Photo by Stefan Gestwicki Pictured is the fountain in the pond of Hole No. 2's green at The Vineyards Golf Course in Fredonia.

Before I begin this week’s actual article, I need to make a quick PSA: Tournament season is not over, folks.

In fact, let me plug one in particular that means a lot to me. This coming Saturday, Sept. 28 at Cassadaga Country Club, the Dr. John R. Forbes Memorial Golf Tournament will be held. It’s a fun format – 9-hole, two-man scramble and has a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Most importantly, the tournament benefits Camp Gross, a place that is near and dear to my heart as I spent an awful lot of summers there as both a camper and then a counselor. You can play golf and support a true gem of Chautauqua County. My good friend CJ is one of the organizers and I know he’d love to see this thing with a full slate of golfers. There’s still time to register. Contact CCC at 595-3003.

There are certainly more tournaments being held around the area in these next few weeks, too. If you’ve got a hankering to get in one more, ask at local courses and find one that fits your schedule.

But enough of that. We’re all here to hear tales of my latest conquests on the golf course, right? Um, right?

Well, to say I struck out would be putting it mildly. To borrow a reference from my other favorite sport, it only takes three strikes to be out in baseball. This week, I must have been up to a baker’s dozen.

No, it didn’t have anything directly to do with my play on the course. I simply couldn’t find anyone who could golf with me. It almost would have been comical if it wasn’t so depressing. Almost. Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, mild acquaintances, friends of friends – everyone was busy with something. Or at least everyone had an excuse handy (though I hope I’m not THAT awful to golf with).

That was the circumstance that led to me to do something I hoped I’d never have to do again – golf solo. When I first started golfing, I’d go out by myself quite regularly. I wanted to work on my game. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of “real golfers” anymore. But now the company has become such a big part of my enjoyment of the sport. Whether I’m playing with my ringer brother-in-law or taking a reader out for the first round of golf of their lives, I just get such pleasure from sharing the game I love.

So it was with a heavy heart (ok, now I’m just being dramatic) that I headed off to Vineyards Golf Course in Fredonia. The previous time I had played there, the course was in the best shape of the season. This time around? More of the same. I have high hopes for this course next year. I was particularly impressed with the fairways, which I usually don’t spend much time in. Maybe they’re always nice. I wouldn’t be the guy to ask.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for this article, I probably would have quit after one hole. I just don’t like golfing by myself. It didn’t help matters any that I hit an awful drive, was off on my iron shot, came up short on a chip and then missed an easy look at bogey. Playing poorly is one thing, but not having anyone to hear your excuses is quite another.

After I hooked my drive on No. 2 way off to the left, I really had doubts of making it through nine holes. Thankfully, I absolutely unloaded on a 5-iron from 185 yards out and came up just a few feet short of the green. An admittedly poor chip led to a two-putt for par, but that was enough to lift my spirits a bit.

The next moment I really wished for company for came on No. 4. I was putting for par. It wasn’t a gimme, but that’s a pretty easy green to navigate once you’re there. I hit the exact putt I wanted. I did the old “walk it in” where I follow the ball to the cup, actually started to bend down to pick it up, and (insert whoop noise here) the worst lip-out I think I’ve ever seen. That ball was way down in the cup and somehow got thrown right out. Again, those are moments when you usually just take for granted having someone with whom to share your frustration.

I played pretty well after that, with pars on three of the next four holes, but then came No. 9. You know the drill. You’re playing well and then get to a group that lets you play through. Then what do you do? How about hit the ground three inches behind your ball and send your tee shot all of 100 yards? Yup. That sounds about right. Ugh. To make matters worse, the group consisted of a retired OBSERVER editor who will probably read this article. I promise I’m not that terrible.

Until next week, golf is great. Go get some.

NOTE: Golfer’s Diary is moving to a new day! Beginning this weekend, Golfer’s Diary will now be published in the WEEKEND OBSERVER.

Stefan Gestwicki is an OBSERVER contributing writer. Comments on this article can be sent to golfersdiary@gmail.com