First Round of 2018 at Lincoln Park and New Year Golfing Resolutions

 10th Tee

It's a new year, the rainy season is underway, but there was a window between storms on Sunday. Time to get a start on my 2018 golf ambitions. A nostalgic ORCL Alum crew from the nineties, Original Bob, Other Bob, and Joe joined me for a round a Lincoln. Foggy, cool, and sloppy, which is to say, a typical Lincoln Park outing.

They start us on the back on weekends, which is annoying and makes beer transport management difficult (we used to grab beers from the car as we made the turn by the parking lot).  Still, a good day of bad golf. In my case, since I have not touched a club in months, really bad golf.  Scenes from the day:

13th Tee

One of my best drives of the day. Unfortunately there was a tree in the way. 

I hate it when that happens. 

Other Bob on 16

Somewhere along the way we reached that magical moment in the day where we switch from coffee to beer (okay... it was like 10:30).

 

Original Bob on his way to a par on six

Joe's approach on seven to 6 feet and leading to..

Joe's birdie putt. Or lack thereof. 

Traditional 17th Tee Portrait with Bells Two Heart Ale.

Bob's approach on 1

Which brings us to the 19th Hole...

My scorecard showed BP 92, JF 93, BF 95. MW score was unreadable.

... and some updates for 2018. The neighborhood Tee Off Bar & Grill is closed and the Lincoln Park Burger is now $14. Make of that what you will. For my 2018 Golfing Resolutions:

1. I resolve to play at least half as many rounds of golf as the President of the United States.
2. I resolve to play all San Francisco Muni Golf Courses Lincoln, Sharp, Harding, Glen Eagles, Golden Gate.
3. I resolve to improve my HCP Index to below 29 (Currently 29.7)

Also this:

Graduation Day & New Year Golfing Resolution

Dr. Bill explains my shoulder

"Congratulations!  You graduated."  Dr. Bill shook my hand.

He had just put me through the paces - reaching, stretching, pulling, pushing, testing the right shoulder he repaired last July.  

"You are doing great. The shoulder is healed. It's not quite back to 100% strength and range, but that takes a year after a massive tear like yours."

He wrote another scrip for continuing physical therapy and said we did not need to schedule any more appointments.

"That's great news." I said. "Thanks Doc. You did a great job. But I need to show you this..."

I pulled out the scorecard and handed it to him. As we had discussed before, I had three goals for my rehabilitation: One - fishing in Michigan in September; Two - abalone diving in November; Three - Golfing in the low 90's in January.  Two down, one to go.

The scorecard was from my round the day before at Sharp Park.  It was my first round since surgery. My score was 107.

"I am disappointed in your performance here." I said.  "I told you I expected to be shooting in the 90's and I shot a 107."

He studied the card. "Did you shoot in the 90's before the surgery?" He asked.

"Not often. But I expected this surgery to improve my game."

"I see." He nodded sagely.  "But you beat your playing partners. Steve had 110 and Roy had 113." He looked back at me. "I can't do any more for you." Then he studied the card and pointed.

"This guy. Roy. He really shot 3 eights in a row?" Concern was written all over Dr. Bill's face.

"Yes he did. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hole. Then two more 8's on the back."

He shook his head.

"Have him come see me. I think I can help him."

Postscript:
Before Sunday's round I'd not played since March. My NCGA handicap revision e-mail arrived.  It included the recent round. My Handicap Index increased to 30.2

I can't live with this humiliation anymore.

My 2014 New Year Golfing Resolution is to get my Index down to a 25 handle.

I did it before. I can do it again.

Yes I Can! Yes I Can! HOPE! CHANGE!

I mean, that hopey, changey thing worked out for the president, didn't it?