Fallbrook couple golfs and walks course for 250 consecutive days

The coronavirus quarantine closed the gym Fallbrook residents Dawood and Emma Ashe used to exercise, but as members of the Golf Club of California they were allowed to use the course.

Initially walking only was allowed while golfing but, even after carts were permitted, the couple placed their equipment in the cart and walked the entire course. On Nov. 16, they walked the course for the 250th consecutive day.

"We're very excited that we made it to 250," Emma Ashe said.

The streak began April 11. They had walked the course before that, but rain interrupted their routine. The weather permitted walking and golfing every day since April 11.

Ashe is 66. Her husband is 72. They have been members of the Golf Club of California for eight years and moved from Escondido to Fallbrook six years ago to be closer to the golf course.

"We liked this golf course so much," Ashe said.

Before the coronavirus shutdown, Ashe golfed approximately three times each week.

"My husband golfed more than I did. He did nearly every day," she said.

Ashe was also going to the gym approximately three times each week, as was her husband. The closure of the gym eliminated that exercise.

"I had to make it up somehow," she said.

The Golf Club of California remained open, although only to members.

"The members were allowed to walk the course," Ashe said.

Initially carts were not allowed.

"You could only walk," Ashe said. "The golf course opened a month later. We stayed walking. We did not take a cart.

"It was hard in the beginning. It took, of course, longer," he said.

How long the walk around the course – along with 18 holes of golf – takes depends on whether other players are using the course. At first, walking the course and playing 18 holes took Ashe and her husband approximately 4 1/2 hours without any wait for other golfers.

"It started out being difficult," she said. "Our course is not a course that can easily be walked. It's hilly. You have to go up and down. It's about 7 miles."

The walks became easier over time.

"We wouldn't even think we would be able to do that. It shows that you are more resilient than you think you are and you can accomplish more if you have to," Ashe said.

If the course is not busy, Ashe and her husband can complete the walk and the round of golf in just under four hours.

The walks have become a routine not only for Ashe and her husband but also for other golfers.

"All the members are excited to see us," Ashe said.

Ashe and her husband arrive at the golf course between 8-9 a.m. each morning, and the walk is usually completed by the early afternoon.

The walks have provided exercise for Ashe and her husband.

"We've lost weight, definitely," she said.

Combining a round of golf each day along with the walk has also led to a decrease in scores. Ashe's best 18-hole score before beginning the daily rounds was 84, and during the daily activity she shot a 79. Her husband's previous best score was 82, and he had a round of 80 strokes during the first 250 days of walking the course. Neither has achieved a hole-in-one or an eagle, but both have shot birdies on holes.

"We still hit the ball," Ashe said.

The seventh hole, which is on a hill, is Ashe's favorite.

"You can look all around the valley," she said. "It's higher up, so you have to hit your ball down and the green has, in the middle, a bunker, which is very unusual."

The streak of golfing while walking the course will continue until ended by rain.

"It depends on how much rain," Ashe said. "We have a big umbrella."

Light rain will not stop the walks or the golfing, although adjustments must be made.

"It definitely affects the course," Ashe said.

Ashe added that trying to find the ball after a shot is also more difficult during rainfall.

Ashe appreciates the accommodations the Golf Club of California has made to allow the members' activity.

"The Golf Club of California is very supportive of this community," she said.

She notes the involvement of Golf Club of California director of golf operations Richard Ro.

"He was very supportive, and without him we couldn't have done it," Ashe said.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].