Spring 2006 Trip

These photos were all taken during the Spring 2006 golf trip, June 1st through June 4th. We had near-perfect weather from the time we arrived on Thursday at Stonegate for our 1:40 tee time. The weather every day was in the mid- to high-70's, and it was usually very comfortable... although sometimes the sun got a bit hot, especially when the breeze died down. Night time lows were around 50, which made for a chilly start on Saturday and Sunday due to our early tee time for the tournament.


We had our usual 6:00am tee time for the tournament, which means a 5:00am wake-up followed by some very stiff practice swings. Luckily this year there was no frost, and we could actually see the fairway.


For the first time in recorded history, Rob did not hit the big tree on the right on number 1. In fact, none of us did, which gave us a great view of the hole and a good chance for birdie. Which, unfortunately, we squandered.


The #2 green, which almost always has a left-hand pin placement on the first day. The second day, the pin is usually on the right side. Neither position is particularly easy, and even though this is one of the shorter holes, we rarely birdie it.


Rolfe generally hits 1-2 clubs less than I hit on any given shot. Sadly, this particular shot barely made it above ground level and ended up a full 20 yards short of the green.


A look at #3 from the tee. This green is very hard to hold, since it is fairly shallow with a big drop-off in back. Also, it sits on a hill, so every putt is a slider if you can keep it on the green in the first place.


Rob swings hard to get it to the green.


Amazingly, the shot sticks. We made the putt, too!


The view down #7 fairway, one of my favorite holes at Benona Shores. If we hit a good drive, we are usually well under 100 yards to the green, but still left with a difficult wedge shot into a green that plays like a billiards table. By the time we play it in the morning, it is usually framed in sunlight and shadows from the sunrise. This time was no exception!


Rob and Rolfe take a good look down #7 fairway.


Dave hits a worm-burner, but puts it on the green anyway!


Eric (above) and Rolfe (below) match each other shot for shot on #8... amazing how similar these two swings look at this point.




We put one close!


#9, as viewed from the tee. We made the turn just before 7:30am!


Dave lines up one of the many long putts we left ourselves with. This one didn't go in. Nor did the rest of them on this hole.


This is #10 from the tee (above) and looking back from the green to the tee (below), a long par-3 with a severely undulating green. Usually the first day the pin is on the bottom slope and the second day the pin is moved to the back of the green. It requires a very accurate long iron or fairway wood to make the green.



Adding insult to injury, #11 is an even longer par-3, with a green protected by OB and woods on the left, and a large hill on the right. For this hole, we actually had three balls on the green! Seemed like we did better on the longer par 3 holes than we did on the easy, short ones.


More photos and commentary to come soon...