I smoked my tee shot 185 yards up the right side of the fairway. I was pumped. My trusty 4-hybrid put my Pinnacle 3 in a great location to clear the pond with an iron and reach the green in 2. I had already donated too many golf balls to the South Carolina waterways throughout the weekend, and I was on a mission not to do it again.
The back balcony of the Caledonia Club House was crowded with other golfers and members eating lunch and watching our approach. It was the most beautiful golf hole that I’ve ever played, so as Johnny took his shot I paused for a moment to take in the scene.
Johnny launched his ball over the green and into the bushes. If I was more thoughtful about my strategy, I would’ve learned from my partner’s mistake. The right move would probably have been a 7 or 8 iron to safely loft my ball over the hazard and 2-putt for par. But as I peered across the water, it looked far more daunting than the comfortable 150 yards measured on the Golf Cart GPS. The heat index was more than 100 degrees. I was fighting off the looming hangover from the night before and the butterflies in my stomach were coming alive with the big moment that awaited me. I went back to my bag and pulled out my 6 to give me extra room for error.
With my club, I lined up the shot and took a few practice swings. I visualized my ball reaching the green. I took a deep breath, settled into my stance, and focused my thoughts.
“You got this. Easy on the backswing. Good. Knees bent, head down, arm straight. Alright, here we go. Now, swing!”
Well I swung…and I duffed my shot 50 yards into the pond.
At first, I desperately wanted a mulligan. I knew if I had another chance, I surely would’ve kept my head down and got my hips and hands through to make cleaner contact. But there were no redos. This was my unfortunate reality. I looked down at a missing chunk of the earth. I looked ahead to a penalty stroke. I looked up to the sight of Johnny and Spins giggling.
I was in Myrtle Beach for the “Lord Duffington Classic,” a golf trip with 7 of my best friends in which most of us are just trying to break 100 and all of us are just there to have a good time. The world’s best caddie, Jordan Janiec, was back home taking care of the birdie and the bogey (Charlie and Jack). So as I looked out at what appeared to be a terribly disappointing golf shot, all I recall from my experience was another hilarious moment with the crew. In fact, every flub, slice, hook, and worm burner that I hit over the weekend was well worth the price of admission for a weekend away with my boys.
I mean sure, keeping my ball out of the woods would’ve been ideal. But I’d hit every branch at Grande Dunes if it meant getting another round of Transfusions and a new 12 pack of Millers with Rustad and Pici at the turn.
And of course I’d like to be able to get out of a sand trap without experiencing a total meltdown. But I wouldn’t trade a consistent bunker game for the epic scramble match that Jim and I had vs. Snyder and Balestras at True Blue.
I’d much prefer to hit my 3-wood farther than 190 yards, and it’d be nice to keep my ball out of the ponds at Arrowhead, but if a few water hazards are all it takes to puff a few cigars with Johnny and Spins then count me in.
And even if Pici shoots a 70 or Snyder breaks 90, the only outcome that really matters is who takes home the “Lord Duffington” jacket for the last place performance. Fortunately, the jacket will be staying in NYC with Balestras for another year.
But what matters more than the score is that the Lord Duffington Classic is about the laughs that are shared and the memories that are made. Whether it’s playing the nicest golf course in South Carolina or taking a lap in a nasty looking “Lazy River” at a Dirty Myrtle hotel after losing a wager, it’s about the moments in between all the slices and the flubs. The weekend is about jamming out to “American Girl” and “Wagonwheel” at Tin Roof on Saturday night, and 8 hours later trying to muster up the strength and focus to shoot closest to the pin. And even if I’m rarely in for par and more likely in for double bogey, I’m always in for a great time with my fellow Duffingtons.
So as I watch my shot trickle into the water on 18, do I want a mulligan? The answer is no. I’ll forever cherish every one of the 400+ strokes that I took throughout the 2021 Lord Duffington Classic. Can’t wait for the next one.
The Janiec Reflection 