One of the fantastic things about this splendid country is the pride that people take in their jobs (because of the tipping culture), and it is for this reason I believe that the golf courses are in better condition than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. Of course I think the climate also plays a big part, it must be harder to have carpet perfect fairways, if said fairway spends three months of each year under either snow or water.
Golf is a fantastic sport to bet on, because if so inclined, there are hundreds of opportunities to gamble in each round. On the flip side, unless you know the people you are playing against it is fraught with danger, because people don't necessarily tell you how good they are.
I did manage to find myself in a real dilemma out there in Rustic Canyon. From one of my stray tee shots with my usually reliable three iron my ball headed deep into the brush. Us British are a resilient lot, and rather than surrender my pro V 1 ball($4) to nature, I grabbed my longest club and strode off into the undergrowth. With a keen eye and a little bit of luck I spotted my ball and had just started wriggling through to it when I heard a sound I had not heard before, but it sure as hell stopped me in my tracks. A rattle.
Quick process of elimination told me it wasn't a babies toy, and there is only one thing really that I am petrified of, snakes (good only for shoes, handbags and belts). From my frozen position I managed to locate the noisy bugger, about three feet to the right of my ball and we had a good old fashioned stare off. It won, as I rather hastily backtracked through the undergrowth and declared that ball lost.
Needless to say the chap whom I played with, who had 8 pars and a birdie from a handicap of 18, won the round and I returned home with considerably lighter pockets than I arrived with. I shan't mention his name for fear of curtailing his action around the course, but will most certainly be playing with him again as he is a thoroughly nice chap.
From this next paragraph I don't want any of you complaining if my predictions are not 100% accurate, after all I am only human and expect to be somewhere around 97% mark.
As most of you will know it is the Masters 2012 so here are a few each way tips to make your viewing that bit more exciting. I think it is too soon for Tiger, who after winning one tournament is immediately the bookies favourite. I like Angel Cabrera (mainly because he likes fine wine, steak and cigars) at 80/1, Steve Stricker at 50/1, Hunter Mahan at 34/1 and KJ Choi at 70/1.
Be Lucky fellows
Lord F
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