[Whalen]

Played my first round of golf this Monday at the Turtle Mound Course.
Our foursome is new to the game so we thought a course rated 1 was for beginners. We arrived on time for our 8:05 tee time.

The starter called us to play and we proceeded to the first hole where we waited for the golfers in front of us to leave the green. We then all took our first shots and as I walked back towards my cart the ambassador drove up to me and abruptly told me we had to move the game along, no more than 10 minutes a hole, 6 shots pick up your ball and go. I told him we were beginners and he then told me to play in the afternoon when no one is around. I noticed the party behind us were impatiently tapping their feet so we left & moved on. By now we're a bit nervous, looking over our shoulders, rushing our shots and not having much fun.

As we get to about the third hole the ambassador was sitting by the path watching us, we exchanged pleasantries about Walden Pond and played the hole.

Now we are at the the sixth hole, Mr Ambassador is after us again because the group in front of us was a hole ahead of us and I looked back to see the toe tappers. At this point I said to the ambassador we just started playing, we picked this course because it was an easy course for beginners, I didn't know I'd be playing with Arnold Palmer in front of us And Jack Nicklaus behind us, and don't tell me I have to play at high noon or at night when no one is around, that's just not fair. My husband said we're not really behind and if these players are so good why don't they play a harder course. The ambassador was then very gracious and told us not to worry, play our game and he'll take care of the people behind us.

Well now the day is just about over, between the toe tappers behind us, the road runners in front of us and the ambassador in the bushes I couldn't wait for the ninth hole to end. Which it did at 9:45.

I foolishly thought that golf was a genteel game, played at a leisurely pace by civilized people.
I didn't realize it was a race to the finish.

And please don't beat me up over this post, I've already had my golf whopping for the week.

Thanks for listening.