AFTER TWO

At the Camelback Golf Club Padre Course, the tougher of the two eighteen hole courses at the famed resort, I shot 7 over par. That's good for me on a 110 degree day, though by the time we finished, the mercury had only climbed to 106 or 108 depending on who was reporting. It's a challenging course that measures 6,500 yards.

Oh, there was one more detail: my score was after two holes. Yep. I was a personal worst 7- over after 2. I'd love to say I parred out the rest of the way, but no, not at all.

We started out early to avoid the temperatures as much as possible. Only, Dave, my bro-in-law and I, and a lady were on the driving range. I love to warm up and I had had a great session. I could vary hitting wedge, eight iron, three wood, and turn and chip onto the practice green behind me. I think I took a few liberties there, but I couldn't have warmed up any better.

No surprise, I crushed my drive. I didn't hit a good second shot though and had to chip on, where I proceeded to three-putt.

Hole number two saw another well struck drive followed by a miserable eight iron into a green side bunker. Where I hit my fourth shot onto the green and two putted. If you didn't catch that, I hit three shots in the sand that didn't make it out. I carded a 9 on the hole.

Chi Chi Rodriquez has a warm up hole on the courses he designs. I need about 6 warm up holes most days. For the last twelve holes, I was seven over par. Same as the first two. Go figure. A buddy has told me I'm good for about 7 holes a round, then I collapse. That was in the past. Oh, he may be right, but now I spread them out.

Last week at The Phoenician I had made five 3's in the first 12 holes. I faded badly and fired an 87. Something about the level of concentration I have. Or haven't.

So on I press. Not to win and kiss a cup as Andy Bean. Just to minimize dumb shots I hit. And try to get that score down.