Mission accomplished. Jay Feely, the New York Jets kicker, was out to make the best of a situation I wouldn't wish upon my future mother-in-law--moving. Feely had to get from Florida to New Jersey in a U-Haul while towing a minivan on his way to the start of the NFL season. Feely's not exactly Jed Clampett, but he did find black gold in the form of the game of golf on this journey through states. And he was traveling with family. Scroll down and start from "Day 1" if you need to catch up. This is Feely's final diary post as a guest blogger on this trip. He played three rounds but only 43 holes. And as of Bayonne, it looks like he's still in line for an all-expenses-paid golf getaway to Ireland. 
The U-Haul arrived without incident at my home in New Jersey at 2 a.m. After unpacking in the morning and returning the truck, my move was officially over. However, my brother John and I were not yet done with our trip. I wanted to take John to one of my favorite courses--Bayonne (pictured above). In order to build Bayonne, there was 7.5 million cubic feet of dirt added to a land fill along the Hudson River that looks out to the Manhattan skyline and past Lady Liberty. The end result is a masterpiece that rivals any of the competition. When I moved to New Jersey for the first time, I had no bigger misconception about the New York City area than my ignorance concerning the quality of golf. Courses like Winged Foot, Baltusrol, Bethpage Black and Shinnecock are all legendary. The other stalwarts are Trump National Bedminster, Liberty National, Ridgewood, Ballyowen, and Bayonne.
From the minute you drive through the entrance to Bayonne you are transposed to a different world. Each hole meanders through its own maze surrounded by hills covered in tall grass. You're looking at New York City and yet you can't believe you're so close. The course is not long but there is no room for error. Hit it in the fescue and don’t bother wasting your time to look because, even if you find it, you can't hit it out.
The weather was not cooperating even though the clubhouse was brimming with golfers frothing at their mouths to play Bayonne’s playground. We waited two hours before we got in seven holes. That's when the lightning drove us all off the course for good. My brother John (pictured above on the right) said it best back in the clubhouse, “Seven holes at Bayonne is as good as 18 anywhere else.” The purpose of any golf trip with your buddies entails so much more than just golf. It's building relationships and celebrating those relationships through the common bond of golf. John and I were able laugh and golf, and even laugh at our golf. But more than anything else, we just enjoyed being together. Not too bad for a move across country.
My brothers are still on the hook for our trip to Ireland but they have another year to refine their games. Their best bet is always in January or February, right after the NFL season ends and I haven’t played in five months. Whether I pay or they pay, the end result will be an experience of a lifetime.
--Jay Feely
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