For the uninitiated, that’s pace of play and I have to tell you that the pro here in Angel Fire, Ron Moxom, must feel like Don Quixote chasing the PoP windmills.
Pairings for our weekly games come via email (which for me is a challenge because at the condo I only have dial-up which I’ve not used or my telephone’s browser which is cumbersome or free Wi-Fi at the library which means a car trip to check the junk mail and spam…but I digress). So far, the pairings have included words of encouragement from Ron about keeping the pace of play reasonable. They’re targeting 4 hours 30 minutes which should not be a problem because we’re playing with 10 minute intervals between groups and there are starter times also figured into the tee sheet.
The problem? For many here, it’s the grey matter between the ears and I’m no exception. At 8500 feet, a golf ball carries a full 2 clubs longer than at sea level so the temptation to ‘bomb and gouge’ is enormous. Now, that’s not bad back at the ranch – you miss a fairway, no big deal. The first cut at the ranch is about 15 yards wide and not punitive at all. The second cut includes what we refer to as ‘native’ and it’s a bit longer than the first cut but you really don’t have much of a problem finding balls after wayward shots.
But, this isn’t the ranch. The fairways are narrow, the rough is punitive, and if you miss the first cut, you’ll find yourself in grasses and reeds deeper than knee length. There are also streams that meander the entire course and all are in play. Plus, you have the elevation changes that create distance problems. So, if you’re playing in a group of bogey golfers, each player is likely to loose at least one ball. If each player took the allowed 5 minutes to find their ball, that would mean a cumulative 20 minutes added to the time it’d take to play 18. Now, if no one else is on the course, no big deal. But, as they like to say here, every day in Angel Fire is like a holiday and that means lots of golfers and lots of pressure on the tee sheet. Unfortunately, not all groups lose balls at the same time and that causes the PoP to spread groups on the course unevenly and, likewise, increase the time it takes to navigate the challenges of 18 holes.
But, here in Angel Fire, we also have the diversion of incredible scenery. So, play smart and if things do slow down, soak up the wonderfulness that Mother Nature has provided.
