Originally Published on July 26, 2017 by ranchomurieta.com

Diaries written by: Don Thames

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Don Thames, Rancho Murieta Country Club's golf pro, writes about the experience of qualifying for the British Senior Open, as he did Monday. He will post occasional stories this week. 

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DAY #2:

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Bridgend, Wales – Royal Porthcawl is a beast. Yesterday we played our first practice round and found perhaps three breather holes, for lack of a better phrase. The rest were long, with most seeming to play into strong winds. I hit several four- and two-iron approaches to par fours and one three metal into a four par converted from a five. Matters are further complicated by the fact that the fairways are lined with fairly thick rough of fescue, gorse and heather. I will endeavor to not visit these areas.

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Every hole features more trouble for a player that errs into the pot bunkers. These are truly one shot penalties, as one must pitch out with a lofted wedge. In some cases the unlucky lad will have to play backwards should the ball rest too close to the forward face. The greens are huge, every one larger than our own 15th, full of bumps, undulations and slope. Most slant off to the side designed to guide slightly off-line shots into pot bunkers surrounding the greens. I have been advised by several lads to avoid the bunkers at all costs. Should one find his ball close to the face, he is doomed.

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The complex for the event is massive, complete with player registration, player dining, caddie headquarters, medical area, physio room, merchandise tent (yes, Carole found that!) and more. The food there, contrary to our hamburger experiences, is exquisite. Today we will visit the golf club vendors on the driving range and take advantage of the complimentary golf equipment passed out to the players like candy. The driving range is the largest I have ever seen. The tee must be 175 yards from side to side and the field itself seems to be the size of Carmel Bay.
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