Everyone thanks for making it out to Beechtree. Chip thanks for organizing the thing. Days like Saturday are the reason we come here to discuss the golf courses we love. What an absolutely beautiful day. I’m so glad that my old friend Jeff and I had the opportunity to make a road trip to Beechtree before it is plowed under. Somewhere in between kissing the kids goodbye on Friday and kissing my wife good night last night, I was privileged to play my second Tom Doak course along with meeting some of the great guys behind the gca computer screen. Just awesome.
Thanks Jimmy C for the kind words though you and Jeff were the gentlemen golfers. I, on the other hand, definitely by the back nine anyway, was an Absolute and lemonade gentleman bogey golfer. You know, you drive all day and night to get to the golf course and then it’s as good as or better than you had imagined, you want to celebrate, even if it’s by yourself, so I did. Somebody told me it was the Beechtree Going Away Party. The ladies in the snack bar, now they’ll be missed come December 7 - they were ready to serve. Love that Beechtree lemonade!
Now I played like a pig, but had a great time in doing so. I was most appreciative of the architect’s thoughtfulness in providing ample room off the tee for the pull and/or the push draw. Unfortunately these are two of my most frequently played tee shots. I never seemed to run out of room when those type shots were played. I don’t think it was by accident, but maybe it was?
edit:
The 8th - Standing on the tee, seeing the clubhouse ahead, what a beautiful place
Generally on most of the courses I see, the same type shots I hit off the tee Saturday would run out of room in the corridor and bound across the path into the woods or native. I seemed to always have a decent second shot attempt at Beechtree, yet still allowed myself to make the same awful bogey or double bogey score because the approaches were usually from a challenging angle to the pin and my propensity for going for it compounds the sad truth that I really don’t know how to play good golf anymore. I just swing 110% every swing. Hopefully I’ll take a time out and try to fix that.
Also the greens were difficult to read at times with a lot of stuff going on, both subtle and obvious. Jeff noted that he thought they reminded him of Bobby Weed’s green design at Olde Farm where he works as a caddy. He must’ve found them somewhat familiar as he rolled in 4 birdies after not having played since April!
An ideal public golf facility. Can’t believe it’s going away. I’d really like another day up there. It
IS worth the effort. Go see it if you can.
So long Beechtree
I’d like to also thank Orenthal for providing me with that extra bounce I had in my step Saturday morning, so thanks juice.