Dateline May 20, 2012, Oxmoor Valley
The drive to Birmingham was about ninety minutes, and we landed at Oak Mountain State Park, just outside the city in Pelham. It is the largest state park in Alabama at nearly ten thousand acres, with over fifty miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Two fishing lakes at the north end, where you can rent boats or use your own (electric trolling motor or oars only), or just fish from the banks. There are also mountain bike trails, a demonstration farm, and a horseback riding outfit. Something for everyone, including a golf course for us duffers.
The week we were there, the XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs were held on the park's nature trails. The camper next to us, an East Hampton, Long Island woman, came in second in the triathlon for women over fifty. Quite a thing to see. We are not entirely sure how she manages it. We made a note.
Returning to play golf in Birmingham was a pleasure. The complex has three courses plus a short course. Ross Bridge is at the resort and the green fees match. We had played that one on a previous trip, so we picked the Ridge and the Valley at Oxmoor for this visit.
Arriving for our 10 AM Friday tee time, the sky was cloudless. We hit a few balls and headed over to the Ridge. Janice and Bunny versus John and Pete. The match is not the story. The story is the golf course.
The Ridge is a knock-your-socks-off course. Roller-coaster fairways, heavy tree cover, 150-foot elevation changes. One memorable hole after another. The whole complex was built on former coal-mining country, and on the par-five third the green is buttressed by a shelf of exposed shale rock, a reminder of what was happening on this land before it was a golf course. John and Pete took the match.
The 19th hole was its usual fun respite from the Alabama heat. The bartender asked if we had ever tried Ice Tea, and was quick to clarify he did not mean Long Island Iced Tea or regular tea. He meant the sweet tea vodka that had been quietly conquering the South.
We shared one to try it, then made a quick stop at the liquor store for two bottles to take back to the campsite. Plus a stop at Costco for chicken and smoked salmon, which we enjoyed for dinner with the Ice Tea. A good Friday night.
Saturday was another beautiful day, and time for the Valley.
We had played the Valley on a trip two years before, so it was fun to come back with some memory of the layout. The course is dotted with picturesque lakes, with rolling fairways that stretch about two miles down a slender valley. The par-three second plays over a pond to a green guarded by bunkers in front, more than enough to focus the mind.
The format was boys against girls. John and Pete took it again.
The wildlife was good to us. A group of wild turkeys passed by on one hole. We have also seen several near-miss par-three shots from all four of us this week. Bunny had two in one day, and on the Valley, Janice added another. A hole in one is out there somewhere on this trip.
Iced beers at the bar, another day of golf well spent.
On to Montgomery and the Capitol Courses, The Senator, The Legislator, and The Judge.
Standings: Bunny 4, John 6, Pete 4, Janice 2.
