For our first great-course-with-a-coupon trip for this season, KP, Tater and I chose that challenging track that Jack Nicklaus drew up northwest of Syracuse.
And as always, Timber Banks was as tough and challenging as it was fun and rewarding.
Netti didn’t have one of the discount tickets we three snagged when we bought the Birdie-level pass at the Syracuse Golf Show, but he chose to complete our foursome even though he had to fork up the greens fee on top of the $25 cart charge we each had to pay.
On the expansive practice green.
All three of my playing pals had already registered in even though I had arrived almost a half-hour earlier than our 10:10 a.m. tee time.
I joined KP and Netti to hit some practice putts on the beautifully manicured putting green. Tater was on the range, hitting full shots.
On schedule.
They make it easy to keep track of your appointed time at Timber Banks, with a clock situated between the practice green and first tee. They want everyone’s round to go smoothly.
No. 1 invites us.
The first hole looked lovely as we stepped up to hit our opening shots of the morning.
It was the warmest day of Syracuse’s May. The temperature rose into the 80s F, and the sun shined brightly.
It was the perfect day, in fact, to take pictures with my iPhone 6.
But with a steady line of players behind us, I only took the phone out of my pocket on the first tee and a couple more times during the round, when I sensed some space had opened between us and the following group.
Enjoy the galleries of my friends and I at Timber Banks on May 12, 2016.
KP
Hover over any gallery photo for a description. Click on any image for an enlarged slide show.
Tater
Netti
Me
I played as if it were my second time out all season. There were plenty of ragged shots. I did roll some nice putts, though. And then, near the 17th green, I noticed my putter was not in my back. And I’d used it on the 16th green. I doubled back with the cart. Neither of the two groups behind us said they saw a putter lying on the ground. I left a description and my phone number with the guy in the clubhouse when we finished. I hope I get a call. I really like that putter. When I got home, I dug an old putter out from the shed. I don’t like it half as much.
Lo and behold, KP texted me later yesterday, volunteering once again to pick up the putter should the pro shop locate it. He lives close to the course. I told him I hadn’t received a call. But, I thought, maybe they misplaced my number.
So I called them.
And sure enough, a Samaritan golfer indeed turned my Upswing Golf putter into the pro shop. KP will pick it up and bring it to my dear wife Karen at SMG. The old putter will be returned to the shed, and the blue-gripped beauty will help me make that beautiful Ker-plunk sound next time out.
Have you ever lost a piece of equipment during a game? Did you get it back, and if so, how? Which your favorite photo, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
Netti emerging from the sand trap is a fun shot. You had a great day to play.
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It was a beautiful day in Central New York, Annie. I hope the first of many this spring/summer, right? Yes, Netti way down there tickled my sensibility, too. 🙂
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Maybe you’re more like Nicholas Cage! 🙂
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I’ll take that, Austin.
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I like the third photo -the one of the first tee and fairway. It looks perfect Mark. Losing equipment. Well I’m not a golfer but here’s an obscure example. When I was trucking I had a load of fresh cabbage in crates one day. It was going from the field in Mississippi to St,John’s Newfoundland. The issue with fresh cabbage from the field is that even after it has been picked, it keeps growing and produces heat while doing so. Leaving it to it’s own devices will result in crates of decomposed slime before getting to the destination. So, to keep it fresh, it has to be iced about every 12 hours in transit. “Icing” a load entails pulling into one of a loosely organized chain of ice plants that are open 24/7 all over the continent, and getting about 2 -4 tons of chipped ice blown over the top of the whole load. I had this done in New York (and once before that) and stopped in Moncton New Brunswick to redo it. I got out of the truck in Moncton and realized I didn’t have my ring of keys that was my life line. The key for the trailer doors was on that ring as well as many others. I searched the truck and could not find them. Thinking hard, I realized that i had set them on the trailer bumper in New York while locking the doors. With a sinking heart, I walked back to the rear and there sitting n the bumper were the keys – 500 miles of riding on a 3 inch wide bumper (mind you it was channel iron, so there were 1 inch rails on either side).
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The cabbage receivers thanked you for your luck when you arrived at your destination with fresh produce, iced en route. Fortunate balancing act for those keys on the rail, my friend.
Great story, Paul. 🙂
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I played golf once. Shot 120 on 9 holes in the pouring rain with inch of water on green so I think that’s dern good. Used to play for money on miniature golf. I found if I used a Titilas or Ben Hogan ball instead of house ball I could shave 5-10 strokes off my score. Time for NY Yankees to turn up the steam.
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Those house balls are like hitting concrete. You are right on that, Carl. Also about the Yankees.
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