It’s the end of the year and it is time to look back on what 2019 brought us. It is a time for reflection and a time for lists. So many lists. So here it is. My top 10 golf experiences of 2019.
#10: Tackling Tobiano Sober
Every year since 2005, I have had the good fortune of celebrating two birthdays. In addition to my actual birthday, I have added June 20th as my sober birthday. For the last several years, I have shared this on social media and the support that I received from the golf community has been overwhelming.
I celebrated 14 years of sobriety today with an eagle and some cheesecake. @tobianogolf pic.twitter.com/epG2N0lM9k
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) June 20, 2019
My birthday at Tobiano this year was just as special and it even came with an eagle on 16. You can read about my full Kamloops experience here.
For 14 years, my New Year’s resolution has been to not take a sip of alcohol. I have been successful on every single one of those resolutions. This list starts with another resolution for 2020. With the support of my friends and family, 2020 will be another success.
#9: Canning birdie putts in the rain and escaping death in Wisconsin.
Playing golf at Erin Hills is an amazing experience and when you pair that golf course up with some serious weather, you dramatically increase the potential for memorable moments. After hitting a 6 iron into 16… without the club flying out of my hands, I had this putt left for birdie.
On that same trip, I almost holed one from the death coffin bunker at nearby Whistling Straits. Both are worth the watch and come in at a tie for #9 on my top 10 of 2019 list. The full Wisconsin story is available here.
#8: Harry Freakin’ Higgs
In February of 2019, I headed to the Bahamas to meet up with Brodie Smith and create the world’s greatest “shamble” team. Our leader for that team was none other than Harry Freakin’ Higgs. Freakin’ is not actually part of Harry’s name. That is just what Brodie and I would yell every time he made a putt.
Our shamble team was on so much hot fire that we barely needed any of Harry’s tour quality play. We pummeled drives and holed out shots from the fairway. We fired laser beams directly at the pin and made lengthy bombs on just about every single hole. In the end, we carded a shamble score of -21. The haters will say it’s impossible, but just ask Harry Freakin’ Higgs. it was the real deal and it comes in at #8 on our list. You can read about the full Bahamian experience here.
Some hot snaps from last week’s @WebDotComTour pro am in the Bahamas. #NSFW on that 2nd photo. pic.twitter.com/0RyDO1gXVw
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) January 17, 2019
#7: Spending time with Bruce the Goat Caddie
Bruce the goat caddie questions his #7 ranking.
Goat caddie selfies with the @GoatCaddies at @SilviesRetreat pic.twitter.com/n6rM2AFCsk
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) July 17, 2019
Having appeared on Good Morning America, Bruce is unquestionably the most famous goat caddie in the entire world. Naturally I was a little nervous when we first met, but like a true GOAT, Bruce immediately put me at ease. He carried the clubs like a true champion and even made some stroke saving recommendations on the green. Be sure to read the entire story on Silvies Valley Ranch and the goat caddie program right here.
#6: A visit to Royal Dornoch with the lovely Bella Angel
Just in case the views at Royal Dornoch weren’t striking enough, we decided to bring along Instagram sensation Bella Angel for a round on the iconic Scottish links course. To say that she glitzed up the scenery would be an understatement. In one of the most enjoyable twosomes of 2019, Bella and I golfed the ancient golfing land with pride and purpose. You can read the full story on our stay at Ness Walk Hotel and our brief journey through Scotland here.
One of my favorite images from 2019 came from the tee box on 16 at Royal Dornoch.
The YouTube video below chronicles the match between Bella and I. We never really decided on a fate for the loser of the competition, but there will be a rematch in 2020. We also got a rainbow, which made Bella smile.
#5: New Friends at the Scotland Vloggers Challenge
Mcqueen took like a duck to water with her modeling faces.
Mr Ryan Tripp lost his luggage, so he golfed in his golfing jeans.
There were lots of golf stars at the 2019 Scotland Vloggers Challenge, but I lucked out when I was paired with two of the brightest. I am talking about Ms. Rachel McQueen and Mr. Ryan Tripp.
For 5 days, we golfed, we grabbed electric fences, we high kicked off of lighthouses, we took cow selfies, and we even hunted for the holy freakin’ grail.
From the moment that we took on the Links at Brora together, Ryan, Rachel and I were fast friends. Competing voraciously but celebrating our victory collectively, we took on the Scottish highlands like a hurricane approaching the shore. 2019 wouldn’t be complete without a thank you to the golf gods for pairing me up with these two fine people.
The full Scottish Vloggers Challenge recap is available here.
My favorite new golf course that I played in 2019 belongs to Murcar Golf Links.
#4: A wedding at Bandon Dunes
Without contest, the best part about the game of golf is the people that you get to meet. Several years ago, I ran into Kenzie O Connell and we have been pals ever since we shared a triple mocha latte frappucino at the Calgary airport. I taught Kenzie how to high kick and how to mineshaft model. It was her turn to show me how to get married at Bandon Dunes.
Nikki B misses a short putt for birdie. Chelsea, Tish, and Kenzie react. This scene almost looks staged but instead it is an an honest representation of the energy that these girls bring into every round that they play. Even when it’s a casual round, the fun meter is cranked way up.
In each of their own unique ways, each one of these girls has navigated their way through a male dominated sport and accomplished something special. I could not be more proud of this crew.
The picture below is my favorite from Kenzie’s wedding. “Yes! YES! Ooh yes, that’s it. This is good enough for the cover of Vanity Fair.” Those were my exact words when I took this picture. You can read the full story on Kenzie’s wedding here.
#3: The Dunhill Links
While it is exciting to be a part of any professional golf tournament, The Dunhill Links is one of the most special tournaments on the planet. So when I received an invitation to join the media team at The Dunhill, I was over the moon. The experience of walking inside the ropes to capture the action with some of golf’s biggest stars was a true pleasure. You can read the full story here.
Luke Wilson is skeptical on how I received Dunhill media credentials.
Greg Kinnear listens for his ball to bounce off of the Old Course Hotel
Vinnie Jones always looks like he is coming to beat you up.
#2: The RGV Tour finale
While most of The RGV Tour took place in 2018, the finale crept into January of 2019. The capstone event took place at the magical location of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The RGV Tour was undoubtedly the biggest life changing endeavor that I have experienced. The fact that this event was not #1 on my 2019 list is mind boggling to me.
My good friend Sean Ogle made a killer video of the finale experience for your enjoyment. You can relieve every step of the journey on my RGV Tour blog.
#1: Playing golf with Bill Murray at The Home of Golf
For years, I have heard professional golfers talk about how much the game of golf has given them. For years, I thought that sort of feeling was only available to golf’s elite or those who play golf for a living. Looking back at 2019, it is clear that I owe the game of golf more than I can ever repay.
Golf is always trying to give back in one way or another. It’s constantly trying to give you new friends or teach you valuable life lessons. It has incredible healing powers during difficult times and can even provide the sanctity one needs to move forward with a purpose.
For years, I wasn’t always open to receiving these gifts and I certainly didn’t recognize or show gratitude when I should have. In 2019, I can confidently say that I managed to take a look around and be truly grateful for the friends, experiences, and life lessons that golf has given me.
Thank you to everyone that invited me onto their golf courses and into their lives in 2019. Let’s do it again in 2020!
You can read the full story on my round with Bill on the pages of Golf.com. Also, If you can come up with a better number one than playing golf with Bill Murray on the Old Course, l’d love to hear more about it in the comments.