Our little league outlasts the rain to start fresh

/ May 22, 2015

In thundered while DJ, Bird, Marie and I played our first hole.

I do believe lightning may have flashed fairly close to Northern Pines in Cicero, N.Y.

But the folks in the clubhouse who closely watch the radar — they have a senior ranger in who roams the course in a cart to monitor speed of play and basically chat up the league golfers so I dearly hope there’s somebody of responsibility monitoring more serious matters — did not blow the air horn to signal clearing of the course.

So start golf season 2015 we did.

Great contact.
Starting the cork screw.
Bird watches the flight.
Straight shooter.
DJ starts with an iron.
Happy Bird.
First shot of her season, success.

The tee shots were all successful, finding the fairway or reasonably close.

Beels from the fringe
Oh, so far.
Beels with the tap in.
Shot after the woods.
Bird nests.
Marie rolls one.
Man, Bird.

But finding the green on these shorties is no given this early in the round, and we quickly discovered that the short game is the last to come around. More specifically, chipping from the longer grass around the green, or even the first cut or fairway from 25 yards or 25 feet is a delicate process in May.

It started raining on the second tee, and I put my iPhone 6 in my keys-and-money bag and tucked that back inside my golf bag for safekeeping. Out came my new rain jacket purchased from the Golf Galaxy gift card my dear wife Karen had given me for Christmas. Along with the waterproof bucket hat I’d purchased at the Syracuse Golf Show in March, I kept dry was the skies opened as we played the second hole.

Then the rain stopped as suddenly as it started, taking the thunder and storm threat away with it. I had to take my iPhone 6 back out as a little wait had developed on the third tee.

Fortunate friends.
Good things to come, Marie.

One good sign was left behind.

Monday magic.
Under the rainbow.

Speed of play picked up after the par-three fourth hole, and we finished our nine before dark. So did Commish, Lovely Linda, Amy and Mrs. Bird in the foursome behind us.

I shot 49, with — drumroll, please — one par. I’ve now had one par all three times out so far this season. I guess this stands as improvement, considering it was nine holes after 18 the first two rounds. DJ was low guy, as usual, and Bird flew low the first half of the round and then encountered a bit of a rocky patch. Marie was even with me. Fun was had.

Unwinding afterward, we talked about our Memorial Day round, and Amy said she would not be attending. I mentioned that I’d suggest to MDW Karen that this might be a good opportunity for her to come along and ride beside me in a cart. She doesn’t like to play golf. Everybody liked that idea because … socialize afterward like old times when we worked at the big daily.

The ranger guy had told us that the leagues in front of us would not be playing, so if we show up early, we might squeeze in some extra holes. We decided to meet at 4, 4:30 instead of 5:45. Texts to come.

When I got home I mentioned it to Karen, and she thought it was a good idea. The season is off to a good start.

When’s the last time you stood at the end of a rainbow, and did it bring you luck? Would you ride along in a golf cart and not play? What are your Memorial Day plans?

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63 thoughts on “Our little league outlasts the rain to start fresh”

  2. I am so excited about the rainbow and hope it brings you and your buddies fantastic bunches of good luck!
    We once we’re sitting on my parents carport playing cards whilE raiNed and there was a rainbow forming across Lake Erie. I had to run and get my camera and take it down to the opeN space of the beach. Captured both ends of the rainbow. No one was able take a photo fast enough but an eagle flew right past us as we wereceive trying to get the entire rainbow. One brother, my Dad and I saw it. Others thought what an extraordinary fib we made up. Two rather cool events in one day!

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    • What a cluster that must be, Wormy. Although somewhat more energy efficient. Than real cars. I don’t know. I like to walk, but I guess they use those babies to go miles and miles to stores and restaurants and such.

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  5. I’m so bad at golf I can’t even tell if I’m a left or right handed golfer. It’s best for everyone concerned if I back away from the green! lol

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  8. As soon as I saw all that fecund green, I thought of Kermit singing “It’s Not Easy Being Green.” And the I saw the rainbow and started singing “The Rainbow Connection.” Quite a Muppety post. I would ride along and not play. No chance of breaking a hip.

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  9. Rain and all, it sounds and looks like you had an enjoyable day. I’m glad to know that nothing bad came of the lightening. A boy was struck here just a couple of weeks ago in a field, during one of our quick passing storms. Tragic. Be safe!

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  11. The rainbow is stunning. Thank goodness it was just a quick in and out shower.
    I’d go nuts riding around in a golf cart even for an hour. There’s no speed to those things and you can’t do wheelies, or can you? 😮

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    • Cherry Cherry has gotten some nice natural showers since her relocation at the Little Bitty, Paul. This round pictured was Monday. I’m glad we stuck to our plan and went out there. 🙂

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  18. Great pics, you guys must have a professional team of photographers following you around on the greens.
    Either that or you are all world renowned in the world of golf.
    Enjoyed your post.

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  19. Love the rainbow, Mark. I’m hoping that rainbow gives us luck in June. I don’t know my Memorial Day plans yet, but I’m assuming they will include being outside, eating good food, hanging with Michael (Aaron will be with his father), and reading your blog.

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