Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Golfing Mountain View- Review


When people think of California, they often think of sandy beaches or the fog-shrouded Golden Gate bridge. Yet perhaps one of the most important aspects to California is its massive farms. Nestled in part of this farm country in the Santa Clara River Valley are a few golf courses and I checked out Mountain View the other day.

While the course is really short, it is really tough with many holes going uphill or into the wind with narrow driving alleys to aim at.



The course was in pretty good condition the day I played, a bit soft in areas due to overwatering and the greens were a bit slow but they rolled true and the whole course was a delight.

What I appreciated the most was the pin position on greens. Often they were behind tall pine trees, on the edges of lakes, it was a fascinating setup and encouraged a gambler mindset. Sucker pins never were so fun to shoot at.


True to its name, there were many mountain views throughout the course and the topography plays a big part in the holes including an entire hole having basically a bowling bumper down the right side of the hole.


21 bucks for 18 holes and a 4 hour round is a pretty good deal in any golfers' book and will leave a little left in your wallet to pick up some fresh fruit and produce on your way out of town (although make sure to try the burgers in the clubhouse grill, they are great!).




For more information about Mountain View, check it out here: http://mountainviewgolfcourse.net/

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Coore Crenshaw Update



With my Coore Crenshaw quest kicking off in earnest, I come face to face with the fact that half the courses are private. With that I mind, I leaf through the pages of John Sabino's book about accessing the top courses in the world. Check out the latest Coore Crenshaw post here:

http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/05/getting-on-private-courses.html

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Coore Crenshaw Quest Update!



As all three readers of this blog knows, I am on a quest to play as many of the Coore-Crenshaw designed golf courses as I possibly can. For a current list of the courses, check out the link here: http://www.re-gripped.com/2015/05/coore-crenshaw-bucket-list.html

I have also started a stand-alone Website for my C+C Quest and I recommend you all update your bookmarks accordingly ;)

www.coorecrenshawquest.com

So far, I have played just one course but it was a doozy, Kapalua!


However, this year I am really ramping up my C+C game and thought I would update you guys on what is going on!

In a month I am going on an Arizona golf adventure and will be knocking off 3, count em 3, Coore-Crenshaw courses, We-Ko-Pa and the two courses at Talking Stick. I have never played golf in Arizona and I am expecting hot, heaping, heat but also great golf courses.

Next up, and BIG news, I have been invited to play at Sand Hills Golf Club!!!! I am beyond excited and have been bouncing off the walls since the invite. So many people say its a golf-life changing experience and I can't wait to experience it for myself!

Part of my Sand Hills trip will take me through Colorado and if I can manage it, I am hoping to get a round in at Colorado Golf Club, which sounds like an ultra-hard C+C track. This hopefully won't be my only trip to the heartland this year as Sand Valley is having a soft opening for its CC course in Wisconsin and I hope I get to see it in person!

Finally, my in-laws live in Texas. I love Texas golf and Texas in general, it really is a country onto itself in many ways which I find fascinating. What is also fascinating is that Texas has 2 Coore/Crenshaw tracks and I am hoping to play Barton Creek and figure out a way to play Trinity Forest which is opening in Dallas this Fall.

In summary: Coore/Crenshaw courses played so far 1 of 21. Definitely will be played after this year 6 of 21. Maybe possibly if I am a good boy will have played by the end of the year? 9 of 21! Wish me luck and if you do have any inroads to Coore/Crenshaw courses send them my way to peterflanigan@hotmail.com!