Was planning to play 18, but didn't realize the course was closed on the front this afternoon in preparation for the Maryland Senior Open tomorrow. I was able to sneak out on the back. After a few minutes on the range working on initiating hip turn, and hitting the ball with more authority, went to the 10th tee and started out GIR/par GIR/par, and then even a GIR par on 12th. Great drive on 13th and a decent 3w 2nd shot left me only 100 yards from back pin. Yanked my 50* a touch and missed the green by 2 yards. Made a good chip, but missed the 6 footer for par. Then on 14th, another good drive and a 50* wedge to a back pin. Thought about clubbing down to 54*, but didn't. Rolled off back of green. Another 2 putt bogey.
On 16th had my only not great, though acceptable, drive, but it rolled into right rough, directly behind a tree. Had no shot to the green. Punched it out, then hit another 50* wedge, 3 feet past the pin, with a 10 foot bounce, but it spun back to about 7 or 8'. Another chance to save par, but misread the put and missed it a half a foot right.
GIR, but 50 feet short on 17. Pin was way back. Not surprising 3-putt bogey.
On 18th, hit another great drive. Put 3w 2nd shot into right fw bunker. Hit a 9i onto green, but 40 feet short of pin. Sunk the bomb for birdie! Good finish, good round in general, albeit only nine. Felt good on the tee today. Hit irons crisply. Happy with performance, though feel like I played even better than the score indicates. Nice to hit fairways and greens again like this. Been awhile.
