tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88603322377368420772024-03-13T03:07:01.416-07:00ReGrippedWriting about my golf travels around Los Angeles and beyond. Questing to play Cypress Point and all the Coore-Crenshaw courses. Plus gear reviews, live Masters blogs and general insanity.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-36072970035366446862022-03-20T09:59:00.002-07:002022-03-20T09:59:14.609-07:00Saticoy Regional Golf Course<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU4BtnokFVGOWN8lH2dp9_g5NZI0L_kA9Eb-lUvBsK-Yb6zbvVmi7Gs6WpMTyuREXTl1s_eUx6zyOIbAYa4h56oyqOqoUhohBkGfj5v-gVVkOukCCibko8VYIxLve0bPlEvlSqHIYF1X15hWhRVl5lvK9PzXg32fXKlwyMFVTiMpVjCzjzoNEYhNSRQ/s4032/IMG_9391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU4BtnokFVGOWN8lH2dp9_g5NZI0L_kA9Eb-lUvBsK-Yb6zbvVmi7Gs6WpMTyuREXTl1s_eUx6zyOIbAYa4h56oyqOqoUhohBkGfj5v-gVVkOukCCibko8VYIxLve0bPlEvlSqHIYF1X15hWhRVl5lvK9PzXg32fXKlwyMFVTiMpVjCzjzoNEYhNSRQ/w400-h300/IMG_9391.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have a soft spot in my heart for Ventura County golf courses as well as 9 hole courses. Saticoy Regional Golf Course might not have the most inspiring name for a golf course but it does provide a really fun round of golf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Example A is the first hole, shown above. The pro shop generally waved me in the direction of the tee box and as there was no signage that you are actually in the right place, once I got there I just hit away and hoped for the best. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Once I was safely off the tee, I realized what a weird, fun little hole this is. A SEVERE dogleg left despite the hole being less than 300 yards makes for an interesting first hole to say the least. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBl_NtLOxj1NIVQJbfRHjNlBzmMnhsktsBOyv_w6HC8QOyAd6F4GIPoI51-1d76QGYTN2MHkEVuE7TpyBDo6NuWL69saNplsdmv8Z20vD22ppT3Fp2YVoP2Bxuq6ch0Ri9evk6RUkG8cDMeudST9MJP3uWdE1gly-lnjMKbbz1lgNJFrrlUDaMBAYWw/s4032/IMG_9392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBl_NtLOxj1NIVQJbfRHjNlBzmMnhsktsBOyv_w6HC8QOyAd6F4GIPoI51-1d76QGYTN2MHkEVuE7TpyBDo6NuWL69saNplsdmv8Z20vD22ppT3Fp2YVoP2Bxuq6ch0Ri9evk6RUkG8cDMeudST9MJP3uWdE1gly-lnjMKbbz1lgNJFrrlUDaMBAYWw/w400-h300/IMG_9392.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Once you actually see the green, whomever designed this course decided to give you a lot to chew on for your second shot with a pretty significant bunker complex drawing your eye, especially with that pin placement. Ok Saticoy, you are giving me a lot to think about right out of the box! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The course continues to give you little wrinkles like that throughout the round including this fun par 4 which challenges to hit it straight as far as you dare before the road comes into play and then makes a 90 degree (!) turn left to the green. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85_efPhIQdfcHxMlNGVhvctNCTwtHd4AbpQenyOgmPtlNbACj99kKGYjmaEGGaA6TZ1OSDuoyg8EWJhCRuCQfilw7kzU15pQ78_GG6gFWkMXafbLy209XY9s7sKSlOdWTDekBiF41V9PBs0gwQIZtPXPePSk7bmOy26zeTxxQgTHve_p_8P-UNsetMA/s4032/IMG_9394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85_efPhIQdfcHxMlNGVhvctNCTwtHd4AbpQenyOgmPtlNbACj99kKGYjmaEGGaA6TZ1OSDuoyg8EWJhCRuCQfilw7kzU15pQ78_GG6gFWkMXafbLy209XY9s7sKSlOdWTDekBiF41V9PBs0gwQIZtPXPePSk7bmOy26zeTxxQgTHve_p_8P-UNsetMA/w400-h300/IMG_9394.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Speaking of the road, you can't help but notice it as the Ventura roads boxes in the course on three sides along with some homes. I would maybe think twice about airing it out with a driver on a few of these holes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">No matter how you get to the greens, they will definitely keep you engaged with their sloping, the bunkering, their je ne sais qua. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufUq9wDN3Dh9nQklISYLX3PHwtaVKjcKtOL08Hky5oOtm4xtm5E61T2EjBZoan4tPjzMKJWp3bN1-QBeJ8lKk0CC9B5JuBhUnUNgn2TK-wW4AJ65cKKoi3qWAXWFx2rtZkrMd9RTOIHTPNAdUacNedVbF_eNlp_p4J6HtDrgH7n6dbilknIaVmBO8RA/s4032/IMG_9395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufUq9wDN3Dh9nQklISYLX3PHwtaVKjcKtOL08Hky5oOtm4xtm5E61T2EjBZoan4tPjzMKJWp3bN1-QBeJ8lKk0CC9B5JuBhUnUNgn2TK-wW4AJ65cKKoi3qWAXWFx2rtZkrMd9RTOIHTPNAdUacNedVbF_eNlp_p4J6HtDrgH7n6dbilknIaVmBO8RA/w400-h300/IMG_9395.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Saticoy is definitely not like its bigger brother (one of the most underrated golf courses in the country <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2018/12/the-saticoy-club-review.html">i</a><a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2018/12/the-saticoy-club-review.html">n my opinion</a>) but for a 9 holer in the midst of Ventura California roadways, this is a fun, funky course and well worth your two hours if you find yourself out by the best coast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p>For more information on Saticoy check out the link: <a href="https://www.saticoygc.com/">https://www.saticoygc.com/</a></p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-77774430394723348392022-03-06T09:40:00.000-08:002022-03-06T09:40:57.081-08:00Soule Park<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6CsBFEAx2NzPcVkpvzzCRxL5Gxq7sbu6yGY19kb7__EvCJEEf7Y2aTm0a01NSdw2f5j7ne0muVP2EVbPy-iQBqhQ_xGuQLGkwLLaEY2cQrdlhL900a8Gu3JgXL8XdEUNit2Fqtqc-knoWwFLsziP5TFU6vd4SF0GzzoA2yWm3qlrbKAckwvOn-UOQlg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6CsBFEAx2NzPcVkpvzzCRxL5Gxq7sbu6yGY19kb7__EvCJEEf7Y2aTm0a01NSdw2f5j7ne0muVP2EVbPy-iQBqhQ_xGuQLGkwLLaEY2cQrdlhL900a8Gu3JgXL8XdEUNit2Fqtqc-knoWwFLsziP5TFU6vd4SF0GzzoA2yWm3qlrbKAckwvOn-UOQlg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Soule Park, located in Ojai California, is really what public golf should be about in the 2020s. An affordable public course that challenges your golf game by maximizing the topography while not being too overwhelming as to cause you conniption fits and give up the game entirely. In other words, it is a balanced course that offers something for everyone. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDUGwNrYi46kDwZbg1m6w4-wOPkiz52xY3d_6ok--4cUkJWJUO-t3tzcVF_IR-i7rBU7cS3dlX8Y7FSst-fNlB_MObKBAVLOz9uLfCkiwekISAiBh6UaO9RCYVwHOGZ1Gr7JokyVJyXrt_oCdInY6zPk9UFhOz6vCqYgGd47MFK0U0qTbhrKq_3dEHmg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDUGwNrYi46kDwZbg1m6w4-wOPkiz52xY3d_6ok--4cUkJWJUO-t3tzcVF_IR-i7rBU7cS3dlX8Y7FSst-fNlB_MObKBAVLOz9uLfCkiwekISAiBh6UaO9RCYVwHOGZ1Gr7JokyVJyXrt_oCdInY6zPk9UFhOz6vCqYgGd47MFK0U0qTbhrKq_3dEHmg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The course looks pretty flat from the road but don't let those looks fool you. One of Soule's strength's is giving you multiple different looks off the tee. Both the first and tenth holes feature significant elevation <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUUHn73V78Olj5Rp4Q-cW1pIdjoR89LZslRn3yFUP8d3EE8UeVle1M2HBmFMlZ2E6R29iewQcGJqBFlSofFAm4gnq-CKNQ6OshYPhTtlaDbMEq2fMr4mOTMYw6mTi007rf0rVEwS7R42IDSesm_b6wU36uoctKcWom-fCeXO4Qau265bJlFQktNQ56bA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUUHn73V78Olj5Rp4Q-cW1pIdjoR89LZslRn3yFUP8d3EE8UeVle1M2HBmFMlZ2E6R29iewQcGJqBFlSofFAm4gnq-CKNQ6OshYPhTtlaDbMEq2fMr4mOTMYw6mTi007rf0rVEwS7R42IDSesm_b6wU36uoctKcWom-fCeXO4Qau265bJlFQktNQ56bA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>and there are several forced carries which forces the golfer to pay attention off the tee. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0MB3bjNM9IJ-LBaLFsiASW_PWn9FuiQw8uMZ4PKMKxhlBAQ9qF_8xcOddGLNL0VhT4jrOj9m7ZAWeN0hVEuo2axjhBgm7mTrUim1YkPRz7Mn6MzkgLS16pb700ZuZcHSNwqjufywrPYBrhYPNQL79az-BewGo_3u3XBiB0lDw_oG8ztxWr0aIF9PjoA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0MB3bjNM9IJ-LBaLFsiASW_PWn9FuiQw8uMZ4PKMKxhlBAQ9qF_8xcOddGLNL0VhT4jrOj9m7ZAWeN0hVEuo2axjhBgm7mTrUim1YkPRz7Mn6MzkgLS16pb700ZuZcHSNwqjufywrPYBrhYPNQL79az-BewGo_3u3XBiB0lDw_oG8ztxWr0aIF9PjoA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>What really piqued my interest about Soule was not the interesting routing, the fun green complexes nor the general Ojai vibe (which is truly a plus for any round played in that area). No, instead, I really dug the fairway bunkers and hazards. This course clearly took some design cues from the Golden Age courses and aded some really great looking, and treacherous, fairway bunkers. I loved these things! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-iDJc2DXiKVbrhs2iny1HtsTQCEQFOjR2RoTEu88c6HKF2DnVgBt2B9DqKDLBaEhidoZdyYImD2wils7v27Ln20GdqLDUQBpN7fXOUBji5HVsg2ziMU4XYo82fQNLWgxkR0dE1b5xlk8GwgUD4HLW5HWXOl79aCryfOOSlEolSXmoEUWUeXrcm-4pIQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-iDJc2DXiKVbrhs2iny1HtsTQCEQFOjR2RoTEu88c6HKF2DnVgBt2B9DqKDLBaEhidoZdyYImD2wils7v27Ln20GdqLDUQBpN7fXOUBji5HVsg2ziMU4XYo82fQNLWgxkR0dE1b5xlk8GwgUD4HLW5HWXOl79aCryfOOSlEolSXmoEUWUeXrcm-4pIQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTOapsWNfp_-SPXGPTPmi4Wd_TGLMRZwY3P1pf_ftjk55f49zwpOl7b9z6pmqmGs2BDX6UcInEDt1sXQn7nQ5yqOmrDu4PKl_W0Sq_mof9G3-ylsqarQRWJuh1d3z3s8-ExKJjMZ4QtLJ5eysFTWWmZ_YZROjLfs9eGjHUXmWRKCOKLmcs3CuQBu8R8w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTOapsWNfp_-SPXGPTPmi4Wd_TGLMRZwY3P1pf_ftjk55f49zwpOl7b9z6pmqmGs2BDX6UcInEDt1sXQn7nQ5yqOmrDu4PKl_W0Sq_mof9G3-ylsqarQRWJuh1d3z3s8-ExKJjMZ4QtLJ5eysFTWWmZ_YZROjLfs9eGjHUXmWRKCOKLmcs3CuQBu8R8w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Also, I am sucker for railroad car-type mounding in fairways. The inverse of a bunker but just as interesting to try and navigate, not too many courses have these but I wish they did! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF86KebpgRhvyqLVWqdOgQxgM3ugoFsKTRT26YaVOwqYP5UZ3r7hfnRMD6A8rRUBDHdi_wXQH2YKwOK_U29KxjohXPaT0X27WErNFwBqXxc-F6EZyUi_a7DzO0v8mqE1bubm6jnSzJRTUrGXHJSTCbDlD1aRH-NxRgaxZ_fjFYZtPEtXyL5Uj1Ty1GWQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF86KebpgRhvyqLVWqdOgQxgM3ugoFsKTRT26YaVOwqYP5UZ3r7hfnRMD6A8rRUBDHdi_wXQH2YKwOK_U29KxjohXPaT0X27WErNFwBqXxc-F6EZyUi_a7DzO0v8mqE1bubm6jnSzJRTUrGXHJSTCbDlD1aRH-NxRgaxZ_fjFYZtPEtXyL5Uj1Ty1GWQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The framing of the course off the tee, the fairway hazards and the green complexes all ask the golfer questions which require intentionality throughout the round rather than just blasting away and trying to overwhelm the course with length/strength. Too often, I see courses where you just hit away off the tee and only have to start grinding close to the green, that isn't the case here. </p><p>Soule Park isn't all peaches and cream. The last 3 holes are pretty uninspiring due to their flat, parkland routing. It reminded me a bit of <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2015/08/golfing-monarch-beach.html" target="_blank">Monarch Beach</a> where if you just changed the routing, you could get the boring holes out of the way first and then build to the really special holes. </p><p>My amateur golf architecture rant aside, Soule Park really is a solid course that will engage different aspects of your golf game over multiple rounds, which is all you can ask from a public course in this day and age. If you are ever in Ojai, this plus a round at the <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2015/11/golfing-ojai-valley-inn-review.html" target="_blank">Valley Inn</a> will give you one of the best golf weekends you could ask for in SoCal. </p><p>For more info on Soule Park, check out the link! <a href="https://www.soulepark.com/">https://www.soulepark.com/</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBbhHBBjEj_6KkDUEcG92_haKnetSM2KctkWeN_ND-iY3QUaW6hc8Z2BL-RCdqCPJgGmOJcCArDxadlldYTQqTxtKW8PQj1wYMkvWZfXlAlfmgkCLZPKbnPoeTva1IrVb0z-6aKxcuqqgffyPUXSGGO-d5zgtx0n0HsNerJn9Lgp1ZfYAwLWRtjo6jew=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBbhHBBjEj_6KkDUEcG92_haKnetSM2KctkWeN_ND-iY3QUaW6hc8Z2BL-RCdqCPJgGmOJcCArDxadlldYTQqTxtKW8PQj1wYMkvWZfXlAlfmgkCLZPKbnPoeTva1IrVb0z-6aKxcuqqgffyPUXSGGO-d5zgtx0n0HsNerJn9Lgp1ZfYAwLWRtjo6jew=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-38893762492629856392020-05-25T07:30:00.000-07:002020-05-25T07:30:02.856-07:00Dream Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9N0uld_tHbU/XsVq9jtoE4I/AAAAAAAAON0/CdS249S7cRgsKh52tdBfPaG8t0Pa97pEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mornington_Peninsula_Golf_Trail_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="650" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9N0uld_tHbU/XsVq9jtoE4I/AAAAAAAAON0/CdS249S7cRgsKh52tdBfPaG8t0Pa97pEACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Mornington_Peninsula_Golf_Trail_Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Australia has a ton of amazing courses. New South Wales, Royal Melbourne, Cape Wickham, Kingston Heath, Barnbougle, Royal Adelaide, the list is long and glorious. Australia is a long haul from Los Angeles so if I was ever to go there, I would definitely try and play as many of the top flight courses as I could.<br />
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However, a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL4n6CubFVo">video by Erik Anders Lang </a>reminded me of the great tracks on the Mornington Peninsula and I decided this week to do a deep dive into them to come up with a dream itinerary to the Mornington Peninsula.<br />
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The folks at Golf Mornington Peninsula put together the Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail which I used as inspiration for a dream trip to Australia. Come with me, won't you, as I rattle through this underground Aussie golf hotspot!<br />
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1) <u><b><a href="https://standrewsbeachgolf.com.au/">St Andrews Beach</a></b></u><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk1WVGyXcE0/XsWJo6s__4I/AAAAAAAAOOc/x3GlHSdDLMU08wn7X9ihCNYNAPajRY-QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/St_Andrews_Beach_Secondary_Navy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk1WVGyXcE0/XsWJo6s__4I/AAAAAAAAOOc/x3GlHSdDLMU08wn7X9ihCNYNAPajRY-QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/St_Andrews_Beach_Secondary_Navy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There looks like there are a lot of great golf courses on the way from Melbourne International Airport but my first stop has to be the course that first sparked my interested in the Peninsula several years ago, St Andrew's Beach. The course was designed by Tom Doak and has been the darling of the <a href="https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/st-andrews-beach">Top 100 Reviewers</a> for years. Apparently this is one of Daok's favorite courses and after watching this video, I can see why:<br />
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The outrageous bunkers, the land movement, and perhaps most importantly, the <a href="https://mrdoll.blogspot.com/2011/01/st-andrews-beach-golf-course-jan-2011.html">kangaroos</a>! I have always wanted to play golf surrounded by kangaroos and SAB looks like it would fulfill my dream in spades.<br />
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From the reviews, it sounds like you get a lot of flavors with this course, between big dunes to wide open spaces and since variety is the spice of life, spice me up! Plus SAB is pretty reasonably priced coming out on the top end at $62 USD (2020 prices) which is even more reason to visit the course.<br />
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SAB also has stay and play options in villas which look pretty sweet to me: <a href="https://standrewsbeachgolf.com.au/accommodation/">https://standrewsbeachgolf.com.au/accommodation/</a> After the round I might have to amble over to the St Andrews Beach Brewery for some pints and for a great start to my Australian adventure! <a href="https://standrewsbeachbrewery.com.au/">https://standrewsbeachbrewery.com.au/</a><br />
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2) <u><b><a href="https://www.thedunes.com.au/golf/prices-and-information/">The Dunes Golf Links</a></b></u><br />
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Ahhh the Dunes, what a gorgeous looking course! 2 to be exact, with 27 holes of fun on the offing the Dunes course seems to provide anything a public golfer could want in Australia. While the club does have a waiting list to become a member, as far as I can determine it is a true daily fee facility with the top rate coming in at about $64 USD (as of 2020).<br />
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The Dunes course was created by Tony Cashmore who I was wholly unaware of but has apparently designed over 30 courses in Australia and beyond including the <a href="https://www.13thbeachgolf.com/cms/">13th Beach course</a> (which has also been on my radar). Well Tony, it looks like you have done a fantastic job with this course!<br />
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The fairways look tight and firm, the greens look like they are in amazing shape and I can feel the sea breeze coming through my monitor just checking out this video:<br />
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It reminded Lang of Rustic Canyon, one of my favorite tracks here in SoCal and I can't say I disagree. The shot shapes, the flow of the land seems very Rustic-y, which is a high compliment.<br />
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One of the things I have been noticing lately about great daily fee places that are located in more remote areas is that they are building onsite lodging (looking at you <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/08/99-holes-in-heartland-wild-horse-golf.html">Wild Horse</a>) and the Dunes is building some great looking lodging!<br />
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<a href="https://www.thedunes.com.au/accommodation/">https://www.thedunes.com.au/accommodation/</a><br />
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So you get a great public course and get to stay there, sounds like a win-win to me!<br />
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3) <u><b><a href="https://www.nationalgolf.com.au/cms/play-the-courses/visitors-information/">The National (Moonah)</a></b></u><br />
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The National is one of the most intriguing private courses in Australia. To me, it is a "private course for all" with over 3,200 members but they seem to be able to accommodate them all with 4 golf courses that are part of the club. While The National is private, many Australian courses adhere to the UK model by offering limited public play and if given the chance, sign me up for the Moonah course.<br />
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The routing from the above map looks crazy but fun. Kind of an out-and-back in the shape of a hook? The Moonah course was designed by Greg Norman and I haven't had a chance to play any courses designed by him but according to online reviews, this is one of his best designs.<br />
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For me the 14th hole really takes the cake with a drive over scrub to a rumpled fairway all the while going downhill to a green surrounded by scary bunkers and scrub in the back. Looks like a blast!<br />
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Apparently there is a composite course that the members play once a month that takes you over 6 holes from each of the three courses on the MP. Now that sounds like a really fun day!<br />
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4) <u><b><a href="https://www.flindersgolfclub.com.au/cms/">Flinders Golf Club</a></b></u><br />
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At a top rate of $44 USD, Flinders may be the cheapest golf course on this list but it has something going for it that no other golf course on the MP has, <a href="https://www.flindersgolfclub.com.au/cms/visitors-and-social-groups/history/">Alister MacKenzie</a>. One of the best architects in the world consulted on this course when he was working on Royal Melbourne and the fourth hole, The Coffin, was directly designed by him.<br />
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There are plenty of reasons to play Flinders other than this hole of course. The holes named Pine Gap, Fairly Dell and Aunt Sally all look top notch and this seems like a really welcoming club.<br />
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This club is the oldest one in Victoria and I can dare say I never heard of Flinders before writing this article but it is definitely on my must play list when I visit the MP! They also have a pretty killer stay and play package as well: <a href="https://www.flindersgolfclub.com.au/cms/visitors-and-social-groups/stay-play-options/">https://www.flindersgolfclub.com.au/cms/visitors-and-social-groups/stay-play-options/</a><br />
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5) <u><b><a href="https://www.portseagolf.com.au/cms/">Portsea Golf Club</a></b></u><br />
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It is only fitting that I finish my Mornington Peninsula golf adventure by playing the course at the very tip, Portsea. Portsea looks like a rollicking good time and my favorite hole (from afar) would have to be the 10th, Little Devil.<br />
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A par 4 at only 279 yards but uphill, a TON of trouble to the left and once you gain the green you have an awesome elevated view of the surrounding countryside. I think I could play this hole every day and twice on Sundays.<br />
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The greens fees are very reasonable as well (topping out at $62 USD in 2020) and the course also offers some great stay and play packages. <a href="https://www.portseagolf.com.au/cms/stay-play/">https://www.portseagolf.com.au/cms/stay-play/</a><br />
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From online reviews, the course seems to have a lot of undulating fairways, winds and quick greens. Sign me up for all three!<br />
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Finally, while not part of the "official" Golf Trail, there is one more Mornington Peninsula golf course, I must discuss:<br />
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<b><u>***<a href="https://www.peninsulakingswood.com.au/cms/visitors/">Peninsula Kingswood (North)</a></u></b><br />
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When you talk about Melbourne golf, you are talking the Sandbelt. A geological feature containing sandy loam subsoil perfect for giving rise to some of the best golf in the world. Peninsula Kingswood sits at the southernmost end of the Sandbelt and halfway down the Mornington Peninsula. If I am going all the way to Australia, I need to get some sand under my belt and while PK is a private course, thankfully they do accept some visitor play.<br />
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If I ever became a member of a private course, I would ideally want to be a member of a place that has 27-36 holes and PK certainly fits the bill with two 18 hole courses (North and South). The North is more lauded amongst the two and looking at the pictures (like the one above) only makes it want it more. Also, true to its Sandbelt heritage, so much sand!<br />
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The course was recently renovated by Mike Clayton (who you should definitely check out on the <a href="https://stateofthegame.fireside.fm/">State Of The Game</a> podcast) and people are already raving about it. The topography, the bunkers, it seems like an amazing course and would make for a great start (or capstone) to my trip to the MP!<br />
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In researching MP golf courses, I was surprised how many of them offer onsite accommodations and PK is no different with some pretty killer looking accommodations. <a href="https://www.peninsulakingswood.com.au/cms/accommodation/">https://www.peninsulakingswood.com.au/cms/accommodation/</a> So 1) I hope I get to Australia and 2) I hope PK extends me an invite to play!<br />
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So there you have it, so many great golf courses, all waiting for me to book a trip on Qantas to get down to see them! Have you played on the Peninsula? Which tracks do you like? Let me know in the comments!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-76175696884662970582020-05-18T11:48:00.000-07:002020-05-21T07:09:06.221-07:00Underground UK Golf Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently researching <a href="https://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/">West Lancs</a> and <a href="https://www.burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk/">Burnham and Berrow</a> and realized that increasingly over the last few years, I have been drawn to the lesser know courses in the UK rather than the top dogs. As several readers know, my mania about the fun, quirky and the under-the-radar courses is such that I want to be a member of <a href="https://www.northberwickgolfclub.com/">North Berwick</a> despite not having set foot on the ground.<br />
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I have had some time on my hands recently and began thinking about UK golf trips. If I were to plan a UK golf trip and didn't play any of the Top 100 in the world courses during my time there (goodbye Old Course, Sunningdale, RCP, Royal Porthcawl and Royal County Down) and wanted to play nothing but under the radar, fun quirky courses, what would I play and how would I do it?<br />
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Come with me, won't you, as I sharpen my explorer's pencil for the "ultimate" underground UK golf trip (your results may vary)!<br />
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<u><b>Day 1</b></u>: Fly into Heathrow and on to <a href="https://www.hindheadgolfclub.co.uk/"><b>Hindhead Golf Club</b></a>!<br />
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Most visitors to the London area probably fly into Heathrow and if you do, there are so many good heathland courses just South of the airport in the county of Surrey. I want healthland to be my first round but for purposes of this trip, it also must be fun, quirky and under the radar. Enter Hindhead, only 44 minutes from Heathrow. Glaciers made the front 9 look like a rollercoaster and all that heather looks glorious! Hindhead is a favorite of Peter Alliss who narrates this short intro to the club with some rocking 80s synth music.<br />
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The Club dates back to 1904, I'm in love with the logo and the course looks like a rollicking start to my UK trip. The bunkers with the swaying grass will sure to ease my mind and body into my UK experience. Sign me up for my first round in the UK at this place!<br />
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<b><u>Day 2</u></b>: I now make my way to the coast to visit <a href="https://www.haylinggolf.co.uk/"><b>Hayling Golf Club</b></a>! </div>
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Since the England is an island, you better believe I am going to playing seaside golf quickly and often. Hayling doesn't get a lot of publicity but I have been eyeing it for awhile because it looks like a really fun track and its amazing to me that the course was founded in 1883.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo via the Hayling GC website)</span><br />
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The second hole (above) is named the Sea Hole looks particularly fantastic and I have a dream about getting a bacon roll at the Beach Cafe after putting out on the 13th hole. Who doesn't have dreams about golf and bacon rolls? Hayling will inspire those dreams I tells ya!<br />
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<u><b>Day 3</b></u>: Onto <a href="https://www.perranporthgolfclub.co.uk/"><b>Perranporth</b></a>! </div>
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Yes I am bypassing the aforementioned B&B and yes this is the first golf course that doesn't start with the letter H and finally yes, I have NO idea what Cornwall is all about but I have heard great things about this course. Let's take a look shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og5PJHXEm6o/Xr3XYRspx2I/AAAAAAAAOLc/mCKwHFV_b_Q6ujpkmNErfrUJo-Y2ens8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/external-content.duckduckgo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og5PJHXEm6o/Xr3XYRspx2I/AAAAAAAAOLc/mCKwHFV_b_Q6ujpkmNErfrUJo-Y2ens8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/external-content.duckduckgo-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo via the Perranporth GC website)</span><br />
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This course just looks like it has a TON of character. Be sure to go to their website and look at the "god's eye view" of the course, the hills, the dales, the sea, I am now officially all about Cornwall and all about this course! Also check out this logo! Digging that fish!<br />
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<u><b>Day 4</b></u>: Fly out of the Cornwall Airport Newquay to Newcastle to play <a href="https://www.bamburghcastlegolfclub.co.uk/"><b>Bamburgh Castle</b></a>!<br />
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<img /><iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d528043.3406676477!2d-2.9975809296204754!3d55.612707261024255!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e0!4m5!1s0x487e767809b133b5%3A0xdcf4b2895d1c4746!2sNewcastle%20Airport%20(NCL)%2C%20Woolsington%2C%20Newcastle%20upon%20Tyne%2C%20UK!3m2!1d55.037447799999995!2d-1.7098662999999998!4m5!1s0x4880ad033d99db61%3A0xf1435a1d689238b8!2sBamburgh%20Castle%20Golf%20Club%2C%20The%20Wynding%2C%20Bamburgh%2C%20UK!3m2!1d55.616267!2d-1.7276749999999998!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1589500961933!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="600"></iframe><img />
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Why am I in love with this course already? Is it because the 1st hole is an absolutely jaw dropper? Is it because the 1st hole is also named "The Dinkie"?<br />
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Playing in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle really brings an extra element to the proceedings. As an American I have an inbuilt love/hate relationship with monarchies but I loves me a good castle. The course might measure 5,621 yards but I think I will treasure every yard I get to walk if I am lucky enough to play here.<br />
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A 5 day ticket is only 150 Pounds! Do they offer an overseas membership? BCGC, where have ya been all 'me life?<br />
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<u><b>Day 4</b></u>: Trucking to <a href="http://www.eyemouthgolfclub.co.uk/"><b>Eyemouth Golf Club</b></a>!<br />
<img /><iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d263191.6370960181!2d-2.19618041768212!3d55.73589350872737!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e0!4m5!1s0x4880ad033d99db61%3A0xf1435a1d689238b8!2sBamburgh%20Castle%20Golf%20Club%2C%20The%20Wynding%2C%20Bamburgh%2C%20UK!3m2!1d55.616267!2d-1.7276749999999998!4m5!1s0x488738f94c54bf61%3A0xccba49593bff1295!2sEyemouth%20Golf%20Club%2C%20Gunsgreenhill%2C%20Eyemouth%2C%20UK!3m2!1d55.8690508!2d-2.0826655!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1589502274809!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="600"></iframe><img />
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Would you play a course for just one hole? 17 holes, great, sure but what if it all comes down to one incredible hole that you will describe to your grandchildren one day? I think Eyemouth (unreal name by the way) has such a hole, their sixth hole to be precise:<br />
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I mean just look at that thing. Do you hit over a cliff to another cliff and then over stone walls to a green? Outrageous! Speaking of outrageous, this routing of Eyemouth is fascinating and would love to see how this actually works in practice.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo via the Eyemouth website)</span></div>
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Eyemouth would be my first Scottish course of the trip and what a weird wonderful doozy this would be!<br />
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<u><b>Day 5</b></u>: Wrapping it all up with <a href="http://www.dunbargolfclub.com/"><b>Dunbar Golf Club</b></a>!<br />
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Nope, not Muirfield, not Gullane, not my beloved North Berwick. The course I am hitting up in the East Lothian area on this trip is Dunbar! First, I love that someone reviewed Dunbar by saying the course provides "just about everything you could ask for".<br />
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I ask for a lot and even though this is a promotional video that I am taking with some salt, my mouth is watering for this course!<br />
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Everything I have read is that Dunbar is a lot of fun, very welcoming and has a great atmosphere, exactly what I am looking for! Plus their overseas membership fees are very intriguing, <u>VERY</u> intriguing!<br />
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Speaking of my mouth watering (from two paragraphs ago), after spending so much time golfing I would chow down at <a href="https://creelrestaurant.co.uk/">Creel</a>, not only the number one restaurant in Dunbar but one of the top restaurants in all of Scotland. A delicious way to end the trip!<br />
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So there you have it, 6 courses in 5 days traveling ALL over the UK. Of course, I realize Northern Ireland was excluded on this trip but I am putting Castlerock up there as a must play place when I visit. I also realize that I have left off some classic underground UK courses including Shiskine, Castletown, Hunstanton, Nefyn & District, the list goes on and on. Just even more reason to get out there and gowf them all!</div>
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What are some of your favourite underground UK courses? What should I check out after my inevitable 30 straight days of golfing North Berwick? Let me know in the comments! </div>
<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-48727745275142152242020-05-05T12:44:00.002-07:002020-05-21T07:09:15.308-07:00Becoming An Overseas Member Of A UK Royal Golf Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnEstuyW-08/Xq3gXCwbgAI/AAAAAAAAOKU/UCmSArFj7LsMxewjRe5VsIHQLwuefnwDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Royal%2BCourses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnEstuyW-08/Xq3gXCwbgAI/AAAAAAAAOKU/UCmSArFj7LsMxewjRe5VsIHQLwuefnwDACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Royal%2BCourses.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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Even though I have never played golf over in the UK, I find myself thinking, boy it would be great to be a member of courses I have admired from afar but never played like <a href="https://www.royalcountydown.org/">Royal County Down</a>, <a href="https://www.royalporthcawl.com/">Royal Porthcawl </a>or <a href="https://www.royalcinqueports.com/">Royal Cinque Ports</a>. A big part of the reason for my interest is that these courses seem to be great places to play and also just to hang out and be a member.<br />
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Another factor stems from a great thing about the UK model of golf in that many of the courses you hear about are technically "private" but they allow outside/public play and by doing so, keep the membership fees to something reasonable.<br />
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Most private golf courses in the UK have membership options on their websites with all the numbers and membership terms so you can daydream or seriously consider becoming a member. Not necessarily so with "Royal" golf clubs. Royal golf clubs are clubs that have an association with the British monarchy (<a href="https://www.golfdigest.com/story/british-open-2017-how-does-a-golf-club-get-to-call-itself-royal-a-primer">usually it takes a royal person to be a member of a club plus an application process</a>) and there are currently <a href="http://www.davidsroyalgolfballs.net/inlist.htm">62 of them throughout the world</a>. Royal golf clubs seem to keep how one becomes a member and how much membership costs very close to the vest.<br />
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Recently I took a look around at the UK Royal websites, daydreaming as usual, and was surprised that a few of them are upfront about how you become a member. The information that I could find, I share with y'all with a surprising discovery at the end!<br />
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<u><b>Royal Dornoch</b></u>:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeZ77C4eUzE/Xq3IdNVOiFI/AAAAAAAAOIk/zEDdhi6jZ6QYbiZY3rOAzu7n95sQTwp8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/external-content.duckduckgo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeZ77C4eUzE/Xq3IdNVOiFI/AAAAAAAAOIk/zEDdhi6jZ6QYbiZY3rOAzu7n95sQTwp8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/external-content.duckduckgo-1.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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Very reasonable membership fees with a 1,080 Pounds buy-in plus 540 Pounds a year in dues. The first course on the list is one of the best prices I could find for a top tier course (except for one notable exception below), especially if I wanted to be an overseas member. They don't seem to have any obvious "must know 3 members and also be a member of another club" type rules that I can see making this a GREAT option to join. RD is also a course I might realistically join for the quality of the golf, the history and as a side benefit, it is close to a Coore & Crenshaw course they are trying to build in the area.<br />
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<a href="https://royaldornoch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Membership-benefits-at-Royal-Dornoch-2020.pdf">https://royaldornoch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Membership-benefits-at-Royal-Dornoch-2020.pdf</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal Musselburgh</b></u><br />
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Ok, wow this course offer an overseas membership of 352 Pounds a year for the sixth oldest golf course int he world! The membership application looks really straightforward too and speaks to the laidback nature that I get from the website.<br />
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<a href="https://www.royalmusselburgh.co.uk/join-royal-musselburgh/">https://www.royalmusselburgh.co.uk/join-royal-musselburgh/</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal Ascot</b></u><br />
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Billed as "one [of] the friendliest clubs around", the club charges a reasonable 550 Pounds per year for overseas members. They also have a "buddy scheme" to help settle new members to help make friends which I think is a great idea. More clubs so be invested in incorporating members into the club culture once they join. Good on ya RA!<br />
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<a href="https://www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk/uploads/document/enquiry-pack-march-2020-sm-1583398098.pdf">https://www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk/uploads/document/enquiry-pack-march-2020-sm-1583398098.pdf</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal Epping Forest</b></u><br />
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This is a fascinating "Royal" course. The course is owned by the members yet the City of London administers the course. Thus you can become a member for 420 Pounds but will have to pay separate greens fees when you play. Interesting!<br />
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<a href="https://www.refgc.co.uk/membership">https://www.refgc.co.uk/membership</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal Cromer</b></u><br />
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The course looks beautiful nestled up by the cliffs near Norwich. Royal Cromer offers a "Country" membership (which I have always assumed to apply to overseas members but I think just applies to residents "in" country) for the low price of 550 Pounds a year. Another benefit of this course are reciprocal rounds with multiple royal golf courses. I am a big fan of reciprocal rounds and would only join a golf course with the ability to play others (counterintuitive I know).<br />
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<a href="https://howdidido.blob.core.windows.net/clubsitespublic/file_e76e27cd-45cc-4e33-b9dd-75dea620d919.pdf">https://howdidido.blob.core.windows.net/clubsitespublic/file_e76e27cd-45cc-4e33-b9dd-75dea620d919.pdf</a><br />
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<b><u>Royal Eastbourne</u></b><br />
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First this club has 2 courses, always a benefit when looking to be a member somewhere. Secondly it seems like they have a lot of flexibility with membership, including a winter membership for 6 months for only 250 Pounds. The thing I like most about the course is that they brag about having one of the best greenskeepers (Paul McDowell) which I LOVE. Yes, be proud of your staff!<br />
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<a href="https://www.regc.co.uk/membership_offers">https://www.regc.co.uk/membership_offers</a><br />
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<u><b>Duff House Royal Golf Club</b></u><br />
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Do you know that Alister MacKenzie redesigned a royal golf course in Scotland? An overseas membership to this undiscovered gem is only 290 Pounds a year. Plus what is up with that name? I guess it is named after the local mansion but still, Duff House, love it!<br />
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<a href="https://www.duffhouseroyal.com/membership">https://www.duffhouseroyal.com/membership</a><br />
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<b><u>Royal Montrose Mercantile Golf Club</u></b><br />
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160 Pounds for the year, not bad, not bad at all. Also what is interesting here is that there were two clubs with the first getting royal designation in 1845. Both clubs merged just in 2019 although why they chose Mercantile in the title is unknown to me. It's a very British title though!<br />
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<a href="https://www.royalmontrosemercantilegolfclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RMMGC-Membership-Fees.pdf">https://www.royalmontrosemercantilegolfclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RMMGC-Membership-Fees.pdf</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal Norwich</b></u><br />
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RN has a fascinating membership format in addition to the regular 5, 6, 7 day membership. It looks like you can buy membership points and then use them to play rounds at the course with most, if not all, of the advantages of regular membership. What an interesting idea and something I wish private courses here in America would adopt.<br />
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<a href="https://www.royalnorwichgolf.co.uk/braid-points-membership/">https://www.royalnorwichgolf.co.uk/braid-points-membership/</a><br />
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<u><b>Royal North Devon</b></u><br />
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<br />
I have always been intrigued by RND, it seems like a fantastic course and boy are they having a fascinating sale! If you are applying for overseas membership right now in 2020, there is no initiation fee and it looks like membership only costs 260 Pounds a year! I mean the quality of the course and the price kinda makes me want to join this club even though I don't live in the UK!<br />
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<a href="https://www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk/visitors/membership-subscriptions">https://www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk/visitors/membership-subscriptions</a><br />
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So there you have it. Should I become a RD or RND member (if either one will have me)? What about the Royal Porthcawls, Cinque Ports and County Downs of the world? Anyone want to bring me into the fold?<br />
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If anyone knows how to become a member of any of the other Royal courses let me know in the comments! Also, what course would you want to join if you could? Let me know in the comments!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-67342160727256174082020-04-20T17:47:00.001-07:002020-04-20T17:47:34.172-07:00Cypress Point Quest - Day 1862<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FyVoyL9CgY/XpskOncYRzI/AAAAAAAAOHM/OosH8dx9LNgTdEgX7bO632H4YDcyIgcMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="376" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FyVoyL9CgY/XpskOncYRzI/AAAAAAAAOHM/OosH8dx9LNgTdEgX7bO632H4YDcyIgcMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/cyp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Update</b></u>:<br />
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My online and in-person leads to play Cypress Point have been drying up over this last year. Additionally with my Coore/Crenshaw quest still ongoing, my golf travels have started to focus on the East Coast, where there is less of a chance to meet members connected to CPC. Drastic measures needed to be taken in order to put me in a position to finally gain an invite to this wonderful course.<br />
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So I decided to take the plunge and book a golf vacation over a long weekend at my favorite spot in the world, the Monterey Peninsula. Yes, I was finally going to play Pebble, <a href="https://www.re-gripped.com/2018/02/regripped-visits-att-pro-am-day-2.html">a course that has won me over in person</a>, as well as Spyglass and Spanish Bay. By putting myself up there for a solid 5 plus days with 2-3 days devoted to non-Cypress golf, I figured it would give me as good a shot as any to get on the course.<br />
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The problem is of course the ongoing pandemic which has thrown a wrench into the whole works and I have no idea if my Pebble trip is happening this year, later this year or never. That being said, my issue is infinitesimally small compared to what is going on around the world currently so my disappointment is fleeting to say the least.<br />
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If and when Pebble happens, I am going to use that as my springboard to get the word out as a last gasp attempt for Cypress this year. Watch this space for any updates and of course, any help you could give me on my quest would earn my eternal appreciation!<br />
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<u><b>Link To Check Out</b></u>:<br />
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Connor of the Society of Golf Historians is a dyed in the wool golf traveler and burgeoning golf historian. Connor has a TalkingGolf History podcast and Episode 35 focuses on MacKenzie and Cypress Point including this fascinating map of Cypress!<br />
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(map via the Society's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_EUd77l2kG/">Instagram page</a>)<br />
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If that picture is interesting to you, the podcast is even MORE interesting. Be sure to give a listen to the episode here: <a href="https://talkingolf.com/episode-35-tg-history-35-mackenzie-part-3-cypress-point/">https://talkingolf.com/episode-35-tg-history-35-mackenzie-part-3-cypress-point/</a><br />
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and definitely following the Society on <a href="https://twitter.com/SHistorians/">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesocietyofgolfhistorians/">Instagram</a>!<br />
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<u><b>Final Well Deserved Note</b></u>:<br />
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Finally, FINALLY Marion Hollins, the force behind Cypress, Pasatiempo and a trailblazer in so many ways is going into the Golf Hall of Fame.<br />
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<a href="https://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2020/4/17/marion-world-golf-hall-of-fame-adds-the-golf-great-and-visionairy">https://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2020/4/17/marion-world-golf-hall-of-fame-adds-the-golf-great-and-visionairy</a><br />
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While Marion passed away several decades ago, the golf courses she was involved with have stood against the test of time and serve as a testament to her visionary outlook for golf. The golf world would be a poorer place without her and I am glad the HoF did the right thing to induct her!<br />
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(Marion at MPPC via the <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/marion-hollins-elected-to-2021-class-of-golf-hall-of-fame/">Seattle Times</a>)Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-50826249877567430382020-04-14T13:13:00.001-07:002020-04-14T13:13:58.549-07:00Yardage Book Palooza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGMk9HPdXWE/XpYZU9txRHI/AAAAAAAAOHA/4piYGQ-fRFEHEiCsWLu7mk3nAdWmnzCkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-7637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGMk9HPdXWE/XpYZU9txRHI/AAAAAAAAOHA/4piYGQ-fRFEHEiCsWLu7mk3nAdWmnzCkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG-7637.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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If you like yardage books like me, you will probably like my recent post ranking my Coore/Crenshaw yardage books (thus far). Be sure to go over to CCQuest to check out the latest ramblings!<br />
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<a href="https://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2020/04/ranking-yardage-books-halfway-point.html">https://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2020/04/ranking-yardage-books-halfway-point.html</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-63977205475211995882019-12-24T07:59:00.000-08:002019-12-24T07:59:03.839-08:00Top Courses Played 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It what is becoming an annual tradition, I recap some of my favorite courses played during the year. Come along with me, won't you on this look back on 2019!<br />
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5. <u><b>Seascape</b></u><br />
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When one thinks of NorCal golf, the mind is quickly drawn to courses like Pasatiempo but it would be foolish to sleep on a course like Seascape. The back 9 is outrageously good with interesting tee shots undulating fairways and fascinating greens. I am all about this course and can't wait to play it again!<br />
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<a href="https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/08/seascape-back-9-review.html">https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/08/seascape-back-9-review.html</a><br />
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4. <u><b>Cabot Links</b></u><br />
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I love watching any golf tournament played on links golf courses. The sea, the wind, the fescue, give it to me all the time. The irony is I rarely play any links courses living in SoCal. So when I had an opportunity to play at Cabot this year, imagine my surprise that the Links course, well, was a links! I got my fill of wind and sea and you just feel so connected to the land playing this course.<br />
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<a href="https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/06/cabot-links-review.html">https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/06/cabot-links-review.html</a><br />
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3. <u><b>Pasatiempo</b></u><br />
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The back 9 of Pasatiempo is one of the most intriguing 9s I have ever played. Sure all 18 holes have world class greens and bunkers but the back 9s routing I could play in 100 different ways and I WANT to play it 100 different ways. The 10th and 16th hole might be two of my favorite all time holes and I can't wait to get back there.<br />
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<a href="https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/09/pasatiempo-reviewed.html">https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/09/pasatiempo-reviewed.html</a><br />
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2. <u><b>The Home Course</b></u><br />
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Sometimes there are courses that just speak to your soul. THC is one of those. If I lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area I would play here all the time and twice on Sundays. The routing on the front 9 is fantastic, the shots on the back side make you think and the course is in primo shape. Overall, one of my favorite courses in 2019 and just in general.<br />
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<a href="https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/12/the-home-course.html">https://www.re-gripped.com/2019/12/the-home-course.html</a><br />
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1. <b><u>Cabot Cliffs</u></b><br />
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The Cliffs course simply smacks you in the face with routing, views and audacious golf design. It is over the top in the best way possible and I am here for it. Cabot (like its sister resort in Bandon) is a trek for most golfers but I highly recommend it just for this course alone. Truly worthy of being in the World Top 100.<br />
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<a href="http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2019/07/cabot-cliffs.html">http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2019/07/cabot-cliffs.html</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-81880456013406382532019-12-01T08:44:00.000-08:002019-12-01T08:44:28.315-08:00The Home Course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every once in awhile you step onto a golf course and just KNOW you are going to love it. I can't explain it in logical terms but when I stepped onto The Home Course near Tacoma Washington I just felt at well...home.<br />
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The course is in amazing shape, has fun undulations, no houses and is just a whole lot of fun. Just sitting there waiting for my tee time by the small starter's shack watching the lake on an awesome par 3<br />
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in the Fall just made me happy and I enjoyed the round because of this initial vibe. The first hole is a nice opening handshake of Pacific Northwest golf and it amazing to think that this course can stretch out well beyond 7,000 yards from the tips.<br />
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Speaking of tips, the one tip the starter gave me was stay out of the bunkers. Given the variety of shapes and placements, that was a good idea.<br />
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The views off the tee are interesting and the undulations in the fairways are great. Sure, some bulldozers probably had a hand in all of this but it makes for a really interested round rather than an over-stylized course as it just seems to fit in the natural landscape.<br />
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Side note, one of the favorite tee markers in recent history has to go to the Home Course's dynamite tee markers!<br />
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There is water on the course but is used in a judicious manner. A great pond giving you something to think about on a par 4.<br />
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and great framing of a par 3 on the backside.<br />
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While I liked the front 9 slightly better than the back 9 (especially the weirdo walk between holes where you are basically walking a 19th hole in length) the back 9 has some crazy hills and undulations which makes it a blast to try and navigate. Here are but a few examples:<br />
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Whenever I visit a place I always think to myself, where would I play if I actually lived there? My mind often drifts to the private courses and in Seattle of course in my fantasy mind I think, well I will join Aldarra or maybe Seattle Golf Club. Of course the "realist" in my fantasy would then say, well what if you can't afford those clubs, where would you play?<br />
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Bar none, I would play at the Home Course all the time. Give me this course every day of the week and twice on Sundays. The conditioning, the routing, the challenge yet fun the course inspires, I am loving it and can't wait to go back.<br />
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For more info on the Home Course check out this link: <a href="https://thehomecourse.com/">https://thehomecourse.com/</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-62515207052873795922019-11-12T06:39:00.000-08:002019-11-12T06:39:10.334-08:00Nile Shire Golf <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having grown up in Upstate New York, I have become well acquainted with the season of Fall. It is my favorite season bar none, the colors, the crisp air, the apples. All of that and more, which is currently missing from my life living in Southern California.<br />
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On a recent trip to Seattle I got all the Fall I could ever want and then some when playing Nile Shire. NS is a smaller golf course just north of Seattle sitting along the 5 freeway but it is a lot of fun. The greens roll true and there is a bunch of challenge as you wend your way between the tall trees.<br />
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I think my favorite hole has to be the third which is a dogleg left with an awesome lake to your right. Such a fun a picturesque hole!<br />
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San Francisco is often thought of as hilly and Seattle is no slouch in that department. Nile Shire runs up and down the hills that it has really maximizing the space where the course sits.<br />
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This all leads up to the signature par 3 hole which is basically like hitting off a cliff.<br />
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(the green is down there somewhere)<br />
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Of course because it is the Pacific Northwest, they have some fun along the way for golfers :)<br />
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I was really charmed by this course. It will never be ranked in the top 100 of anything but it still presents a really enjoyable round of golf (and is affordable as well). Clearly the course shines in the fall with all the colors around and mist coming off the lake, the season turns this course from good to special.<br />
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For more info on Nile Shire, check out this link: <a href="http://www.nileshriners.org/golf">http://www.nileshriners.org/golf</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-70811175338509703342019-09-02T14:13:00.000-07:002019-09-02T14:13:16.712-07:00Pasatiempo Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In all of my golf travels I had never played a course designed by Alister MacKenzie. Considering that very few of his courses in the US are open to the public (by my count 4) it is a rare treat when you get a chance to play one and so I was very excited about my recent trip to Pasatiempo.<br />
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Located in Santa Cruz, Pasa is sandwiched in-between the golf meccas of Monterey and San Francisco but has a managed to carve out a cult-like following all of its own. The course has a real laid-back vibe with tee times every 10 minutes (leading to everyone playing fast but no one rushing you) and a staff that is friendly and accommodating and a porch that offers fantastic views of the 1st and 9th holes. All of this puts you in a relaxed mindset as the challenges of the course arise.<br />
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One side note, there are the classic back, middle and up tees but there is an option to play a combo tee set (look for the blue scorecards at the starter tent) which is a fantastic way of playing Pasa.<br />
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The first hole is classic golden age California golf architecture with a long downhill hole feature views of the nearby bay. I find it fascinating that this trait (shared by the likes of the Riv, Bel-Air, etc.) was such a stylistic choice back in the day but I totally dig it.<br />
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There are three things that struck me about playing the front 9. The first is how crazy good the greens and bunkering are.<br />
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Pasa might not get as much respect in the world rankings as other MacKenzie courses but I would dare say its greens and bunkers are world class with few equals.<br />
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The second thing that struck me was how similar I felt several of the holes were to one of my all time favs, Cal Club. The looks the second shots give you give you at Pasa are similar to Cal in that they create a lot of visual eye candy and challenges when going for the green.<br />
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The third thing is regrettably how tight the course feels in some way with houses encroaching almost onto the fairways (especially the 6th and 14th holes). When you see pics of early Pasa, it has a wide open feel with very few trees or houses (similar if you see early pics of the Riv) but nowadays there are often trees on one side of the fairway and houses on the other.<br />
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(MacKenzie's house on the 6th)<br />
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The back 9 has some of the most interesting golf holes on the planet. My favorite by far was the 10th hole featuring a fantastic tee shot over a barranaca (yet another golden age touch)<br />
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leading to a downhill second/third shots. Most of my playing companions tried to flop shots onto the green but I went for the ground game skimming a ball way out to the right and watching it angle back to the hole. I could play that hole over and over again.<br />
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The 11th hole creates a lot of befuddlement in the group as the tee shot to the end of the fairway is seemingly the play but you still have a long shot over a chasm to a super tight green. Visually interesting? Yes. A bit too penal for almost every type of golfer? Also yes.<br />
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The back 9 really gives it all to you. Other favorites included the 14th hole, one of the best par 3s I have played.<br />
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Finally, this leads up to the best two-shot course in the world (according to MacKenzie) the 16th hole. Loved, loved this hole. First you (hopefully) hit your tee shot up onto the plateau. Then when you gain the summit, you see what is ahead of you.<br />
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This green is outrageous, the bunkering is outrageous and one of my playing companions said this course is "theatrical" which this hole more than encapsulates.<br />
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I hit a great drive and a great second shot only to see my ball trundle down to the lowest level on the green. I three putted from the bottom and all of my playing companions congratulated me on a great three putt. Such is the nature of the 16th.<br />
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There is no denying that modern life with its home and its freeways have encroached upon Pasatiempo. Still though the classic bones of the course are there and the back 9 is spectacular. I may not play Pasatiempo every day but the genius of MacKenzie from 100 yards in will stick with me for a long time.<br />
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For more information on Pasatiempo check out this link: <a href="https://www.pasatiempo.com/">https://www.pasatiempo.com/</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-54786912850126868542019-08-26T19:33:00.001-07:002019-08-26T19:33:45.767-07:00Seascape Back 9 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With so many golf websites on the Internet, it is tough to find true "hidden" gems but Seascape in Aptos California is certainly one of them.<br />
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Living in the shadow of the big dog in Santa Cruz Pasatiempo, Seascape can certainly hold its own. I happened to play the back 9 as a warmup for Pasa but liked the course so much, I wanted to go back and play the front 9.<br />
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The undulations off the tee are fantastic and while some driving areas are narrow, the conditioning was great and the greens? NOT TOO SHABBY<br />
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Perhaps my favorite hole is the 17th which is a fantastic drive going right to left and then your second shot is up the hill to a killer green.<br />
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Seascape could use a bit of tree thinning and the routing is slightly tortured given the houses but the pluses definitely outweigh the minuses at this track. If you are looking for a solid course in NorCal for a reasonable price, this is the one.<br />
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For more info on Seascape check out this link: <a href="https://www.seascapegc.com/">https://www.seascapegc.com/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-73754785917747123342019-07-29T21:21:00.000-07:002020-05-21T07:09:31.932-07:00Becoming Enchanted From Afar - Royal Porthcawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I travel a few times a year chasing golf courses and as part of my travels I do a ton of research, often on areas of the world I might never travel to. I often create itineraries in my head, "well if I ever DO make it to the Caribbean, here are the courses I am going to play" and I always tune in to the TV if a professional tournament is playing at one of those far-flung areas I've been researching.<br />
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There are a thousands golf courses in the world each offering their own variation on the fantastic game of golf. Golf can be set amongst the <a href="http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2017/10/clear-creek-tahoe.html">pines</a>, or the <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2016/06/golfing-rams-hill-review.html">desert</a> or beautiful <a href="http://www.re-gripped.com/2017/07/en-joie-golf-review.html">parklands</a>.<br />
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For me, the ultimate golf course has to involve the sea. I love salt air, really enjoy wind and don't mind the rain (what am I made of sugar?). Given all of those elements, links golf is the ultimate golf for me.<br />
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In all of my research, there is one golf course I keep coming back to time after time and that is Royal Porthcawl in Wales, UK. Every so often I stumble across something on the web that reminds me about RP and then I fall down an internet rabbit hole and research the course all over again. This time around it was Mark Crossfield's excellent video about playing the course<br />
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The more I think about it, the more RP checks all the boxes I am interested in for a golf course. It is nestled right up on the coastline of Wales assuring me all the salt air and wind I can handle and sea views on every hole. It is also ranked in the Top 100 in the world by <a href="https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/royal-porthcawl">Top100</a> which is no small feat. Watching it on TV it looks like it has a great variety of architectural features that are fun and could keep me interested during repeated play of the course.<br />
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It is also drop-dead gorgeous<br />
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(picture via Links Magazine: <a href="https://www.linksmagazine.com/links100_royal_porthcawl_golf_club/">https://www.linksmagazine.com/links100_royal_porthcawl_golf_club/</a>)<br />
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It is also under the radar and seems very chill for a Top 100 course. After watching The Open last week, of course I want to play Royal Portrush but the shoulders slump a bit when hearing the news that they are booked up on visitor play <a href="https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2019/07/23/news/royal-portrush-booked-out-until-october-as-the-prestigious-golf-course-reaps-the-open-rewards-1668544/">seemingly through the next year</a> (!?!). Porthcawl has a great pedigree with tourneys (hosting several Amateurs, a Walker and Curtis Cup along with a British Senior Open) but doesn't have the looming capacity issues that Portrush has.<br />
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Of course, my mind also wanders to the thought, well what if you play it, fall in love and then want to play it every year? If it really does live up to the hype that I am seeing through my screen is there any world which my mania would extend into membership?<br />
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Aside from being a 13 hour flight from LA, there is a lot of mystery about the club (and clubs that have a "royal" in them). Unlike private clubs in the US, the "private" clubs of the UK/Ireland are upfront about their membership requirements and fees. Often these clubs offer a very reasonable membership since they are heavily subsidized by foreign visitors. The royal clubs including RP play all of this close to the vest which makes the starry-eyed golf researcher who has dreams of an overseas membership wonder if there is even a chance of membership happening.<br />
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First things first, I want to play the course. When am I going to go to Wales? I have zero idea. When I get there, do I just play RP for like 7 straight days or do I also wander over to <a href="https://www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk/">P&K</a>, <a href="https://www.southerndowngolfclub.com/">Southerndown</a>, <a href="https://www.royalstdavids.co.uk/">Royal St. David's</a>, etc. that <a href="https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/golf/living-golfing-edge">Visit Wales</a> suggests to make it a proper Welsh getaway? Probably, although I would want to earmark at least 2 rounds if not more at RP (considering I am devoting an entire blog post to the club).<br />
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There are some golf "breaks" for a Welsh tour that look interesting via Wales Golf Holidays:<br />
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<a href="http://www.walesgolfholidays.com/south-wales-golf-holidays.html">http://www.walesgolfholidays.com/south-wales-golf-holidays.html</a><br />
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Since I don't know the hows or whys or whens for now I just check out RP's course via their awesome <a href="https://www.royalporthcawl.com/course/live-webcam/">first tee webcam</a>.<br />
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Do you have any courses you are enchanted by but have never played? Let me know in the comments!<br />
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For more information about Royal Porthcawl check out this link: <a href="https://www.royalporthcawl.com/">https://www.royalporthcawl.com/</a><br />
<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-67991244294707294162019-07-23T07:58:00.000-07:002019-07-23T07:58:44.492-07:00Airlane Golf Club Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are tons of good golf courses in Nova Scotia. Some public, some private but all ones I want to play some day. If you are going on a golf trip to Cabot and fly into Halifax you may be tempted to play some of these other tracks but you may not have the time to do so.<br />
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Enter Airlane Golf Club, a passion project of two friends in the 1960s and makes for a great warmup to your Cabot adventure. Located about 10 minutes on the East side of the Halifax airport, Airlane has 9 holes with some great doglegs but is not too taxing on you as prepare for the other courses in the province.<br />
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One of my favourite (Canadian spelling) holes has to be this par that is an uphill dogleg right that leads to this awesome green framed by Canadian pine trees.<br />
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The course doesn't have a lot of water but where there is H2O it makes for some challenging decisions. The course has a lot of width so you can swing it out wide to the left, like I have done here or challenge the water with a shorter approach to the green to the right. Either way this is a fun hole.<br />
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There are plenty of straight ahead holes as well but with the greens being as large as they are, there are multiple pin positions that are possible.<br />
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I am not trying to build up this course more than it is, it is an unevenly mowed, parkland-style golf track with not the best POP on a Saturday afternoon but it is affordable and was clearly grown from the passion of two guys and their families which I totally dig.<br />
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You are already going to spending an arm and a leg playing at Cabot, why not get some golf kicks for appreciably less at Airlane?<br />
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For more information on Airlane check out this link: <a href="https://www.airlanegolfclub.com/">https://www.airlanegolfclub.com/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-57837939851679967782019-07-16T08:41:00.000-07:002019-07-16T08:41:49.347-07:00Cypress Point Quest - Day 1581<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And so the grind continues. Here we are, well on our way to 2,000 days of actively trying to play Cypress but no luck thus far. I haven't been super aggressive over the last few months, just hoping the universe places some people in my path that can help me out.<br />
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I did decide to shake a few things up in the karma department though. On eBay, there was a sale of Titleist golf balls branded with the Cypress Point logo.<br />
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I took this as a sign and a challenge. I am going to fill my golf bag with these balls (phrasing) and I am going to play with them until they run out. My goal? To play Cypress Point before the balls run out. I figure the golf balls will act as a defacto hourglass to help me get my butt in gear.<br />
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Part of that is I have to start getting back up to the NorCal area. I had a trip to Pasa which needed to be rescheduled due to weather and I am hoping to take a quick jaunt up there in the Fall to play a few private courses in SanFran. The closer I can get to Cypress, I feel the odds of me meeting someone with a connection there will increase.<br />
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If you spend any time in Monterey you start to wonder how they could accommodate all the people attending the Pro Am. 17 Mile Drive is often blocked off for shuttle buses and there isn't a lot of parking for the attendees. This problem had to been doubled for the recent US Open there. It sounds like though a lucky few got their fill of Cypress while parking! <a href="https://golfweek.com/2019/06/17/u-s-open-hot-spot-parking-lot-next-to-18th-tee-at-cypress-point-club/">https://golfweek.com/2019/06/17/u-s-open-hot-spot-parking-lot-next-to-18th-tee-at-cypress-point-club/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-18655157648198169682019-07-08T20:13:00.000-07:002019-07-08T20:13:04.396-07:00Cabot Resort Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let's face it, getting to Inverness Nova Scotia takes some effort. The closest major airport is Halifax which still puts you at a 3-plus-hour hour drive to Cabot Links (you could fly into Sydney which puts you 2 hours out but from what I hear Halifax is the better option). So if you are coming from anywhere other than Boston, you are going to have expend time and effort getting there.<br />
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Once you get there though...whoa doggy is it worth it! I have not stayed at Pinehurst or Streamsong but having stayed at Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley, I can confidently say that Cabot is the best golf resort I have stayed at so far!<br />
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The people there are very friendly and helpful. Big shoutout to Tyler and Jeremy in the golf department and all the friendly staff I met along the way. They bent over backwards to accommodate my group (as they would for any guest) and that type of service goes a long way.<br />
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Also, perhaps the best caddie I ever came across was Stephen at the resort. The guy is amiable and even though he wasn't my caddy, I considered the guy one of the gang and highly recommend him to anyone looking to head to Cabot.<br />
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First let's talk about the rooms.<br />
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The Golf Villas are definitely the best I ever stayed in. They combine the elegance of Sand Valley with a very Scandinavian feng shui with some inspired design choices like a great kitchen, fantastic porch and killer individual bathrooms. The villas where I stayed could easily accommodate a guys group, a couples trip or just the single golfer. All the lodging is currently laid out at the Links course but that is changing with major construction happening near the Cliffs course to really put in a ton more infrastructure in the next 2 years.<br />
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Next, let's talk about food. The Links has 2 restaurants (an upstairs, sightly more formal dining area and the downstairs pub area) and also owns the Cabot Public House where you can get some similar food and some different dishes as well.<br />
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All the food is excellent, from the lobster rolls,<br />
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to the seafood chowder<br />
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to the poutine.<br />
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Almost all of the beers they serve are local to Cape Breton-Nova Scotia and I tried most of them, particularly liking the beer made specifically for the resort, the Cabot Ale made by <a href="http://www.garrisonbrewing.com/beer/">Garrison</a>.<br />
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If you are traveling to Nova Scotia, get yourself some seafood and local spirits!<br />
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The Cliffs course is still in its infancy regarding amenities. There are two yurts which act as gift shop and small cafeteria (with new permanent buildings opening this summer) but the reality is you are going to be spending most of your time back at the main lodge at Links.<br />
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My major overall impression is that Cabot is a low-key Bandon (in the best possible way). The rooms were booked at Cabot but you never felt overwhelmed by the amount of guests crowding the fairways or the eating places. It wasn't nearly as "bro-y" as Bandon can sometimes get (I saw women, old people, every different type of category at Cabot which was great). Everything felt much more laid back and less resort-y. While the resort lacks some infrastructure in a few areas (especially over on the Cliffs side, where construction is ongoing as they build a short course and full, permanent clubhouse facilities) Cabot it is already one of my favorite places to stay on the planet - and I imagine it will be even more so once Phase II of the building takes place.<br />
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Staying at Cabot is WORTH the energy to get there. The resort, people and food are all top notch and you couldn't ask for anything more then what Cabot gives you!<br />
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For more information on the Cabot resort, check out this link: <a href="https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/">https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-16332300805669404262019-07-01T20:31:00.001-07:002019-07-01T20:31:11.754-07:00Cabot Cliffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cabot Cliffs is jaw-droppingly beautiful. If you want to check out my full report, be sure to click the link to my sister site!<br />
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<a href="https://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2019/07/cabot-cliffs.html">https://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2019/07/cabot-cliffs.html</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-1372146221578645612019-06-25T20:53:00.000-07:002019-06-25T20:53:24.991-07:00Cabot Links Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are plenty of faux links courses in the US. If there is a links-style courses in Las Vegas you know they are everywhere. Heck the best links-style course in the US is often tabbed as Sand Hills in Nebraska (<a href="http://www.coorecrenshawquest.com/2016/09/99-holes-in-heartland-sand-hills-golf.html">and I am not one to argue!</a>). Still, when one travels to Nova Scotia, Canada to play the Cabot courses - and especially the Links, a "true" links course - you really see what you have been missing when playing the faux links courses.<br />
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The course just feels connected to the sea in a way these other courses can only approximate. The bunkers feel carved out of the dunes. The cape hole on the sixth hole actually go around an actual cape-cove!<br />
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I played Cabot Links in 20mph winds in the morning and utterly calm conditions in the afternoon, making it two completely different courses (as all good links courses will do). In short, I felt I was playing in Scotland, yet here I was in North America - truly a transcendent experience.<br />
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The Links (like its sister, Cabot Cliffs) starts off with a gentle handshake of a par 5.<br />
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After a longish par 3 second with a crazy swale in the middle<br />
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the fun really begins on the short par-4 third hole with crazy swamp danger off to the right.<br />
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The 4th hole is my personal nemesis. Playing uphill this hole is just hard, triply hard in that aforementioned wind. In either condition I was struggling to get up there but once you gain the high ground you have one of the most beautiful views on the course.<br />
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Holes 5 and 6 are fantastic playing along the cove with lobster boats (or at least I thought they were lobster boats - I was so obsessed by lobster on this trip that I turned everything into lobster).<br />
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The 8th hole is just a brute. A long forced carry over marshland, then an uphill shot to a double green making this par 5 a real tester.<br />
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The course has a lot more teeth than a typical resort course (more on that in a bit) and it shows it in full with the 8th hole.<br />
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The fun picks up again on the 10th hole, a fantastic short par 4 with a blind tee shot over a hill to a downhill green. I loved every bit of this hole, it is quintessential links golf and so much fun to play!<br />
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The course has a long stretch of holes coming up with super long par 5s and 4s which you think are tough until you get to the par 3, 14th hole which will test your nerve like no other at only 90 yards straight downhill.<br />
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This hole was so devious that when I played it, only one person hit the green of a foursome. So fun, so pretty, so ridiculous (in a good way)!<br />
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The last stretch was very reminiscent of the last stretch at Bandon Dunes. Play along the water for 16, start to turn in-land for 17 and then 18 is playing back to town/the resort with the folks eating at Cabot's restaurants getting a full view of your approach shots into 18. Of the three holes, 16 along the coast is the favorite due to the eye candy but I added bonuses points for beach access right by the 16th green (if you have time to dip down to the Atlantic, do it! ).<br />
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Overall, Cabot Links is a great course. I love that you don't have to fly all the way to Scotland to play a Scottish course - and the sea views are amazing. I wish the routing of a few holes was softened a bit because the course has too much of an edge for the typical resort golfer, and it would be great to get the greens running slightly faster (they were still working to overcome some tough agronomic issues coming out of a tough winter) but those are minor quibbles to an overall fantastic experience at Cabot.<br />
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For more information on the Links, check out this, well, link!: <a href="https://www.cabotlinks.com/golf/cabot-links/">https://www.cabotlinks.com/golf/cabot-links/</a><br />
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<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-9124594170464273782019-06-10T19:39:00.000-07:002019-06-10T19:39:43.907-07:00Desert Aire Course Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you travel to the high desert in California you may pass through the towns of Palmdale/Lancaster. There you will see desert scrub brush as far as the eye can see but occasionally your view will be broken up by a stand or two of cottonwood trees. One such stand contains the funky but fun course of Desert Aire in Palmdale.<br />
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For years I have been wanting to play Desert Aire because of their email game. Getting semi-weekly emails in my inbox telling me about too good to be true deals, fund leagues and skins games and generally imparting a vibe that 9 holes in the high desert can be an awfully fun time.<br />
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I finally got to check out the course on a hot weekend taking advantage of a 2fer Saturday (in the afternoon it was 2 for 1 greens fees and 2 for 1 food and drink). The course is a pretty straight ahead parkland style course with trees framing the holes but there was challenges to be had.<br />
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You have to be smart with your driving as the cottonwood trees (and some Joshua trees!) really influence your second shot. Indeed the 9th hole has tree placement slightly reminiscent of Pebble's 18th. The greens are also a little tricky as they keep them longish to protect against the desert heat but they get baked out and sometimes it almost feels like you are putting in Scotland.<br />
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At the end of the day, the conditioning of the course and the routing isn't fantastic by any stretch but if you lived in Palmdale and were just new to golf, this course would quickly become your favorite place to play. Some of the holes (particularly the 5th and 6th holes) have some challenge and teeth to them and the rest of the holes give you enough of a challenge that I was glad to have played 2 rounds of 9 holes here.<br />
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Golf needs more courses like this, 9 holes for a quick, cheap round and while the golf won't crack any top 100 lists it serves a purpose of getting golfers out and about and that has a value all its own.<br />
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For more info on Desert Aire, check out the link: <a href="http://www.desertairegolfcourse.com/">http://www.desertairegolfcourse.com/</a><br />
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-5194118398319867972019-05-29T07:05:00.002-07:002019-05-29T07:05:30.804-07:00Getting Ready For Cabot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe it but I am only a few weeks of way before traveling to Inverness Nova Scotia and playing perhaps the most picturesque golf courses in all of Canada. I am beyond stoked!<br />
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This is my first time playing in Nova Scotia, heck my first time playing in Canada!, so I have been researching like a fiend about it and thought I would bring the fruits of my mania to you, dear reader.<br />
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<u><b>Getting There:</b></u><br />
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I am taking <a href="https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home.html">Air Canada</a> into Halifax and then trundling my way up to a town near Inverness. I bought my plane tickets ages ago and think I have left myself enough room to clear customs on both ends but always something to remember traveling to/from the US. Canada is very similar to the US in many ways but you still have to clear customs.<br />
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I am also GREATLY looking forward to trip to Inverness. I am renting a car (figure easier than arranging car service of some sort plus gives me flexibility to sightsee) and am planning on playing a little golf along the way and also stopping into a few towns, especially Antigonish with dinner at <a href="https://antigonishtownhouse.com/">The Townhouse</a>. One of the things I like best about traveling to play golf is being able to stop in and see new places along the way and I am greatly looking forward to seeing what is out and about off of the Trans-Canada Highway.<br />
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<u><b>Weather:</b></u><br />
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Originally I am from Upstate New York so I have an intimate familiarity with changing weather and the concept of "layering". During June Inverness averages a high of 68 and a chilly low of 47 (all Fahrenheit) with 9 days of rain. So layer I will.<br />
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Long range forecasts are currently predicting a pocket of sun over the few days I am there so much like my trip to Bandon (which was basically subtropical like and sandwiched in-between two storm systems) I might get real lucky on this. Still I am layering and also bringing my Bandon knit cap just in case.<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Food:</u><br />
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Lobster, I want all of the lobsters. Nova Scotia is considered one of the best seafood places and I look forward to eating everything the resort has to offer. One places in particular that I am look forward to is the Cabot Bar which is right next to the 18th green (always a sucker for places I can sit and drink right next to golf).<br />
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<a href="https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/dining/">https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/dining/</a><br />
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On the menu that I want to try is of course, you guessed it, the Lobster roll and that blueberry cobbler sounds fantastic. Plus I am a sucker for "can only get it here" drinks so order me up a Cabot Ale and a Patio Weather!<br />
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I also definitely want to go to the Public House. This place really reminds me of my time living in Ireland and I definitely want to check it out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/dining/the-cabot-public-house/">https://www.cabotlinks.com/resort/dining/the-cabot-public-house/</a><br />
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<u><b>Golf:</b></u><br />
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With two golf courses to play (although a new short course has been announced!) I am planning on splitting my time evenly between Cliffs and Links. My main goal is just to get there, chill out and playing some great golf with some stunning visual eye candy. That is ultimately the goal of any golf trip. Sure you want to play unique and challenging courses but it is for the WHOLE experience, traveling on the roads, checking out the local pubs, not checking your email for a few days.<br />
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I think Cabot can offer me that and more and I can't wait.<br />
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For more info on Cabot check out the link: <a href="https://www.cabotlinks.com/">https://www.cabotlinks.com/</a><br />
<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-88799720753175884422019-04-09T21:44:00.001-07:002019-04-09T21:44:32.302-07:002019 Masters Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Masters, a tradition unlike any other in golf. For years I have been toiling away on a live blog, recapping the ups and downs of this tourney but not this year. This year I am just taking a back seat, watching from my couch and hopefully enjoying one of the best tournaments in golf.<br />
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I say hopefully because truth be told I am getting a little burned out watching the Masters all these years and never having attended in person. It is not so much sour grapes it is just how many lotteries must a person enter before their chance for tix come up? This is exacerbated by social media of course. Much like watching 1/2 the field at the Pebble Pro-Am wear Cypress Point schwag, watching on Twitter and Instagram everyone who is at ANGC this week makes me feel like I am missing out.<br />
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One day right?<br />
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Onto the preview!<br />
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<u><b>Schwag! </b></u><br />
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First up (and best up) is this year's roundup of Masters' schwag. The most important blog post always comes courtesy of <a href="https://www.geoffshackelford.com/">Geoff</a> and this year we have some good stuff.<br />
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I have to agree with Geoff that this hat is pretty tight. One of the underrated style games of ANGC is the fact they make great trucker hats. You wouldn't think a genteel Southern club would do mesh hats well but they are one of the consistent winners of schwag I have seen.<br />
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Similarly, Masters t-shirts are on point again this time featuring the famous menu of ANGC<br />
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Finally this tumbler has already sold out (its only Tuesday!) but if you want one, <a href="https://www.mmogolf.com/masters-augusta-national-golf-course-map-24oz-corkcicle-tumbler/">MMO</a> has you covered.<br />
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I think ANGC is seeing what other small shops like Tyson Lamb and Sugarloaf Social Club are experiencing. When they release limited edition items, they are quickly sold out because people are going to resell them on eBay for much higher prices (MMO excluded from this gouging). I feel like this really is against the spirit of this type of thing and while I am glad to be able to purchase these items on the secondary market I hate the direction this is trending.<br />
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For more schwag check out this link: <a href="https://golfweek.com/2019/04/08/golf-best-of-masters-merchandise-2019-edition/">https://golfweek.com/2019/04/08/golf-best-of-masters-merchandise-2019-edition/</a><br />
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<u><b>Golf Preview! </b></u><br />
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I have thought for the last few years that Rory didn't have what it took mentally to win at Augusta because he had built up winning it TOO much in his mind. I feel like he keeps psyching himself out. However, based on the current run of form, I don't think you can bet against him. He may not win but he is guaranteed top 5.<br />
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Spieth, my main man looks lost out there on the course. He is a lock to make top 3 based on his past track record and I swore I would never bet against him but boy if there is a year to bet against him, this would be it. He may fall out of the top 50 soon but maybe Augusta will be his springboard back?<br />
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Some of the big, lunky guys might make some noise on Thursday/Friday. Your Charlie Hoffmans, your Marc Leishmans, your Gary Woodlands. These guys never seem to put it together on Sunday but I think one of the aforementioned group will make noise to surprise some people.<br />
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For all the pairings check out this link: <a href="https://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/index.html">https://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/index.html</a><br />
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So that is it for me for this year. For those lucky enough to be going, be sure to eat a peach ice cream sandwich for me and buy a hat or 2. For those couch surfing with me, enjoy the spectacle.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-72386026144597051462019-03-18T20:58:00.000-07:002019-03-18T20:58:53.883-07:00310 USA Divot Tool Ball Marker Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every once in awhile you run across a company doing fantastic work in the golf space and you have to get all of their stuff immediately.<br />
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That is what happened to me when I ran across 310.USA on Instagram. What they make just isn't any golf divot tool or golf ball marker but some of the best iterations of those things.<br />
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Using Damascus steel, 310 takes their time forging these fantastic items and I got to use them recently on a round in SoCal.<br />
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The divot tool was super solid and when I used it on greens the steel made it super easy to repair ballmarks and was so well balanced that it is now my GO TO divot tool.<br />
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The ball marker has a bunch of heft to it so I always knew when it was in my pocket and everyone knew whose putt was mine with this fantastic ballmarker and its topographic lines.<br />
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310 also sent me a killer key chain piece of metal which I love. Basically I love everything 310 does and you will too if you order their stuff.<br />
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For more information about 310.USA be sure to check out their Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/310.usa/">https://www.instagram.com/310.usa/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-23418350887135855222019-03-04T19:48:00.003-08:002019-03-04T19:48:55.909-08:00Diamond Bar Golf Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Diamond Bar golf course is not a well rated course. Multiple holes are bordered by the freeway. The course took 5 hours and 45 minutes to play. I took that all in stride and decided to play it anyway.<br />
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What I found was a course that had some really interesting holes. Say the 9th hole for example. A completely uphill par 3 to a green that seems like you are trying to hit to the top of a volcano.<br />
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The greens can be absolutely perplexing with their slopes and the pin positions were devious to say the least.<br />
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Every once in awhile you tuned out the constant freeway noise and could focus on the majestic mountains surrounding the course.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CpbVCPTivU/XH3uS31JTHI/AAAAAAAANO4/EZDHqEbeTkQ_kzijK1o4F_a3lMxWa12lgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_6001.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CpbVCPTivU/XH3uS31JTHI/AAAAAAAANO4/EZDHqEbeTkQ_kzijK1o4F_a3lMxWa12lgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_6001.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
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These elements are great but the sum of the parts are too lacking. Parallel holes, the constant drone of the freeways, the terrible course management allowing for almost 6 hour rounds. Diamond Bar suffers from too many defects to be recommended to a golfer. That being said, there are some elements that would be great cornerstones in case the course was ever renovated.<br />
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For more info on Diamond Bar, check out this link: <a href="https://www.diamondbargolf.com/">https://www.diamondbargolf.com/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-52361518943577606452019-02-25T08:03:00.000-08:002019-02-25T08:03:03.211-08:00Cypress Point Quest- Day 1299<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu21aXMvsKo/XG9yc5V4cFI/AAAAAAAANLg/MMdaoyWkT7wRbT5JHgHpaukaVuH_mZmPACLcBGAs/s1600/cyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="376" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu21aXMvsKo/XG9yc5V4cFI/AAAAAAAANLg/MMdaoyWkT7wRbT5JHgHpaukaVuH_mZmPACLcBGAs/s400/cyp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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California has been slammed with storms over the winter 2018-19 resulting in lots of flooding, mudslides and other types of damage. Other types of damage including damage to the iconic cypress tree.<br />
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<a href="https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2019/02/16/pebble-beachs-lone-cypress-suffers-significant-damage-in-storm-112442/">https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2019/02/16/pebble-beachs-lone-cypress-suffers-significant-damage-in-storm-112442/</a><br />
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The cypress tree is more than 250 years old and serves of the logo for Pebble Beach and has a passing resemblance to CPC's logo.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fAMwVduq4s/XG92IfZjs_I/AAAAAAAANLs/AC4ccYacgZQkIsKM5S09htxK3N2khKzywCLcBGAs/s1600/LWAD_WEB_LOGO-GALLERY_CYPRESS-POINT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="420" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fAMwVduq4s/XG92IfZjs_I/AAAAAAAANLs/AC4ccYacgZQkIsKM5S09htxK3N2khKzywCLcBGAs/s400/LWAD_WEB_LOGO-GALLERY_CYPRESS-POINT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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CPC may have only registered this logo with the USPTO in 2001 but you show that logo to anyone in golf and it is instantly recognizable. It is fascinating for a club of sub-250 members to have a logo that is recognized around the world. That is the way of the world though eh? Even golf courses with 1 member are talked about on blogs and pictures circulate here and there of even the most exclusive enclaves.<br />
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This is what I am banking on in my quest for Cypress. I am willing to put my faith in the Internet to connect me with people who know people who know people.<br />
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I am also going to start attempting to connect more with people who are on golf quests. I have been noticing more people doing quests and as part of those quests, they have played Cypress. For example,<br />
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PJ Koenig played CPC as part of his RGV Tour <a href="http://www.pjkoenig.com/the-rgv-tour-podcast-with-pjkoenig#16">http://www.pjkoenig.com/the-rgv-tour-podcast-with-pjkoenig#16</a><br />
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Jimmie James played the Top 100 in 1 year (whew!) and of course Cypress was a part of that: <a href="https://www.jimmiestop100golfcoursetour.com/">https://www.jimmiestop100golfcoursetour.com/</a><br />
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So I think I need to seek out people at the beginning of their quest and wonder if they let me tag along as they try to play this course.<br />
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Link of the day. YouTube is a great resource for all things Cypress. If you are so inclined, check out this guy as he went around the track and basically sounds like he is narrating a 1980s slideshow to relatives which adds to the charm: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizDmSULSq4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizDmSULSq4</a><br />
<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860332237736842077.post-17636717737791395232019-02-17T17:00:00.000-08:002019-02-17T17:00:03.366-08:00Riviera Photo Essay <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Riviera CC is one of the top golf courses in the world. </span><a href="https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/riviera" style="text-align: start;">Top 100 has it at 37th in the world</a><span style="text-align: start;"> and you won't hear me complaining about that ranking. I have attended the </span><a href="https://genesisopen.com/" style="text-align: start;">Genesis Open</a><span style="text-align: start;"> several times and each time makes me want to play The Riv more and more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhihbPKeFK8/XGiZv_I_ZNI/AAAAAAAANK8/N4g6Qu65px88JvDYnjUK_zr4qxJrheQYwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhihbPKeFK8/XGiZv_I_ZNI/AAAAAAAANK8/N4g6Qu65px88JvDYnjUK_zr4qxJrheQYwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4868.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first hole (above) gives you the classic golden area California open with a huge downhill tee shot and an hourglass green. I have had dreams about hitting that tee shot into the upper atmosphere to start my round at the Club.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWZqru424WE/XGiZtltsSFI/AAAAAAAANKs/YnCkcHxa2SosUNch98erGlPS5w2wIZw7ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWZqru424WE/XGiZtltsSFI/AAAAAAAANKs/YnCkcHxa2SosUNch98erGlPS5w2wIZw7ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4858.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am always amazed at the severity of the greens here. There are some where placement is key and misses are death (death by bunker that is).<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lJV3mP30yk/XGiZtyzbxFI/AAAAAAAANKw/va27QI7Pr7gg8WqCnSBZ-WLr-U5lP-i2ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lJV3mP30yk/XGiZtyzbxFI/AAAAAAAANKw/va27QI7Pr7gg8WqCnSBZ-WLr-U5lP-i2ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4862.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To me, the back side of the course (where the infamous 6th and the above 16th reside) is some of the most fascinating. You can feel the history back here with these ghost trees and immaculate greens.<br />
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I just love this shot. It goes to show that if you miss at the Riv in the wrong place, you are in for a world of hurt.<br />
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This was George Thomas' favorite hole and I can see why. The strategy off the tee, the bunkers mirroring the swales of the land, it is fantastic!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkQLvLJyLYg/XGiZtp681DI/AAAAAAAANKo/HWnKfa4L23Q8OrJkUROyR6QTyVcBuswTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkQLvLJyLYg/XGiZtp681DI/AAAAAAAANKo/HWnKfa4L23Q8OrJkUROyR6QTyVcBuswTQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is perhaps my favorite fairway bunker in golf. It is just an outrageous monster of sand rising out of a sea of green.<br />
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The Riv is a course that I have seen in person multiple times but never have had the good fortune to play. If I ever got the chance, I would enjoy every second and then beg to play 36. It is that good a course and can be played over and over again with boring a golfer (truly, a high compliment!).<br />
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For more info on Riviera, check out the link: <a href="http://www.therivieracountryclub.com/">http://www.therivieracountryclub.com/</a>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759059813818382920noreply@blogger.com1