I was a bit surprised with the amount of traffic I encountered on the road for a Saturday, but I guess people were enjoying what may have been their last or second last weekend of summer as the kids in the states go back to school before Labor Day. I'm learning to just take it easy, leave space and practice patience.
Next destination is Merry Meadows Recreation Farm in Freeland, Maryland, another spot I found kind of last minute but turned out to be quite nice and the closest to Hillendale Golf Club outside Baltimore, Maryland, the site for the Mid-Am Qualifier. I arrived before dark on Saturday and had time to get set up. The first site the lady in the office wanted me to go onto wasn't working well for me. It was a back in at an awkward angle. The park wasn't that busy so she went back to the office to see what else she could offer and then came back with the idea of putting me in a pull through that was at the other end of the same section of sites. It worked out quite well for me.
I had arranged my practice round for Sunday. The weather forecast wasn't very good and this time the forecasters got it right, we were plagued with showers and thunderstorms, which meant I had to leave the course twice during the round and also had to play in the rain.
On one visit to the club house I noticed this statue:
It is in memory of Johnny Unitas and says he was a member of the club for 24 years. On another visit, I found this in the locker room:
The practice round was not much fun, but I was in a cart so that helped a bit. The course was pretty empty due to the weather so getting around between the lightning warnings wasn't very difficult. This course had a very large number of blind shots with most holes playing up hill. The fairways were very narrow, 20 - 25 yards only, and the rough challenging. Being a Mid-Am the course was also set up on the long side. It rained more in the evening and overnight, which made the course even longer. I found out shortly after arriving at the course that the 3rd player in my group had cancelled, leaving us as a twosome. The gal I was playing with is a new Mid-Amer at 26. Her caddy showed up just a couple of minutes before we were to tee off. On the first hole he was annoying me, talking and moving about when I was trying to play. I told him off and he shaped up. Unfortunately neither of us was playing up to our full potential and we were feeding off each other in a negative way. Neither of us was successful in qualifying.
This was my first experience with the:
They did a good job running the tournament. I learned about non-stinging wasps that like to make their homes in sand traps. They and I were in one on the 17th hole. They are quite off putting. I called the rules official who explained about them and that because they don't sting they don't pose a dangerous condition.
I had decided to try out for the USGA Mid-Am because I had such a good time last year at the USGA Senior. Both the qualifying round and the tournament fit in with my other travel plans, but it was a bit of a stretch to think I would be able to qualify so I wasn't too upset that I didn't.
I stayed at Merry Meadows for another two nights. This allowed me to enjoy their grounds, which included some trails to a pond, a collection of old farm tractors, and a nice pool. There was a driving range there as well, but it was hitting off mats so I didn't try it. I have no idea what the quality of the balls was. I also gave the truck a good cleaning inside for its 3rd month anniversary.
One of my 30 lb propane tanks had finally run out a week or so ago. Seeing as it lasted so long I wasn't in a big hurry to get it refilled as I have another one as well. This campground offered propane filling service, so I took advantage of it. I also managed to get pick-up, delivery and installation service, all for $20.00. The owner of the campground provided the extra services for me. In some of the park reviews people had been saying some nasty stuff about his wife, who runs the office. I think I am grateful that I never encountered her although their issues were about rule enforcement and I generally obey the park rules.
I am not big on having campfires, but here I did find some wood others had purchased and left behind, so one evening I tested my fire making skills and was successful. I had been collecting some papers that needed secure disposal, so used them as a starter and had purchased some marshmallows, which I roasted as a treat. It was a perfect night for a fire, little wind and no bugs.
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