Strong storms moved through Edwardsville, IL early this morning as I left the hotel for the 21 mile drive to my first course. I fought fogged up windows for quite a few miles along with the rain that finally subsided as I crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri. The first round at the nine hole Highlands course was dry but the sky remained dark. Fifteen miles west of the Highlands was Tapawingo National Golf Course and I only made it to the seventh green until lightning and heavy showers forced me off the course for 45 minutes. Upon completing the round at Tapawingo, I headed to Spencer's Grill for lunch which turned out to be the treat of the trip to this point. By the end of lunch, the sun was shining brightly but the humidity was stifling. My final round was at Riverside Golf Course, just across the creek from Tapawingo National. As with Tapawingo, Riverside, which closed for five hours due to the rain and poor drainage, was cart paths only. I ended the day with a dinner at Super Smokers BBQ which turned out to be the lowlight of the trip to this point.
The Highlands course is on the near west side of St. Louis in Forest Park. It's a par 34 nine hole course. There were numerous workers on the course, mowing, changing pins, raking and generally cleaning up from the previous evening's storm. I was able to tee off a few minutes before my 7:00 tee time and played quickly.
The Highlands was out of logo balls and the count now stands at a poor six for twelve.
The Highlands was out of logo balls and the count now stands at a poor six for twelve.
I made the 15 mile drive to Sunset Hills, MO to play Tapawingo National Golf Club, a Gary Player design, playing the Prairie Nine first. This nine started with significant elevation changes before leveling off. There were lightning strikes to the east by the fifth hole and the skies darkened. By the seventh hole, a strong bolt in the distance and a few sprinkles convinced me it was time to vacate the course. After a 45 minute delay, I completed the Prairie nine and began the relatively flat Merrimac nine. It was sunny by the time I left the course.
Tapawingo National came through with a logo ball moving the count to seven for thirteen.
Tapawingo National came through with a logo ball moving the count to seven for thirteen.
I had seen great reviews on Spencer's Grill in several Route 66 publications so I made it a "must stop" on my trip. Wow! What a treat. From the St. Louis Riverfront Times "Spencer’s Grill first opened in 1947, and its sign along Kirkwood Road features the oldest working clock on a neon sign west of the Mississippi. With a small addition in the back, the restaurant seats 49, but feels much smaller. Spencer’s has had seven owners in its 68 years of business."
I took a seat at the counter near the front of the diner, one seat away from Denny Duvall who was cautiously reading a St. Louis Dispatch. He joked he wasn't comfortable reading the liberal newspaper in public before wrapping it in its bag. Denny is a regular at Spencer's.
My server was Karen and there were so many interesting items on the menu, I asked her for some suggestions. She recommended the Roast Beef sandwich which came with a french dip. They carve their own roast beef at Spencer's and she was right...it was scrumptious. As I was waiting for my food, Denny and I had a good discussion on the state of affairs in the country, how much Corporate America had changed during his career at Boeing and I shared with him my Route 66 trip.
Before I left, the two servers, Jen and Karen along with Denny followed me out to the back to examine my ride.
When you finally get your kicks on Route 66, be sure to put Spencer's on your must visit list.
I took a seat at the counter near the front of the diner, one seat away from Denny Duvall who was cautiously reading a St. Louis Dispatch. He joked he wasn't comfortable reading the liberal newspaper in public before wrapping it in its bag. Denny is a regular at Spencer's.
My server was Karen and there were so many interesting items on the menu, I asked her for some suggestions. She recommended the Roast Beef sandwich which came with a french dip. They carve their own roast beef at Spencer's and she was right...it was scrumptious. As I was waiting for my food, Denny and I had a good discussion on the state of affairs in the country, how much Corporate America had changed during his career at Boeing and I shared with him my Route 66 trip.
Before I left, the two servers, Jen and Karen along with Denny followed me out to the back to examine my ride.
When you finally get your kicks on Route 66, be sure to put Spencer's on your must visit list.
 Tiny Spencer's Grill  JJ, One of Spencer's Cooks |  Denny Duvall, a Regular at Spencer's Grill  Wednesday's Servers at Spencer's Grill, Jen and Karen |
I left Spencer's and made the eight mile trek to Riverside Golf Course in Fenton, MO. When I got to the course, Tom O'Donnell, the Pro Shop Manager, informed me the course was closed due to the earlier rain but would be opening within a half hour.
Riverside and Tapawingo are nearly side-by-side and I was surprised at how wet Riverside remained so many hours after the rain stopped. That is what high humidity does.
That gave us time to talk about my odyssey. Tom's sister Nora, also an employee at Riverside, came out and took some pictures. I had hoped to meet the course's owner, Walter Wolfner, but he had just left.
In no time, I was out on the course as a single. Obviously with all the rain, the course had a cart path only rule in effect for the afternoon but I was still able to play in just over two hours.
Riverside and Tapawingo are nearly side-by-side and I was surprised at how wet Riverside remained so many hours after the rain stopped. That is what high humidity does.
That gave us time to talk about my odyssey. Tom's sister Nora, also an employee at Riverside, came out and took some pictures. I had hoped to meet the course's owner, Walter Wolfner, but he had just left.
In no time, I was out on the course as a single. Obviously with all the rain, the course had a cart path only rule in effect for the afternoon but I was still able to play in just over two hours.
Nora & Tom O'Donnell, Riverside Employees When I completed the round, I stopped back in and Tom and Nora came out to check out the Mustang. Everyone seems so familiar with the Mustang, either because they owned one in the past or knew somebody who owned one.
Riverside was right on the ball with logo balls making the count at the end of the day eight for fourteen.
My hotel is a chain hotel in Eureka, MO. I picked this city because tomorrow's first round is in Eureka. I also wanted to eat at a recommended restaurant, Super Smokers BBQ. What a disappointment!
I should have known something was up when I hit the parking lot. It was nearly empty.
Riverside was right on the ball with logo balls making the count at the end of the day eight for fourteen.
My hotel is a chain hotel in Eureka, MO. I picked this city because tomorrow's first round is in Eureka. I also wanted to eat at a recommended restaurant, Super Smokers BBQ. What a disappointment!
I should have known something was up when I hit the parking lot. It was nearly empty.
A family walked into the restaurant as I locked up my car and by the time I was in the restaurant, they were leaving. I ordered pulled pork, got my drink and sat down. About five minutes later, a server came out and informed me they were out of pulled pork. Huh? At a BBQ joint? I ended up with their beef brisket and it was below average. Stay away from this restaurant when you make your trek.
Tomorrow I will only travel a total of 45 miles west as I play The Country Club at the Legends in Eureka and Birch Creek Golf Club in Union, MO. The weather forecast is looking better tomorrow so maybe I will experience a dry day.
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