We had a tournament today at my club, and it was an interesting format. Holes 1-6 were played as a better-ball (two-man teams), holes 7-12 were alternate shot, and 13-18 were scramble. The shotgun start had us playing #14 first, and it is one of the toughest holes to begin on because it requires at least a long iron off the tee and no more than a spoon (okay, 3-wood). It plays along the bay and can be a miserable beginning with deep trouble both left and right. Fortunately, my partner put us in good position off the tee and on the second shot, and I got us on the green. We managed a par.
I have never played alternate shot before (foursome), and those six holes were interesting. We played it modified so that both partners teed off, chose the ball to play, then alternated. On #7, a par three with water all around, I put mine in the water and my partner pushed his way right. The only option was to play his ball across the water. On a steep downhill lie I couldn’t get it into the air enough to get across, so he made it from a more level lie closer to the water. We got a seven.
We did much better on the remaining holes in that format, but were sure it ended our hopes for any prize money. I had some really good drives and iron shots, and my partner made some spectacular recovery wedge shots. Neither of us putted very well. We both missed a six-foot birdie putt on 16.
Once all the scores were added up, though, we shot 77 and tied for first in our flight. We also tied for second place in net score. Pro Shop credits are always welcome, and they have some nice shoes and a bag I’ve been looking at.