Going away for a golf vacation is supposed to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, this trip has not been quite the case. Only the first day was a good experience. Well, it is the fourth and last day of the trip. I decided not to have any expectations for what was to come.
After a hearty breakfast, we checked out and headed for the Valley course of The Els Club, a short drive from the hotel. Again, the clubhouse was not grand but rather plain. I wouldn’t call it modern because it didn’t come across as one.
We arrived early but decided against teeing off ahead. After two days of things turning out for the worse, I think it’s better to stick to the plan to avoid disappointment. The Valley course is known to be more challenging because of the terrain, but I started with a bogey, par, par. It didn’t feel that difficult.
When there’s no expectation of any sort, things go on smoothly. The day was perfect – our pace was excellent, the weather was cloudy, the caddy was good, and our duel was intense. After two losses in the last two games against hubby, I had an uphill battle to even the odds.
I had bunker issues, as always, because my typical game plan for these situations is to avoid them. But avoid them, I couldn’t, especially for the Par 3s. Luckily, the Par 5s saved me, and we battled until the last hole. I won in the end. And we completed the round in three and a half hours! The outcome from the four rounds: we won two games each for our mini-golf challenge.
Looking back, I think next time, whenever we plan an outstation golf trip, there shouldn’t be any expectations, especially when visiting a new golf course. Forest City was better than before, I have to say. The pace of the golf game cannot be a factor to fault the golf course. After all, it is a popular destination.
As for The Els Club, to say it was a disappointment is an understatement. The upkeep of both the courses was not the best, and they were not picturesque for photo opportunities like Forest City. At the signature hole of the Ocean course, we encountered a baby snake right off the bunker on the greenside. So there goes the photo opportunity! I’d say we will give the place another year before returning.
While there were complaints and angst on this trip, it wasn’t that bad or unpleasant. It was simply a change in environment to do the things we enjoy most together. Will we plan another golf trip before the year ends? Well, I have to find the window, and if our daily routine becomes monotonous again, why not?
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