Shot My Best Round EVER Today

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, May 21st, 2012
Categories: Golf • Hackers

[brag]

Today I didn’t expect to play golf. It was a normal Monday and I don’t normally golf on Mondays. But after meeting my dad for a few minutes on a tech purchase, he extended an invite to play golf at his club. I NEVER turn down a chance to play his club, Hidden Valley. The course is my favorite in northern Utah and the 2nd best course in the state in my humble opinion.

My dad and I showed up at 2:30 and teed off by 2:45. No warm up. There was a large group booked at 3:00pm and we wanted to get out in front of them. I’d just put a new Bridgestone J40 445 driver in my bag, having only hit it a few times on the range. If you check out my Bridgestone J40 445 driver review, you’ll know I love the club but my local pro had taken it from me and refused to give it back. Thanks to my pleading with my friends at Bridgestone, I recently received a replacement.

There was a strong south wind today of about 1.5-2 clubs. I started with a birdie on #1 after knocking my 3rd shot on the par-5 to about 2.5 feet. Then I gagged the 2nd hole, the easiest on the course. I hit the green of this par-3 in regulation but then 3-putted. That would be the worst hole of the day. A couple of holes later I made birdie on #4, the hardest hole on the course. Then I made birdie on #5, the 3rd hardest hole on the course. I found a back bunker on #6 because I hit my gap wedge “too good” and flew the green. That was the final bogey of the day. I’d par-out for a 35 (-1).

On the back nine I made three birdies. The first was on #12, the 2nd hardest hole on the course. As of that birdie I’d birdied the three hardest holes on the course. I’ve never done that on any course. Two holes later I’d putt from the fringe on #14, a par-5. Naturally that one went in. I told my pops not to wake me up. I held on as best I could, trying not to gag the rest of the way. I held my position at -2 through holes 15-17. 17 is a tough par-3 of about 240 yards. Coming into the par-5 uphill 18th, I knew all I needed was a par to shoot my best round ever, a 69 (-3). I’ve shot 68 before, but on a par-70 course. Shot 70 before on a par-72 course. So -3 would be my record. Forget all that. I knocked my 3rd shot on the 18th to 15 feet and made a slick downhill putt for a 68 (-4).

This round came from nowhere. The putter was super hot. I only had 26 putts. The irons were great. I was pin hunting, almost flew it in the hole on #11. It was quite fun and satisfying to have my dad there to see the round and to shoot the score on such a fine track.

And now, the quest for 67 (-5) begins!

[/brag]

Fantasy Golf – Week 15 Winner

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, May 21st, 2012
Categories: Fantasy Golf • Miscellaneous • Site News

Fantasy Golf Update

Week #15 (Byron Nelson Championship) winner:

Wahlbangers

Weekly prizes provided by Champ Spikes: very cool Flix divot tools. I’ve received the first shipment so they’re ready to go. Winners please contact me to make shipping arrangements.

PRIZE BREAKDOWN (prizes still in process)

1st Place: Nike Golf VR_S Irons (forged or cast), value up to $1200
2nd Place: FootJoy complete golf apparel makeover including shoes, pants/shorts, shirt
3rd Place: Sun Mountain Club Glider Journey Golf Travel Bag
4th-10th Place: To be announced
Special Events: Bridgestone Golf B330 golf balls with new dual dimples
Weekly Prizes: Champ Spikes Flix switchblade divot repair tool

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Enter league ID 145
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Golf Travel Photos: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, May 21st, 2012
Categories: Golf • Golf For Women • Golf Life • Golf Lifestyle • HOG World Tour • Travel

I recently stayed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on a leg of the famous Hooked On Golf Blog (HOG) World Tour. I hadn’t stayed there since I was a kid, about eight years old. We stayed there on a family trip. I fondly remember that trip because it was the first time I saw a g-string. Ah the memories.

One of the EIGHT pools at Caesars Palace in Vegs

Of course being the golf travel expert and golf photography geek that I am, I shot a lot of photos of the resort including the Forum Tower room, casino and of course the EIGHT pools. I’ll post a review of the resort soon, but for now you can check out the photos if you are thinking of some golf in Las Vegas and/or staying at Caesars in Las Vegas during your next vacation. I hope the photos help you make a good choice.

Related

Hooked On Golf Blog Caesars Palace Photo Gallery

Hole-In-One Highlights Final Black Mesa Spring Media Day

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Categories: Golf • HOG World Tour • Miscellaneous

What a fantastic day today. On a pure golf level today has to be one of the best I’ve ever had. I played 36 holes at Black Mesa, my favorite course. I managed rounds of 78 and 76, highlighted by making birdie on #14 twice as well as making birdie on 8, 12, and 16. I reached the par-5 “Stairway To Seven” in two shots and finally made par on the mega-difficult #17 with its “Skyline Green.”

During the afternoon a new buddy of mine named Danny Scott from “America’s Golfing Couple” scored his first ace on the 11th hole. What a place to get your first ace. We all signed the flag from the 11th green for Danny, pictured below.

Signed Flag From Hole 11

And below you can see Danny happily buying me a frosty beverage to celebrate the ace. Nothing tastes better than an ice cold frosty beverage after 36 holes of golf in the dry and hot New Mexico desert!

The Drinks Are On Danny Scott!

Congrats to Danny. Well played.

HOG World Tour Thursday Featured Photos – Black Mesa Golf Club, NM

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Categories: Golf Courses • HOG World Tour

My office this week has been the wonderful Black Mesa Golf Club in La Mesilla, New Mexico about 30 minutes north of Santa Fe. Here are a couple of featured photos of the trillion I’ve shot this week. Below is a shot from the approach area on the par-5 13th. I love the amphitheater which surrounds this green.

Amphitheater On Hole 13 Approach – click to zoom

Below is where it begins, the first tee. Hole #1 is one of two holes on the course with water features. When the season is right, giant bullfrogs sing to players teeing off with very deep voices. Not much fairway is visible from the tee, but it is wider than you might think. Course knowledge helps.