Jake’s 16th Birthday Trip-Part 3

Is there such a thing as too much golf? (asking for a friend😂). I had to make this day into it’s own “part” on the blog because it was a 12 hour 36 hole day. We started our morning with Brian bringing tea and breakfast sandwiches from The Hemingway (the cute place nearby we found on day 1), then off to Osprey Point for our first round of the day. We are paired up with Josh and Greg, a couple of great buddies from Tulsa, OK. Right away Josh has mentioned that he lost his range finder the day before and it wasn’t turned in. We are experienced in range finder loss too so we have something in common right away.

We hit the golf shop for gear and a flag. We are collecting flags now from all the courses he’s been fortunate enough to play. We’re back tracking a bit to some courses and calling in some mail orders too. Now that he has his own room we have some new decorating happening on the walls that involves a combination of interests, golf and skim boarding.

Osprey is a very pretty course with beautiful wooden bridges. I’m not surprised it’s beautiful because everything here on the island is pristine. The homes here are even larger and unique. Josh and Greg are a fun duo with lots of stories. Josh is a US Air Force guy with kids and grandkids and his best friend was a former KSU football player. Before long, he was inviting Brian to play at his course, The Patriot in Owasso OK. Seems like a fun road trip!

What a joy it is to share a cart with Jake. He’s just a fun person to be with. He laughs at me when I say dumb things, banters with Brian, and he just loves the game of golf. You can’t beat the scenery and the company and luckily for me, I don’t care what the scorecard says.

From here, we say goodbye to Josh and Greg, Jake shoots a 77, and we head to the ocean course. We don’t usually leave without a stop in the pro shop. We bought a cool hat on the way out. It’s quite dangerous taking Jake into a golf pro shop. I’m feeling like Morgan is owed a lot since her trip did not include any shopping!

As we arrive at the Ocean Course, we find that most of the dining is being shut down for a private wedding. Oh my word. This wedding must cost $200k to shut this place down! Jake is in heaven in the pro shop picking up items left and right and we are allowed to order lunch on the terrace despite the closure. My dad would be so proud of me that I ordered a pimiento cheese sandwich with a fried green tomato. He believes all people should love tomatoes! You’re not worthy of you don’t love tomatoes, right siblings!?😂.

This course is gorgeous. Home of the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2021 (Phil Mickelson taking the title). Many are taking pictures and buying souvenirs and we are lucky enough to be playing the course. We meet with our caddies John (who is with Kevin, a dentist from Boston who has a 2nd home here in Kiawah) and Robert who is caddying Jake and Brian. He’s a retired Army guy with a calm an quiet demeanor. John and Kevin are having so much fun together and Jake and I are enjoying listening to them. John is from Philly and came to SC on vacation years ago and couldn’t go back to the family packaging business in Philly because he fell in love with this area and hates the cold. They have so many funny comments to each other and it seems as though they have been paired together in the past. Kevin says after several shots “oh you dope Kevin” Talking to himself😂 He speaks of the shear joy of being a grandpa and that seems to be a a recurring theme amongst our playing partners.

Meanwhile Brian seems to be having the round of his life! I have no pictures or videos of his amazing chip in or spectacular long putts because I’m here for Jake ‘s 16th and wishing it was him behind the club. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for all great golf shots and I do wish I had captured those moments but I pull for Jake always and at times I’m finding myself cheering for sweet Kevin from Boston☺️.

There are pretty seashells in these sandy paths

Being out here on the Ocean course is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The views are stunning. Although I think these guys are trying to kill me with an overload of golf, walking this course has been fun. It’s been a slow round but I’m a silent observer and pick up a lot from the sidelines and enjoy the time.

I’ve learned that this gigantic mansion belongs to the former CEO of Lowe’s and wealthy folks are owners of property all around the area. There seems to be so much beautiful real estate here and I find myself wondering, who lives here!?

As we finally make it up to the 18th green, Jake makes an amazing shot in the dark that even the wedding participants are talking about. What a great round and beautiful expensive wedding! And congratulations to Brian for shooting his best round ever!! Woo hoo! So close to an even round par but ended +1 73. Jake shot 78.