Well, almost 3 years to the day, I golfed Water Valley after vowing never to golf there again.
Now under new ownership, I put my grievances aside and headed out to play what was my favorite course in the area.
My friend and I went into the pro shop to check in and the difference couldn't have been more compelling. Pro shop was renovated and bright. We were warmly greeted, and the two behind the counter seemed to take real interest in making us feel welcome. They told us how great the couple (local member and his wife) was who we were paired with and warned us to spend time on the practice green as the greens were very fast. Previously, the only banter we got from staff was a warning that if we drove our carts into the thicker rough they would be kicking us out.
On the course, we noticed a new back tee box on 10 and 7. The small snack shack was removed on 6. The par 3 on 16 was opened up on the right side, and the green was also in terrific shape - I remember they used to have drainage issues before.
Regarding the round itself, it was a tale of two 9s. Shot 41/47. Front nine could have been really magical as it included 2 double bogeys but with an eagle in between, my first in probably 10 years. Eagle was on 7, where I was able to cut the corner, leaving me 120 to the pin. Back nine a triple and double bogey derailed me.
Then to top it all off, my friend wanted to buy a shirt he saw in the pro shop. Our round started at 4:20pm, so it was almost 8:30 when we finished and the pro shop was closed. As we were walking away, a staff member happened by and asked if we needed help. Hearing about the shirt, she ran inside, unlocked the pro shop, re-opened the till, and waited around while my friend tried on the shirt then bought it. As we were leaving, my friend asked me "So, you think that would have happened under the old owners?". Not a chance.
The course is in great shape, and the weather was perfect. Even the bugs stayed away until about 16. Easily my best golf experience this year.
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