By: Zoey Pittman
Jacob Yarborough is preparing for the start of a round of golf at the Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, Ga, where he is first assistant super attendant. “Maintaining the championship level golf course conditions has given me the bug to play, which also helps me make it better as I get to see it from a different perspective.”
On his first hole, Yarborough is strategically setting up his tee for a par five. “I just wanted to hit it over the tree and into the fairway, and after it faded a little bit to the right, it went right into the fairway, leading up for a good second shot.”
After taking a moment to adjust his stance, he swings his driver with full force. As an intermediate golfer, Yarborough can drive the ball at an average of 270 yards.
He is weary about the ball flight and hoping it will land in the short grass. “It was a better shot than I anticipated and hope to reach the green in regulation.”
Yarborough is checking the distance of the golf ball to the green. It should be a nice three-wood shot and hopefully the firm conditions will let it roll onto the green.
Yarborough hits the ball a little too chunky. However, his par can still be redeemed.
Walking to the green, he is thinking about the long eagle putt ahead. “I can’t believe that even with my chunky second shot, I blew it past the hole.”
Yarborough is lining up the ball for a down hill, left-to-right putt. His goal is to hopefully not leave it short.
Surprisingly after leaving the first putt short, he luckily makes a birdie. “I honestly didn’t think I would make that. I am just so glad I picked the right line.”
Yarborough anxiously waits for the next hole while another golfer is teeing off. “Coming off of the last hole, I hope to be able to keep it together and hit the ball straight.”
Yarborough is beginning the second hole, which is a par four. He is using his four-iron because there was water on the left, attempting to keep it in the fairway.
He makes solid contact with the ball and the wind helps it clear the water hazard. “This was an alright way to follow up from the birdie. I pured this shot but it went into the rough.”
Yarborough is upset with how he hit the ball. It ended up going way too far right.
After a bad shot, the ball lands in the bunker. However, impressively enough, Yarborough was able to get it out in one fluid motion.
Hitting his bunker shot too hard, it passes the green. He needs to hole this one out to make the par.
His chip shot gets him onto the green. Although, he now faces a bogie putt.
At just the right angle and using the right amount of force, Yarborough’s ball made it in the hole. He finished this hole with just one stroke over par.
After getting the bogie on the second hole, he tosses his ball disappointingly. “First hole birdie, second hole bogie, now back to even par. The challenge continues for 16 more holes.”
