The weatherman was right – hard, steady rain overnight. Well over an inch.
The Oxmoor Valley complex was built on former mining land owned by U.S. Steel. Our morning round is on the ‘Ridge’ course and our starter was a retiree from Fairfield Works! He liked his new job a little better.
The Ridge is considered one of the finest on the RTJ trail, heavily forested with large elevation changes. It’s hilly all right! After all the rain the course was designated as ‘cart path only’. It’s amazing how often the natural landing area for a tee shot was opposite and down slope from a cart path.
Our morning game was fourball match play. The field is divided into two-man teams. Team members play as partners with each playing his or her own golf ball tee to green. On each hole the team score is the lowest of the two handicapped (net) scores made by the partners. The team with the lowest team score wins the hole. The team winning the most holes takes the match.
> Match 1 – Jerry & Brian vs. Chip & Ron
> Match 2 – Terry & Tom vs. Mike & Ed
> Match 3 – Don & Bill vs. Sarge & Dick
> Jerry & Brian took Match 1
> Mike & Ed took Match 2
> Dick & Sarge took Match 3
Our afternoon round is on the ‘Backyard’, a short, 9-hole walking course. The Backyard is the newest addition to the RTJ Trail, opening in 2022. Our game was ‘alternate stroke’ with two-man teams with a two clubs per player restriction. One ball is played for each team. Players alternate shots (including putts) until the ball is holed. The team with the lowest total score wins the match.
> Match 1 – Don & Chip vs. Terry & Ron
> Match 2 – Jerry & Tom vs. Dick & MIke
> Match 3 – Brian & Bill vs. Sarge & Ed
> Terry & Ron took Match 1
> Dick & Mike took Match 2
> Brian & Bill took Match 3
On our way back to the ranch we enjoyed a fine meal & pints at the ‘Front Porch’ restaurant in Ross Bridge.
Our evening gathering at the hotel descended into mayhem.
