Played in my first "open" tournament after encouragement on WRX - what a great experience!

RoyalMustang · July 15

I've been golfing back again for a few years now, and I've played in a lot of events. A few weeks ago I played in my first "open" event. I hate to sound like a snob, but I loved everything about it! I'd encourage anyone else who can enter to do so. I posted awhile back and was encouraged to play in it. I'll do more of them going forward.

For starters, there were lots of good golfers. The event was for indexes of 5.4 and lower. Despite it being in Dallas in the summer and carts being allowed, at least 1/3 of players walked (as I did). People were generally very, very nice; nobody was taking things too seriously. it wasn't a US open qualifier or anything like that, and I wasn't paired with anyone who was realistically in contention. I assume they paired like index players. Nobody played well: I think we only had 11 birdies total in our 4-some. But that was OK. It was a good group and I'm playing with at least one of my group mates going forward.

Second, many of the players had their (legit) WAGs tagging along. It says something when your hottie WAG doesn't mind walking a 5-hour round on a muggy Saturday with you. My wife got used to being the only wife showing up at previous events; this time, she made a friend in our group with a wife of one of my playing partners, who happened to be a year behind me at SMU. Everyone I spoke to seemed to be successful professionally, in shape, and really have a lot going for them. Everyone thinks of successful career professionals as guys who can't hit a driver out of a wet paper bag, but that wasn't the case here.

I compare this to the US Am Tour events I used to play with. As time went on, 85% of the paticipants became fat out of shape guys. They can't hit the ball very far. So, instead of getting into shape and getting stronger, they complain about course distance. Over time, my flight moved from the regular men's tees to the 4th tee box up at the national championship, 6,100 yard tees for the 4-7 flight open flight; lame. The last event I played with the same: I know the course and we were senior or ladies tees all day. We had longer tees at the 4 man charity scramble last fall!

We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not having 1/2 of the field in the 70's.

Plus if a day was cart path only, it pretty much ensured a 6 hour round, the way those guys waddle. They all treated it like it was Sunday at Augusta. Lots of temper tantrums, arguments, even a thrown club. One guy got into my face about double-tapping a putt (which was accidental-I'm not good enough to control a double-tap on a tentative downhill 3-footer), said I should be penalized and accused me of lying and doing it on purpose, even though that rule was abolished years ago. He then proceded to shout "F***" on several holes after hitting a bad shot and shooting 105. Not to mention miraculously finding more than one sure OB ball launched into the nearby neighborhood miraculously close to the fairway. Maybe they all just happened to hit a trampoline in the back yard, angled perfectly back toward the course at a 45 degree angle.

I also played at the monthly members tournaments when I was part of a CC, but I dropped my membership 3 years ago. Those were fun and sandbaggers were kept in check by the rolling tournament index. You can start with an 8 index, but shoot 75 every week on a 72.5/132 course and you'll soon be a 3. Too bad the course went to s*** due to lack of maintnenace.

At any rate, playing with a better group of players, even if I barely qualify as a "better player", was really enjoyable and I'd recommend it!

SnowbirdTom · July 18

Playing in my first straight up, no seniors only (I'm almost 68 now 🤯) Ann Arbor city championship starting today. Three rounds over three days and course is set up at ~6400 yards. First two days are for score and flighted for the third day. As a 12, I don't have high expectations, but I'm familiar with the course and feel I can shoot at/under my cap. Bonus is I love fast greens they'll be smooth and 12+. 😃 Best part? I'm paired with my oldest son for the first two days.

I'm really looking forward to it!