Aerated Greens

Played a round at one of my favorite munis yesterday, Waveland Golf Course.  $15; no tee time; just walked up and was partnered with Chris, a young lawyer, and Keith and Sean,a father-son twosome who love golf.  Despite a a hellacious rain storm Friday, and humid weather all weekend the course was in fine shape.  It ought to be as it was the host for the Des Moines City Men's tournament last weekend and the Women's Tournament this past weekend.  The winners, of course, played really well:  Jon Brown, the Men's champion, won his third straight title with a 6 under score of 210, and Fiona Watson picked up the Women's title with a 2-under 142.  Great golf.  I played the course both Sundays after the tournaments were held. 
I am no champion golfer, and my putting is still a work in progress, but I noticed that  Waveland had recently aerated the greens and the furrows made a difference.  Now they weren't like the furrows Jack wanted in the traps for the Open, God forfend! But, lag a downhill putt and the aeration furrows really channeled the ball; hitting cross-furrow required a youthful approach to short putts.  Maybe they rolled them for the tourneys; maybe those guys and gals are just that much better; but I have to wonder why they couldn't have waited a couple of weeks.

Still, for only $15 after 4 pm, it is a great course.

BTW, this is the only competitive golf event Watson plays in; good for her.