Dearest Origins Golf Course,
I’ve come to expect to find you when I’m in town, though it’s never certain.
It’s typically a quick trip, but we bring our clubs… just in case.
Thats the typical routine for me, my father-in-law, and my two brothers-in-law each time we find ourselves heading toward the Florida panhandle.
We stumbled upon you just a few years ago — a cheeky, well-kept 10-hole par three course hardly a mile inland from the ocean.
Our father-in-law, a once very solid, now very casual golfer, made friends with the course quickly. Not much a big hitter, he rather enjoyed the layout, which offered holes ranging from 95 yards to about 150 — right in the sweet spot of his smooth swing.
Us younger gentlemen took our time getting used to the course, but we’re improving at a steady rate.
Our Father-in-law tends to score lower than us. Only once have I tied him, and I think on one other occasion my brother-in-law did the same. The story has proven to be different on a full-length course, I must point out.
Regardless, you have provided the arena for friendly competition and space for us gentlemen to commune together in the outdoors and in sport.
The Perfect Outing
I’ve mentioned this a few times before, but you consistently provide the perfect outing for the gentlemen of the family. Gone are the days of being allowed six hours to trudge our way through an 18 hole course while on vacation with our beloveds.
But a quick drive, a good time swinging the sticks in the sun, and the opportunity to get back to the family within about two and a half hours? You’ve done it, now.
In the Florida summertime heat, there’s only so much time you want to spend out there (for some at least), and there are pools to swim in and dogs to play with and toddlers to chase.
So we often choose you, and we’ll likely continue to do so.
Most Recently
While I understand I have improved, I did not expect to perform the way I did.
Only missing a few greens, scrambling well, I shot a 33 (+3) over 10 holes.
No birdies, just 7 pars, 3 bogeys. A clean game.
Just a year ago, I would have been plenty thrilled with anything sub-40.
Alas
I am already writing more deeply about my tendency to raise my own bar of expectation — again, I have improved over the past year, but I have no right to believe I should go out and hit a good shot every time.
So the next time we visit you, Origins, I won’t expect a 33. I will expect a good time with good people on a good golf course.
And that, I’m sure I can count on.
Luke ManganOn Golf
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