Recap of SECC Men's Golf Trip

It has come and gone again; my favorite trip and time of the year- the men's golf trip at Southeast Christian Church. Each year we travel to East Tennessee for a great time of golf, fellowship and bible study. This year was extra special because the nightly devotionals were taught by Bob Russell. Bob is the recently retired former pastor of Southeast (in case you didn't know). Bob lead the Southeast congregation for forty years before retiring in 2006.

Bob's devotional teachings consisted of lots of humor ( some jokes just for the guys) and his quick wit and deep wisdom. Bob talked about "keeping the rules the first night". This included God's plan for salvation for those who were not believers. The second night he discussed "keeping your head down" in our Christian walk. The last night focused on "keeping our composure" as growing Christians. Aside from the wonderful teachings and new relationships, the golf was great per usual.

John Smith (Smitty), Charles Williams, Bob Carpenter, and Jim Russell (the golf committee) did a perfect job again in 2008. From the hotel arrangements to the courses to the pairings- it was all great again. I always enjoy playing with some of the Sport 4 Life team from Sweden and also playing the two man scrambles with some of the best golfers at Southeast.

I think my record over the years is about 1-7 or something but I keep grinding away. Maybe it has to do with me playing in some of the following matches.

In year one I played against the formidable Barney Long and the last three years I've lost to Smitty, Austin Meyer, Bill Mead and Marshall Fall Jr. Add Scott Reyburn to this years list along with Marshal Fall Sr and you can see why I've been pummeled year in and year out. I've never had so much fun losing though. I did make some great new friends this year, and hope to see them all throughout the year and at next year's trip.

My scores for the trip were respectable, but not exceptional.

I started out with a boring 78 at River Island. I had 12 pars and 6 bogeys. The downside was that 4 of the six bogeys came on 4 of the 6 par fives.

I followed it up with a very gritty round on day two. I started out at Patriot Hills with a solid par on number #2. I followed it up by digging a large hole over the next several holes. I had a 3-putt bogey followed by a terrible double bogey on the par 3 #4. It was my only double in 6 rounds. I followed that up by bogeying the number #1 handicap hole #6. I snuck in a par on the par 3 6th, but the bad news was that it came from about 5 feet from the stick. I bogeyed the next hole, the par 5 8th from just off the green in 2. That's right- 6 over after the first 7 holes. My playing partners were all near even par or under. I did rebound with birdies at the par 5 9th, the par 4 10th and the par 5 11th. I missed from about 10 feet on the 12th or I would have had four in a row. Then I started a streak of pars that lasted until another birdie on the par 3 15th. I made pars on 16-17-18 before finishing with one more bogey on hole #1. Make that 1 double, 5 bogeys, 4 birdies and 8 pars for a 75.

I played a very consistent round again on Tuesday. I had 15 pars with 3 bogeys. Two bogeys on par 5's and a 3 putt par 3. 75

Lastly, I finished with a 77 at Woodlake in 30 mph wind. I was quite happy with it.

Nothing near par or under. I still haven't scored even or better this year, but everything is trending that way.