Florida Real Estate Blog

Erroll Estates 7:58 AM

It is a beautiful morning as Greg, Lou and JR meet at the practice facility. Greg is in the cat bird seat in the 2^nd half with a commanding lead. He knows that if he can secure points today and JR does not win, he is a lock for the CW cup. CW is seen arriving just in time for our match and we have the opportunity to chat with a few of our AT&T fellow contestants as they tee off in front of us.

The Front 9 today will be played on the Highland while the back will be on the Lake. Note we have not played a round on the Grove since early summer. They must be doing some major work out there. To the Tee and Greg is the only one not is some sort of trouble off the tee. It shows as he would record the only double bogie. Putting is a challenge on that green as CW sets a new record with a 5 putt green. Ouch! The 2^nd finds CW and Greg with a tie and Lou and JR one back. The par 3 third generates some big numbers with JR and Lou the only two to bogie. Trees where the culprit on the 4^th as they either encumbered your swing or knocked down the perfect shot into the green. Seems this is the type of day our wana be champions would be faced with.

This game requires accurate shots into the green and you must be able to two put to win in the CW. Two requirements that this band of competitors seem to be lacking today.

The 5^th had great ball striking by Greg, Lou and JR but all putters would provide only bogies with CW just 1 back. The 6^th found only one bogie that being JR. On to the par 3 7^th where CW would record a par, yes that is correct we are through 7 holes before one of the band can record a par. As I have always said this group is made for each other. On to the long down hill 8^th. Drives where well struck with Lou only 125 out from the green. Yet this game requires laser like 2^nd shots with the putters these four have in their bags. So Lou wins the hole by 1 over JR and Greg (that after JR 3 putts from 9’) oh those fickle putters. The 9^th finds Greg dangerously close to OB on the left but he recovers to match Lou with a bogie and makes the turn up by 2 on Lou who is in front of JR by 2 and CW has JR in his sights only 4 back.

Everyone feels this is their day and Greg can be caught as they stand on the 10^th overlooking the lovely hollow that contains the Lake. The course wraps itself around this large body of naturally grassy waterway. Again drives are well struck with Lou now flirting with OB left but does a great job recovering. CW looks to make a name for himself today as he records another par on this hole. Yet he gives back to the boys on the next hole when he records 2 over the three of them. The 12^th finds two more pars from JR and Lou and the wind is beginning to howl. It always seems to blow making the turn from 12, 13 and 14.

It should have a name to it (like Mann’s Corner at Rolling Hills) but no one has tamed it yet. Although CW is looking good and has some history that leads me to believe it may become his name sake. Not today as he would double 12, triple 13 and bogie 14 to go 6 over par while Lou and JR sneak back towards Greg by shooting just 3 over par over the same three holes. I do believe they are the defining holes on that back nine. Greg gave up two strokes over those holes and our boys are sensing a change is in the air. The par 5 15^th is long and up hill and Greg settles in with a par of his own to extend his lead back to 3 over Lou and JR.

To the tee on 16 where drives are well struck by Lou, CW and JR and then Greg launches one with a tail to the left and we feel it will be found inbounds. Not the case after looking for some time he goes back to the tee box to hit again and launches one down the right side. Is that a light at the end of the tunnel the boys ask. Sure enough Greg’s next shot is in the rough and the ball is found to be unplayable. He drops back two club lengths and strikes again. The ball clips a tree and bounces OB. Always remember in this game of golf. NEVER say NEVER. He would go on to record an 11 and Lou springs in front of JR by one as we head to the 17^th. Par 3 and all would record bogie. Very little chatter can be heard at this time as all are sensing the victory could be theirs. The 18^th (yes CW’s debacle as the historian would say) Is a 4 par uphill across the grass marsh lands. Drivers hit by all are in play. Lou is looking to make bogie while JR needs Par to catch him. Greg is looking for Par to catch JR and CW is looking to enjoy some fine shot making. CW does strike the ball well but a tree redirects it OB while Lou and Greg hit second shots to within 20 yards of the green 3^rd shots are on or just off. Greg strolls across the green and removes the flag (even though his ball is off the green) he strikes the side hill putt 18’ to the bottom of the cup. This requires JR to make his 25’ uphill putt to tie for 2^nd. He misses and all is history as Lou secures his win, Greg is 2^nd 1 back and JR is 2 back of Greg while CW is 4 back of JR.

Greg secures the 2^nd half and the overall CW championship as JR is the only one that could catch him at this time and with only 5 matches left if he was to win out it would only generate 50 points. He needs 58 to beat Greg. A great summer by Mr. Mann and some fine golf has been seen by our competitors. Now we must decide what the future holds for this group. It is a great game and a fantastic way to enjoy this beautiful country we live in. Here is hoping we don’t have to partake in the Wealth Re-distribution concept next year. If so we may all be giving up this game and meeting on my back porch each week to play checkers.