Going solo at Pinehurst nets a great golf game

Thursday December 11, 2008 | 03:40:46 356 words, 2833 views

I wasn’t feeling particularly lucky as I approached the starter’s house today at Pinehurst’s No. 4 course. The way I see it, you’ve got a better chance of hitting the lottery than being paired with someone fun, interesting and good at golf.

That’s why I show up as a single about once every, oh, quarter-century or so. Not that I’m anti-social; I just never took that “it’s just you vs. the course” thing literally, and have heard too many horror stories of bad pairings.

On the contrary, golf is a social game that in my book should include friendly banter (not to mention a friendly wager). Thus, in order to be friendly, you have to have friends. Ditto for bantering and wagering. Or so my theory goes.

Forced to fly solo, I stood there with the starter awaiting my fate. OK, I thought, maybe I can last nine holes and head into Pinehurst Village for lunch and blog material. Heck, I could always fall down and say I sprained my ankle, or borrow Rodney Dangerfield’s line from Caddyshack … “Oh, my arm, it’s broke!”

And then I hit the lottery.

Kelly Hall is a caddie at all eight Pinehurst golf courses and knows just about every inch of the resort’s holes. Hall was once a rodeo cowboy, and rode bulls for seven years on the circuit.

His father, Norm, is a retired FBI agent. At 69, he still plays softball four days a week and travels to national tournaments. A former baseball player, Norm still puts an athletic move on the ball and generates amazing power for his age.

We quickly bonded and soon didn’t even care about our scores. Had a few beers and lunch afterward, and might have stayed longer if it wasn’t already getting late.

How about that for luck? Kelly guided me around the course and helped read putts. Norm provided security and kept the paparazzi at bay.

Great guys. Great company.

Thanks to them, I might even reconsider my policy of going solo every quarter century.

(BTW, if you’ve played the course, consider sharing your thoughts on Pinehurst No. 4. If you haven’t, you should!)

3 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: ronmon [Visitor] · http://mon

Sorry to say that you lost us at "for his age." That's all you can relate about the round? You're an average golfer, like the rest of us. Share some great shots, some foozles, so wildlife sightings. If I were those two guys, after reading this, I'd think youwere forced to write about them. What you should reconsider is the importance of the average golfer to good golf writing and reading.

Permalink 2008-12-11 @ 09:14

Comment from: BugsyinNC [Visitor]

I became a member at Pinehurst in July 07 and with the exception of my Saturday foursome, rarely get a tee time. Instead, I show up at the starters shack and take whatever opening is available. After about 200 rounds here, I can honestly say that I have only been paired with two people that I would prefer not to play golf with again. I have met the most interesting folks here (both members and resort guests)and value the experience of meeting them and hearing their stories as much as I value the golf. This is probably the best part of my experience of golf in Pinehurst. I am glad to hear you enjoyed your time here, don't ever fear your pairing when you are in Pinehurst.

Permalink 2008-12-11 @ 09:51

Comment from: Ping [Visitor] · http://www.golfakademie.eu/ping/ping-rapture-v2/

nice one !

Permalink 2008-12-29 @ 05:38

Tom Spousta

Tom Spousta is a national correspondent for WorldGolf.com, writing about anything and everything that encompasses his passions for golf and travel. He previously has covered golf and other sports for USA Today and The New York Times. Tom lives on a Donald Ross-designed golf course in Sarasota, Fla.