First off...where was I to park? It was all gravel, a few barriers here or there but I didn't know if I was parking in a drive way or an actual spot. Getting out of the car you don't hear any man-made noises; just the occasional cow letting us know he is fat and happy. You can see just about every hole on the 9-hole course. At the west end of the parking lot were tin sheds where the members kept their personal golf carts. After seeing some of the members' carts, I quickly realized it wasn't the color of the cart or seat covers that determined coolness, it was how many golf balls you could stash in your cart.
Walking into the pro shop/clubhouse/bar/restaurant/video poker/smoking/locker room, I knew I was in for a treat. We were greeted by Jackie, the do-it-all employee of this country club. She informed us that they do not accept credit cards but since we were guests, we could just mail her a check for the green fee. Never in this day in age would I have expected that. She gave us a coupon for 6 free beers, 2 golf cart keys and we were off.
Looks like my cart was sponsored by Coors Light
Apparently there was a driving range at the course but I never saw it. The greens were the size of a small bed room...but domed shape so the actual flat putting surface was equivalent to a king size bed. Stepping up on the first tee after sitting in the car for 2.5 hours didn't help the swing. Nonetheless, I found the fairway (or what looked like a fairway) and managed to par the first hole. I would hope so being a 305 yard par 4 with no trouble. Heck, there were only about 4 bunkers on the entire course.
On the second hole, I noticed something interesting. A cow pasture lined the right side of the fairway while the lake hugged the left side. If you hit your ball in the water, you were screwed, however if you managed to go right you could still retrieve your ball over the barb-wire fence thanks to these nifty....whatever they are.
As we putted out on the 4th hole, I looked back at #2 fairway and there must have been 6 or 7 golf carts coming over the hill all spread out like locust. Judging by the time of the day on Friday, I figured it was the members just getting off work and starting their weekend with a quick 9 holes.
Number 6/15 was a par 5 into the prevailing south wind but on the back tees was a concrete gorilla. This course, in the middle of nowhere, had a gorilla on their golf course?!?! Uh, hello photo opt!!
Here is the country club logo...but don't let the marlin fish sway you. This course was in the middle of Texas. Miles and miles away from any sort of big game fish (other than giant carp or bass in their lake)
Here is the closing hole: a daunting par 3 over the lake. It's all of about 115 yards from the 9th tee box and 135 from the 18th tee box. My birdie putts both missed just short but I will blame it on the dormant greens and the occasional bare spots.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed my time at Marlin Country Club and quality time with my parents. I hope there are some of you out there that have played this course as well and can share in the great stories.
Numerical Summary for the weekend:
34 - wind speed in mph on Saturday. Let's just say we decided against going out on the course and risk getting blown away. Not to mention it was 45 degrees and raining as well. Scotland anyone?
4 - Bear Bites consumed at George's during the Baylor/UT basketball game. What is a Bear Bite? It's a Crazy Wing (chicken, cheese, jalapeno wrapped in bacon and deep fried) in a roll with ranch. Even though I just finished a steak at my parents house, I still needed to get my Bear Bite fix.
2 - hours spent at the Ferrell Center watching College Basketball GameDay. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and enthusiasm by the students/fans. Here is a pic of the GameDay bus and live show.
Walking into the pro shop/clubhouse/bar/restaurant/video poker/smoking/locker room, I knew I was in for a treat. We were greeted by Jackie, the do-it-all employee of this country club. She informed us that they do not accept credit cards but since we were guests, we could just mail her a check for the green fee. Never in this day in age would I have expected that. She gave us a coupon for 6 free beers, 2 golf cart keys and we were off.
Looks like my cart was sponsored by Coors LightApparently there was a driving range at the course but I never saw it. The greens were the size of a small bed room...but domed shape so the actual flat putting surface was equivalent to a king size bed. Stepping up on the first tee after sitting in the car for 2.5 hours didn't help the swing. Nonetheless, I found the fairway (or what looked like a fairway) and managed to par the first hole. I would hope so being a 305 yard par 4 with no trouble. Heck, there were only about 4 bunkers on the entire course.
On the second hole, I noticed something interesting. A cow pasture lined the right side of the fairway while the lake hugged the left side. If you hit your ball in the water, you were screwed, however if you managed to go right you could still retrieve your ball over the barb-wire fence thanks to these nifty....whatever they are.
As we putted out on the 4th hole, I looked back at #2 fairway and there must have been 6 or 7 golf carts coming over the hill all spread out like locust. Judging by the time of the day on Friday, I figured it was the members just getting off work and starting their weekend with a quick 9 holes.
Number 6/15 was a par 5 into the prevailing south wind but on the back tees was a concrete gorilla. This course, in the middle of nowhere, had a gorilla on their golf course?!?! Uh, hello photo opt!!
Here is the country club logo...but don't let the marlin fish sway you. This course was in the middle of Texas. Miles and miles away from any sort of big game fish (other than giant carp or bass in their lake)
Here is the closing hole: a daunting par 3 over the lake. It's all of about 115 yards from the 9th tee box and 135 from the 18th tee box. My birdie putts both missed just short but I will blame it on the dormant greens and the occasional bare spots.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed my time at Marlin Country Club and quality time with my parents. I hope there are some of you out there that have played this course as well and can share in the great stories.
Numerical Summary for the weekend:
34 - wind speed in mph on Saturday. Let's just say we decided against going out on the course and risk getting blown away. Not to mention it was 45 degrees and raining as well. Scotland anyone?
4 - Bear Bites consumed at George's during the Baylor/UT basketball game. What is a Bear Bite? It's a Crazy Wing (chicken, cheese, jalapeno wrapped in bacon and deep fried) in a roll with ranch. Even though I just finished a steak at my parents house, I still needed to get my Bear Bite fix.
2 - hours spent at the Ferrell Center watching College Basketball GameDay. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and enthusiasm by the students/fans. Here is a pic of the GameDay bus and live show.
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