Round Certified 4/15/05
Dan O'Connor shoots par on Castlewood Valley Course
(See story below)
...........................Official Scorecard
Pleasanton, CA. Dan O'Connor, a Castlewood member of 15 years, celebrated April 15th by finally achieving his goal and shooting a par round of 72. As his scorecard shows above, it consisted of four birdies, four bogies and ten pars, along with 26 putts, 9 greens in regulation and one sand save. The larger story consists of how he got the job done. "I started on number three and tried not to focus on the score, just hitting good shots. On this day, while the good shots came easier than usual, I kept telling myself, 'There's a lot of golf left to play. Don't get caught up with the score.'" By the time, he birdied number twelve, though, the momentous circumstance of the day could no longer be denied. "I remember thinking, I must be about one under par," Dan said in an interview immediately following the round. "At that point, I couldn't deny what was happening and turned my focus to trying to preserve as much as possible of what I had already achieved through the remaining eight holes." Dan was one under at the time. |
"At that point I was just thinking, Hang in there! If you can hold on it will be one of your best rounds of the year. "Quite frankly, I was thinking in terms of 74 or 75 to the extent that I had a specific score in mind. It was sort of in the back of my mind. I had no idea that I would be able to hold on for even par." Dan went on to play the next six holes, one over, leaving numbers one and two to play, since he started the round on number three. "Normally I try to put the score out of my mind and don't add it up after nine holes, but this time I couldn't resist showing my 35 on the backside to the marshall." He flipped the card over and said, "Well, you're one over on the front so far, so it should be a good round." With that in mind Dan set out to play hole numbers one and two in even par. On number one, he hit into nine fairway, but recovered nicely with his second shot bouncing over the center of the green and rolling off the back. He was unable to get down in two and was one over at that point. "I don't usually go for the green in two on number two, although I know I can reach if I hit a good drive."
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And hit a good drive, he did--about 275 yards, down the right center, ultimately slipping into the rough on the right side, well past the traps. "I was in easy range of the green. I knew that," Dan said, "As I pulled out my Taylor Made 16 degree TP rescue club." As it was winter rules, Dan improved his lie. "I figured, Let 'er fly! You gain control by giving up control. Don't try to steer it." His practice and previewing that shot over and over prior to the actual game situation paid off and Dan drilled one directly toward the center of the green, which landed just short. It rolled off the back, though, and part way down the embankment on the right side of the green. The pin was left front." Dan used his 54 degree sand wedge to chip to within twelve feet of the pin. He faced a downhill slider, although the left to right break was only about three balls outside the hole. A crowd had gathered near the green to watch Dan finish the round. He lined up the putt carefully, but didn't want to lose his momentum and quickly found himself over the ball, ready to strike it. Just then, Dan's concentration was broken by someone teeing off on number one. The ringing sound of his driver |
caused Dan to back away. "A couple of years ago, I was in a similar position, finishing on number nine, when a train went by, blew its horn and I ended up three putting for 74. Since then I have a rule that if there's unexpected noise I have to back away and repeat my pre-shot routine." The discipline paid off and Dan sank the 12 foot slider to the cheering applause of the nearby fans. The putt was "center cut" to use the words of golf analyst Ken Venturi. Dan wishes to thank his teaching professional, Dana Dorman, a former LPGA touring pro, for her help with his sand game, suggesting that he carry a 3-wood, which came in very handy and advising him as to sound course strategy in approaching the demanding Castlewood Valley Course. For the many fans who've asked, here's what Dan had in the bag on that historic day:
Longest putt made: 30 ft. |
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