"Farewell"

Auburn Golf & Country Club (later known as Lakeview) has been sold.  As a golf course, it will likely be no more.  To the extent it was of significance within the life of “The Ringwood Family,” and along with the help and assist from numerous others, I write this “Farewell”, triggered by what will likely have been my final round played this past September 28, 2023.

We are a family of ten. We are a golfing family.  Two of my sisters, the only ones who do not play the game, join us annually (in the capacity of Team Captains) for our golf gathering and competition.  And over the years we have, more often than not, enjoyed that annual gathering at AGCC.

This farewell round played on 9/28/23 was other than the annual outing.  It was, by scheduling, limited to six of us (Nancy Thomas, Mike Ringwood, Tom Ringwood, Paul Ringwood, David Ringwood and Bob Ringwood.) We played that day as a sixsome and most certainly reminisced over our plethora of AGCC memories, some dating back to the 1950s. They spanned well beyond golf activity, including: celebrations, employment, (David Ringwood wrote an article for a family website … “Everything I Ever Needed to Know – AGCC”, and more.

This narrative has been pieced together hoping that it will entertain, hoping that it will stimulate others (in and out of this family) to share their memories.

Before putting pen to paper, I found myself in search of some actual history regarding AGCC. It surprised me a bit that I knew so little.  I cannot say that my recent research has been anything close to full and complete beyond starting with the current Lakeview website and going from there.

Per the website, Lakeview (lakeviewgolfcc.com)“the course was designed by Tom Bendelow and opened in 1916.” Google efforts of this name reveal the following.  He was born 9/2/1868 in Aberdeen Scotland (one of nine children). At the age of 24, he emigrated to the US and began work the A.G. Spaulding Company … a sporting goods manufacturer.  Mr. Bendelow taught golf in his spare time and was commissioned by the Pratt Family of Standard Oil fame, to design a private 6 hole course at their Long Island estate. (See Thomas “Tom” Bendelow: The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf, by his son Stuart W. Bendelow. Published originally in 2006.)

Mr. Bendelow has since been credited with some 700 golf course designs including VAN CORTLANDT GOLF COURSE, in NYC; THE APAWANIS CLUB in Rye, NY; The Atlanta Clubs 18 holes at EAST LAKE GOLF COURSE, and three courses for the founders of MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB in Illinois.

He is recognized as possibly the most prolific golf course designer worldwide.  While much of his work has been described as “18 stakes on a Sunday afternoon,” he has also been nicknamed “The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf” and “The Dean of American Golf.”  Additionally, he has been credited with introducing such innovations to the game including reserved tee times, course marshals, public golf instruction, and caddy training.

While it is my fondest hope that this well regarded golf course designer in fact designed AGCC, I must admit uncertainty.  Of the many courses, he is actually credited with designing, I have not seen AGCC on that list.  There is a 1977 article published in the CITIZEN ADVERTISER (no author identified) which spoke to the course history.  Architect or designer is not mentioned, yet it recited that it was started by a group of local businessmen who developed “a 9 hole gold course, across East Lake Road, up the hill.”  Later a clubhouse was built “adjacent to the gold course.”

Naturally this prompts many questions.  Who were these businessmen? Why reference to a gold course? Does it remain a part of any of the current 18 holes? When did it become an 18 hole course? I would love to hear from anyone and everyone who knows more of the original and early years of AGCC.

SEPTEMBER 28,2023

It was a cool but nice morning in Auburn.  I drove in from Syracuse with brother David. We were first to arrive. Moments later, sister Nancy (a long time AGCC member) pulled up parking far left of our car.  She is going to miss this place. On this morning, she seemed oblivious to our car; hopped out of her own and walked directly into the Pro Shop.  She paid for all of us.  Nancy is the oldest. Nancy is the boss.

While the day produced a very enjoyable round of golf, not a single one of us played particularly well. This may be the true legend that is AGCC.  Birdies are there for the making (#5,7,8,9,11,12 and 17). Breaking par should be a regular and repeating occurrence for good golfers.  And yet, it is not! Nevertheless, we continue to try.

FIRST HOLE

Like so many of the golf holes, this is a fairly straight forward par 4. Woods and OB on the left. Substantial trees on the right. A good drive and a short iron into a “staring right back at you” putting surface, which is low in front, high in back and substantially sloped towards Owasco Lake.

Flashback:

There I am living on Steel Street.  In the 1950s.  Early AM and dark outside.  My father (Paul “Red” Ringwood) wakes me, and we pile into the back of someone else’s car.  I am on my way to AGCC with my Dad.  My first time as a caddie (many more to follow.)

We are at the first tee, a modest little tee box and still is. 4 men, 4 golf bags on pull carts – and me.  I notice that my father is wearing a single, brown leather golf glove … no fingertips.  But it is the drive that he hits which remains fully frozen and clearly in my 5-6  year old memory/now 70 years old. The golf ball, a Spaulding Dot, fires off low and long.  Then, about 50 yards out, it rises up and high into the sky much like a jet plane taking off.  We are playing golf. I am with my Dad … his faux caddy, pulling that cart as best I can.

Further Flashback:

There I am again, the first tee at AGCC. It is July of 1970. I am a high school junior playing in the Auburn Jaycees Golf Tournament. That day I fired a 74 (wish I kept the card) and was tied for first place.  While I have no current memory of these 18 holes, there are two highlights.  First, I was tied with Bob Impaglia. He was a high school senior, one year older than me.  He was the best young golfer in the Auburn/Cayuga County area – went on to play collegiate golf in Florida, played in the US OPEN in 1978 and has been and continues to be a golf instructor in Boca Raton, Florida. Second, the “under 14” winner that day was Bobby Chalnick. He hails from the great “Chalnick golfing family” - he would play as a freshman starter one year later (along with me) on the Central New York County Championship Auburn High School Team) – then go on to play collegiate golf at the alma mater of Arnold Palmer … Wake Forest University.

On that date in 1970 Bobby offered to and caddied for me in my play-off against Bob Impaglia. He was right next to me as I lost (on this same first hole) to a par.

Back now to 9/28/23. My drive is pushed right among the huge trees which have been there for years. A four iron is required to come out low and below many tree limbs. The shot is short and left. After a weakly played pitch and two putts, I have my bogey. One over par.

SECOND HOLE

It runs 90 degrees away from the first hole green, taking the players east and away from Owasco Lake. Another straight forward par 4, except that the fairway begins with a steady uphill elevation change, generating something of a blind tee shot. Forest and out of bounds continuously down the left side. On the right side out about 200+ yards is an interesting patch of gnarly pine trees. After the uphill elevation, the fairway, which is nice and wide, levels out until about 20-30 yards short of the putting surface, when there is a noticeable drop down to the putting green level. Approach shots from 125 yards and out, are blind to the green. The flag is taller than normal providing the only visual by which to aim the second shot.

Flashback:

I am playing the hole 5-10 years ago in our annual Ringwood golf outing. As I tee up my ball to hit my drive, I glance behind me and notice the remnants of a championship tee box for the hole.  It is directly behind the first hole putting green adding 20-30 yards of length to the hole.  I have never played from those tees. Ever. My tee shot 5-10 years ago had a nice length, slightly right in the fairway with a clean but “blind” shot to the green. I jarred my pitching wedge for the eagle!

Back to 9/28/23. My tee ball is struck well but pushed right somewhat obstructed by the far end of the gnarly pine thicket. A hooded punch six iron leaves me pin high on the left fringe.  This time I accomplish an “up & down” for a par. One over for the round.

THIRD HOLE

While this hole can also be described as another straight forward par 4. It is quite a bit more in both history and design. Today, and for quite some time, the men’s tees are pushed back further north than their earlier location directly behind and down from the putting surface on hole #2.

Years subsequent to this pushed back tee box, the hole was re-designed and rebuilt turning it into a par 5 dogleg left. Despite this rebuild, the original straight away par 4 putting green has also continued to remain in place.  To my knowledge, the par 5 rebuild has rarely been utilized for play.  No idea why.

The original third green is generous. It is raised above fairway level, more so on the left. A sand trap fronts the green more to the left leaving a bit of an opening to the green on the right. Traditionally, a very difficult putting surface to hold the second shot.

Flashback:

Many years ago, and before high school, I regularly played golf at AGCC often with Jim Hohman, Dave McKeon, and Mike McKeon. Once on that third hole putting green, while playing with my good friend Jim, a golf concept known only to the two of us was born. Its name “DIAMETER”. I came up with the concept. Jim, who was far smarter than me, announced the name, then and there on the 3rd green.  It was only employed when Jim and I played together and only for a year or two before actual competitive golf came into our lives.

Jim had stroked his 15-20 foot putt close to the cup and within the length of a putter grip. Our “eureka” moment was to substantially expand the notion of “a gimme” putt.  We decided the initial putt was close enough to be declared as if made!  Jim announced it as “DIAMETER.” He and I went on to have some very good putting rounds together.

Back again to 9/28/23, I block my drive high and right into another patch of tall dark pines and this otherwise very innocent par 4 turns into a bogey. Now two over par for the round.

FOURTH HOLE

A straight away par 3, moving opposite the direction of hole #3. It is guarded on the right by that same patch of tall dark pines. Nothing but pine needles and hard pan below these trees. It is guarded on the left by a straight lane of ugly gnarly pines with nothing but uneven hard pan below. This putting green is a small circle, sand traps right and left, opening in the front, with green rising steadily to the back of a thickly grassed fall off.

Flashback:

There I am again. Early 1960s. Not yet in high school. At that time this is my favorite golf hole. Why? Because from the very forward portion of the otherwise large and deeply pushed back tee box, I can use my favorite club … Sam Snead Blue Ridge 5 iron with a chance to reach or get close to the green. An actual chance for a kid to make a natural par, which happened from time to time.

Back again to 9/28/23, and for all of my adult golfing life, this is now a difficult and challenging hole given its length (150-170 yards) into a tiny little green. A push or pull brings bogey and double bogey into play. This day my seven iron, although straight in direction, was caught on the toe and came up short. An easy up and down accomplished a par.  Still two over par for the round.

FIFTH HOLE

Again, another somewhat short and straight away par 4. The hole runs parallel but in the opposite direction to hole two, so it shares on its right that same wide patch of gnarly pines, and a more geometrically lined set of trees to the left.  The fairway is reasonably wide and somewhat rolling in shape.  With good power off the tee and the ground hard and dry, a well struck drive can get close to the putting green. Other wise the well struck drive leaves you with a wedge to the green.  The putting surface is wide, deep, and always smooth. No sand traps. But there is a thickly grassed, fall off at the backside.

Flashback:

It is the early 1960s. I am playing nine holes by myself. It is late afternoon. Not sure if I was driven to the course and dropped off, or if I rode my bike. (Yes! Rode my bike. Bag of clubs balanced on my back and shoulder. Up Owasco Street. Left on Melrose past Sacred Heart Church, and up that steep curved hill until reaching Oakridge Road. Rewarded with a “no need to pedal” downhill run past Owasco Country Club. Left on East Lake Road and up that steep entry into AGCC.) We did this often. Naturally, when leaving, we had to ride carefully down that entry steep hill. Once, when leaving on bikes, Jim Hohman lost control and went off to the right, over his handlebars and down to the ground. No known injuries but his clubs were everywhere.  We picked them up and went home. Never even considered it a reportable incident!

So, there I am playing the 5th hole. Somehow, I am pin high in two shots, about twenty feet from the cup. The details have never faded these many years later. I strike the putt.  It drops. I am shocked. Not only was it the longest putt I have ever made to that date, it is my first birdie! No witnesses. I don’t care.

Back again to 9/28/23. Except for silently recalling that first birdie of long ago, my play is other than memorable. I stripe my drive down the middle. My wedge shot, although directly at the pin, was too long. I two putt from 30 feet for a routine par. Still two over par for the round.

SIXTH HOLE

This modest in length par 4 parallels the fifth hole but in the opposite direction. A modestly elevated hill can be seen crossing the fairway, which you hope to fly past, given a well struck drive. While there is nothing challenging protecting access to the putting green, the putting surface itself is its protection. Difficult downhill putts from back to front. Wicked breaking sidehill putts. This hole, also on its right side, parallels the 7th hole. There is a fairly wide swath of long grassy space between the two holes.

Flashback:

In my younger playing years, there was a time when a decision was made to dig this area up between the 6th and 7th holes and somehow create a body of water. It would have been quite nice without being too much of a hazard to the golfers. But the hole was dug … and … then just left. It has since just grown back with long grass & weeds.

Per former local golfer /AGCC member/AGCC owner Tom Lynch, this dig became known as “Bobbett’s Folly.” The intention was for the dig to strike water. It did not. It struck natural gas.

Returning to 9/28/23 my excellent drive was followed by a fat & short wedge … weak chip … and two putts. But kept intact was and is my record of never having accomplished a birdie on this golf hole. This day my well earned bogey placed me at three over par for the round.

SEVENTH HOLE

While this is but another of the repeating AGCC straight away par 4’s … with a decent straight drive and a short iron into a large and receptive green … I consider it one of the prettiest holes on the course.

It moves west, back towards the clubhouse and in the direction of Owasco Lake. The tee box is generous in size. The entire left side of the hole begins with a thick, deep, and tall tree filled woods.  About 80-100 yards further out, it thins out into a nice line of tall pine trees. The fairway is generous in width but to the right side of the fairway there is a patch of well placed pines waiting to interfere with a tee shot pushed in their direction.

Straight away from the tee box, about 150 – 180 yards out, the fairway from left to right has an elevation change (something of a hill,) such that the object of the tee shot is to fly that elevation change leaving a short iron into the green. The putting green is my favorite on the course.  Seems always to be in perfect shape for smooth putting. It is quite wide from left to right. The front right side is guarded by a modest sand trap. The breaks on the putting surface are subtle but real. The green seems to hold the ball well, inviting shots directly at and to the pin.

The stroll and view, from tee box to green is lovely. The horizon view is full and open, a wonderful backdrop for both tee shot flight and approach shot flight.

Flashback:

When I was young and too early yet for competitive golf, I can still see and hear some of the older boys teeing off on that hole (one being Tom Lynch – Oswego State golfer.) They had big full & strong swings. Their drives on this holes always seemed to daringly hug the trees on the left and the persimmon woods guaranteed a resounding “crack” which I hoped someday to be able to replicate.

Again, back to 9/28/23. Nothing substantial to report. Good drive. Wedge into the green. My birdie was short. Another par and still three over for the round.

EIGHTH HOLE

Anyone who has played this golf hole knows it to be a birdie hole. Knows it to be a golf hole where a perfectly struck drive could well reach the trap fronting the elevated green. Knows it to be a drivable par 4 if you are both daring and lucky enough to aim left, catch the hard pan, and watch to see if the ball avoids the multiple trees guarding the left corner of the putting surface.

Flashback:

There I am, sometime in the mid-1960s. Playing golf with my great friends David McKeon, Mike McKeon, and Jim Hohman.

(Mike McKeon is my grade school and high school friend. He and I teamed up on the Mount Carmel High School Golf Teams, and in 1971 during our senior year at Auburn High School, on their Championship Golf Team. Mike went on to play collegiate golf at Wooster College, MA, attended law school and retired a few years ago after 20 years as Auburn City Court Judge. He has been one of the best Auburn/Cayuga County golfers, winning many of the local amateur events, and a longtime member at AGCC. I thank him for his friendship and his contributions with this write-up.)

 We had completed one full golf round. None of us were interested in leaving so we decided to play hole 8 & 9 limited to the use of two clubs. I chose my Arnold Palmer putter and my pitching wedge. I loved that wedge. Used it well. But kind of kept it hidden in my golf bag. It was a Christmas gift in the 7th or 8th grade. The club was a “Patty Berg – Signature Model.” That is correct, I played for many years with a lady’s wedge!

I have no recall of the play of the three others in this two hole match. I recall nothing of my play on the 9th hole. However, I’ve always remembered my nice straight drive on holes using the putter; wedge to the green; two putt par.

Returning to the 9/28/23 round, I accomplished a routine 2 putt par. My wedge shot was just too deep into the green. However, my brother Tom drained his birdie putt!

NINTH HOLE

I have always liked this hole. It provides a very nice view. A birdie hopeful view. The tee box is generous in size. The hole remains another short, straight away par 4. A well struck drive into the fairway leaves a wedge to the green. While there is trouble right and left of the fairway, it is less daunting on the right side. The putting surface is large, soft, flat, and quite receptive to the short iron approach shots. The interesting design feature of the hole are the two front sand traps. I refer to them as “alligator eyes” just popping up about 2-3 feet from the fairway surface, divided by a modest grass alley way to the putting green.

Flashback:

Years ago, the entire family (although not yet 10 children) were called up to AGCC to enjoy dinner. My Dad and his golf partner … Mr. Cherry Lind … had just won the two day Member-Guest Tournament firing an even par best ball score of 70/70. Time for the family to celebrate.

I was quite young at the time, hardly golf knowledgeable. The family was out on the southside of the clubhouse, which was lined with old cane rocking chairs, providing a full view of the 9th green complex. With my younger brother, Tom, we made our way directly to that location containing all that clean white sand.  Correct … the sand trap. I noticed a nice white golf ball in that sand but was whisked out before being able to get my hands on it.

Another memory, although a bit vague, recently confirmed by Bob Impaglia (who I also thank for his assist in this writing) was his Father’s 3-wheel automobile. A BMW Inserra. His Dad drove it on the golf course from time to time as if a golf cart. Quite the sight and one I recall as it motored up the 9th fairway.

Another memory to share is play one hot summer day 10-15 years ago. For no particular reason I am there playing a round of golf. Possibly the well known “Boyle Two Ball” tournament. Named after my Uncle Edward Boyle, well regarded Auburn attorney and former Mayor. In any event, the memory is my tee shot. The fairways that day were hard as concrete. The tee ball, heading directly into sun glare could not be fully followed. Mine was struck fairly well, directly to the green. I thought I might find it in the traps if not otherwise to or on the green. An easy birdie! Not quite. The drive rolled between the two front traps, fully through the green, down the back side drop off, and then another 20-30 yards into the parking lot! No birdie or par that day.

But on 9/28/23 my drive was well right but long enough that there were no tree obstructions. A weak swing with the wedge (Patty Berg model long gone) left me still short of the green. The next chip worked out well for my one putt par. Still three over par for the round. A 38 on the card.

BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE BACK NINE …

A few random other memories to share.  While up at AGCC one day in the late 1960s (at the time when my parents had a family membership at Skaneateles Country Club, Head Pro being Mr. Larry Bartosek), there happened to be a group of local Head Golf Pros heading out to play a round.  Mr. Bartosek was one of them.  He was the one and only golf instructor I ever had in my golf life.  He was quite stylish in dress and played both “Royal” golf equipment and “Royal” golf balls. When I approached him to say hello, he recognized me immediately, remembered my name, and then handed me a sleeve of brand new Royal golf balls.  All my friends were mightily impressed.  Back at that time, a full sleeve of brand new golf balls was a rare possession for a junior golfer.  This was the era of wound “balata” covered golf balls.  They split into a “smile” with almost every skulled golf shot.  Brand new unblemished golf balls were treasures indeed.

Another memory from caddying for my Dad. Ninth hole at AGCC. Playing in the foursome was a local Auburn attorney – Mr. Frank Leary.  His ball was in one of the front traps. His shot out generated a declaration from my dad.  “Golf shot”!! I did not understand but it was explained. Now I, and all other golfers, trade that same declaration back and forth multiple times per golf round.

The practice putting green was the haven where I worked on my short game before I even had a golf game.  There it was … at the main entry to the clubhouse, surrounded by a circular driveway (much the same on 9/28/23). Framed by fencing made up of metal posts connected by a string of chain links – all painted in white.  Plenty of room to chip and putt.

My Dad would head into the bar & grill with the guys (burger, fries & Coke for me) after which time I was on my own at that practice green armed with his putter and nine iron (no Hogan “Sure-Out” wedge yet in his bag). I am fairly certain that my brother Peter is the current owner of that Hogan pitching wedge.

These memories continue. I am not yet in high school, probably 6th or 7th grade. I am allowed to play the course at certain times without an adult. One chilly late afternoon I had played the front nine on my own.  After my round, it was cold enough to justify waiting inside the Pro Shop (along with numerous others) waiting for Mom or Dad to pick me up. I had broken 40 for the very first time. It was such an exciting feeling but also was quite the surprise at how simple a feat it turned out to be. Five pars and four bogies = 39.  While waiting alone in that somewhat crowded Pro Shop, the Club Pro, Mr. Carmen Ceo asked, out loud to me, how I had played.  I must admit, I enjoyed all the “oohs and aahs” upon reporting my score.

TENTH HOLE

There it is … right in front of you.  An innocuous looking par 3, except that it is not. Anywhere from 190 – 220 yards from the men’s tee, to a large green barely protected by a modest little sand trap, front/left and a little displaced from the putting surface.  No real obstructions, to a receptive putting green which elevates steadily uphill from front to back. It is just long enough to make hitting the green in regulation very much of a challenge.

Flashback:

My personal memories of this hole are in the negative to the extent that I have never scored a birdie.  However, I can and do share a story from my big sister Nancy.  She was living back in Auburn. Now married with one child and possibly pregnant.  Her last golf was many years before – Junior Golf at Skaneateles Country Club.  One day she finds herself playing with our mother Joan up at AGCC.  Some sort of one day event or league.  Their first tee off was hole in #10. Her very first swing at the ball that day was a whiff, her next swing suffers no lack of detail. Straight and long, on the green with a rather short putt – which she canned for a par!  Ho hum. Sister Nancy is back.

On 9/28/23 my Rescue wood was stuck well and in good direction but landed a bit short of the green (it was always soft there) and struck.  Although the pin was deep in the back, I accomplished an “up & down” par.  Even for the backside – three over par for the round.

ELEVENTH HOLE

This is the only men’s par 5 on the course (but also look for my narrative below regarding the 18th). With a good drive and well struck second shot, the birdie chance is very real.  From tee to green, this has always struck me as a very well designed golf hole.

The long and thin tee box is tucked nicely into its own little corridor on the golf course. A wall of forest on the left and a number of very large trees on the immediate right generate a level of darkness, no matter how sunny the day might otherwise be. Directly fronting that tee box is something of a creek bed approximately 5-10 feet below ground level, along with a bridge over which to cross out and into the fairway.  The “creek” part of the creek bed is minimal. That area to all my memory in time has been more of a wet swampy area full of tall cat tails.  The creek bed itself runs across the bulk of the back nine as a hazard ahead of the putting surfaces for holes 13 & 15 and ahead of the tee boxes for holes 11 & 12.

Most halfway decent golfers will tell you that it is a very poor shot indeed to go into this hazard except for hole #15 where it easily gobbles up second and third shots! But back to the eleventh hole.

Your well struck tee shot, depending upon how far back the tees might be, is very much like hitting the ball out of a shute. There is trouble in the nature of OB as the forest continues up & close to the fairway line on the left.  There is trouble on the right, which is twofold. First is the lane of trees which run continuously up that side of the fairway. Second, and compounding matters is that from tee box out about 200-225 yards, that fairway gently curves off to the right such that a drive, even in the fairway but to the right side will not have a direct line to the green. And the compounding matter is the terrain making up the fairway itself.  For about 200 yards out, including the adjacent rough, the terrain is a virtual mogul field proving many a combined odd lie & stance.

A decent drive into this fairly generous fairway and a healthy second shot (usually a fairway wood) gets the short iron or wedge into the player’s hands. If the fairway is dry and hard hitting the green in two can be in play.

The putting green is tucked somewhere close to the forest line on its left and the ground immediately left of the green is usually bone dry allowing an approach shot pulled left to find the OB. The green itself, like so many others at AGCC begins in front wide open & level with the fairway then gently but steadily elevating up to the back into a thick grass fringe and fall off.

Flashback:

My memories of playing the hole are not terribly prolific.  Never an eagle but my share of birdies. However, once when still young and out with my Dad and his golfing buddies, I found myself riding up the fairway in a riding golf card (a rare event in those days). Mr. Jack Hogan was at the wheel and as we bounded our way through that fairway of moguls, he notified in a very serious voice that each mogul represented an Indian (Native American) burial site.  I believed him.

So, on 9/28/23 I started well with a tee ball down the center of the fairway. This day the course was playing long.  There had been rain such that the grass was on the high side. Not much roll.  While my view to the green was clear, getting home in two seemed quite unlikely.  Additionally, my drive had not fully exited the fairway mogul field, and my ball was positioned oddly … on the top portion of a mogul with a pronounced stance below ball level. Cautious golfer that I am, my decision was to go with “Driver off the Deck”. Correct … my “95 Taylor made R-9.” As my playing partners that day will attest, I hit the ball perfectly. Like a rocket … directly at the green … about 30 yards short. My 60 degree wedge quarter swing left me with a tap in birdie. My only birdie that day. One under for the backside – two over for the round.

TWELFTH HOLE

This is my favorite hole on the back nine.  Another fairly short and straight forward par 4, with a reasonably wide landing area for tee balls. Fully lined down the left side with trees, OB, and a paralleling side road. On the right side, any errant tee shot risks contact or obstruction by any number of large random trees, the tee box for hole 15 and the putting green for hole 14. The fairway begins with a gentle slope down and towards the green.

Flashback:

Less memory and more in the nature of history, is what I can share about the hole (all confirmed back to me by Bob Impaglia and others.) The original men’s tee box was much closer to the back of the 11th green.  Remnants of that small tee box can still be appreciated.  It set up such that the hole back then was something of a very subtle dogleg right. The original putting green was dead center in the fairway but some 30 yards closer than the current putting surface.  It was fronted, much like the ninth hole, with two alligator traps.  If one who played the original green, looked with care today, remnants of that putting green can still be appreciated

The new tee box, which has been there now for decades, is now pushed back but adjacent and parallel to the roadway and the new green, (no sand traps), is quite good sized and substantially elevated front to back, making for very challenging downhill and sidehill putts. has substantial fall off to front, right & left sides. New tee & new green add distance to what had previously been a very short par four.

The golf hole, prior to the new tee & new green, enjoys great significance which is memorialized per in ground level engraved markers somewhere along the hole.

Per Mr. Jack Cunliff, who learned of the feat per conversation had with Gerry Ellis (currently a Michigan Golf Professional formerly affiliated with golf here in Upstate NY, including one time the course records at AGCC and Seneca Falls Country Club) …reports that back in 1957 one Ray O’Neill scored a hole-in-one on this par four 12th hole!

On 9/28/23 my drive was long but right and in rather high grass making up the rough.  My wedge was a bit fat with the ball landing short a trickling back and down further per the well designed fall off.  The uphill chip shot went long leaving me with a wicked fast downhill 12 footer.  I missed. I cursed. Now even par on the back nine and three over for the round.

THIRTEENTH HOLE

This is a visually interesting hole.  The original tee box was located nearer the current twelfth green. It made the tee shot reasonable straight forward out into an essentially wide fairway. With the 12th green re-positioning, the current tee box makes the tee shot a bit more challenging. This newer & good sized tee box is tucked close to a forest of trees on the left, and that forest about 70 to 100 yards out, protrudes towards and somewhat into the fairway. From that tee box you can see the creek bed (described above regarding the eleventh hole). The significance of the creek bed, aside from it just being there, is that it does not cross the fairway at 90 degrees. Rather, it crosses the fairway at about 45 degrees to the right.

This requires a carefully thought out and positioning plan for the tee shot. Starting left too much in order to accommodate a slice can leave you in the trees or very heavy overgrowth on that side. A driver hugging the left can catch up with and find the creek and a driver too far right flies directly into a patch of trees protecting the 14th fairway. This tends to generate use of a fairway wood or long iron for positioning, which then makes another relatively short par four longer for shot two (even to the extent of using another fairway wood or long iron.)

Provided the creek is avoided off the tee, the putting green is located approximately 20-30 yards past the creek.  It has somewhat of a kidney shape to the left with an elevated portion making up the turn, creating some very interesting alternative cup placements. Although some of the terrain behind the green suggests there may have been a sand trap, there has not been one for many years.

No flashbacks to offer, but on 9/28/23 I accomplished a very sloppy bogey the details of which are not worthy of further narrative. Now … one over par on the back nine and four over for the round.

FOURTEENTH HOLE

This is an excellent golf hole. It parallels the 15th on its left. Like 11 & 13 it too is crossed by the creek bed. There are multiple tee boxes servicing the hole for men and one has to hit quite the poor drive to end up in the creek.  The fairway, just past the creek runs flat and soon thereafter elevates up steadily with a substantial sloping down from left to right. And there are nasty patches of trees positioned to the right and left, consistent with landing area length such that they will interfere badly with pushes or slices off the tee.

A nice long tee ball well placed leaves anywhere from a 7 iron to wedge into the green, from the fairway one sees the start of a good sized putting surface the front right half of which is protected by a sand trap. The putting surface is very large, very flat, and quite receptive to most approach shots.

Flashback:

I have been in the front sand trap many times. It has always been abuzz with sand bees.  I am told they do not sting. I do not believe it.

On 9/28/23 my drive was excellent; my short iron came up just short of the fringe. Short chip shot to one foot has me leaving with a par. Still one over for the back nine and four over for the round.

FIFTEENTH HOLE    

Many people who have played AGCC with any regularity tend to announce the 18th to be the toughest hole. In my opinion, it is the 15th.

Both are par four holes. Each has a gentle dogleg from the tee. The 18th is longer, at 450 yards. Main trouble off the 18th tees are trees to the right but otherwise a very wide open fairway with plenty of unobstructed room to the left. Trouble off the 15th tee is trees to each side with less generous fairway width in between. The 18th fairway is flat & smooth, while the 15th fairway starting about 150-170 yards out is sister fairway mogul field to the adjacent 11th fairway. There are no meaningful trees, or other impediments blocking or surrounding the 18th green.  The 15th green is very much the opposite, fully fronted by the creek bed (elsewhere referred to in this writing). A well struck and directed tee shot, leaves a mid-iron or more for the second shot, quite the carry in order to reach the putting surface. In addition, just past the creek bed and to the right of the green there are at least three large and looming trees. A short second shot always finds the creek bed. A sliced or pushed second shot crashes into the trees.

The 18th green, but for a modest left/front trap can well receive even a low running second shot moving to the front opening around the green.  While the 18th green is quite large it is mainly flat. The putting surface on 15 is quite different. While moderately deep, it is much longer right to left.  An approach shot, even if it clears the creek bed, if not long enough, lands on a downhill and can trickle back into the creek bed always full of the cattails.  There are substantial elevations changes across the 15th green making all putts a challenge.

Perfectly struck drives on 15 will reach the mogul field often leaving difficult lie & stance. Many a second shot finds the cattails as I well know per my habit to tramp about in it searching for shiny new lost golf balls.

Flashback:

Just one specific memory reaching back to my much younger days … there I am playing alone.  Probably 6th grade standing on the 15th tee box with no particular notion other than a desire to strike my drive as far as possible with my 75 lb frame (a par never in consideration). I find myself producing a “Happy Gilmore” swing moment, and it remains vivid to this day.  I get a running start to my teed up golf ball, commencing a big windmill swing along the way. Perfect contact was made, and I could not believe how long my ball stayed in the air or how far it flew (almost to the start of the mogul field). That’s it. No idea of my score on the hole but had it been a par, I’d have remembered.  Just a crazy kid trying a crazy swing.

On 9/28/23 my very good drive had me right center within the moguls, with a four iron to get home.  Caught it flat. Pulled my ball out of the cattails. A chip & two putts later I have a double bogey six. Three over for the backside and six over for the round.

SIXTEENTH HOLE

This is the third and last of the AGCC par 3 holes.  The current men’s tee box is good sized, elevated, and pushed back towards the woods.  I doubt it is original.  It is a visual inviting hole.  The green is quite large such that front & back pin placements dictate use of different clubs off the tee.  There is a sand trap front left and an oddly placed grass bunker to the right some 5-10 yards from the green.  Trees circle the green left and back.

Flashback:

I am playing with my brother-in-law, Sam Thomas, per his Member-Guest Invitation.  Our start hole is 16. We are playing with the long time Auburn High School Golf Coach (whose name escapes me) who had coached some of my younger brothers, and his guest from Owasco Golf & Country Club – both of them good ball strikers.  I launched my eight iron high into the sky.  It landed softly on the green.  One putt later Sam and I were under par and our opponents sporting quizzical “who are these 2 guys” looks at us.  They ended up waxing us!

On 9/28 my tee ball was off the toe, short and right.  I was unable to get up and down. Bogey. Four over for the backside and seven over for the round.

SEVENTEENTHHOLE

This is another fairly straight forward par 4. There is quite a bit of land between 16th green and current men’s tee. It causes me to wonder if there were different tee boxes & locations before my time in the 1960s.

For the most part this hole has a wide and generous fairway with trees lining well down the right side. Par will be difficult if the drive is pushed or sliced into those trees. Otherwise, a decent drive leaves a short iron to the green. That second shot is critical and knowledge of this putting green very valuable. Behind the green there is thick foliage and trees for shots that are too long. The green is long and deep, rolling subtly but steadily downhill from the front to back.  There is usually full club difference coming into the green depending upon  front or back pin placement. In fact, with a front pin placement, experienced players know to try and land on the approach short of the putting surface, knowing that all balls landing on the green tend to roll to the back.

Flashback:

This was my second hole in the Member-Guest Tournament mentioned one hole earlier in this piece.  Fresh off my opening hole birdie, my tee shot was so far left, I almost found the man-made pond which is otherwise never considered in play.

But on 9/28/23 my drive was down the middle with my approach shot landing nicely in the center of the green only to roll to a spot 40 feet from the pin.  Two good putts and I had my par. Still four over for the backside and seven over for the round. On to the last hole – likely for the last time.

EIGHTEENTH HOLE

Having already substantially described this very challenging par four, not much more can be added other than it tends to be into the wind from tee to green. Quite the challenge at 450 yards.

Bob Impaglia recently shared with me his understanding and belief that this hole had originally been a par 5.  Was the original tee box tucked back further and actually into the woods, assuring me that as a youngster he explored back into those woods finding remnants of the original tee box.

Flashback:

My only memory of significance is 5-10 years ago.  Our annual family golf outing.  AGCC was on the weekend rotation.  Wind in my face I pushed my drive right, and out into the trees & practice area.  I found the ball & was pleased to see that I had a full swing available, with enough of a line to the left front sliver of the putting green. I calculated that a four iron was required for adequate elevation & distance. Wished myself “good luck,” swung and made perfect contact.  Directionally, the ball traveled as planned, going over & past all the tree line. It surprised me pleasantly by fading gently right (but out of my sight). I was unable to see it land. I had no certainty it had reached the green.  Coming from out of the tree line I squinted and felt I saw a ball on the green fairly close to the hole.  It most certainly was … 2 feet left of the cup. A birdie!

On 9/28/23 the wind was down. My tee ball was long and in the left rough, but it continued to be a no roll day.  So, I dug it out via rescue wood, slightly short of the front.  Up and down – another par.  Four over for the backside and seven over for the round. 38/39 … a 77.

BUT WAIT!

Another memory to share, in somewhat of a confession, generated spontaneously at the conclusion of this “farewell “round. The sixsome all lined up in the left rough.  We simultaneously dropped golf balls, saluting AGCC by hitting “six last shots” into the still filled but long unused adjacent swimming pool.

I packed my clubs, and the 11 golf balls found during that last tour around the golf course.

Thank you AGCC Michael Paul Ringwood