Playing Golf - Best round ever

I am constantly asked what's the favorite course I have ever played and every time I am asked that I always have the same discussion. Today I was asked again in reference to my recent trip back to Maui. The discussion was with a friend back here in Connecticut who is fully aware of the long list of fine golf courses I have had the pleasure and privileged to play. Back here in Connecticut, as you would expect courses like Kapalua Plantation and Bay course along with Wailea Gold and Emerald are the envy of most north easterners, especially in December with daytime temperatures in the mid 30's.

But even though I have had the opportunity to play these courses along with places like Pebble, Doral, Bay Hill, Old Course and others I don't even think to rank my golf experiences by the courses I have played.

So my answer was actually my most memorable round of golf was my normal foursome at my home course, Oronoque Country Club a few years back. One of our foursome was relocating to Georgia and this was to be our last round together as a regular group. I couldn't tell you what any of us shot, although my partner, mr relocating, and I did win the match and proudly took our $20 and framed it with our photograph from the 1st tee that day.

Of my next 4 most memorable rounds of golf only 2 were played on courses that the average golfer would know, both being the Wailea courses on Maui. But neither round was because of the course we played, but instead the people I played with. In all my top 5 rounds, the groups comprised of people who I count as my closest and dearest friends, not the least is playing with my dad. Are there really better golf moments than that?

As a golfer, what I wish that the non professional golfers that most of us represent realize that golf experiences should not be rated based on the course they play but the experience of playing the game with great people.

I'll concede that great people and great golf courses can offer extraordinary golf experiences together but I propose that playing golf with great people can be just as extraordinary.