70 Degrees and Golf is Here!

The end of the first year of our retirement has come and gone and I didn’t golf as much as I wanted to. We said we were going to chase 70 degrees and golf all over the States. Well that did happen….a little. However, there were bigger gaps in between rounds and the weather at times was much cooler than 70 degrees.

Then it happened – it was a cool 65 degrees. But, the Florida sun was out and there was almost no wind.

I needed to golf.

I couldn’t think of anything else. Kathy and I took a chance to walk on at A.C. Read onboard NAS Pensacola. The golf gods were on our side. There was a little spot just big enough to squeeze us in. 

By the time we teed off it was 70 degrees and the day was perfect. The course was packed and we knew the pace of play was going to be slow. It didn’t matter. We were getting to golf on one of the rarest of days.

Not too hot, not too cold.

It was the baby bear kind of golf day – just right! 

We were paired with Ray who is going to flight school for the Navy. We chatted the entire round. Each hole the three of us chatted like we were old friends that were catching up after not seeing each other for a while. There was no stress and even though we had to wait every hole it wasn’t long. It gave us all time to enjoy the day that was provided. The water had turtles sunning and the fish were jumping. It was like a painting.

I am getting used to playing my new clubs and I am more accurate with my driver than I have been in a long time. I was playing a good round of golf. I was only three over by the end of the first nine. I was thinking that this was going to be a double rare day and I was going to be under 80. I kept it to myself and played on. The icing on the cake was that I didn’t rush anything on the first nine and I was able to take the time to enjoy the gorgeous day and give thought to my swing.

Ironically, the pace of play helped!

I am sure Kathy and Ray were having a great day as well. Kathy got a couple of pars and every now and again she would comment on the day on how beautiful it was. We enjoyed our walk – we haven’t been able to walk the last few rounds. Kathy enjoys walking when she plays. Plus it never hurts when you are getting a few more good shots than normal. Both Kathy and Ray were on point with good shots when they needed them the most.

Kathy also nailed one out of the sand that would have made any pro happy with the results! 

A.C. Read is a good course. I like that they mix up the three nines every time we play, I just wish the course was in a little better condition. It was better last year. I know I am being picky on such a perfect day. But, if there was anything that could have been better it would have been the overall condition. Everything could have used a little TLC.

We are lucky that 70 degrees will be hanging around here in Pensacola for a while since we plan on being here for a bit. I know the hot days are coming. I am just going to enjoy the 70 degrees while they last. I will get to play three or four different courses in the area.

And on special days we may make a long day of it and drive for about an hour and play one of the many great course available to us.

We know that during these trying times of COVID, we are blessed. We need to be keenly aware of the good things around us. I am thankful that many years ago, Kathy and I made golf a part of our life and love together. It is one of the few things that hasn’t been shut down. We have been able to continue to play everywhere we have gone and there isn’t going to be any slowing down. As a matter of fact, we want to ramp up the golf time. I am not a nut and don’t live golf every day. But, there is nothing wrong with two rounds a week…..And every now and again three.

Our day finally came to an end. I missed the ever elusive 79 by a couple of strokes. It didn’t seem to matter. The day ended up out shinning the play on the last few holes. That is what makes golf special. There are many things that can make you enjoy the day – It doesn’t alway come down to score. 

Fairways and Greens Everyone! We are 18 Holes and Counting!

Written by Marc Festa