This Sunday The Dewsweepers drove up early to Huron and took on a real nice course, Thunderbird Hills South. We reviewed the North Course a few months ago, and both of them are extremely nice. The North, older more traditional, The South newer, and very different in its design. But really, really nice. I know this may sound like a long way away, but it's really not, and worth the trip if you love to play.
T-Bird South is set in gently rolling hills on the south side of Route 2, with some sand, and very strategically placed water. Also the greens are great, fast, true and very nice. This complex is always in such fantastic shape, even in the midst of this bad drought we've been having. This entire course was very green, and in unbelievable shape. The rough is tough, and the fairways are great. The trees are getting taller and thicker by the year, and in years to come this course will shrink down even more. And there are tons of large pines here. All growing up quickly.
Think we played early? (note cart numbers)
Tex was back from vacation this week, and low and behold had a free round of golf, since his T-Bird card was full. It's a nice thing they have there, you can earn free rounds. It was good to have him back, and watch him do something you seldom see any golfer do. He 2-putted every single hole for the exception for number 16 in which he had NO putts as he chipped one in from the fringe. He even had the highly confident "walk after it", as the ball was tracking dead at the hole. (We ribbed him about that) Tex had a tough front, with some doubles, but rebounded on the back shaving off 4 strokes from front to back.
Thunderbird Website
Joe Red is back in form with a real nice 39 on the front. No double bogey's on the day, or birdies, but 11 solid pars gave him a slick 79. Joe hit the ball very consistently, and kept it in play. Red's putter was hot from long range, and cold from short range. Strange situation on the greens but 5 - 1 putts don't lie, and that's how you break 80. No big mistakes, and solid play. Well done!
Also, this course is special to Joe Red. In 2010, He had a hole-in-one on the 120 yard par 3, number 7. Funny thing was, literally seconds before he did it, Beef was joking about how he would feel if HE hit a hole in one on this hole. We all said, "Yeah, yeah." Then Red hit the green and the ball backed up into the hole. Hole-in-one!
Red on number 7 tee! Hole-in-one in 2010 here!
Beef didn't get off to his usual hot start this week like he has the past number of weeks. And that kind of hung around the rest of the round. Beef didn't play badly at all, just never got on a roll that you need to score really well. He kept damage minimal, and had three really nice pars in a row on the back to steady the ship. Even tough Beef never really got in he zone, he shot an 87. Not bad when you don't have your best game that day. Beef also had a couple tough breaks, like a cart path bounce OB going for the green in 2 on number 14 par 5. And hitting a hanging pine cone on an approach shot on 17. (Pine cone didn't even fall off the tree.)
I had the story of 2 9's. The front I was tidy, hit the driver well, and shot a 39 including a birdie on number 2. On the back the driver left me with a few snap hooks, but my irons were good, and was able to smoke and mirror things including another birdie on number 14, for a 41 on the back for an 80 on the day. 3 terrible 3 putts killed me from going real low - inexcusable.
Course highlights? The whole thing, this is flat out a nice place to play golf. Number 3 is one of the hardest holes we play anywhere on any course. 190 yards with water all down the right, and no margin for any right error at all. Skinny green that rolls, huge bunkers left, and anything long is gone to the mush. Very difficult to hit the green, and then the fun begins as this green is very tough to read and to putt well on. BRUTAL! Great starting hole number 1, 500 yard par 5, uphill, downhill. Number 9, really tough par 4 with a creek at the landing area. 10, same creek at landing area, par 5, long and uphill. Number 11, difficult par 4, over same creek again at landing area, up hill, hard green to hit, 400 yards. And 18, 435 par 4, with the creek, sand, trees, and always plays into the wind. Very tough golf hole.
Quaint little clubhouse - South
Big Clubhouse and "Bar North" at the North course across the street
Great experience again, and well worth a drive from anywhere to play. Friendly staff at both North and South Courses. It you are a player, and are making a drive up there sometime, this would be a nice day. You could even do a North/South 36 hole day of it. Rates are very fair, and both courses are totally worth playing. We had fun, and look forward to going back there again late this summer or early fall.
A place we love to play!
Scores
Joe Red - 79
Wynn - 80
Beef - 87
Tex - 100+
