I just got back from a long weekend in Myrtle Beach (booked by Myrtle Beach Golf Wizards). Three of us golfers (with spouses) spent a long weekend down at the beach to get away. We also had a friend come up from Savannah for two of the days.

We started on Thursday when we left at noon for the drive down. We arrived around 8 pm, checked in to the hotel and headed out for dinner. We decided to go to Margaritaville but even at 9 pm there was a 90 minute wait. We decided to walk around to Key West Grill. It was a great choice. The beer was cold and the food was delicious. We were the last customers to leave. With a full stomach we were ready for sleep.
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In the Winter time in Virginia it’s sometimes hard to get out to play golf. At the end of January luck was not with me since we had a day of 60 degree weather but I was tied up with the first day of a weekend musical event for charity. I did enjoy the weather that day because I always wear shorts at the event. It turned bitterly cold the following two days so, although I was still in shorts, I wouldn’t have been playing golf even without the event.

The next week saw us get some snow and ice and the temps stayed well below freezing. On Super Bowl Sunday the weather again turned nice but I was unable once again to get out due to a commitment to make my gumbo for a Super Bowl Party that we were hosting in O’Raleigh’s Neighborhood Pub. It probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway since there was still snow and ice in the shady spots.

After having two strikes against me in the quest for Winter golf, things began to look promising. Last weekend started with temps in the 40’s. Though the morning temps were in the 20’s by noon they had moved into the upper 30’s. I headed out to Virginia Oaks and got in nine holes. This was the first time I’d swung a club since early January. There was some rust but overall I wasn’t displeased. On Saturday I had setup a 9:30 tee time and I met a friend at the course. There was a frost delay but we were able to get off on the back nine at 9:45. The temps got into the 60’s and we had one of the most enjoyable rounds in a long time. We weren’t rushed, we played decently and, with the exception of some residual snow and ice, the course was in pretty good shape. We had to remember that it’s still February and the ground was still frozen. I still smile thinking about the trouble getting a tee into the ground. Next time I’m bringing a nail.

After having such a great time on Saturday I decided to make it out again on Sunday. My playing partner had to cancel so I headed out and hooked up with a twosome and another single. The course conditions had improved immensely since the temps stayed above freezing overnight. Tees were easier to get into the ground. I played ok and once again just enjoyed the weather and being outside at the course. That’s what it is for me. I just like being there.

On Monday I had to go back to work but I did get in nine more holes in the afternoon. The temps were still in the 60’s so I couldn’t resist. Four straight days in February. That won’t happen every year. And I still have a trip to Myrtle Beach to look forward to in March.