The Vineyard Social 8 3/17/12

The Vineyard Open 8 - Oh the pain! This could very easily turn into my new complaint column with all the body issues I have going on. When I decided to play this tournament I was feeling only fair. I have struggled the last month or so with some minor injuries. A sore foot from running which becomes more painful with use, it is aggravated by the planting I do playing discgolf. I have for a couple years now really struggled with elbow pain and really should see a doctor about it because it is getting worse. The final thing is a knee, the lead leg I pulled or aggravated an outer tendon in February and thought it was healing but pulled it again, in the first round on the Vineyard. So as you can tell I am a bit of a mess right now. Add to that on the Wednesday before the tournament I was sitting at a red light on my way to work when some guy just plows right into my car. BANG! pushed me have way into the intersection before he took off making it a hit and run. Totaled my car and left we feeling like I had been beat up. Yeah what was I thinking going to that tournament?
Still in the ridiculously under powered Chevy Cruze I rented from Avis I headed down because the weather was nice, my wife was away for the weekend and because I wanted to play discgolf. The day started overcast with no wind at all, which is rare on the Island. Catching the 7am Ferry by being at the Palmer St parking lot by 6:30 was easy as can be. My new house is only minutes from Rte 495 making it a pretty straight shot. Anyone who thinks it is too much hassle to attend this event should reconsider. The system that is set up is excellent, bus to the boat, ferry to the island and taxi to the course. It really is not difficult at all, sure it is a long day but not totally unreasonable. Alone the Taxi is $15 but 11 of us hopped in the waiting van making the ride much cheaper, $15 for the first two and $3 a head after that. Take the cabbie's card and call him for the return trip.
As far as play went I was in much more pain than I was expecting, throwing backhand with control was just agony. It was this thrumming inner elbow pain that lingered minutes after each throw. Still I hung in on the first round. Playing with a group of relaxed Island Advanced Masters the round was casual and friendly. If not for the pain a very enjoyable round Playing the blue course in that overcast cool first round is a challenge and the pleasant approach of the group helped with the challenge of the hard course. Shooting a 67 was not really what I hooped for but it left me a few throws out of first and still in the running.
I got a pleasant surprise when the people catering lunch had some Houmus and Cheese sandwiches as part of the meal. Sort of thought I was going to be hungry but instead had a very good lunch.
The second round on the red course started as the skies began to clear allowing in some welcomed sunlight and warmer temperatures. It made for another really enjoyable round. Again note that throwing hurt like hell but at least it was great outside. I hung in on the round pretty well but only lost ground on the leader. The rest of the group took turns messing up holes, whether it was the course or the free use of alcohol and other enhancements it seemed each guy took a turn having a horrible turn. So when all was done I think I was in second place for the day 6-7 behind the leader who ended up with a very nice birthday present. I really enjoyed myself although I left really quickly to catch the 6:16 ferry instead of waiting for the 7:30pm boat.
Now I will have to get to the doctors because unless I start throwing only forhands I will be hard pressed to play much more this year.