No actual coyotes, but one beautiful birdie.
June 8, 2025
Twilight round. 4:20pm tee time. Course conditions: dry, rolling, and full of life.
The Vibe
I was running on fumes, late from book club, with 20 miles left on the gas tank and five minutes to spare before tee time. When I got to the course—Coyote Preserve—I said a quiet prayer that my car would start and headed straight to the tee box. No warm-up, just breath, intention, and my G.R.A.C.E. routine.
The weather? Gorgeous. Around 75°F, a little cloud cover, and golden sun. I was playing with my friend Dan, a strong post-COVID golfer, and a married couple familiar with the course. They were generous with aim points and warning us about hazards—and the vibe was light, kind, and helpful. Somewhere around Hole 7, Ziggy Marley started singing the Fraggle Rock theme song and I nearly lost it.
We had an early rule: laugh off the mishits—which we did religiously.
⛳ The Stats (Not the Story)
9 of 13
6
34
3/5
3/5
4
5
222 Yds
91
5
A Course That Felt “Up North”
Even though we were less than an hour from Detroit, the place had strong Michigan woods-y energy. Tall pines, rolling elevation, birds calling from the trees. And the animals? We saw:
- A baby fawn near a green
- Over 40 geese on 18 (they absolutely affected my shot)
- Two sandhill cranes on a fairway
- A woodpecker moments after the birdie on 17
- Raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels everywhere—in trees, darting across paths, casually judging us from branches
By the back nine, Dan started pointing them out for me. He may not have matched my delight, but he was kind enough to notice what sparked mine.
Smart Choices > Hero Shots
There were moments when I wanted to go for the flashy shot. But this round? I made the smart, less sexy plays. On one key hole, I ended up right of the fairway with a narrow window to the green. A hero shot between the trees was tempting—but I punched out left, gave myself a clean look, and played for bogey instead of triple. Growth.
The Birdie on 17
That birdie felt like revenge—sweet, gleeful revenge—for a par 3 earlier in the round where I hit the green in regulation… and then three-putted.
This time? 120-yard 7-iron to the green. A putt with some break, about 20 feet. I had swapped balls after noticing some goose residue on the last one (don’t ask). Before I lined up, I asked Dan to check my alignment.
I told him where I intended to aim, and he graciously pointed out I was actually lined up two feet left of it.
I made the adjustment. Rolled the putt.
Dropped it.
That’s the kind of circle you keep the card for.
💡 Club Confidence Scale
|
Club |
Confidence |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
🏆 7-Iron |
🔥 High |
MVP of the round — solid contact, reliable trajectory |
|
🚀 Driver |
✅ Growing |
Long and mostly straight — especially down the stretch |
|
💪 8-Iron |
✅ Confident |
Consistent approach shots from 100–115 yards |
|
🔄 Hybrid |
🤝 Reconciled |
Better decisions, improved contact |
|
🛠️ 60° Wedge |
⚠️ Uncertain |
Still dialing distance—lower carry than old model |
|
🎯 54° Wedge |
✅ Reliable |
Trusted for chipping and short bunkers |
|
🧭 Pitching Wedge |
✅ Accurate |
Full swing and bump-and-run shots were solid |
|
📏 Putter |
✅ Improving |
Back-and-forward stance helping speed and aim |
Scorecard Highlight
Hole 17: Circled and saved forever.
(The ball I used? Retired, framed in memory.)
Final Thoughts
Some rounds are memorable for the numbers.
Others, for the people, the weather, or the shots.
This one? For the choices, the growth, and the joy in (almost) every swing.