Well I played the next leg of the little amateur tour I joined yesterday at River Cut GC here in Springfield. Besides the medal play I also had a match. It was an up and down round where I didn't drive the ball very well. Hell I hit one in the river.
However, before the day was through I made 5 birdies and won my match 2&1. It was a good match and it was all square at the turn with both players shooting 37 on the front 9. I was one down a few times but each time he won a hole I answered with a birdie.
We both got off to a shaky start on the back 9 with bogeys on 10 where I got lucky twice and ended up in a bunker and not the water. Then I won the 11th hole with a bogey to go one up for the first time in the match. That was a spark for me as I followed that with birdies on two of the next three holes to go 3 up. Then on the par 3 15th, a hole where I have some bad history, I hit a beautiful little wedge to 10' right below the hole. If I make the putt the match is over. I relaxed and promptly blew it 2' above the hole and of course it was a nasty little left to righter. I missed it and lost the hole. I could have closed the door and instead I jarred it open.
Then on the next two holes I made two big time clutch putts to close out the match. Two of the best putts I think I've ever made. Right through the heart.
On the par 5 18th I hit a 3 wood off the tee. I nutted it and then followed that with a perfect lay up with an 8 iron and then I hit a knock down wedge to 6' and drained it for the bird, a 74 and the win in the medal play.
That's three wins in the last three starts. For a haggard old golfer it feels real good. Really good.