Golfing with The Benjamins

Sink hole

We have been having a wonderful time playing golf here in The Villages.  We have encountered various non-standard hazards on the course from alligators in the ponds and sand traps to sand hill cranes occupying the tee boxes to fairways that are totally under water because of the tropical storms that have approached our area this summer.

One of the more unusual hazards was the sink hole that we found on the 5th hole of Bonita Pass.  I wish that Gemma had stood next to it for perspective, but it measured around 10' by 10' wide and was about 8' deep.   A few weeks later, another sink hole opened up on #8 of the Pimlico course.  This one drained the entire retention pond near it and caused the course to become an 8-hole course until they did a temporary repair.

One of the more pleasant surprises that have happened since we have been down here is that Gemma has taken to the game of golf.  We usually get out about three times each week, unless some special event gets in the way.  We each have a group that we play with on Tuesdays and, of course, we have our special neighborhood couples golf round each Saturday morning, the highlight of which is lunch afterwards.

Almost a hole-in-one!

A couple of weeks ago, Gemma almost had the golfers ultimate dream -- a hole-in-one.  We were playing with our Saturday group, and she stopped one about 6" from the cup on #9 at Churchill.  Both of us now have put a shot within a foot of the cup.  Maybe someday one of us will be buying a round drinks in celebration.    (Note: In the photo at the left, the polka dots are aeration holes that are filled with sand.)