I recently returned from playing ten rounds in Florida, most with my friend Bill Zylstra, who divides time between Michigan and Florida. In one stretch, he shot 65-65-68-64, 26 under on courses in the 6700 yard range. I witnessed all of them. I have played with a golfer or two who produced scores like this, but not that many in a row. Bill has won both the Florida and Michigan Senior Amateur titles, and he has qualified for match play in the USGA Senior Amateur three of the last four years, twice advancing to the third round. In stroke play in 2007, he opened with 65 that featured a lost ball. He was runner-up in the senior played at Sunnehanna in 2009. He has qualified for every USGA championship for which he has been eligible except for the Open. His dad qualified for two Opens so they have a family slam.
The weather could not have been better, 75-80 every day, sunny and clear.
Bill lives between Ocala and the sprawling senior citizens hangout, The Villages, so we played near there–Silver Springs, Twisted Oaks, Citrus Springs, and Diablo. Golf in Marion County, central Florida west of Daytona Beach, is affordable with average green fees around $30. I was told that going to $40 slows down play. One of the courses I played was owned by a local bank, another sign of the times.
The last two courses I played were a treat, the first being Mountain Lakes in Lake Wales. FL. It’s a Seth Raynor course, same architect as Fox Chapel, and the first nine dates to 1916. Also like Fox Chapel, architect Brian Silva recently renovated the course, mostly bunker work. On the way home with a stop in Charlotte to see a friend’s daughter, I played a Donald Ross classic, Carolina Golf Club. She and her husband are members there.
Courses and good weather are a great start, but the people one sees along the way are what makes a great trip. I played with folks from Michigan I hadn’t seen in 15 years or so. I visited my younger brother, Craig, who lives in Ormond Beach, just west of Daytona Beach. He doesn’t play golf anymore, but said he could still beat me if he felt like it. He’s probably right. I went to Saint Augustine to meet Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation. He and I worked for the USGA in the 1980′s before leaving for other jobs in golf–I went to Michigan; Steve, to Georgia. It was great catching up with him. On the way back, I stopped in Atlanta to dine with a fraternity brother with whom I did a Scotland golf trip in 1985. A member at Mountain Lakes he had arranged the special day for me there. The last stop in Charlotte was with my friend’s daughter whom I have seen grown up. At 32, she is a new mom and recently made partner status in her law firm. Her husband is a good player, and we played an emergency round at Carolina GC, almost till dark.
I drive since I have a “milk run” trip more or less. I don’t mind the driving. It’s an interesting way to see the country. At a rest stop in North Carolina, I heard two “good ole boys” enthusiastically discussing a recent NASCAR race. That is not a typical experience for me.
Other trips are forthcoming. Our “annual group” heads to Anaheim later this month for the NCAA Men’s West Regional (basketball). We will play some good courses in Southern California, plus play bridge and watch hoops. Hope Pitt joins us.
As I view the blue skies and sunshine of this nice March morning, there is hope for golf here soon.
I treasure the two weeks February interlude in Florida.
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