The Course
Clear Creek Golf Club
Bristol, VA
Casey Barnes
General Manager / Head PGA Professional
First Impressions:
I played my Virginia 18 holes on this course 2 days ago on June 17th 2021. I liked this course so much I decided to come back today for the Virginia 9-hole game. The staff here were once again more helpful than I ever expected or deserve. They set me up with Chris who is scheduled to play 18 today. I played the first 9 holes with Chris hoping to do better than I did just 2 days ago.
My golf partner:
9 holes
Chris
Chris says he doesn’t get out to play as much as he would like to but that’s to be expected for a guy who is still full time working. For a guy that fits the category of “occasional week-end golfer” he plays very well. He can hit it long and when it’s straight or not (more on the “not” part shortly) he can still get to the green fairly well. Like most of us it’s the putting that he finds challenging him the most.
Chris finished out the 9 holes with a 45 beating my 54 hands down. 45 is what is supposed to be about normal for me on 9 holes but this was not my day. It could have been not Chris’s day as well but he managed to cash in on some errors that I did not. For example, and now getting to the “not” part as I mentioned. On hole #5 Chris hit his approach shot to the green that flew over the green, off the golf course, and came to rest across the street of a busy road. He went over to the ball and with out being able to see a clear view of the green (blocked by trees) he waited for traffic to clear and took the shot that went through an opening in the trees and landed on the edge of the green. He finished the hole with a double bogie but could have been a much bigger disaster if not for that shot. Definitely one to remember.
About my Game:
Today was defiantly a disaster day. I finished with a 54 which is the highest score I ever got on 9 holes in maybe the past 2 years or so. I had a few good drives but most were finding the water, high weeds, or sand. I had a triple bogie on 3 of the 9 holes. We golfers usually say no matter how bad the day is there is usually at least that one shot that makes you want to come back. I did have one drive that was long and stayed in the narrow fairway so I guess that saying still holds up for me.
My favorite hole:
On the front 9 here I would say #8 par 3 is my favorite. The green is like an island with water almost all around it. I managed to get on the green here safely but missed a putt that should have made par and so I finish the hole with a bogie.
