Originally Published on July 13, 2013 by ranchomurieta.com

Diaries written by: Don Thames

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Don and Carole Thames shared their diaries from Omaha, where Don competed in the U.S. Senior Open. Don, head pro at Rancho Murieta Country Club, failed to make the cut.

 

Anyone who has ever played a bad round of golf can learn from Don's thoughtful analysis of his own efforts, which he offers in the latest installments -- July 10, 11 and 12.

Practice round 

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Don even got some air time on Omaha TV's coverage of the practice rounds.

​QUALIFYING WEEK:

July 8, 2013: Cullen comes through

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Omaha, Nebraska – We arrived at the Omaha Country Club on Sunday noon and were one of the first players to register for the event.  Once inside, we chatted with Dave Eichelberger, who won the U.S. Senior Open in 1999.  Dave, you may remember, gave us all a thrill in the 1994 Raley’s Senior Gold Rush when he battled Bob Murphy in the playoff that played over and over on the 18th hole at Rancho Murieta. 

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Omaha resident and former RMCC member, Dan Cullen came up big as our concierge.  Through his network of friends in town, he found us a super good caddie named Nick Vondrak.  Nick is 39 years old and a former club champion at Omaha Country Club.  He also played in the Mid Am two years ago and is a regular  contestant in the Omaha State Am.  Nick lives on the second hole of OCC.  Needless to say, he is a good player.  It was a touchy subject to bring up when it came time to decide on the caddie duty, as Carole has been my longtime caddie and was on the bag to get us here.  Once she heard about Nick’s qualifications and then later walked with him in the practice round, she acquiesced, knowing that this guy knows this track.  Besides, her knees are killing her and this golf course is super hilly.  I thought Omaha would be flat, but this piece of property sure is not. 

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The golf course seems to eyeball well for me, as there are no mandatory “hook” holes, as dominated the Broadmoor in 2008.  It is a par 71 converted to a 70, as is custom in many USGA events.  Thus there are just three par fives.  Two of them seem to be reachable.  At just under 6,800 yards, it is not the longest course ever played but resembles RMCC in one way.  Most of the par fours are 400 yards or so except for three of them which are monsters, like our numbers 4, 13 and 18.  The three monsters at OCC measure 440, 450 and 460.  The other similarity to RMCC is that the par threes are all over 200 yards except for one.  With that the similarity ends.  These green complexes, though not as tricky as the Broadmoor, are exceptionally challenging in slope, undulation and of course speed. The greens are known as “The Maxwell Rolls” after the architect who so diabolically designed them in the late '20s.   The USGA is shooting for 12 on the stimp during the tournament.

We are set up on Monday to play a practice round with Fred Funk and Esteban Toledo.  Tuesday we will be paired with Kenny Perry and Scott Hoch.  Wednesday (If we play) I put us down with Tom Lehman.  I will never forget Tom Lehman’s interview with David Feherty when he said this quote that I hope I never forget.  “In life you have to have something to look forward to (hope), someone to love and something to do.”  I think I might get his attention when I quote that to him on Wednesday.

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That’s all for now.   Many thanks to all of our members and friends who came out to support us at the send-off.  That was a day we will always remember fondly when it comes to the great people of Rancho Murieta.  Carole or I will  be checking in regularly as time and our energy level allows.  I write this now at 4 in the morning on Monday because I can’t sleep.  I gotta go get ready to “Play my tail off."
 

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