every once in a while you have one of those days where everything just comes together. In this case, a magnificent golf course and a new friend. I had planned to drive the two and one half hours to Tallahassee to play the Fred Couples designed Southwood course, ranked #25 in "The Top Courses you can play in Florida" by Golf Magazine. However, golfers I met kept telling me, why don't you drive to Carrabelle, about 45 minutes east and play St. James Bay. Whoa! am I happy I took their advice. A great track.
I joined up with Don Scanlan (63) of Marriotts Cove, about an hour's drive south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. A retired financial advisor (hope his clients took his advice), it turned out we had a mutual friend in Larry Teetaert, whom I worked with at Parks for 30 years. Canada may be a big country, but it's a small world.
 |
| Don Scanlan on the 158-yard par 3, 11th |
As the story goes, St. James Bay was developed by a Texas oil tycoon for his own playing pleasure. It was as if JR Ewing himself, had invited us to his private playground. We had the course to ourselves.
 |
| Ken blasts out of a bunker on #16 on route to a 'sandy' |
St. James Bay was like no other course I have ever played. Built in a wetland and certified a Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International, the course is a maze of boardwalks to get over and around the swamps and gator ponds. It was like playing in a bird sanctuary with herons, egrets and cardinals at every turn. We played from the whites, which only measured 5439 yards, but don't let the length fool you; this was all target golf. You needed the precision of a surgeon. I managed to splash six balls, even though I played quite well. It was the most balls I can ever remember losing during a round.
For the record I shot 86 on nines of 39/47 with nine pars and one birdie. Thank you Don. Great day, see you on the 'Jimmy' next spring.
KP
No comments:
Post a Comment