Sad, but true: it is time to say goodbye to my favourite driving range in Berlin. The Driving Range Mitte will have to make way for the new building of the “Bundesnachrichtendienst” (Federal German Intelligence). A lot was discussed about the how, when and why, but now the time is up for the range. Today, the covered tee boxes were removed as the first part of deconstruction. Damn, I’ll miss the place.

Upcoming saturday, October 7th, the Bowler Challenge Cup will mark the finale of the 2006 Bowler Tour (see also Caddie Cup and Martini Cup). As always, the Cup will be played at the GC Prenden. Check out the Bowler Tour website for more information.

What the heck is a Benzinger? I had to ask my flightpartners yesterday in the 1st Royal Benzinger tournament to find out that it is the worst possible divot: the ball still is in its original position, but the grass divot has wrapped itself around it. My kind of tournament, I thought, fun people wanting to have a good time on the course.

Ralf, Henning and I took on the challenge of the GC Stolper Heide west course. During the next six hours (took a little long) we all would go through every emotion this sport has to offer. Anger, frustration, challenge and joy. Ralf’s day was made by his first par on the par4 17th, leaving the birdie putt just a little short of the cup. Henning went through his first tournament of the year after a longer pause and played a solid game. Both of the guys played really nice wood shots off the tee and made me miss my woods a little bit. My irons give me good lenghts off the tee, but there is no margin for error with a four iron, the woods were a little more forgiving. Maybe this is the practice plan for the winter, to get them working again.

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