Last Sunday, February 16th, several of the LIV golfers took to the field despite the cold and drizzle. Despite the cold and drizzle, on hole 18, Jason Carmichael chipped in for a birdie. Not to be outdone, Dewey Turner duplicated Jason’s accomplishment, also chipping in, on 18 for the birdie. Then came Chuck Allegrini strutting off hole 18 after chipping his ball in the hole also for, yes, the eagle. Two birdies and an eagle all chip-ins and all on the same hole on the same day. Unusual but great shots guys. Congratulations.

Earlier in the week, Friday the 14th, Valentines Day, Phil Dunn and Larry Miller drew each other to win first place Stableford partners, Phil contributing 37 points and Larry 34 points. Coming in second, just one point short of tying for first, was Jason Carmichael and Chuck Allegrini combining for 70 Stableford points. Chuck had 36 points with Jason netting 34 points. That same day Golf Notes noticed Phil Dunn methodically warming up on the driving range. Curiosity asked Phill, “Phill, do you have a sequence of clubs you hit on the driving range.” “Well, I do,” responded Phill, “I start with my wedge then I hit my 56-degree iron, and then move on to my pitching wedge. From there I hit my 8-iron, 7-wood, and finally my driver. I finish hitting the last four or five balls with the wedge I began with. I do this to regain the feeling of the short shots.” Just as a comparison, I, the Golf Notes guy, begin hitting my 9-iron, then my 7-iron, and finally my 7-hybrid. I sometimes also hit my 56-degree wedge. From the driving range, I move on to the putting green. Some golfers, Butch Carlstadt for example, don’t hit warm-up range balls. Their first swing is on the first tee.

I recently asked Dan Barrett the question, “Why do you play the game of golf, Dan?” Dan, a great artist, has been playing the game of golf for a number of years. Dan thought a moment and said, “I am seeking my old, or should I say, younger golf self. The person that played a better game.” Lots of us are in that boat, Dan. I posed the same question to my 16-year-old granddaughter who has, occasionally, hit range balls but never played a round of golf. Nina lives in Novato and plays high school lacrosse and volleyball. “If you played golf, why would you Nina?” “For friendship,” Nina answered, “To hang out with my friends.”

Not too many more revolutions around the sun and we have our first official Little River Golf Course event. On March 9, the day Golf Notes leaves for Costa Rica is the NCGA 4 Ball Net Qualifier, and then on March 16th is the famous St, Patty’s Day Scramble. Start practicing. It won’t be long.