What could be colder on a gorgeous, sunny day? Olympic sits at the edge of the Pacific…and you know it. Even if you cannot see it, you feel it. Today was absolutely stellar…clear, sunny and warm. And warm is relative to be certain. The sun is supposed to shine most if not all days which is excellent. Should make for very firm, fast conditions unlike last year. That fact the sun is out does not mean it will be warm. I wish I had brought some long sleeve shirts if not long underwear.
This year we are Disabled Access again…not sure how that happened but we had a great time at Bethpage and we will have a fabulous time here. Keep in mind that today is Monday and it was our first shift – but! Unless things change the disabled folks will get to go to #16, #17 and the driving range. That’s it! The powers-that-be have decided the carts are not allowed anywhere else on the course. It is rather painful for the disabled folks and for us volunteers because the drive up and down the same route is relatively uninteresting. I’m thinking this might change somewhat because there are approximately 16 other holes that deserve a look-see. Stay tuned for this update.
Tomorrow we are going early so we can do our usual picture taking and walk the course. So tomorrow’s blog will have (hopefully) lots more interesting tidbits about the course which we did not see much of today. I can tell you that most of the people who asked me for a ride had drinks in their hands or were workers. The folks who really needed the rides were kind and so very grateful. I took one Olympic member (on crutches), wife and son to the shuttle. The son, about 13, was a sign bearer…the kids always do this. The sign has the players and their scores for all to see. The mom could not remember the name of the pro her son was with – really mom? – but whoever he was he let the kid play 6 holes with him. How cool is that? That young man who apparently is a pretty good golfer will never forget that kindness as long as he lives. Pay it forward.
When was the last time you were in a sand trap and a 40,000 square foot tent was right in front of you? That is the Merchandise Tent. It was pretty weird but it makes you remember that there are two courses at Olympic, one that is played and the other that is trashed for tents, parking lots, shuttle buses, etc. This is why the USGA pays the big bucks to host courses – they have to redo half the place when everybody leaves. The Olympic folks put their feet down about some things – there are trees coming up in the middle of the places like right outside the Merchandise Tent. No way trees were coming down – just work around them. Kudos to Olympic!
That’s pretty much it for today but let me tell you about the trip here. We decided to do a road trip thinking we would just zoom down I5. Decided to cut over to the coast at Grants Pass, OR. We ended up in Trinidad, CA at the Bishop Pine Lodge. We stayed there six years ago when we took our motorcycle trip. Little, rustic cabins in a beautiful setting. Would have been perfect if the CA pollens had not invaded my nose. From the time we crossed the state line and into Santa Rosa/Sonoma it was misery. I did manage to drown my sorrows – literally – in some wonderful wines. Happily for me it is too darn cold in San Francisco for the pollens to hang out so my nose and I are happy once again.
We were awestruck by the amazing Redwoods, the beauty of the California coastline and the fact we are blessed once more with this incredible adventure. Time to go…same time tomorrow.
The Redwoods
The Coast
Bishop Pine Lodge
Crossing the Golden Gate into San Francisco
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Beautiful scene looking up to the putting green
Maryellen....our woman with feet on the course!! How fun to follow Jeff and you this year!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! And blog like crazy, GF!!
xox,
Deni