HEMLOCK GOLF COURSE (Mark)

Our area received anywhere from 5-9" of rain, being on the edge of Tropical Storm Debbie.  I have been doing a fair amount of this over the past week:

Today I decided to do something different.  I decided to take about a 30-minute drive to see this barn quilt:

These are very popular in this area.  And since I was there, I decided to spend some time taking a walk following along this route, delineated by  helpful signs to keep you from getting lost:

Hemlock Golf Club is located near Walnut Cove, North Carolina.  It is definitely in the foothills.  The course climbs and descends quite a bit; some of the holes have breathtaking climbs.

I am generally the only one walking and pushing my trolley.  Most people take a motorized cart.

You will notice two towels on my trolley.  The smaller white towel is for cleaning my clubs and equipment.  The larger towel is necessary to keep my face and hands dry enough so I can play!  Did I mention I walk the course?

Humidity is a thing here in NC, but compared to California it sure is green.

You can sit in the shade on the benches and watch the first tee, second green, 10th hole and practice-putting green.  The course is a par-70 and plays 5,700 yards from the blue tees.

Several of the holes follow the river: 

It is so beautiful and peaceful to hear the water; you just do not want your ball in it.

These trees are between the 11th and 17th holes:

Between the green of the grass and the trees and the color of the blossoms, you have quite a palette to appreciate.  You are standing on some of the highest elevation on the course at this point.

The maintenance and equipment sheds off of the 10th fairway:

I generally end up talking with a couple of the workers during my round.  They have gotten used to seeing me trudging up some of the steeper hills.  The workers said they wish they could get more people to walk, definitely easier on the course.

Of course then they generally laugh and say no way are they going to walk when they play!

Some of the rolling topography:

Yes, I have hit the tree on the right overhanging the green, more times than I will ever want to think about.

I did not shoot my age today, but I did shoot the temperature:  83.  This is just a bit higher than my handicap index, but any day spent playing golf is better than working!