PGA Tour Pro takes on Hains Point

[gw67]

For those who love golf, have played Muni courses, and have wondered how a tour pro would fare on your course, Eli Saslow has written a delightful article in this morning's Post. He arranged for Steve Martino, a rookie tour player from Northern Virginia to play Hains Point in DC, which is a cut or two below the average municipal course. Saslow, a duffer, played alongside and the article describes their 18.

The article brought back some funny and wonderful memories for me. My dad was career Navy and Washington was his last assignement before retirement. One of my brothers and I enjoyed playing golf and we immediately found this 27 hole course near the Jefferson Memorial that was accessible and inexpensive (I believe that it now may be 18 holes). I played this course numerous times with friends, relatives and folks I met at the course until I got a full time job over 40 years ago. Since then, I've probably only played it a couple of times although I cherish the memories I had playing the course - the large wheel where you placed your clubs to wait your turn to play; the hustlers who were always after you to play them; the first time I played with African American (negro) golfers; the first time I broke 40 for nine holes and made one of only three eagles I've made in my life; but most of all, I remember the fun that everyone had playing that wide open course with lots of interaction with other foursomes and duffers of all shapes, sizes, ages and races as balls flew in all directions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/AR2007070101221.html?sub=AR

gw67

[Rich]

Interesting article. I've played Hains Point a number of times. I think it's the only course I've ever shot in the 80's (I'm usually in the mid-90's to low 100's). Now, years later, after reading the article, that accomplishment seems so much greater than I felt it was at the time since the course is sooo wide open. I guess I'm just used to putting with sand, water, and other debris in my way! ;)

[greybeard]

In SF, you want to play a muni, there is Harding Park. Except that you don't need a sports jacket to walk onto the grounds, gives up little to Olympic, which is just across the lake. In LA, want to play where Arnie did, won I think the US open or at least a pro tournament, drive over to Westwood and play Rancho Park.

Now, if you're in the Nation's capitol, and you really must play, you can go to the Point. The point about the Point is that, for many of us, it's a little like our first girl friend. You'll never forget her, but there is little more to say. On the other hand, it's nice to know that even a real pro couldn't exactly have his way with her either.

[Dukerati]

Great article gw. I love Hains point and still play it at least once a summer. As a cheap college kid, there was no better course and I'll always remember it with fondness. In my experience, half of the enjoyment of a golf course comes from the expectations preceding it and with Hains Point, it was always more about the camraderie with friends than the score. That being said, my low at Hains Point is an 81. Anyone have that beat? :)

[greybeard]

Great article gw. I love Hains point and still play it at least once a summer. As a cheap college kid, there was no better course and I'll always remember it with fondness. In my experience, half of the enjoyment of a golf course comes from the expectations preceding it and with Hains Point, it was always more about the camraderie with friends than the score. That being said, my low at Hains Point is an 81. Anyone have that beat? :)

That was my low there too. In fact, it was my low anywhere. Didn't play until my late 30s when my neighbor, Jimmy, a "master" plumber as he proudly called himself, turned me onto the game. Jimmy used to ride with our clubs in his truck; I'd get a call in the late afternoon in the office. No hello or anything, just a stark, "It's time." He'd pick me up, and we'd play until dark. Those final holes, sometimes with the momuments lite up, well, some things are priceless. Jimmy railing at the wind, which when it was up made that one heck of a course, or any other damn thing he could, was one of them. Too bad he moved South, as did my golf game.