Quails, Birdies and Other Fouls

Quail Lodge in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel, California
Part 1

by Anthony Scaggs
Golf Clubs, Golf Resorts, Golf Courses

Like a lob shot gently landing on the green and rolling towards the pin, the Southwest Airlines’ plane sliced through the air on our approach to the San Jose, California airport, gently kissed the runway and rolled to the gate.

Quail Lodge, I am here to play golf not hunt.

The thought crossed my mind more than once. I wondered if someone misunderstood my statement about shooting birdies. Did they think that I was a hunter?

As I drove past the golf course and headed for the lodge, I noticed the large, "The Golf Club," above the "At Quail Lodge" sign. I relaxed knowing that I had the desired weapons for my birdie quest.

What a bonus to arrive at the Quail Lodge when they were hosting a Carmel Garden show. The gardener’s creativity and imagination enticed ones thoughts as to what a home or garden could be. The beautiful plethora of colors staged by the designers was enhanced by the gardens of Quail Lodge.

Walking along the flower-lined lane, I looked to the right and saw the first tee. It reminded me of sitting on a blanket in a pasture enjoying a delicious repast with my lady. I basked in the warm sun enjoying all that life had to offer. (The course is 3.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean’s fog belt.)

The tee was just beyond the oak, pine and cottonwood trees and the wild and domestic lowers in the paradise managed by Denis Kerr’s crew. One can see the left edge of the bunker lying in wait for a miscalculation or the wrong club or that little voice that whispers in your mind’s ear “you can cut the corner.” Many of us, who have listened to that voice, find ourselves reaching for the sand wedge.