My 36th World Am

This was my 36^th consecutive year to play in the World Am.  Due to my recent health issues, I had almost decided not to go.  Then I got email from World Am wanting to know if I was going to be in attendance and if I would be there on Tuesday night.  They were honoring all participants with 30+ years and also stated I had been nominated for an award.  They played a video from the past 40 years, which was pretty cool.  They gave out medals for 30+ and 35+ years in attendance.  I also won an award for my bulletin board contributions.  That was unexpected.

Travel:

Southwest from Houston to Nashville and then on to Myrtle Beach. Plane was full out of Houston. Connecting flight out of Nashville was in different terminal.  They started boarding just as we had landed and they were paging us as were approaching the gate.  We made it. 737-800 was pretty much full. The flight home went through Baltimore, but we did not have to change planes.

Pre-tournament practice rounds: (copied from Jeff’s report with small changes)

8/25/23 – Arrowhead – As always excellent staff, and range balls included. As mentioned in another post, conditions were excellent. Downhill putts would roll out much more than expected and I kept over reading how much break there was. We played Waterway to Cypress nines.

8/25/23 – World Tour – I did not play.  Still not in best shape after being in hospital with colon problems.

8/26/23 – Sea Trail Jones – Lots of construction going on around the course. Guy in pro shop said some company had bought all available land and is building houses, condo’s etc whatever will fit. Also said there were plans for a hotel and a top golf style driving range. The course looked like we were back in Texas, lots of brown. The difference being the grass is brown but there is still grass there. So, while not pleasing to the eyes the course played very well. Greens were fine but not as fast as previous courses.

8/26/23 – Sea Trail Byrd – Did not play

8-27-23 – Glen Dornach – First time playing here since the new greens a few years ago. Practice green was already showing some invasive grass, but not sure I noticed any issues on the course. Course as in overall good condition. Wind came up on last few holes which made 16 and 17 play tougher than normal.  I will say it again…I hate this course.

Tournament Rounds:

8/28/23 – Arrowhead Waterway and Cypress  - same as Friday except they cut and double rolled the greens.  They were treacherous. 

8/29/23 – Meadowlands – Conditions were good.  No complaints.  Fairways maybe a little more brownish than Arrowhead but still good cushion under the ball. 

8/30/23 – Tradition Club.  Short rain delay when it came a downpour.  They offered a rain check if you wanted to WD from the tournament.  Several took it.  After 3 holes the rain stopped and held off for the most part until we were on our 17^th hole.  Overall conditions were good just very very wet.

8/31/23 – Decision was made on Tuesday to cancel this round due to not knowing how bad or time of Idalia.

Post Tournament Rounds:

8/31/23 – I did not play 

9/1/23 Blackmoor – They have had a major drainage program going on.  Seems to be working as we were 90 degrees.  They are not complete with drainage so 18^th hole was closed. On a par 5 they had a tee box set up around 120 yards from the green to play as a par 3 to replace 18 if you wanted to. So, you could play the hole as a par 5 and then also play it as a par 3.  For the most part, golf course was in really good shape.  Nice fairways and greens. 

9/2/23 Prestwick –Always a pleasure to play.  Love the layout and always in good shape.  Pace of play came to a crawl when made the turn, so we quit with 3 holes to go and heading to airport for flights home.

Meals:

On arrival day stopped at Broadway at beach and ate at Sweet Carolina’s BBQ. Went to Harry the Hat for Taco Tuesday. Ate lunch at couple of courses and couple of fast food joints. Had hushpuppies most every night at hotel bar. Also ate at 19^th hole at convention center as part of WA.