Friday was an epic day. The morning was calm and serene. We were playing Bandon Trails and Cort Green aka Jesper had arrived the night before. His story is an amazing one. We had been planning this trip for 7 months and he was one of the first to commit. However, on Monday morning, only 2 days before the trip, the State arrived at his nursing facility to do a one week survey. This meant that Cort was most likely going to have to miss Bandon Dunes and a trip of a lifetime. We were all bummed of course and many people tried their best to still get him there with words of encouragement, offerings of money, and/or telling him just to bail on the "State Survey" altogether. At first, it appeared that he just wouldn't be able to come and that there was no way he could "swing it"; however, on Wednesday...it appeared the State was going to leave on Thursday afternoon. This meant that Jesper possibly could catch a late flight on Thursday to Eugene, rent a car, and arrive in Bandon around 2am Friday morning. He, of course, would have to spend more money than he thought, convince the State to leave early, and still find a flight that would work in his favor. Jesper knew that "For the Love of the Game," sacrifices would have to be made....and he made them! Jesper arrived at 3:00am Friday morning and our 12 was once again solid.
My foursome that morning: Jesper himself, Stanga, Dro, and J.Ord
Stanga with the purest swing in the bunch.
J.Ord found his game on Friday and started to see the magic of Bandon Dunes.
Jesper in perfect form ripping it down the middle.
Dro's patented inside take-a-way. But look at that solid left arm. You know that ball fears me.
Jesper and Stanga pushing and pulling their clubs through the beauty of Bandon Trails.
Jesper, Dro, and J.Ord taking time for a photo op. Man...I am short.
Look at that dip and drive and extended follow-through by Jesper.
If this picture doesn't make you want to play Bandon Trails, then there is something wrong with you. J.Ord and Nature combining for a beautiful shot.
Stanga driving it through the trees at Trails.
Jesper and J.Ord walking down the hill and their way to the green. J.Ord had just driven the green and was facing a 15 foot eagle putt after tripling up on Jesper who unfortunately was the "Banker."
There was something just funny about this shot. Cragun is finishing the hole as Nelly is trying to chip from the gorse with his caddie (Denise) looking on.
Bandon Trails was unbelievable. Not sure I will ever play a more peaceful golf course in my lifetime. My company that morning was none other than Jesper himself, J.Ord, and Stanga. We all shot good rounds and experienced a little piece of heaven. I believe...just for that round itself, Jesper was glad he made it happen.
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| Some of the boys after the first round was over on Friday. J.Ord, Cragun, Nelly, and Jesper. |
The afternoon, the wind picked up and so did my golf score. We played Old Macdonald and the locals were right...the greens were huge and 4 putts were alive and well. I got to play with Bags, Nelly, and Tbone that afternoon and we had a great time. I think the wind was the strongest it had been up to that point but it didn't detract from the camaraderie or the beautiful scenery. I was a little bummed though because after hole #3, my camera ran out of juice and therefore only got a few photos of my group as seen below.
Bags keeping his head down on #1 at Old Macdonald.
Tbone setting up his drive with a championship trophy on his mind.
Tbone was hardly ever seen without old Joe (his caddie) by his side.
Nelly with the beautiful pose after sticking his shot near the flag.
Tbone on #1 had dropped a $10 bill out of his pocket. The wind was blowing so strong that it started to blow back to the tee box. Old Joe (as all good caddies are apt to do) started jogging after it but as you can see...he never caught it. We all watched him "chasing the money" and had a good laugh. There has to be something symbolic about this scene.
Bags ripping it down the middle as Nelly and his caddie (young Denise) look on.
Nelly splitting the fairway with a nice high follow-through.
Tbone holding his backswing at parallel getting ready to hit a bomb. How bout those patent leather golf shoes!
Caddie Denise telling Nelly to chip it close.
Bags driving it over the hill on this classic Links style course.
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| Tbone, Cookster, Shackie, and Nelly relaxing after 72 holes of golf. |
That night, after mostly everyone had gone to bed....me, Nelly, Cookster, Shackie, and Jesper all hung out in one room and retold stories that we had heard many times before. They never get old and the laughter never dies down. Nelly, of course, said he was starving at 1:30am in the morning so he proceeded to call around until he could find someone willing to deliver him a ham and cheese sandwich with chips and a diet Dr. Pepper. For some reason, we all found that hilarious and couldn't stop laughing. At least he didn't eat this time with his golf glove still on as we all have seen him do on countless occasions before.
Shackie getting in a good laugh as Nelly eats his early morning sandwich.
Jesper telling us about his speeding ticket on his way from Eugene to Bandon.
The only sad part of the night was when reality set in and we realized that tomorrow would be our last day in heaven.
