A mountain lion's 1,500 mile journey and a golfer's trek

[Golfbit2X]

I came across this article regarding a mountain lion's 1,500 miles epic journey from South Dakota to Connecticut that ended tragically when the male lion was hit by a vehicle in Connecticut.

 

Inspired by this story, I sought to emulate this in a not so epic way by seeking new courses to play farther out than I would normally play. I've already "trekked" 237 miles outside of the 6 mile range from my home course. 

 

Last year, I only played 6 new courses but this year I hope to at least triple that number.

 

I've already got a great start by playing 9 new courses in less than 3 months. 

 

Playing as a single has its advantages with less hassle in scheduling as well as picking the courses that I prefer.

 

Of course, playing new courses has its own drawbacks and plusses which I've listed below in my notes. 

 

  [1] Pelham Bay Golf Course (NYC) [21 miles, +15]

        Note: A lot of soggy fairways due to creeks and marshes nearby. 

  [2] Dyker Beach Golf Course (NYC) 

        [33 miles, +27]

        Note: Serious geese dropping issue. 

  [3] La Tourette Golf course (NYC) 

        [38 miles, +32]

        Note: The worst driving range I've ever practiced on with artificial turf so thin that it felt like you were hitting off the cart path. 

  [4] Middle Island Country Club

        [43 miles, +37]

  [5] Forest Park Golf course (NYC)

        [15 miles, +9]

        Note: Narrow fairway openings. 

  [6] Putnam County Golf course

        [62 miles, +56]

  [7] Clearview Park Golf course

        [11 miles, +5]

        Note: Played my best round so far this year with 10 one-putts. 

  [8] Rock Spring Golf Club

        [39 miles, +33]

       Note: Great views of Manhattan skyline and gained learning experience playing on humongous greens. 

  [9] Maple Moor Golf Course

        [29 miles, +23]

       Note: Played with 2 other male golfers in their late twenties who were easily the worst golfers I've played with ever but I'm still proud of myself to have the patience to stick with them even after one other golfer bailed out from our flight. 

 

Nevertheless, whatever the hassles I've gone through, I always appreciate being able to lay eyes on courses that I've never played before.

 

[Golfbit2X]

UPDATE (as of 08/30/2024):

 

[10] Old Bridge Golf Club (NJ) 

        [62 miles, +56]

 [11] Spook Rock Golf Course (Upstate NY) 

        [50 miles, +44]

 [12] Bergen Point Golf Course 

        [23 miles, +17]

 [13] Spy Ring Golf Club 

        [41 miles, +35]

 [14] Leatherstocking Golf Course 

        [204 miles, +198]

 [15] Sunnyside Par 3 Golf Course 

        [99 miles, +93]

 [16] RiverWinds Golf Club 

        [124 miles, +118]

 [17] Nickerson Beach The Dunes GC 

        [19 miles, +13]

 [18] Francis Byrne Golf Course (including Essex Golf Center driving range)

        [55.6 miles (50.4+5.2), +49.4]

 [19] West Sayville Golf Course 

        [37 miles, +31]

 [20] Brentwood Country Club 

        [25 miles, +19]

 [21] Lake Isle Country Club 

        [25 miles, +19]

============================

Note: Distance to Eisenhower Park: 6 miles

Note: Due to a nagging tendinitis / golfers elbow on my right arm, I throttled down my play frequency to once a week. 

 

  > Snowed-out weekends: 2

  > Miles traveled outside of 6 mile range from home course to play new courses (as of 06/28/24): 929.4

  > Miles left to reach 1,000 miles traveled: 72.6

 

Other milestone reached as of 08/01/2024:

 

Played Brentwood Country Club - the last 18 hole full- lenght course in Long Island that I've never played before. 

 

Milestone reached: Played all public/daily fee courses on Long Island