A Slightly Different Golf Hazard

Up at 610am as planned. Needed to be golf ready by 8am Make coffee, do push-ups by 630am. Sip coffee and catch up on baseball scores prior to run Head out for run at 7am Cloudy with just a hint of sunshine – still steamy warm, however Run the usual trail The gulf is unusually calm save for the final break at the shore Spot a large dolphin moving gracefully northward Stop, contemplate the beauty – the stillness, the moment Continue run along the beach and eventually back to the condo Received text from Kenny about golf – tee time 930am Showered ready to go by 8am – woofed down a turkey cheese sandwich Wake Mindy to say goodbye Headed out at 805am _ I drove Head east on RT60 to 19N to Tarpon Springs – about a 30 minute drive Cypress Run Country Club – Private Stop in at the maintenance building first to meet/ Kenny’s friend Shawn, who arranged our access to the course. Visited for about 20 minutes Shawn calls the guard at the gate and informs him of our presence Drop the owner’s name at the pro shop for complimentary round of golf and full access to the club 905am – Go to practice green and range – hit a number of shots to loosen up (one of only a few times ever doing so). Tee Off on a seemingly empty course (It’s ladies day for members) We’re told most get out really early due to the heat. Greens officially marked at a “10” on the stimp meter. Plenty fast but not ridiculous. Difficult course. After nine holes I suggested we fetch some food. Kenny not hungry. I ordered a hot dog - $7.58. Didn’t realize they had to go to a kitchen and make it. Took almost 20 minutes. Yikes! My game: poor driving – decent irons - fair putting. I hit a lot of weak draws off the tee. Of the four par three’s, I pared three and bogeyed the other. Still shot a 108, though. By the 14th hole my energy was zapped. The sunshine was incredibly hot and the humidity almost unbearable. We finished around 115pm. Called Mindy as we finished. Asked that we stop for Aloe with Litocaine for Makayla and Green Light for Chrissy. I wanted to stop for more bottled water anyhow. Kenny suggests Wal-Mart. Ironically, the same folks I see at the Wal-Mart back home are here in Florida too.  One last stop before back to condo – Publix on Island Way to get more Jimmy beer: Harpoon IPA Wife, kids at condo pool all day After changing out of golf clothes and into swim suit I join family at the pool. Mindy had a sandwich waiting my return in the fridge – good Drank three IPA’s poolside – play with kids all late afternoon evening. Jacob causing boyish problems the entire time. Mindy quite buzzed – wearing bikini Agree to dinner at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill after showers – 90 minutes later. Sunny walk to Frenchy’s – only a few blocks away. Seated right away – table for ten Sticky – order lemonade and appetizers: calamari, oysters, and onion straws Mindy, Kenny, and me order The Four Kings: Grouper, scallops, shrimp, and crab cake Jacob and Jake order ribs – neither like ‘em. Hardly touch ‘em. Wasted food! Chrissy has unexplained foot injury after last night’s Crabby Bill storm walk. Soaks foot in cup of ice under the table. Kenny picks up tab. Kids want to bungy jump but clouds moving in again. Kenny suggests we not walk to the Pier. Good thing. As soon as we got back to the room a strong storm moved in- heavy rain, wind, lightning thunder. We were supposed to visit the Gardner’s condo but Mindy fell asleep. Kids and I watched TV until late – after 11pm.