Sept. 2, 2011
Monterey Peninsula Photo Gallery
The Commodore men’s golf team played a practice round on Friday at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, a short drive from the Pebble Beach Lodge where the team is staying.
If you’ve never been to this part of the world (which I hadn’t before this trip) and you are a golf player/fan, this coastal portion of the Northern California coast is like dying and going to heaven. Well thought-out course layouts, beautiful vistas of the rocky Pacific beaches, and even the distant cries of sea lions await golfers for most of their way around the golf courses in the area, especially for the holes that are along the beautiful 17-Mile Road, which snakes its way along the coastline among the cliffs and ocean spray.
Seas were rough on Friday, and unfortunately for us, the sun never broke through the morning fog and a chill was definitely felt by all. We were told to be ready for a cool morning, and most of us were, but the temperature never reached the forecasted high of 70. Our rental car said 60, but it felt like a damp 50 degrees. I sported some warm-weather Nike gear, but I will have to add a few layers on Saturday when the guys play for real at Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach against Texas Tech.
On to the golf – Texas Tech teed off before us, and the guys broke into two foursomes after the Red Raiders – Adam Hofmann, Charlie Grace, Charlie Ewing, and Ben Fogler made up the first foursome, while Trey DelGreco, Will Snipes, Hunter Stewart, and Ryan Thornton made up the second group. They played a modified four-ball format, where they each counted a certain number of scores on par threes, fours, and fives.
After a quick start by the first group on the front nine, which saw them post an eight-under par score, the second group battled back on the second nine to tie the match.
Coaches play Cypress Point
While the guys played at Monterey Peninsula, head coach Tom Shaw and assistant coach Dusty Smith skipped down 17-Mile Road a few miles to take on Cypress Point with Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands and Red Raider assistant Jeff Jenkins.
Smith and Jenkins defeated the head coaches one-up in a better-ball format – Jenkins rammed in a 30-foot putt for birdie on number 18 to claim the victory for the assistants.
First-time Experience
Save for the Commodores’ Charlie Ewing, the other members of the team had never played Monterey Peninsula. Trey DelGreco likened the surroundings to being a lot like Scotland, a place the team visited in the summer of 2010.
Deer Crossing!
The first group had a close encounter with some deer from the area, and even hung around to watch Charlie Ewing tee off on number 16. If you look close enough in the final picture of the photo gallery, you can see the deer right in the middle of the action.
Real Tournament Starts Saturday
The Red Raiders and Commodores will play 36 holes on Saturday, with the opening 18 holes coming at Spyglass Hills and the afternoon 18 being played at Pebble Beach. A medal-match play format will be followed by eight groups.
Adam Hofmann Interview
Here’s Hof after his round at Monterey (turn up the volume – the wind was strong and effected the audio).