For most golfers not named McElroy, Woods or Mickelson, the game is famously difficult, if not impossible, to master even under the best of conditions and circumstances. Even on a beautiful, sun splashed fall afternoon, it’s not too hard to lose a few balls in the various hazards or in a neighboring home’s backyard.
As if golf wasn’t hard enough, someone, no doubt an evil genius with a 1 handicap living in a mountain lair high up in the Andes, came up with the bright idea of night golf using glowing golf balls. It seems impossible, but I’m told not only is playing at night possible, it’s a certified hoot as well. If you’ve never tried it, Moody Gardens Golf Course gives you a perfect opportunity to check it out during its first Glowball Tournament, scheduled for November 17.
“Night golf is fun, but frustrating,” admits Bill Pushak, general manager of the Moody Gardens Golf Course. “I find depth perception is the biggest challenge. You’re standing there with a driver in hand trying to hit a target you can’t see. It’s just not something you’re used to doing.”
Pushak says the tournament will emphasize fun over championship caliber golf and is open to players of all skill levels. The format is a reverse par three, two-person scramble, with the first nine holes played in daylight, beginning at 3 p.m.
“We will begin on the back nine and make every hole a par 3,” Pushak explains. “For example, if you’re hitting from the #10 tee box, you’ll hit backward to the 18th green. If you’re hitting from the 18th tee box, you’ll hit backward to the 17th green and so on. That part of the tournament should take about 1 1/2 hours to play.”
After the daylight portion is completed, players will gather at the clubhouse for snacks and refreshments before beginning the night time portion at 6 p.m. For that, Pushak says the first five holes will be played, with golfers most likely hitting from the ladies’ or seniors’ tee boxes.
“The glowballs don’t travel as well and, obviously, it’s hard to see,” he says.
The night portion should also take about 1 1/2 hours and will be followed by the awards ceremony and more refreshments. Participants are then invited to take in the Festival of Lights display at Moody Gardens by making use of the free ticket that’s included in the $50 tournament entry fee.
“We were looking to do something that would tie into the Festival of Lights, which begins the weekend before the tournament,” Pushak says.
The glowballs work by inserting a mini glow stick into the translucent ball. The tournament will provide the balls for all players.
“We’re limiting the field to 36 players to make sure we don’t have too many people out there in the dark. We’ve tried to make it easier than normal golf and make it fun. We’ll see how it goes,” he says.
The entry fee includes drink tickets, golf cart, glowball equipment and the Festival of Lights ticket. Chances are you won’t want to frame your scorecard, but you’ll have an improbable night on the links to remember.
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