Putting on the Ritz

Friday

Today was the last of my Orlando golf games at the Ritz Carlton. It was at 10.10 so I had time to finish packing without any rush before heading to the course. I decided to leave my suitcase at the hotel so I had an empty back seat at the course. No need to advertise you have stuff to pinch.

The course was under 15 minutes away but once again my Tom-tom messed me up. It didn't have the roads that went through the hotel and golf complex (which my iPad did) and took me passed the entrance to the resort.  Still a U turn at the next lights and a bit of back tracking got me there with time to spare. The JW Marroitt hotel and the RC dominate the sky line and the golf course rooms must have great views.

Today's partners were Ron, officially at a conference at the hotel and 2 Norwegians, Arnie and Morten, escaping Winter on a 2 week, 20 game holiday. After some discussion we decide to all play off the blue tees, the 3rd longest. It was again a hot day but we had a cooler with a couple of water bottles and ice and a guy came around a couple of times with iced towels. I spent most of the game with one on the back of my neck. He also took our names an later gave us a bag-tag medal with their logo and our name engraved on the back.

The Ritz Carlton is another course with lots of water on it and a warning not to go into the wetlands because of snakes and alligators. Ron had seen 3 of the latter the day before when he played in the scramble. The GPS was back - juts a phone sized lead with distance to front back and middle and a printed sheet giving pin offset from the middle, so my laser was out all day.

I finally put together a decent round and went out in 41. I then started the back with 2 doubles and I had visions of another repeat of my first round but I had a few pars and finished with an 88, breaking 90 for the first time.

We had a lot of fun with banter springing up quite easily. First, you need to realised that American golf in not like Australian (club) golf, where almost every game is a competition. Hence we have to follow the rules and putt out even short ones. Here they are almost always playing socially, although there is quite often money on the game (or a dinner as the case with the Norwegians). Putts are given all the time, Mulligans taken, lost balls are replaced with a drop on the fairway rather than being replayed and scoring is optional.

On a longish par 3 on the back 9 we had a long wait as the group in front were still on the tee when we arrived. In fact, we waited more today than any other game. When they cleared the green, Ron had teed up and said some thing like "Are we all OK with ready golf?" To which I replied "Are we all OK with hitting off in front of the Tee markers?" These were not lined up square  with the tee box and he was well in front of the line. He moved it back but was still in front when he hit it. This was followed by comments like "he really wanted to play off the whites anyway" and "you can move it back 3 inch from where it lands." ( there was also a comment from Ron about his 3" which definitely could have been taken the wrong way). Ron reached the front of the green with his tee shot and the rest of us had to chip on. Ron then sunk a 20ft plus putt for a birdie and one of the guys immediately asked "did you take it back 3" before you putted?". I followed with, move it back 3" from where it is now and we'll give you the next putt. Morten then sunk his 15footer and I dropped mine from 12ft. Poor Arnie had only 6ft and missed, which resulted in more comments.  It was a fun day.

It was also slow, and it was around 3pm when we got in. I had a drink with Ron and then a quick shower. I packed my golf bag into its travelling case and headed to the hotel. I still had over 2 hours so I thought I was comfortable for the 5:52 flight. It was still before 4 when I got back to the hotel and picked up my suit case. I put it in the boot, decided to pack my jacket into my notebook case and then shut the boot. I immediately realised I'd locked the keys in. I rang the Budget emergency number and they send someone to get them out for me. It only took a few minutes once he arrived but they estimated a 5:05 arrival.

I then rang United to look at changing flights, after 15 minutes of waiting and then talking, I was told there was no later flights that night with any seats so I booked for Sat morning. They got to the part where they wanted to charge me and found it was an AirNZ ticket and they couldn't do it. Probably would have been handy to do that first. I was then talking to ANZ when the rescue guy arrived. I decide to try to catch the flight but was too late. I didn't even take my stuff out of the car but went to check in where they put me through once again the ANZ line. With a long wait to speak to anyone, I decided there was no rush and I'd do it later.

I rang the Mensa lady who had organised the Wed dinner who offered my a bed in her guest room. She lives about 20 minutes from the airport. I extended the car rental and drove to her place and proceed to ring everyone to re arrange the flight, the limo pickup, the hotel etc. Finally I could relax.

We then went out to dinner at the Lonestar Steakhouse, where I had a steak and Lobster combo. Quite tasty. Maggie and Eddie eat there often enough to have a favourite server and know some of the other staff. Once back at their home we spent the night chatting, processing the pics from the day and she showed my the jewellery she makes, more as a hobby than a business. I would never have the patience for what she does, it is very intricate with combinations of beads semi precious stones and swaraski crystals.

It was 1am before I got to bed and I slept through to after 7. I had company - one of the 2 young cats. She seemed to think me moving about was a invitation to get patted.

It is now 9 and I leave at 11:29. I should have no problems getting there in time unless I do something stupid again.