The 6th green at Jack Nicklaus' Pawleys Plantation golf course is among the most difficult to hit, which is saying a lot on the tough layout. The green is about 30 yards front to back, pinched in at the middle by a bunker on the left and another on the right. To make matters more challenging, the approach shot, typically with a mid iron, is over an alligator occupied pond that slopes down from the front of the green. There is typically not much to look forward to in crossing the bridge over the edge of the pond to get to the green -- except to see how the owner of the home just to the left of the cart path at greenside has adorned the back of his house. As my foursome approached last Friday, we noticed the occupant was flying the flags of each of the Final Four teams in the NCAA National Championship basketball tournament. I played again on Monday afternoon and, sure enough, only the flags of Duke and Wisconsin remained. One of my playing partners who lives year-round in Pawleys Plantation remarked that the owner of the house owns something like 250 different flags. I'm just sorry I didn't drive past his house the day after the field of 64 was announced in mid-March.
Congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils. It was a terrific game.
