Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

I would like to have one of those fancy hourglass timers. So, the competition is fierce, and victory is by no means certain. Everyone needs to play their best--and get a little help from nature.
Another excellent chapter.

 Comment Written 18-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 18-Sep-2023

Thanks very much, Debi. Nature definitely was their friend this chapter.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I would say the wind was a player on the Foon's team this time around. And Lady Luck might have had a hand in it, as well. Thanks for the dialogue - it helps to break up the narrative and gives us some of the characters' personalities.

We'll see how this "plays" out with the scoring:-)

Pam

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2023

The wind ended up helping Putt, but it also made things moredifficult for him, as the sudden gust after he'd hit his approach caused the ball to go way beyond the flag, where otherwise he may have been a lot closer and not needed such a long putt to win.

I think it benefited from the additional dialogue. Thanks for that suggestion.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Sounds very possible that they can win! I am wondering now what percentage does "luck" play in this game. Since it was the wind that essentially made one of the putts for Putt, I think there could be a lot of disgruntled players. But Alex is such a good sport!

Suggestion:
Put'll put a putt (Putt'll ?)

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2023

Luck definitely plays a part in the game--both bad luck and good luck. It tends to even out over time. It was bad luck the sudden gust of wind made his ball end up 60 feet past the hole, when it might have landed right near the hole had it not gusted. You never really know.

Thanks for the good catch, Helen!

Comment from Paul Manton

Excellent

Another gripping tale of the greens! All action today, which I liked. Not much about the characters or relationships to slow down the narrative - and even the snog narrative bounded along, comparatively speaking.

Good control of the situation - still much to play for, and in some ways you still seem to be the underdogs. So, there is still that nagging feeling that it could all go wrong!

That's the way to do it!

Paul

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thank you, Paul. I agree with your analysis. There's a time and place for character development, relationships, and dialog, but I think this section of the story lends itself best to mostly straight narrative. We'll get back to that other stuff, but for now, it's pretty much play-by-play.

I'll say this much; there are a few difficulties ahead, and the match will be a close one.

reply by Paul Manton on 15-Sep-2023

I expect no less, Jim.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

It never occurred to me that the wind could put a ball in the hole, but I suppose with feather balls it could. Can that happen with modern balls? I never played with much wind, just geese, dogs, and creeks. It seems to me the home team is still going to find it hard to beat the other team.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Not many years ago, they had to postpone a round of the British Open because the wind was blowing balls around that were on slopes, so, yes, it can happen with modern balls.

I'll say this much about the final Fast Match: it will be close.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I do hope their chances are good. I can see where our friends would have an advantage. I enjoyed reading and will attempt to read tomorrow, but will have to be when the girls are taking a nap.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

You'll have a break. Next chapter won't be until Monday. Glad you're enjoying this, Barbara. We're nearing the end of Part 2, and there will be a surprise in store for Part 3.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Of course you're losing ,e on the time factor, that sometimes affect the result for some reason, in cricket there can be excessive time wasting, but thst only effects the fees and fines and can effect the world rankings, in fact Australia missed out on the final, in 2022, but were world champions in 2023, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

They have time penalties in professional golf too, but they are rarely enforced. They give the slow player a couple of warnings, but if they persist in playing slowly, they can be penalized a stroke. It's very rare, though.

reply by royowen on 15-Sep-2023

Yep, it never happened once.

Comment from JSD

Excellent

That pesky wind, and then it blows it in! Lol. Miracles on Putt's side. Really cool. Looking forward to the final round, of course. (No pun intended.) Thanks for this exciting one, Jim.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

That wind can really make a difference. I've seen where they've had to postpone rounds of The Open because the wind was so strong that it would start balls at rest moving on the greens before the golfer even stepped up to a putt. Can't play like that. This wind was bordering on that.

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Sounds like a challenge!
Well written.
The only trouble I see is that with the Snogs better golfing abilities (absent the cantankerous wind), the Snogs may never lose to the Foos again once they learn the fast golf tricks.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Maybe the Snogs will eventually learn to pick up their pace if they figure out golf is more fun that way, and they could play more holes if they were faster. Then the Foos might have a better chance.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

THERE WAS A TIME BACK IN THE DAY ...
when I would read a putt, any putt, and saw the line as if I was the architect that drew the lay of the green, and in it would go.
Today, I KNOW I can still read greens but &(&% they simply don't drop, and standing over a two footer is the worse.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

They make you putt those? As my friends and I got older, we were pretty much all in the same boat--hating those short putts--so our gimmes began getting longer and longer. Frustrating damn game!

reply by Tom Horonzy on 15-Sep-2023

Yep
I played with a wing of Marine aviators for 22 yrs and the only time a putt was good was when it hit the bottom of the cup. I even left a five in her shirt once
Now with our senior group it is deja by BUT you get a club length anywhere but a hazard Go figure.