A Day at the Course

     I haven't been doing much lately, as far as photographing golf courses, but I did do one in Elizabeth City, NC called The Pines at Elizabeth City.  This is a wonderful course close to the Outer Banks and just off Hwy 17.  I arrived at the course and it was very busy, but true to form I could jump in between groups and start on 10 which worked out well.  By hole 11 I had caught up with another single, who happened to be a student at the local university (Vikings) and kind of on the golf team.  He was new to golf and had been only playing about 5 months, but turned out to be an excellent golfer for the little time he had invested into this sport.
     He was playing in regular walking boots, a used set of clubs and would hit some really good shots and then some really bad shots.  I asked him if he would like a couple of pointers and he acknowledge with a shake of his head, Yes!
     Since I taught way back in college and am not a bad golfer myself, I gave him little things to correct along our day together.  An interesting young man, he had the passion to be a good golfer and some very good natural ability.  Even though he had trouble with his short game, his putting was very good and he made quite a few putts as we played along.
    When we finished, I told him what I do and asked if he would like some help since I am not leaving until 20 November 2010 and he said we should get together.  Of course the first thing I told him was he needed golf shoes and ask what size he needed. A 10M.  I just happened to have a pair that didn't fit me right and were brand new.  Knowing he was in college I gave him a great deal and he tried them on and they fit perfectly.
     He called me a few days later and we met back at the courses wonderful practice facility.  He said the shoes were wonderful and he was amazed at the difference the spikes made.
We worked on getting out of sand and the short game and I gave him some homework to do on getting a set of golf clubs that fit him and of course the need for practice.

What a great day and followup this was.  I gained a new friend who loves golf and my work allows me to be in this type of environment to meet people and play and photograph some beautiful golf courses.