Loops "R" Us

Wow, those were two long, hard days... or maybe I'm just older than I was for the Westchester Open, way back three weeks ago.

As mentioned, I looped for Kent St. Charles in the first tow rounds of the NY State Open held every year on famed Bethpage Black.  Kent had a memorable day yesterday, though we won't need to spend much time on today's action.  We were the last group of the afternoon wave yesterday, meaning we finished in the gloaming at about 7:30 p.m.  

As always, the day starts on the range, but you'll be immediately reminded that you're not at a private club any more when you see the range.  Not only is it old, worn-down mats, but "No Drivers Please" reads the sign.  And, by the way, no comped range balls, though one of our small victories was scarfing up enough leftover balls to avoid going into pocket.  It's the small victories in life...

The other issue yesterday was water....no Trump Water or the like at Bethpage, the muni's muni.  We were told that there were some jugs of water out there, but since we were such a late group, "Good luck there."  And there are water fountains to be found, but as we quickly discovered the water is of the luke-cool variety.  Not what a body craves after a few holes.

The round got off to a quasi-tragic start as Kent pushed his drive right on No. 10, and it was nowhere to be found.   Six of us traipsing through the grass to no avail, and one hear's the clock ticking as my chew up our alloted five minutes.  Kent himself finds it just in the bushes in the nick of time, is able to punch out and makes bogey.  That whole back nine was a series of missed fairways and greens, and ultimately a 4-over 39.  About the only good moment was a deft up-and-in from the lie picture at left.  Really, who else but your humble blogger takes pictures of crappy lies...but if you ever need one, I've got scores from Scotland and Ireland.

When we make the turn, something clicks and Kent starts striping it.  He birdies Nos. 1 and 3, and we're hitting good shots.  Well until No. 6 where a pulled three-wood starts a chain reaction that results in a double.  Kent is muttering to himself as we traverse to the 6th tee, a three-shotter, where he pushes his drive right.  He hit it well enough to clear the trees, bombs a 6-iron onto the green and makes a 15-footer for eagle, thank you very much.  Even on Tour you don't often see a guy go double-bogey-eagle, and he added another on No. 8 for a one-over 72.  

The boss splashes out of a bunker on No. 18, top, and hitting his drive on the picturesque 4th, below.

Today, alas, was not meant to be.  He played quite well on the front, but couldn't make anything.  It got a little messy on the back side, at least until he almost jarred it on the 17th.  Should I be offended that he didn't call me in to confirm his read on the 6" left on that bone?  A clutch up-and-down on the final hole left him signing for a 76, which when we left the course was a couple inside the cut line.

I can't see him through to the end tomorrow, so he'll have to summon the magic without me.  But I'm lucky to be in a position to help him and I expect a strong finish from the lad.