Sunday, January 29, 2017

Mesa - Week 2

Tuesday of my second week I decided to give Pickle Ball a try.  I had played a bit in Kingston a couple of years ago.  I feel that I could get to like it, and be good at it based on my squash and ping pong experience.  I played a few games and the others complemented me on my play, though I need to refine some of my technique.

Later in the day I played my first round of golf with neighbors Mike and Carol and their friend Ewold.  We went out in Ewold's truck to play Western Skies.  The course was pretty nice but there was nothing spectacular about it.  Their tees are horse shoes and hole markers are part whisky barrels.  I was the best player in the group, but everyone had a good time.

Despite being a little stiff from Pickle Ball the day before, I played a fairly early round at the Ocotillo Golf Resort.  From my last trip I had sworn not to return to this course because it seemed like golf at Disney World, very contrived, with motes around the fairways to keep the golfers out of the residences back yards.  They were concrete lined.  They have 27 holes and it seems this time I played one nine that isn't designed that way and one of the nines that was, which I would have played on my previous visit.  With some aging, it doesn't look quite as contrived.

That evening they had a steak fry dinner and musical comedy show about life in an RV on stage at the park.  I signed up for both events.  The steak fry was a bit disorganized and I was rushed to finish my dinner, so they could transition the room for the show, which was quite entertaining.

My friend John from Tucson came up to Mesa for a few days.  

Friday afternoon John and I went to play Kokopelli.  We were paired with a man and his son in law.  The son in law, studying to be a lawyer isn't much of a golfer.  They decided to quit after about 12 holes, which allowed us to manage to finish at dusk, somewhat in the dark, but we got all 18 holes in.  This the second of the ARCIS courses I have played.

The weekend was rainy and cool, which was fine because we were interested in watching the NFL Divisional playoff games.  Saturday night there was a DJ playing dance music in the Club House, which we attended.  John managed to get me up on the dance floor a few times.

Monday morning I played Pickle Ball, so John could see what it was about.  I didn't play my best with the audience.  Monday evening was the monthly street pot luck party.  John made deviled eggs as our contribution to the event.  We chose that because Carol doesn't eat gluten and we wanted to make sure she had something she could eat.  They are one of her favorite things.  There was all kinds of great food and additional neighbors to meet.  Carol baked a gluten free spice cake with white frosting. 

Tuesday, my neighbors, John and I went to play Stonecreek with Mike's ERCIS discount card for up to 3 players. 


One of my new golf outfits.
It was still one of the more expensive rounds I have played and the furthest drive.  It is in Phoenix about a 45 minutes from "home."  It was great that we could all fit in Mike's car.  The course was pretty fun to play and in good condition.  The pace was a little on the slow side as the course was busy.  We all enjoyed the round.

The last day of John's visit, Wednesday January 18, the two of us played Ahwatukee Country Club.  


I think it is my second favorite course I have played in the Mesa area so far, after Trilogy.  It is built in a community, but the homes are far enough back to not come into play much.  Many holes are framed by mountain peaks in the background.  There were some colorful plantings around.  We played with another couple who mentioned they are volunteering at the Waste Management tournament as I am, but they are working different days. We had dinner at Old Chicago Pizza and Tap room, a franchise place we had gone to a couple of times in Tucson and really liked.  The one in Mesa didn't disappoint.


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