Pinehurst North Carolina, North South Tournament

By virtue of qualifying for the USGA Women's Senior Amateur last fall, I received an invitation from Pinehurst to play in their Senior Women's North South tournament, August 15-18.  It is a 54 hole tournament played on 54 different holes (Pinehurst #1, 5 and 8).  The Senior Men's tournament is played at the same time and courses with a different rotation.  Having never been to the famous Pinehurst, I figured this was an invitation I should not decline.  

I was struggling to find a campground nearby, until one of the members of Boondockers welcome suggested a new campground called Farm Pond, a bit north east of Pinehurst.  In fact this contact did offer for me to stay at their place, although they weren't going to be home.  They were going to arrange for it to be complete with water and power.  They were slightly further and south of Pinehurst.  Farm Pond was only $30 per night so I felt better with that because I was initially going to be staying for 5 nights and Boondockers is usually only for a night or two.  The campground worked out well for me.  My site was close to the entrance, with a bit of shade.  One of the other campers decided he should back my trailer into the site, which was fine with me.  

I ended up arranging to arrive a day earlier, which allowed me to go and check out Pinehurst a day before the official practice round day.  There are lots of photo opportunities: 

Payne Stewart, taken from us way too soon.

Well put.  I'd just change his to her. 

I had a good practice session on Sunday.  The defending champion and friend of mine, Judith Kyrinis was also using the practice facilities, which game us a chance to catch up. 

Monday I was scheduled to play my official practice round at 9:30 a.m. on #8, the course one of my friends from the GTA Am Tour said was the most challenging of the three we were scheduled to play.  

I was paired with two ladies, who I recognized from last years USGA Senior Women's, and a fellow who was practicing for the men's side.  All of them had been to the tournament before.  I birdied the first hole!  The course was in excellent condition as is to be expected at Pinehurst and it was good to have played the course because there are a lot of blind shots.  After the round I went to the main Pinehurst grounds hoping to play the back 9 on #5.  That wasn't going to be possible but I was offered a cart to go around and look at the holes.  I managed to look at the entire #5 course and the front 9 on course #1, before I had to head in to get ready for the opening dinner.  The fellow I played with in the morning sought me out at the cocktail and hors d'oeuvers reception and we ended up sitting with Judith and some other Canadian players, both men and women for dinner.  The dinner was an elaborate buffet.  

Tuesday morning was round one for me on course #8.  I was a little nervous and excited on the first tee, well actually the 10th tee as I was to play the back nine first.  I really don't like having to play a course in an order other than what the designer intended.  I hadn't realized how strong the field for this tournament was, with many former USGA champions and also former tour professionals who have been re-instated as amateurs.  I was feeling privileged to be in their midst.  I didn't have any great expectations being my first time and that is wasn't possible to be fully prepared, having played practice rounds on all courses.  This format is extra difficult because the greens on all the courses are different speeds.  I also thought there was only one prize, for the champion.  After the first round I was tied for 22nd out of 37. 

My second round was on #5, which had recently been reopened after replacing the greens.  Unfortunately they over watered most of the greens over night and the collars were soaked, balls hitting in front were plugging or hitting and rolling back instead of forward.  May of the players felt this was unfair and not the conditions we deserved to play in.  After the second round I was tied for 18th.  

My final round was on #1.  The playing conditions were much better than the previous day.  I was paired with a couple of ladies who's hearts weren't really into it as they were used to finishing higher.  I wasn't planning on giving up but their chatter and demeanor made it hard to stay focused on my game.  I ended the tournament tied for 20th.  

It turns out they give prizes down to 6th place. 

I was 17 shots from 6th place and 40 shots from last.  Not bad for my first attempt.  I feel I can do much better if I am invited back next year. 

I was happy to be on hand to witness my friend Judith defend her title and be awarded her second Putter Boy trophy.  She started the final day 2 shots back and ended up winning by 10!  There was a three way tie for 2nd place.

I ended up staying in the area for an extra day (camping was free, buy 6 get 1 free) in order to play Foxfire Grey course with my new friend from Monday.  I shot even par...go figure.