I had just putted out on the fourth hole when the deer who had stepped aside to let us hit our approach shots to the green had returned to their spot to continue grazing on grasses along the historic Native American thoroughfare.

The first hole was dramatic with an elevated tee box looking down at a somewhat narrow fairway, but the energy around the first tee was calm and relaxing.

By the time we were had hit about our 30th golf ball we were fighting 30 mph winds.

Standing alone on the first tee, I had no idea how the hole was playing. The map on the scorecard showed a slight dogleg right, but I couldn't see that; maybe it was behind the giant hill in front of me.