At my year-end round-up in 2018, I mentioned I would be more intentional about remembering experiences for 2019. To that end, I wanted to chronicle all the new golf people I met playing the past year.
Overall, I met a lot of new people on the golf course in 2019. In typical fashion, I started chronicling things in the middle of the year! So I don’t have an exact count of everyone I played with but I caught most of them below. I figured I’d go through the year and discuss where we played and any notes I could share.
3/24/19 Holly Tree Country Club
I was able to get a round scheduled with my social media friend, Cory in March. We’d been going back and forth to get something on the books and we were blessed with a great weather day in early spring. Cory is one of the fastest players I’ve ever met and fired the easiest 72 I’ve ever seen. He had three birdies in a row at one stretch. I highly recommend following him on Instagram as he chases his quest to play 2000 golf courses. Yes, you read that right. Check him out on IG at 2000golfcourses.
3/30/19 – The Preserve at Verdae
I was a last-minute fill-in at a scramble event with my friend Brandon. I was able to meet two of the dads from his daughter’s class. They were good guys and we had a very fun day. We didn’t win but it was a great day.
4/18/19 – Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)
As part of a long weekend trip to Florida, I was playing some courses with my friend Chris. We were lucky to get paired with Rick and Tom, business partners from Ohio. They were solid golfers and great playing partners.
4/20/19 Streamsong (Black)
On that same Florida trip, I played with Kareem and his friend (his name had slipped my mind). Kareem is a video producer who immigrated to the US a long time ago. I can say that he was a very interesting guy.
4/21/19 Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club
To finish out my Florida jaunt, I played with my old GolfMatch friend, Tim McGlynn. We had never actually met but I felt like we knew each other. Playing the utterly charming Temple Terrace with Tim was a great way to spend the day. I hope he and I get to play more in the future.
5/11/19 – Eagle Point Golf Club
I was hosted here by Ryan, one of the assistant professionals. He gave me great info as we went around the course. I was constantly admiring his drives because he hits it a long way!
5/19/19 – Erin Hills
We had a great three-ball at this tough track. First, I was joined by John Morrissett. He is the director of competitions at the course and had previously worked for the USGA. He was a wealth of knowledge on the course and golf at large. It was eye-opening playing the course with him.
Filling out our group was Doug. He had come in from Nebraska with his wife. We had a wonderful lunch after the round. Funny enough, we would end up playing two more rounds together on this trip. It was a nice coincidence.
5/22/19 – Whistling Straits (Straits)
Doug was back for this trip and my wife was walking along on this famous course. Also joining us was Julie from Canada. She had played in the prestigious North/South Amateur at Pinehurst in her youth. She was definitely still a player but more importantly an absolute delight to play with. Her mom joined my wife on the walk and they had great conversations as well. It was a world-class group playing a world-class course.
5/23/19 – Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys)
I go all the way up to Wisconsin and I get paired with three guys from Columbia. One Clemson fan and three Gamecock fans, we had a good chuckle on the first tee. They were a father and son and their friend. The friend’s wife is from nearby in Wisconsin, which is why they made the trip.
5/24/19 – Milwaukee Country Club
I was staring at a complete washout but was lucky enough to get a 4-hour window. I was thankful for that as I got to play with the longtime head professional, Skip. He’s a Wisconsin native and a really good player. It was an honor to go around the course with him.
Nick from Iowa filled out our group. He played in college and still works hard on his game. I can confirm that it shows!
6/14/19 Ridgewood Country Club (East/West)
I was joined by Chris for my first round in New Jersey. He was a former Titleist employee who now works at the USGA. That’s quite the golf resume!
6/14/19 Hudson National Golf Club
This was another day of hitting the partner lottery. Tank, from the course, would be my host. I don’t remember his exact title but it should be Director or Fun. He was the absolute best. He is a friend of Joe LaCava and told me some great stories.
We were also joined by a lovely couple from Boston who were down for some weekend golf. They are big Red Sox fans, so we had some nice trash talk with Tank about the Yankees.
6/15/19 Caves Valley Golf Club
I was happy that Will could join me for this round. If he hadn’t I’d have been a single. We had some great conversations. I am always amazed at how well I usually get along with other golfers I only know from social media. Will was no exception! Check him out on Instagram here.
6/30/19 Cochecho Country Club
I always enjoy playing at my uncle’s home course. I played with two of his regulars. They were a great combo as Huppy can’t hear well and Bear can’t see well. They were very fun!
7/2/19 Montcalm Golf Club
I played this mountain course with David, the Director of Membership. His enthusiasm for the course and golf was inspiring. We were also joined by Norm and Roger. These two brothers fired great verbal barbs at each other. Check us out below!
7/4/19 Manchester Country Club
I started this round as a single but I joined John & Debbie towards the beginning of the back nine. They were relatively new members who had sold a supermarket and went into early retirement. I really enjoyed the few holes we got to play.
8/10/19 Breakfast Hill Golf Club
I regretfully can’t remember the names of the older couple that joined us here but they had a crazy goal. They are trying to play golf in all 50 states. That by itself wouldn’t be too ridiculous. When you factor in their rules, it becomes much more impressive. For example, one course doesn’t always get it done. In some states, they may have to play 15-20 based on size/population, etc for it to count!
10/27/19 Holly Tree Country Club
This round was set up after a Clemson home game. Will, a fellow Tiger, was up from Charleston and joined me. We got in touch through ThousandGreens. I suggest you check it out if you’re a private club member.
12/14/19 City Club Marietta
This was a banner day for new golf people. Through No Laying Up’s message board, The Refuge, a gathering was arranged. We had about 40 people on a rented out course for the whole day. There are too many guys to mention here but it was a blast. We played match play in the morning, some alternate shot, and did a closest to the pin with everyone. Sick!
12/15/19 Bobby Jones Golf Course
A few of the guys from the day before congregated for another round. I believe we had a Patrick, Jason, two Kyles, and two Matts in addition to myself and Fred (a member from my club). It was a great capper to an awesome weekend.