Stunk

The Pride of Palmer, KS USA just got back from a trip to Old Mexico. Sure they've never seen anything like that boy. He's back at BCF this week and looking strong as ever.

Cold weather is finally here so get out the slow-cooker and cook some meat !! Recipes coming soon...

Mean Green

Future Bearcat middle linebacker. Don't mess with this dude. He rules the playgrounds in Liberty.

Have a good weekend !!

Waterville

Day 3: Waterville Golf Links Ring of Kerry

Early wake up call today (especially for Nick since he was locked out of the B&B but luckily Hank heard him yelling outside at 2:00am and let him in) so we could make the hour long drive to the far western reaches of the Ring of Kerry. The drive around Ring of Kerry is absolutely breath taking with lowland swamps transitioning to the huge hills sheep call home. As if there was any doubt another special day was in store, we caught a full rainbow over Ballingskelligs Bay.

The earliest records of golf in Waterville can be traced back to the late 1800's when workers built and manned the first transAtlantic cable stations connecting Europe and North America. The bulk of the course you see today was completed in 1973 after purchase by John Mulcahy and has undergone numerous changes since the latest of which under Tom Fazio's watchful eye. Waterville has special place in the hearts of some well known sticks; Woods, Els, O'Meara, Furyk, Appelby, Duval, Jansen all of which have used it as not only a tune up course for the British Open but also to satisfy their salmon fishing desires. Joining them every step of the way, the late Payne Stewart fell in love with the place and in return the locals adopted Payne as their own. He was awarded the Captaincy of Waterville the year of his death and since they've dedicated a Bronze statue in remembrance.

Having studied the history and golf at Waterville, I was really looking forward to teeing it up and she didn't disappoint. The weather was classic Ireland, mid 50's and rainy mist all day. Starting at the opening hole where you stare down a 430 yard par 4 complete with pot bunkers left and right and a green that appears 2 miles away, you know it's time to pull on the big-boy pants. Holes 2 and 3 are the best par 4 back-to-back combo we played. #2 "Christy's Choice" is a long par 4 with a tight tee shot that has to be hit solid in order to reach the green with your second shot. A long iron or hybrid is not the ideal club to attack a slanting, angling, juking green that look as if it was placed there with the sole purpose of deflecting approach shots. Somehow I managed to sneak it on in regulation and was enjoying my walk to the green along with the calming view of the inner bay sanctuary when I was suddenly interupted by Cooker sprinting (fast walk) back to the tee-box to rescue his abandon Bloody Mary. #3 is an incredible hole hugging the inner bay on the right side with a dog leg approach to a severly slanted back to front green. After starting with 3 consecutive pars, I knew something had to give and it surely did at the short par3 4th hole. For a hole that looks short enough that you could throw your egg from the tee box, it bit our whole group hard, complete with "four jacks" and "on again-off agains" we all doubled the hole. In an effort to erase the horrible memory, I forgot which hole but at one point on the front, Hank found himself greenside bunkered went totally spaz, I stopped counting the swipes at 9 and I'm sure he'd still be there if Fisher hadn't jumped in to stop the bleeding. After Kissick's All-County par on the intimidating 9th hole, we went 4 up in the match.

The backside sends you back out from the clubhouse for more abuse and beauty. #10 is a tight long par 4 that progressivly tightens to about 5 yards wide before the green, don't plan on running it up here. #11 "Tranquility" is a splendid par 5 that's reachable if you carry your drive over the plataeu where the first half of the fairway runs out. That's the easy part...carding bogey from the fairway 200 yds out takes some real work...errr some real hacking. #12 "Mass Hole" named for the hollow in front of the green where Catholics gathered way back when to hide from the haters. An intimidating tee shot of 185 yards that's all carry if not, you visit the "hole" at which point praying is the only option. The tee shot on #15 is blind so pick a house in the distance, swing it and hope you find it somewhere in the short grass. Made par here to close out our match. The final 3 holes at Waterville turn from the inner bay and run up along the ocean. #16 plays entirely up hill and upon reaching the fairway you have the first wonderful view of the ocean and get a little caught up in the moment until you realize the approach shot still awaits. O.B. right and major trouble everywhere else, this is an intimidating 2nd shot and most severly sloped green on the course. You're rewarded for hauling your sticks up the big climb to the 17th tee. The highest point on the course offers tremendous views and yet another 190 carry to a large sloped green. #18 ranks as my favorite closing hole on the trip, from the tee it looks something short of 800 yards down there and bunkers guard the drive, second and third shots. Walking down the fairway you hear the waves crashing the beach, look towards the clubhouse in a mist and realize this place is special and you're damn lucky to have expereinced it.

Approach to #2 with inner bay in background

9th hole from the tee box

12th hole "Mass"

View from 17th tee



18th O' Grady's Beach

RP, Kissick, Fisher, Hank (17th tee)

Tralee Golf Club

Day 2: Tralee Golf Club County Kerry Ireland

After the second round at Old Head we traveled north to Killarney for a 3 night stay at the Woodlawn House. Very pleasant B&B with large rooms and close proximity to downtown. Rutman and I made a mad dash to Laurels Pub to have our drink with Carole Brown. Great story about Carole but better off you discover it for yourself. If you're ever in Killarney, visit Laurels and ask to have a drink with her.

We shoved off early Friday morning for 36 at Tralee which was approx. 1 hour drive north. Tralee Golf Club was founded in 1896 and moved to it's current location and Arnold Palmer design in 1984. Situated on the Barrow Pennisula it's an ideal setting for classic links golf. Surronded on 3 sides by water and beautiful beaches, you find yourself hypnotized and in need of a quick head shake to get your mind back on the game. In Mr. Palmer's words... "I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine"

Nicky Six on the par 3 3rd hole

The front nine starts with a gentle introduction on holes 1 and 2 to our first links golf. But, upon reaching the third hole, you're quickly reminded that wind and coastlines are going to be a prominent part of this trip. After a quick turn back inland for #'s 4 and 5, you reach Palmer's favorite 3 hole stretch of 6,7,8. The par 4 6th has such dramitic undulations in the fairway I was unable to see over them and told Nick, it looked like an elephant burial ground. My favorite hole on the opening nine, #8 begs you to cut a big chunk off Barrow Harbor but into the wind your landing area is about 15 paces wide. On your walk up the 9th fairway, a relativley straight forward par 5 birdie chance, you've no idea what awaits you on the back side.

View from #11 fairway to what awaits on the back. #12 flag in foreground with #13 flag in distance

While playing the front nine, you're insulated from any clear views of the back but after passing the clubhouse and arriving on the 10th tee, you understand why this is considered one of the best closing nines anywhere and we had not even played it. My jaw litterally dropped when I got the first glances the dunes and elevation changes. Palmer gently eases you down the 10th until reaching the green and you feel like you're on a different planet. Moving to the 11th "Palmers Peak" you climb up to hopefully what's your 3rd shot and reach the highest spot on the course. On to the 12th to which our friend Matty G. said "you haven't lived until you've this approach shot" Standing at the bottom of the fairway looking over the "Chasm" to a green that somehow clings to the side of a 90 foot sand dune, you realize there is no bail out. The short par 3 13th is all carry over the backside of the same dune...again... no safe options, pick a stick and swing it. After a brief calm, if you call it that, on the split fairway 14th you reach the most visually pleasing stretch of holes 15, 16, 17. The 15th is the shortest par 4 and according to index the 2nd easiest hole but it ate my lunch on both rounds. #16 is one of my favorite par 3's on the trip. If you're lucky enough to hit the green and choose to avoid the path taking the more direct route to the green, I suggest straping on the crampons or pray you have some billy goat genes. The 17th ranks as my favorite hole on the backside. A short par 4 that requires an accurate drive to setup a short iron approach that's played to a severly elevated green with trouble everywhere. I pumped 3 wood over the right hand fairway bunker and found the small sliver of fairway 120 yards out which sounds good on paper but you're left shaking in your spikes when contemplating the next shot. 18 is a good hole finishing towards the clubhouse but after spending the last 2 hours in utter amazement, your thoughts are not so much about finishing strong but left remembering how special the back nine at Tralee really is.

#12 "Chasm" Matty G wasn't joking about this little gem

Rutman on #13 tee, nice pegs.

#17 tee. Fisher, RP, Kissick, Chris

Old Head Golf Links

Day 1: Old Head Golf Links Kinsale, County Cork.

Old Head is a relatively new course (1997) but what it lacks in age is quickly forgotten from the momment you top the hill before the entrance. The course is situated on a diamond shape piece of property that's connected to the mainland by a 30 yard wide strip of land that's 300 foot down on each side. During construction they "lost" a bulldozer over the cliffs while finishing one of fairways.

From a visual and geographic standpoint, this place is truly one of kind and will have a special place in my memories mostly due to it's uniqueness and the horrid conditions on day 1. Unfortunetly the golf plays second fiddle to scenery at Old Head. While there are some memorable holes, #4 "Razors Edge" , #17 down hill par5 (pic above) , as a whole the course ranks towards the bottom of my list on this trip. It's not traditional links (they moved in 250,000 tons of top soil to grow grass) and doesn't leave you feeling like you've experienced a true round of Irish golf.

Our first round was something out of a twisted golf thriller movie. 60 mph gusts and rain coming sideways. There were only 2 other groups on the course in addition to us. The only beneift in playing such crappy conditions was the fact that no other weather seemed to bother us after that introduciton. We spent the night in Kinsale and gassed it around Old Head again Thursday morning and the conditions were much improved.

Home Again

Home again, home again. What an incredible place, Ireland. I said numerous times on the trip, words can't describe the courses, views, people, weather, etc.. it's truly something special. I feel fortunate to have experienced the last 10 days with good friends, old and new.

Just finished downloading 255 pictures and everyone one of them brings a smile to my face. I've a feeling the Tool Shed will be featuring plenty of Ireland shots over the next few weeks.

Still compiling my best of list and can't wait to share thoughts with Matty G.

(pic from #8 tee box Ballybunnion Old Course) Nick "Otis", Hank, RP and Coach Rut who just about jarred it for an ace after this photo

Shotgun Shack

Never know who you'll see at the halfway house.

It's finally here...this time tomorrow we'll be north bound to the airport. Ready to catch that bird for the old country. Bags are packed and the camera has plenty of film. Fore !!