The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[NCLancer]

Our vacation continued as we said goodbye to New York State and crossed the St. Lawrence River into Canada at the Cornwall, Ontario border stop.  Our trip thru Ontario to Sarnia was uneventful and we crossed over the St. Clair River into Port Huron Michigan the next morning.

 

We met up with a friend (Paul from KC's brother) who has a group of about 15 former softball buddies and some wives from the Battle Creek area who, for the last 15+ years, spend a few days playing golf in the Cadillac, MI area every July.  They stay at the Evergreen Resort and meet at breakfast to discuss the days agenda, usually teeing off around 10 AM.  Dinners find small groups doing their own thing then everyone checks into "The Meeting Room" which is a ground level room with a patio adjacent to the 18th hole of the resort's Spruce Course.  The room is filled with snacks, desserts, (and alcohol) with the vibe being very chill with some good-natured ribbing and reminiscing.  We were the only newbies but all the folks made us feel welcome.  

 

The format was a 4-person scramble each day and Mrs NCL and I were partnered with different players for each round.  The scores weren't really important but birdies and closest to the pins were paid out post-round at the course in a small ceremony.  Sleeves of balls were the awards given and Mrs. NCL and I won 10 sleeves, and Mrs NCL herself won 4 for 2 CTTP's including an 18 inch near miss on Day 2.  

 

Day 1 we played Lakewood On the Green, a very tight residential and tree-lined course.  Slightly hilly and wet from overnight showers.  Overcast with temps in the low 60's at tee off which felt very refreshing.  After the round I spoke with my friend KC Paul about playing a late play round at the resort when we got back and he agreed.  Mrs NCL declined as we still had the next 2 to days to play and she knew she was needed for some birdies! 

 

The Spruce Course was lush and the greens were slow and soft.  Fairly flat with some ponds and marshes providing trouble.  Bunkers were in tough shape.  Highlight was the Par 3 18th in front of the Meeting Room.  Playing about 145, both hitting the green, I was 20 feet out and Paul was 25.  He just missed and I drained my birdie in front of the gallery (maybe 8 people who really didn't care but cheered anyway).   

 

Cadillac Country Club was played on a very sunny 80 degree Day 2.  Very open course built in 1919, short and easily walkable.  Conditions were spot on and the staff was welcoming.  A few mature trees dotted the landscape but not much trouble otherwise.  Would love to play this course daily! 

 

Rain in the forecast for around noon of Day 3 pushed up the tee time to 8:45 but we had no weather problems as the clouds kept the sun at bay at Emerald Vale in Manton, MI.  Very big piece of rolling farmland with an outstanding variety of holes.  No homes and some beautiful vistas.  Conditions were just okay as some of the greens had some bad areas and the bunkers were water-filled rocky messes.  Loved the layout but some TLC is needed.  Still had a fun time.

 

Next stop:  OH      IO  

Edited July 26 by NCLancer

[NCLancer]

[touch]

It's a crazy busy Saturday as usual for this old blonde guy. Of course there is a wedding taking place and we once again are maxed out with tee times. 

 

Staff lunch 

I love cold turkey. I have to have a smear of Dijon mustard to dip the turkey in. Olives and pickles...oh heck yeah.

Pasta salad and cheese slices. 

 

 

What is in the small white plastic cup? I am taking guesses. 

 

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, touch said:

It's a crazy busy Saturday as usual for this old blonde guy. Of course there is a wedding taking place and we once again are maxed out with tee times. 

 

Staff lunch 

I love cold turkey. I have to have a smear of Dijon mustard to dip the turkey in. Olives and pickles...oh heck yeah.

Pasta salad and cheese slices. 

 

 

What is in the small white plastic cup? I am taking guesses. 

 

 

 

 

Apple crisp. 

Bread pudding.

Grass and dirt that sticks in the spikes of your golf shoes.

[touch]

14 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Apple crisp. 

Bread pudding.

Grass and dirt that sticks in the spikes of your golf shoes.

 

Incorrect

Incorrect

Hysterical

 

Your first guess I figured would be the most popular guess because it does look a bit like apple crisp. 

 

 

[NCLancer]

1 hour ago, touch said:

It's a crazy busy Saturday as usual for this old blonde guy. Of course there is a wedding taking place and we once again are maxed out with tee times. 

 

Staff lunch 

I love cold turkey. I have to have a smear of Dijon mustard to dip the turkey in. Olives and pickles...oh heck yeah.

Pasta salad and cheese slices. 

 

 

What is in the small white plastic cup? I am taking guesses. 

 

 

 

I approve the cracker choice😜

[chisag]

5 hours ago, DLeightonReid said:

 I need to play as if it is a normal solo round or I will fall into the scramble trap of swinging too hard from the tees. 

 

 

... With age comes wisdom I have heard. 🤔 I am always a little surprised at some scramble players with the illogical "OK, we have a drive in play so let me try and hit the longest drive of my life" mentality. I have seen pretty decent drivers of the ball get so out of whack with their swing because they started swinging out of their shoes and it affected other parts of their game. Sure, there are some long hitters with a reserve tank they can call on without losing their tempo, but for most of us it should be the DLR rule "Play like normal and don't fall into the scramble trap". 

... Good luck!!!

[chisag]

2 hours ago, touch said:

What is in the small white plastic cup? I am taking guesses. 

 

 

... Peanut butter brittle or granola? 

[touch]

9 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Peanut butter brittle or granola? 

 

Both incorrect but thanks for guessing chisag.

[touch]

*Hint for what is in the cup. 

 

It has to do with the wedding. 

[NJBigFish22]

27 minutes ago, touch said:

*Hint for what is in the cup. 

 

It has to do with the wedding. 

Future Divorce Desert!

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, touch said:

*Hint for what is in the cup. 

 

It has to do with the wedding. 

 

it is the groom's favorite dessert, humble pie.

[chisag]

... While a dry heat is better than a wet heat, sometimes it's a little too dry and feels like a convection oven. 7% humidity today at 107* and I am on the fence about playing. 🤔

[NCLancer]

1 hour ago, NJBigFish22 said:

Future Divorce Desert!

Crumbled oatmeal cookies mixed with tears of regret!

 

[touch]

Links Lounge weather poll.

What it's like outside this Saturday afternoon? 

 

 

[NCLancer]

37 minutes ago, touch said:

Links Lounge weather poll.

What it's like outside this Saturday afternoon? 

 

 

[chisag]

[imkirby34]

 

No golf today.   I just heard the mail carrier drop off my package of graphite shaft butt weights, so I will be able to finish installing the grips on the SteelFiber i95's that I put in my Takomo 201's after removing the Axiom 105's from them last week.  I went with the parallel (.370) tip as opposed to the taper (.355) that I've been playing in my NewLevel 902 PD's.  After installing the grips an re-checking swingweights, it'll be time to check the lie angles and lofts and adjust as needed.  Thankfully, I won't be roasting in the garage.

[aenemated]

39 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

That 6% woulda been nice - was oddly humid out there today! 

[touch]

55 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

 

No golf today.   I just heard the mail carrier drop off my package of graphite shaft butt weights, so I will be able to finish installing the grips on the SteelFiber i95's that I put in my Takomo 201's after removing the Axiom 105's from them last week.  I went with the parallel (.370) tip as opposed to the taper (.355) that I've been playing in my NewLevel 902 PD's.  After installing the grips an re-checking swingweights, it'll be time to check the lie angles and lofts and adjust as needed.  Thankfully, I won't be roasting in the garage.

 

 

Lucky dog. Looks like you are in the lead in the weather department. 

 

Congrats on getting to build a new set. A question for you imk, do you ever go to the range at hit balls and what type of ranges are available in your area?

 

 

 

[mshills]

3 hours ago, chisag said:

... While a dry heat is better than a wet heat, sometimes it's a little too dry and feels like a convection oven. 7% humidity today at 107* and I am on the fence about playing. 🤔

I’d be all over that. Just played, 92* ambient, 80% humidity!

[chisag]

11 minutes ago, mshills said:

I’d be all over that. Just played, 92* ambient, 80% humidity!

 

 

... Oh yea, I'll take 7% humidity over 80% every day. But 107* in bright sun is still just hot and with aerated greens, I decided to enjoy my AC. 

[touch]

15 minutes ago, mshills said:

I’d be all over that. Just played, 92* ambient, 80% humidity!

 

80% ? 😯 Brutal 

So far 70 has been the stickiest I've played in. 

[touch]

What was in the plastic cup? The Reveal

 

 

This morning I went down to the Bakery because I was curious to see if they were making the cake for the wedding. They were. When I was asking about the details of the cake that was under construction the Baker told me to help myself to some of the trimmings in the metal bowl. End cuts or burnt (though far from burned) ends if you will. The outer edges of the cake layers are trimmed away before the icing stage and it was those baked edges that were in the white plastic cup. There were at least two different flavor cakes used to make the multi layered cake. My small sampling of bits and pieces was delicious. I could tell one layer will be carrot cake. The design of the cake is the flowering hydrangea shrub that is so prevalent around western NC. The petals will be blue. The Bakery had the edible blue flowers already made. They will be formed into clusters and will adorn the cake cascading down from the top. I had to leave before the cake came completely together. They were waiting until the last minute to finish it due to the heatwave weather that will keep the ballroom the cake will be displayed in not real cool. It's a 102 year old building with high ceilings in the ballroom. 

 

I was promised a photo from the baker of the final cake tomorrow when I get to work and I will share it. This cake is the size one orders to feed 100 guests. 

 

The first photo is of a bank of hydrangea's that I saw on Wednesday behind the 11th tee box when I played. With all the afternoon storms we've had for over a month the Hydrangea's are extremely healthy. 

 

 

Edited July 27 by touch

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, touch said:

Lucky dog. Looks like you are in the lead in the weather department. 

 

68 degrees in DMM land.  10mph wind so things feel cold.

[imkirby34]

44 minutes ago, touch said:

 

 

Lucky dog. Looks like you are in the lead in the weather department. 

 

Congrats on getting to build a new set. A question for you imk, do you ever go to the range at hit balls and what type of ranges are available in your area?

 

 

 

 

I've never really been much of a driving range person.  Even when there was an all-grass range about 10 miles away, I'd go there *maybe* 5 times-a-year.  That closed 7 or 8 years ago, so now I'm even less inclined to go to the range even though there's always been one with mats less than 5 minutes away. 

 

When I do go there, it's usually just to reassure myself that the lie angles on my irons are set correctly, so I get a small bucket of balls and do the dry erase marker test.  Typically, I do this only with new iron sets since I order/bend them 2 degrees upright and while I trust my ability to use my golf club gauge properly, I like practical visual reinforcement.

 

Also, I freely admit, when I used to go to the range, I was one of those types that would mindlessly hit ball after ball.  Yes, I'd change clubs in a set manner - PW, 8, 6, hybrid, 9, 7, 5, 5w, 3w, Driver - but it was basically hit-hit-hit.

[touch]

13 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

68 degrees in DMM land.  10mph wind so things feel cold.

 

Sounds like the perfect adult beverage to enjoy tonight under the stars on the Mexican patio would be an Irish coffee. Better get cracking on whipping up some cream. 

 

 

Edited July 27 by touch

[chisag]

49 minutes ago, touch said:

I was curious to see if they were making the cake for the wedding. They were. When I was asking about the details of the cake that was under construction the Baker told me to help myself to some of the trimmings in the metal bowl. End cuts or burnt (though far from burned) ends if you will. The outer edges of the cake layers are trimmed away before the icing stage and it was those baked edges that were in the white plastic cup.

 

 

... That was my next guess. 🤥

[mshills]

1 hour ago, touch said:

 

80% ? 😯 Brutal 

So far 70 has been the stickiest I've played in. 

Weird weather pattern….it heated up, then rain, but the rain did not cool things off one bit. It kept heating up and was just a total hotbox. 
 

My wrestler younger son asked me “did you make weight?” when I got home. 🤣

[chisag]

30 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

I've never really been much of a driving range person.  Even when there was an all-grass range about 10 miles away, I'd go there *maybe* 5 times-a-year.  That closed 7 or 8 years ago, so now I'm even less inclined to go to the range even though there's always been one with mats less than 5 minutes away. 

 

 

... Right there with you brother. Before my first back surgery I lenjoyed going to the range, although always referred playing and wouldn't call myself a range rat. I played my best golf when I went to the range after my round to fix whatever was giving me trouble. Now I do that after the round and just play several extra holes hitting multiple shots so I can keep moving. I can do a little loop of 10/11 then 10/11 and it takes me close to the parking lot. During the summer here when I get free range balls in good condition, I hate starting out getting over heated before my round even begins. If it's over cast I may hit the small bag they give us.