Grit, Gusts, and Grater Greens

Last night, 27 golfers took to the course for a Men’s Night that felt more like a survival test than a casual round. We were met with a double-threat of howling winds and temporary greens, both of which required a serious mental adjustment and a lot of patience.

The low round of the night was the 36 by Dave Mansell, which was ever more impressive given the conditions. Only two skins were won. Darcy Kowalchuk and Ryden Lanouette won $58.14 on #4 and Fred Hrycak and Cole Hunter combined to earn the $20 prize on #6. 

The deuce pot was claimed for the first time this season with Stephen David getting a two on 5 for $168.60.  Closest to the holes were Jason Gorrell on #5 and Scott Martin on #9.

Nothing quite compared to the experience on the ninth green, which seemed to possess a personality all its own. Unlike the other temporary surfaces, the ninth had a texture that was inexplicably jagged and uneven. Putting across it felt less like a golf stroke and more like trying to roll a ball across a giant, rusty cheese grater.

While it was easy to let the frustration boil over after a few redirected putts and wayward drives, there is a genuine value to these challenging conditions if you look closely enough. The wind, though a nuisance for our ball flight, acted as a natural defense system by keeping the mosquitoes entirely at bay and providing a refreshing cooling effect during the heat of the afternoon. Furthermore, those temporary greens are a vital sacrifice, serving as a necessary interruption while our regular putting surfaces are resown and restored.

Beyond the practical benefits, these odd conditions provided some other perks that we should all appreciate. The relocation of the holes actually forced us to intentionally hit golf balls to unusual spots on the course where we usually only end up by total accident, giving us a whole new perspective on the layout. These rougher putting surfaces also provided the ultimate ego-saver, as no one can truly be blamed for a three-putt when the green has the topographical consistency of a gravel pit. The wind also turned the round into an impromptu fitness session, as several guys got in some cardio in by chasing down runaway hats.

Ultimately, the night turned us all into amateur physicists, as we spent a couple of hours calculating the aerodynamics of a ball moving through a gale force wind and the friction of a sphere bouncing over jagged, irregular surfaces. Thanks to everyone who made it to the evening and through the evening.