I vaguely remember a time, about 100 years ago, when I wasn't the shortest hitter in the group. Although I've never been long, there was a period early on when I could hit the ball plenty long enough on just about any layout I'd play to chance a decent scoring opportunity. Although the 300 yard drives were never more than a once or twice-per year occurrence, I could roll one out there around 270 often enough, and relatively straight.
Today, my best drives usually go no further than 240 yards. Every once in a blue moon (like Sunday) I can get everything timed right, helping wind, no bad thoughts going in my head, etc. and stretch one out there around 270. But that's certainly not expected, not anymore, although when it does rarely happen - it's still such a great feeling.
Our club championship qualifier was this past weekend. It's a 36-hole stroke play event. We had roughly 35 guys competing in the top division, a couple of players of which, mind you, never stood a chance but felt obligated to play anyway. But the remaining 30 guys... good players, guys who are very competitive in just about every club event, and about 10 of those guys are undoubtedly the best players at our club.
This is where I break the story up, just long enough, to say that I've never encountered a season where I've struggled to hit a tee ball far enough, like this one. The soft conditions haven't helped, but still... you know when you've hit a ball solid and when you haven't. This season, particularly the middle part of the season, has been a struggle. Thankfully they've all been straight, just lacking good distance. But everything else has been pretty damned good, all things considered. I started the season as a 5 handicap, and currently my handicap is 1.3, and trending to 0.9... I've not been this low in roughly 8 seasons now. My iron play has been steady, particularly my mid-iron play. My short-game has been remarkable, my putting has never been better. I'm scrambling my ass off this year, we're talking a thing of beauty for a guy who can't regularly hit the ball much longer than 235 yards on average.
First round on Saturday, I was being outdriven by my opponents by 40-50 yards, easily. We played the tips, which was adjusted to 6800 yards from the usual 7000 yards because of the soft conditions. The only birdie I made on Saturday came from a 4-iron to 30 feet on a 195 yard par3. Our 16th hole, another par3, measured 237 yards and was into the wind. I swung driver, missed it right but near the green. Luckily got it up and down for par. In fact - I hit only 6 greens Saturday. Shot 74.
The leader after Saturday was a guy who kills it off the tee, the longest hitter at our club, a scratch player. He's usually a weak putter, but just drives the ball so far that he's hitting greens with short irons or wedges. He had a solid day, shot 70. Had a bunch of birdies, which meant he was putting well. I figured I was somewhere inside the top-10, but got home and got the email from the club later in the evening with the standings. The next best score after mine was 77... I was in second place, late tee time for Sunday, I get to sleep in.
So Sunday comes. I had a horrible warmup session. After about 20 balls I just quit, went down to the practice green, figuring I better make some putts or otherwise I'm screwed.
The leader - he continued to play great. I kept chasing, but his distance was just too much of an advantage against a guy needing to make birdies to catch him. My only birdie came on the same hole as the day prior - the long par3. Back pin, 215 yards, pin tucked over a ridge. I hit a 3/4 feathered driver there, it landed softly near the ridge, trickled over to about 7 feet. Made it. Then parred the 9th hole, went out in 3-over 39. Just the day prior - I'd gone out in 1-under 35.... gave up 4 shots in the difference between the two rounds on the front nine.
I continued to play well, or as well as I could. I didn't want to lose, but neither did I want to throw away my chance at a low seed in the matchplay for the upcoming club champs. I was 6 shots back at that point, and decided there was no need in trying to catch him. Play my game, make as many pars as I can, maybe finish 2nd, take some positive momentum into this upcoming weekend.
And that's how it all worked out. My friend shot 70/73, taking first. I shot 74/77, taking second.
The friend who won - he's not playing in the club championship. He's heading out of town to Vegas for his bachelor party, getting married in two weeks. This was essentially his club championship this season, the stroke-play championship. So that means, for me, that the reigning club champ from last year automatically gets the top seed, and by virtue of my friend who won't be participating - I get the number two seed.
As much as I would love to keep things going like they have, I also recognize the vagaries of matchplay. You can play great and lose, or play lousy and win. My first match this Saturday is against a young college kid, hits it miles. If I'm lucky enough to get by him, then I get a guy on Sunday who has a similar game to mine. He's not exactly the funnest guy to play with, but he's a decent player. But I'll stop there... no need to look ahead.
I gotta keep doing the same things I've been doing for pretty much the entire season. I keep wondering when my luck will run out, when will the pars turn into bogeys... but man - what a great feeling. I might get my ass kicked Saturday, or I might par my opponent to death until he wilts. Either way - it's been a crazy-good season.
Just hoping I can extend it for one more weekend! Wish me luck!