Thursday, January 6, 2011

Lajitas

I'm tired, so I decide to take the day off, but what to do in Lajitas? It head over the the golf course to check it out.
































When I get there, the track is deserted so I decide to take a turn. Complaining about the cavity-backed Nike's on
offer for rental, the pro was kind enough to lend me his Titleist blades. I still missed my Mizuno MP-32's, but at
least I had real sticks.
































Having not played in several months my expectations were low. Surprisingly, I began the round with a solid drive,
in the center of the fairway. After an indifferent second, and a poor chip, I was able to drain a ten-footer for par.



I missed the next two short par putts, but it was a good start. On the par 5 4th, I hit a solid drive to the left side of
the fairway. My second was a well struck shot which came to rest a few yards short of the drainage area in front
of the green. I chipped five feet from the hole, an easy birdie,
































that I missed left. It was a great opportunity, utterly wasted. The next hole was this difficult par 3, 170 yards uphill,
with a 17mph crosswind. I clubbed up and hit a low, boring 5-iron, but I couldn't see the ball from the tee-box.
































When I drove up to the green, I was met with the lovely sight of a No.8 Pro-V1 five feet to the left of the pin. It was
the shot of the day and another birdie try.
































And another miss. Alas, it was not meant to be. The sixth is another difficult hole of 449 yards. My excellent drive
caught the left side of the uphill fairway, then bounded right, rolling out to here.
































To the left of the green lay certain death. I wisely aimed right of the flag, and was rewarded. My striped 5-iron found
the putting surface, but it was more than thirty feet from the hole. I needed three putts and gave another away. The
course showed it's real teeth on the next hole. Beside the cart path, I came upon this dead Javelina.
































Javelina are a wild boar found throughout West Texas.
































Viewed locally as pests and road hazards, I suspect they also make a delicious pappardella ragut. The next hole,
a par 5,
































has this dramatic tee-shot. I'm lucky enough to hit a good one, which rises up over the hills of Mexico before
landing far below in the center of the fairway. Unfortunately, my luck ends here. I bogey the hole, then double the
next for a disappointing 43 on the front.
































Still, the views can't be beat. The Rio Grande, with Mexico on the left bank.
































Things begin to really unravel. I scramble for three bogeys in a row before losing a ball at this par 3.
































It leads to my second double of the day. I take a moment to collect my composure,
































while taking note of several of the interesting flora of the region. Red cactus,
































Ocotillo, living barbed-wire,
































and barrel cactus are all abundant.
































I par the next hole, but it's no use. I limp home in 47 for a 90. Ah, what could've been. Still, I'm happy to have hit
some good shots.
































A day at the Lajitas golf course is time well spent.