Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Very enjoyable morning. Weather was once again perfect. Cool, but not cold to start at first sun, so I was able to leave the wind vest in the Honda. Joined a couple of locals as the first group out, and got around in a hair over 3 hours. Perfect. Ancil Hoffman today, one of the city munis. The very scruffy parkland layout is dead flat. Water in play on just two holes. Fairway bunkering was very light. Greenside was decent. Six holes with left/right movement, including one dogleg. Definitely helped to be able to work the ball both ways. 

 

Even with light bunkering, I'd say it was moderately difficult off the tee with the trees crowding many holes. Minor misses would catch the spotty rough, and typically have tree trouble. Other than a handful of perimeter holes, big misses would be playable from the trees or adjacent fairways. Approaches were moderately difficult with smallish greens, and a handful with front bunkering. Greens had contouring and slope, but were fairly tame. Up and downs were tricky due to the iffy lies in the patchy rough, and the oppor to shortside yourself. 

 

Par 3s were meh. Not much to look at, and moderate trouble. Par 5s were the same. The 18th could be reached in two with a big drive, but zero risk. The three short 4s were benign. 

 

Conditions were mixed. Fairways were very patchy with thin spots, shaggy areas, soft, wet areas, and dormant areas. Rough was cut, but still thick enough to eat golf balls. Bunkers were outstanding. Played plenty of expensive courses that could learn a thing or two from Ancil. Plenty of fresh groomed sand. Greens looked great, but speed was only 9. 

 

Played the Blue/White combo at 6223 yds (70.2/124). Other than a couple of wonky drives, and a couple of blocked irons, it was a good day ballstriking. Wedges were golden. Had a handful of nice flops to save par. Putter was ice cold, as I couldn't get the ball to the hole. Didn't help that I was over reading everything. One birdie and five bogies. Highlight of the day was my two local playing partners. Sometimes joining the local rabbits gets an odd look, but once I established that I wasn't going to hold up the parade, but got along swimmingly. Lol. The 21' putt on the par 5 10th was a nice bonus. 

 

4 cows. Basic, playable parkland muni that should really increase the price and improve the conditions tee to green. The $32 weekday walking rate was a bargain, but I wouldn't complain if it was $50. Needs more teeth besides the trees, and the usual risk/reward stuff. Unless you have a soft spot for inexpensive local munis, it can be easily skipped. However, if I was a local I'd be out there regularly knocking the ball around without breaking the bank. 

 

[Argonne69]

Ancil Hoffman GC, Carmichael, CA 

 

 

Don't go into the light. Lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/et2kmc9rpyl3m45eenvfm/AAI25eDP7eb_BkR6fzkgKhw?rlkey=esx5b1xfiig3720ryz8mfaz0d&st=9frpj7g9&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Capital Beer and Tap Room. 20 taps with a nice selection of local brews. This one is a mouthful. There Does Not Exist Brewing, in collaboration with Horus Brewing, produced this wonderful Feathers, Bone Chimes, and Eternal Rest barrel aged strong ale. With added coconut, the 12.1% ABV ale packs a tasty punch. 

 

 

[stevopagolf]

Arg-

You got me trying mole and I like it!  Imperial Stouts don't suit me but neither do IPAs.  I do like an ale a Kolsch a lager and a nice German Pilsner.  I am very much enjoying following your journey

[Mullenboy]

I would kill for a taphouse to name something "really good IPA" or the like.  These cutesy fancy overly clever names kinda make me ill.  But it's not my world.  I'm fine with Coors Light.  🙂

 

Ancil Hoffman... come on Arg!  The LAST thing we need is another course to be "fixed up" and then jack up the prices. I sure wish we had more Ancil Hoffmans and less Baylands' here in San Jose.  I think there is a great place for 4 cow courses that people can afford.

 

Nice review and pictures anyway.  

 

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

I would kill for a taphouse to name something "really good IPA" or the like.  These cutesy fancy overly clever names kinda make me ill. 

 

The same mindset that leads to names for beers also leads to names for bands. With the exception of The Band. 

 

And I think I once suggested a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution limiting clever beer names to 5 words or less.

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by Double Mocha Man

[Argonne69]

Just now, Mullenboy said:

I would kill for a taphouse to name something "really good IPA" or the like.  These cutesy fancy overly clever names kinda make me ill.  But it's not my world.  I'm fine with Coors Light.  🙂

 

Ancil Hoffman... come on Arg!  The LAST thing we need is another course to be "fixed up" and then jack up the prices. I sure wish we had more Ancil Hoffmans and less Baylands' here in San Jose.  I think there is a great place for 4 cow courses that people can afford.

 

Nice review and pictures anyway.  

 

 

Lol. I'm not saying triple the price. Charge 25% more and actually put some fertilizer on the fairways, and add a handful of fairway bunkers.

 

[Mullenboy]

7 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. I'm not saying triple the price. Charge 25% more and actually put some fertilizer on the fairways, and add a handful of fairway bunkers.

 

OK OK.  The problem remains we have too many examples around here of re-dos and tripling the price or more!

[DArnie]

On 10/23/2024 at 5:06 PM, Argonne69 said:

Yoche Dehe GC at Cache Creek Casino Resort, Brooks, CA (#10 Start) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go or no-go on the par 5 17th 

 

 

 

Nice look from the 1st 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/djr1yl9dxwckab9g6j1zx/AEeQbkY-ZzkVWf7uuMVpgiE?rlkey=eywvfd3h70rhqmmvjlltgbg9d&st=fabeyutx&dl=0

 

That would be a no go for me on 17! 🤠

Good looking course.

[Argonne69]

Filled out my sced for Napa. I couldn't get a tee time at Rancho Salano early next week, so I booked a round for this Saturday, and moved my tee time at Bodega Harbour from Saturday to Tuesday. 

 

Sunday morning I'll be at Eagle Vines. Monday I'll be playing the East Course at Blue Rock Springs. 

 

[Mullenboy]

16 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Filled out my sced for Napa. I couldn't get a tee time at Rancho Salano early next week, so I booked a round for this Saturday, and moved my tee time at Bodega Harbour from Saturday to Tuesday. 

 

Sunday morning I'll be at Eagle Vines. Monday I'll be playing the East Course at Blue Rock Springs. 

 

Good choices - all will be fun.  Looking forward to the reports.

[Argonne69]

Fairly short, boring drive to Napa this morning. Called the RV park, and my space was open, so they had no problem with an early arrival. The drive down I-80 was a snoozer, other than the stretches of construction zones. It got much more scenic when I got on to CA-12. Beautiful golden hills. 

 

Fairly dumpy RV park, but not much to choose from in the area. The gravel sites are slanted towards the driver's side, so Bessie is once again up on her leveling jacks. Nice to have 50 amp service, as it's getting hot, and I have both ACs running. 

 

 

Booked an RV park in Moss Landing for mid-November. It's roughly half way between Monterey and Santa Cruz. Should be a good central location for golf in the two areas, and it's only 35 minutes from San Juan Oaks. 

 

Going to take a run into town in a bit for a drink and a bite to eat. Looks like there are several decent BBQ joints. Tough decision coming up. Lol. 

 

[Argonne69]

Joined the NCGA for $75 and booked a round at Poppy Hills for the Friday two weeks out. Wanted to play on the weekend, but no morning tee times available. I managed to grab one of the two remaining early tee times on Friday. Teesheet fills up fast. I'll check back periodically to see if there's a weekend opening. 

 

NCGA members pay a $120 weekend rate vs. the $350 guest rate. 

 

[Argonne69]

My lucky day. Napa has a Fieldwork Brewing taproom. I visited their Monterey location several times back early April. No quads or imperial stouts on tap, but they are available in bottles. Sitting on a comfy sofa enjoying their Crowded Lonely Night Belgian Quad. 

 

 

[Mullenboy]

Moss Landing is RIGHT NEXT TO Pajaro Valley.  I'd strongly suggest you check it out - far more than San Juan Oaks.  At Pajaro Valley you'll easily get a morning time, pay less and be able to walk... and the courses are not far off in quality.

 

And welcome to the NCGA.  🙂

 

 

[Argonne69]

2 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

Moss Landing is RIGHT NEXT TO Pajaro Valley.  I'd strongly suggest you check it out - far more than San Juan Oaks.  At Pajaro Valley you'll easily get a morning time, pay less and be able to walk... and the courses are not far off in quality.

 

And welcome to the NCGA.  🙂

 

 

I had Pajaro Valley on my list. 

 

I was a member of the NCGA back in 2017 for my first trip to Monterey. I wasn't able to snag one of the limited teetimes at Pebble, but I did get discounts at Poppy Hills, Spyglass, and Spanish Bay. 

 

Edited October 25, 2024 by Argonne69

[Mullenboy]

1 minute ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I had Pajaro Valley on my list. 

 

As well you should.  🙂  You just wrote above that the RV park is 35 minutes from SJO... which it likely is... but it's also closer to better courses.

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

NCGA members pay a $120 weekend rate vs. the $350 guest rate. 

 

 

Whenever any of my golfing buddies talk about going to the Monterey area to golf I always tell them to get the NCGA membership. Free money!

[Dancin]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

NCGA members pay a $120 weekend rate vs. the $350 guest rate.

I wonder if anyone is actually paying $350 for Poppy Hills. I guess maybe foreigners who come to play Pebble.

[Argonne69]

Mighty tasty. Stateline Road Smokehouse in Napa. Nice to see a Q joint serving meat by the pound (or fraction). Brisket was quite fatty. Ribs were meaty, but just a little too dry. Hot link was very good. Mac and cheese was excellent. Didn't quite care for the three sauces. The original, sweet, and spicy were a little too tomato-ey. I really should carry a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's in the Honda for days like this. Lol. Worth a visit, though. 

 

 

[StoutKing]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

My lucky day. Napa has a Fieldwork Brewing taproom. I visited their Monterey location several times back early April. No quads or imperial stouts on tap, but they are available in bottles. Sitting on a comfy sofa enjoying their Crowded Lonely Night Belgian Quad. 

 

 

Napa really is a beautiful area.  Props for choosing beer over wine in that neighborhood.

[tad950]

3 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

As well you should.  🙂  You just wrote above that the RV park is 35 minutes from SJO... which it likely is... but it's also closer to better courses.

Going south, yes. Going north, not really.

[aloha b.]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Mighty tasty. Stateline Road Smokehouse in Napa. Nice to see a Q joint serving meat by the pound (or fraction). Brisket was quite fatty. Ribs were meaty, but just a little too dry. Hot link was very good. Mac and cheese was excellent. Didn't quite care for the three sauces. The original, sweet, and spicy were a little too tomato-ey. I really should carry a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's in the Honda for days like this. Lol. Worth a visit, though. 

 

 

Looks good!  I like Sweet Baby Ray's too!

[aloha b.]

2 hours ago, tad950 said:

Going south, yes. Going north, not really.

I agree with you tad950!

[Argonne69]

Ouch. Stinks getting old. Woke up this morning and I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my upper back. Hopefully it'll loosen before I tee off in 90 minutes.

 

[NCLancer]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Ouch. Stinks getting old. Woke up this morning and I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my upper back. Hopefully it'll loosen before I tee off in 90 minutes.

 

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, NCLancer said:

 

A bit of a struggle early, but it's loosening up. 

 

[st1800e]

4 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

A bit of a struggle early, but it's loosening up. 

 

Maybe you’re familiar with this…..works well on muscles too.  

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-Easy-Open-Cap-Voltaren-Arthritis-Pain-Gel-for-Powerful-Topical-Arthritis-Pain-Relief-150-G/224979534?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1103

 

 

[Argonne69]

23 minutes ago, st1800e said:

Maybe you’re familiar with this…..works well on muscles too.  

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-Easy-Open-Cap-Voltaren-Arthritis-Pain-Gel-for-Powerful-Topical-Arthritis-Pain-Relief-150-G/224979534?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1103

 

 

Yup. I have a tube sitting next to the bathroom sink. Good for the arthritic knees. 

 

[Phireside]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Yup. I have a tube sitting next to the bathroom sink. Good for the arthritic knees. 

 

Next time you go to the Dr, ask for  prescription strength diclofenac compound. Voltaren has a very low dosage. The percentage in a prescription is super sized and it's an unreal magic paste!