One of my passions. I went back today to play the 9 hole Pine Lodge course in Bristol, PQ but more on that later.
I was exposed to golf at an early age. My dad used to play all the time and was a member of the Rivermead club in Aylmer. As long as I remember he practiced in the backyard hitting the ball into a neighbours lot and back 3 houses over. He played every Sat, Sunday and Wednesday PM. In the spring he would head to Pine Needles, SC and play 36 holes a day with his buddies to get ready for the Ottawa season. He putted in the living room and gripped dog bones to strengthen his grip during the winter. He had grown up in McKellar Park. I still have a hole in one plaque he was awarded as well as a trophy he won at the course there in the 30s as a boy.
So I had a lot of encouragement to play. My first recollection is in 1962 when I was 12. Mom, Kim and I went to Pine Lodge for 2 weeks and I played on the 9 hole course everyday. Dad would come up on the weekend and we would play again. Later I used to go down to Woodroffe HS football field with a club and hit balls back and forth.
I caddied for dad a few times when I was old enough. I remember most holes on the Rivermead. We also played at the 9 hole course near Kemptville when visiting the Frisbies cottage.
In University I did not play as much due lack of time and money. After graduating and moving to YVR I started playing regularly at UBC and Burnaby Mountain Courses with my Imperial Oil buddies. Then after returning to Ottawa I played a lot all over Ottawa with my Measurement Canada and Industry Canada buddies.
Now being retired I can play whenever I want, and do some 25 times each year. So today I met friend Paul in Norway Bay and we headed to Pine Lodge for breakfast. Then we rented a cart and played 9 holes with 2 balls as Paul drove the cart and advised. It’s a short narrow course but I did OK.
Golf is an adventure! Every time out there is the possibility of a perfect game! Of course this never happens unless you are a pro. Today was great playing those old holes – nothing has changed much since the 60s or even since the 30s when Mom first went there. I love the feel, the smell of nature, the banter, the views and the green, green, green of the fairways and greens. I am hooked Dad!
Love to play with you any time anywhere.
Fore!
mattersofthemoment 