Wednesday @Deven's League

Well it started well anyway... John Borelli's birthday at Devens league this week turning 40. We had a really large turnout on this incredible 80+ sunny evening. At least 24 players turned out for the round. John and a couple other guys shot 55, me on the other hand watched a nice round disappear to average in the last five holes. Playing with Mike Connell, Rob Walker, and Luke Adolph we thought we were part of the "A" pool but those illusions can be short lived at Devens. Starting on hole six we had a mixed bag of play at the start of the round. I had a three on 6 which is rare for me. After finishing hole 18 I was just a couple over par and hoping I might get a birdie on either 1 or 2, then the wheels came off. The front nine at Devens are challenging and they really whacked me in the mouth. I got 4-4-4-4 on holes 1-4 leaving me to finish with an average 60. Bah humbug...
It really makes the point not to have the tough part of the course until the end. You can end on such a downer. I would much rather have those bad holes earlier(although not too bad) then feel stronger making shots up on the easy holes. I guess it really is a choice, would you rather play from behind or from the lead. At Deven I would rather start on hole 18, or 1, then if I can manage to come out of it a couple over I am looking good for the back part of the course, what we experienced last night was tough to take. Still except for a bit of internal frustration at not being able to throw a drive without hitting a tree, I kept my zen going for most of the round. I have to remember not to have those score expectations. It is where the frustration comes from. Coming off 18 I am thinking,"Okay you have a 2 over round going and birdies are possible on both holes 1&2." Mistake, now instead of taking it one throw at a time I am placing expectations on the round. Those expectation when not met because of a poor throw become frustration, frustration leads to anger and anger leads to the dark side. Golf I must play, with expectations.