Tuesday, February 21, 2012



GOLF— 
The Miniature Variety

Finally, the weather conspired with our social calendar to allow us a round of golf.

This course, within walking distance of our camper, is like a grand ole’ lady—showing lots of wrinkles, however.

In its younger years the course must have been a dandy.  It is 36 holes of challenging design combined with an artsy, jungle motif.  It makes good use of the gently rolling terrain.  Streams full of BIG goldfish meander along its fairways and artificial pools—now dried up—offer additional fairway challenges.

In the upper picture Sue is putting in a cave-like structure which has a nice waterfall flowing above her back, outside the little window.  Even here there is evidence large decorations once graced the design.   Now, only rusty iron fittings and hanging wire remain.

The puddle of water in the middle photo is evidently from a recent rain, likely trapped in the fairway depression by a failed drain.

Note the rotted wooden steps in the left foreground of the lower photo and the absence of landscaping detail in the patches of bare ground.

Here and there around the course rotted wood has been replaced by treated lumber or the newer, resin-based material creating a pattern that seems totally dependent on the availability of scrap.

Elsewhere, old rotting ropes were showing the ravages of sub-tropical humidity and the sun had bleached colorfully painted tee markers.

The young man at the desk was politely apologetic when he inquired if we would be returning.  “We fix whatever we can as often as we can; almost daily,” he lamented. 
 
It’s the old business conundrum of not having sufficient revenue to keep the place in tip-top condition which leads to even less customers and revenue, and on and on….

The clubhouse is nice and offers lots of other recreational amusements like batting cages and a large, indoor arcade.

In spite of its evident deterioration, it was a fun way to spend an hour or so on a warm and lazy afternoon. 

We’ll play it again, and again; no doubt.

www.safarigolfandgames.com

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