On August 8th I injured my back at work and was finally cleared Friday August 24th. I hadn’t played golf in 2 weeks or so. On Thursday August 23rd, I played my 5th round of the 6 my punch card entitles me to at Coldwater. My back held up and I hit a 93. The next day at the doctor appointment I asked to be released to full duty and he obliged. Playing Tres Rios today (see post if you like) was my 2nd round since injuring my back. All seems well so far.
About 6 weeks ago I became ‘that guy’. I broke a club in anger on the course. I had a bad day at work. I left early and played Coldwater. I love that course and it’s my home course, right now. On hole 14, a par 3, I hit my 6 iron and shanked it right. Hole 14 has an elevated tee and there is a huge desert wash in front and to the right of the hole. I had used my 6 iron twice before that round and hit it straight. Between still being mad about work and shanking my shot, I hit the ground like an axe and the shaft snapped right in the middle. Right away, I felt like an idiot. Since I work Friday and Saturday (I was playing on a Thursday), I would have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. I play Ping Clubs. I love them. In 2015, my dad and I took a tour of the Ping factory. My dad was in the market for new clubs and I was still playing with the clubs I’d had for 20 years. I NEEDED an entire new set of clubs. At the time, one could have a club fitting done at the factory, so we did and I ordered the irons I am using today. A driver, fairway woods, and putter followed. Lastly I picked up a Ping bag and I was set. I didn’t set out to be a Ping guy. It just happened. I do love my clubs, though. Like I said, Ping is based here in the valley. As is their repair department. On my way to play the 500 club (see post if you like) I dropped my club off and picked it up the next day after I played the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course (see post if you like). $35 later I had my club back. I swear I will never do that again. I still feel like an ass for doing so. When I bought my Ping carry/stand bag, I took it to the repair facility and they embroidered my name on it for $17.
Southern Ridge Golf Course in Laveen is closed for the summer. Southern Ridge used to be called Bougainvillea and the Cottonfields before that. I’ve played there a few dozen times and it was my home course until I bought my summer pass for Coldwater. Southern Ridge will reopen September 1st, according to the sign on the pro shop door. This is another course I really like and will post about my round as soon as I play again. Not too long after it’s up and running again, hopefully.
Via de Paz Golf Course has closed permanently. Sadly, their last day of operation was Sunday April 29th, 2018. Via de Paz was located in the west valley of Phoenix at 4220 N. 103 Ave. 85037. I played here a few times in the last 2 years. Personally, I enjoyed the course. If you’ve read my ‘reviews’, you’ll see I’m not too harsh on courses and their condition. I worked at another course 2 years ago and used to hear many golfers complain about the condition of Via de Paz. Every time I played, I found it to be in the same condition as most courses in the valley. It was brown and dry during the summer. Much more lush during the winter months. The course weaved through a neighborhood and had water on a few holes. I don’t remember the course being difficult at all. It had many trees and no desert areas. I drove past 3 weeks ago when I heard. The clubhouse is gutted. Windows are boarded up. The initial areas around the clubhouse were over grown. At this time, I don’t know if someone else is going to reopen the course or if the land will be repurposed.
Dry Heat Hacker 