Three-jacks didn't help the cause
Editor’s Note: This is part of a a series of daily diary entries by Alabama Golf News Editor Gregg Dewalt, who is competing in his first Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship, the largest gathering of amateur golfers in the world.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The third round of a golf tournament, and it applies at the Myrtle Beach World Am, is generally regarded as moving day. With a good number, you can make a big move up the leaderboard.
Shoot a bad score and you can knock yourself out of contentions. So, it was with great anticipation I made it to Myrtlewood’s Pine Hills course in another fog-shrouded morning along the Grand Strand, tied for ninth place in my 49-player flight, hoping to go low and make my own move.
Four and a half hours later, I walked off a benign Pine Hills course, wondering how in the name of Jack Nicklaus I shot 81. It was easy – I made a one-foot putt for par on the final hole.
On a day ripe for scoring, I somehow managed to make no move at all. Started the day tied for ninth. Ended the day tied for ninth. I guess it could have been worse – I am only four shots out of fourth place but there are a lot of people I’ll have to pass to get into the top five to claim a prize (a gift card to the PGA Superstore).
We were dew-sweepers in the second group out and played the first three holes in dense fog. How dense? Our range finders didn’t work and you could barely see the flags. The dew-covered greens led to some putting woes – I three-jacked three times in the first eight holes, as my lag putting left a lot to be desired. After the greens dried out, I made a few nice par-savers but no birdies. I’ve only made one birdie in the first three days, so my skins game effort has been pretty weak.
Going into the final round on Friday at The International – a course I have never seen. I think it’s going to be a birdie-fest or bust.
On the plus side, a post-round cheeseburger at Peaches Corner on Ocean Boulevard was pretty greasy and pretty good.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
Have a story idea or a news item to report to Alabama Golf News? Email gregg@alabamagolfnews.com
Featured image by Gregg Dewalt
