Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Strange morning. Heavy thunderstorms rolled through last night. Woke up to discover that the RV park was without power. Hate to run my generator at 6 am to male coffee, but hey, one's gotta do what one's gotta do. No fun sitting in an RV with no power, so I decided to head to the golf course hoping to sneak out early. 

 

Arrive to find the parking lot empty, and then clubhouse locked. Hmm. It seems my 9 am tee time is the first one of the day. Checked their online teesheet, and the first group out next Saturday is at 8 am. Bit odd to have a 9 am start, but I guess their "real" season starts April 1st. 

 

Plenty of standing water on the drive here, so I have to assume we got quite a bit of rain. No idea if the course allows walking, but I have a stinking suspicion that it'll be mandatory carts and cart path only. Fingers crossed. 

 

[Argonne69]

Well, my hunches were correct. Cart path only and mandatory cart. Oy veh. Beautiful day, though. Warm and breezy, but I did manage to dodge the strong winds that are coming later. My last round on this leg of the journey, and it was very nice. Island Pointe GC is a hybrid parkland and meadow style layout that routes through a river valley. Designed by Arthur Hills. Plenty of trees on many holes, but native grasses and wetlands on others. There are some elevation changes, but they're moderate being down in the valley. A few homes visible outside the property, but otherwise it's you and nature. Saw a wild turkey, but he took off before I could get a photo. Fairway bunkering was very light. Greenside was a little better. Water on a couple of holes, but plenty of junk with red stakes. Not much left/right movement, but plenty of left/right slope to funnel balls into the rough or worse. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee. Fairways were fairly generous, and bunkering light, but the slopes were tough. Minor misses could easily become lost balls in the tall grass. Big misses are a no no. Approaches were moderately difficult as well. Greens were on the small side with some odd shapes. Steep drop offs on many made up and downs tricky. Putting was fairly straightforward, except for the glacial speed. 

 

The five par 3s were very good. Nice mix of lengths and trouble. The 17th was a gap wedge, but the boomerang shaped green was very shallow. The five 5s were disappointing. Three were reachable, but no real risk. Short 4s were boring. No trouble whatsoever. 

 

Condition's were very wet after last night's storm. Standing water in many spots. The zoysia turf was very nice, though. Playing preferred lies, one could really tee it up. Rough was cut low. Bunkers were washed out. Greens were extremely soft, and slow as molasses. Might have been rolling 8. 

 

Played the White tees at 6223 yds. Was thinking about a combo, but after seeing the puddles in the fairways I figured it was going to play long. If next week turns for the worst, I can't be disappointed with this round. One eagle, one birdie, and three bogies. Had a chance to shoot even, but I left a birdie putt on the par 5 16th two inches short. Highlight of the day was a 9 wood to 12' on the short par 5 6th to set up the eagle. Pretty sweet. 

 

I'll give IP 6 cows. Probably deserves five for the silly mandatory cart policy. Easily walkable course. It's a fantastic piece of property, but I'd make a boatload of changes. Toughen up the short 4s and 5s. I've become spoiled over the past few weeks. The $72 greens fee wasn't crazy, but felt high given the quality of the courses I've played recently for half that price. Still, for a weekend rate it's acceptable. Nits aside, it's worth a visit. 

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Island Pointe GC, Knoxville, TN 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jpeahx5ifx0ji8n/AAC1YIzLfAqBvL6pIqUM5EIza?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

I expect everything to go smoothly next week, but just in case I'm going out with a bang. First stop today is Yee-Haw Brewing in Knoxville. They have several brewpubs in the state. 21 taps with a good mix. Enjoying a very nice Patience is the Companion of Wisdom Belgian Tripel. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

If anyone is considering a journey like mine, all I can say is do it. Life is fickle. Don't wait to be sitting in a rocking chair at 90 wishing that'd you'd traveled more. My father died a month shy of 95. Led a good life after surviving WWII. My brother died at 59 from lung cancer brought on by a life of chain smoking. Never got to see his grandchildren born. My mom died prematurely from smoking related heart disease, as did her two brothers. Both in their 50s. If you smoke, do yourself and your family a big favor and quit now. You just don't know how many days you have on Earth would so spend them wisely. 

 

Is full time RVing easy? Nope. Plenty of frustrating and stressful times. However, so is life in a suburb. Get out there and see the country, and play some wonderful golf courses. The brewpubs aren't bad, either. Lol. 

 

[caniac6]

Best of luck to you and the doctors next week. I’ll miss the daily course update while you are on the mend. Hope it’s a quick and easy recovery.

[Argonne69]

I didn't go to a big university, so I never got into college sports, or paid much attention to the big universities. I've been pleasantly surprised a few times on this trip to discover a college town. Never realized that the Uni if Tennessee is in Knoxville. Seems like a nice midsized city with a bustling old city center. 

 

Took a nice stroll on Market Square on my way to Knox Brew Hub. 

 

 

 

[mshills]

Knoxville is a cool place, and Yee Haw makes good beer. Nice choice. 
 

Best of luck on the procedure next wk. 

[hammergolf]

Best wishes Arg and hope for a speedy recovery so you’re back on the links very soon!

[buckeyevalley]

I check in daily to read about your rounds.  It’s become part of my daily evening activities.  What is your estimated time out?

[Double Mocha Man]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Is full time RVing easy? Nope. Plenty of frustrating and stressful times. However, so is life in a suburb. Get out there and see the country, and play some wonderful golf courses. The brewpubs aren't bad, either. Lol. 

 

Ah, waxing philosophical today.  Good job.  Again, no photos of the operation.  Beer and food photos afterwards, okay.

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, buckeyevalley said:

I check in daily to read about your rounds.  It’s become part of my daily evening activities.  What is your estimated time out?

 

If there are no complications I should be back swinging a club in three to four weeks. 

 

If they wind up having to take out the kidney, I'm looking at 7 to 8 weeks. Certainly hope it doesn't come to that. 

 

[vernon]

On 3/13/2023 at 9:04 AM, vernon said:

OH MY GOD!!!

 

MY EYES, MY EYES!!!

I expect daily reviews on the hospital admission procedures, room, bed and nurse services as well the surgeon and attending staffs performance.

 

Rehab and recovery process review I guess could wait a day maybe two depending on the circumstances but is necessary as is plausible and or convenient. 

 

Gotta keep your evaluation and transcription skills sharp!

 

Plus some of us have nothing else to do but follow your daily adventures whatever they might entail!

 

Do good this week Arg.

 

[JungleJimbo]

13 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

If there are no complications I should be back swinging a club in three to four weeks. 

 

If they wind up having to take out the kidney, I'm looking at 7 to 8 weeks. Certainly hope it doesn't come to that. 

 

@Argonne69 Heard the trailer for this BBC "Soul Music" podcast series today , and thought of your upcoming medical procedure... hope you emerge from it with capability to drive an extra 10-15 yards further... and better stamina! (and perhaps a way to imbibe more of your favourite brews without getting too tipsy! Be well & wishing you all the best / speedy recovery!)

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000l7zc 

 

Alternative Link for on-demand streaming:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct41ty 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2023 by JungleJimbo

[jjr]

On 3/25/2023 at 3:43 AM, Argonne69 said:

 

Thanks. I'll likely be in Alberta in the summer of 2024. There are some beautiful courses up there.

 

Banff is a must! I know ther are plenty of other beautiful courses courses (several realtively newer that I haven't played) If I'm in God's Country Banff and Jasper are always on my list!!

 

Good luck next week Arg, I'd bet you'll be up and playing quickly, staying healthy and walking as much as possible will make your recovery that much faster! Prayers for a rapid recovery.

Edited March 26, 2023 by jjr
ok

[buckI]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Just had some surgery about 4 weeks ago.  Putted today and hoping to chip and pitch early next week.   This getting older it not for sissies.   Surgeon told me no lifting much for 4-6 weeks but hoping to get back to playing and carrying by late April.

 

If your golf travels get you through Ohio at some point let me know.

[Argonne69]

35 minutes ago, jjr said:

Banff is a must! I know ther are plenty of other beautiful courses courses (several realtively newer that I haven't played) If I'm in God's Country Banff and Jasper are always on my list!!

 

Good luck next week Arg, I'd bet you'll be up and playing quickly, staying healthy and walking as much as possible will make your recovery that much faster! Prayers for a rapid recovery.

 

Yeah, I hope I can walk soon. It's going to be boring as heck walking around in a flat housing development with cookie cutter homes. 

 

[caniac6]

4 hours ago, vernon said:

I expect daily reviews on the hospital admission procedures, room, bed and nurse services as well the surgeon and attending staffs performance.

 

Rehab and recovery process review I guess could wait a day maybe two depending on the circumstances but is necessary as is plausible and or convenient. 

 

Gotta keep your evaluation and transcription skills sharp!

 

Plus some of us have nothing else to do but follow your daily adventures whatever they might entail!

 

Do good this week Arg.

 

Don’t need any pictures of hospital food.

[Argonne69]

Nice drive to Louisville this morning. Actually, in 20 miles south of the river. Tennessee and Kentucky are beautiful states. I-75 was a picturesque drive, and then to shave off 30 miles I headed west on US-150 through the rolling Kentucky countryside. Surprised to see more cows than horses, but I guess horse country is more northeast. I'm going to miss the rolling hills of Appalachia. 

 

Probably just going to crack open a bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County, and watch the Dell match play final. 

 

Four and a half more hours of driving tomorrow and then I'm done with this leg of the journey. Yesterday's round was #335 on the trip. Not too shabby. Looking forward to Michigan in a month or so. 

 

[Argonne69]

3 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

Don’t need any pictures of hospital food.

 

Lol. Maybe I'll post a daily "Best Of" from my 17 months on the road. 

 

[Argonne69]

9 minutes ago, buckI said:

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Just had some surgery about 4 weeks ago.  Putted today and hoping to chip and pitch early next week.   This getting older it not for sissies.   Surgeon told me no lifting much for 4-6 weeks but hoping to get back to playing and carrying by late April.

 

If your golf travels get you through Ohio at some point let me know.

 

Before this leg got cut short I was planning to travel through Ohio on my way back to Chicago. If the weather in Michigan doesn't look good at the end of of April and early May I may head to Cincinnati and Columbus before turning north to Detroit, Port Huron, and Saginaw. 

 

[stevopagolf]

I would really enjoy the best of Arg's journeys as well as the bottom 10.... balance

 

Get well soon!

[Bubb]

Hoping for the best for your surgery. Thank you for this thread!

[Argonne69]

Rough afternoon. Lol. 

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

3 hours ago, caniac6 said:

Don’t need any pictures of hospital food.

 

But definitely pictures of hospital beer!

[AltC]

Good luck Arg - get back out swinging soon!

[Argonne69]

Oy. I filled up Bessie's gas tank yesterday in Tennessee, and it was $2.95 a gallon. Just filled up for the last time on this leg in Indiana, and it was $3.40 a gallon. Your tax dollars at work. Lol. 

 

[Argonne69]

Made it safely to my family member's place in Northwest Indiana. Bessie is jacked up in the driveway for the night, but I'll move her out to the street tomorrow after climbing on the roof and tightening the bolts on the vent covers. 

 

Just finished a tasty Aurelio's pizza, one of my favorite tavern style pies in the area. I know there are a couple of members here who don't particularly care for the pizza, but it's been a favorite for many years. I worked in the flagship store in Homewood in high school, and in a couple other locations through college. Ten years in a hot kitchen making pizzas three days a week, and I never got tired of eating it. Lol. 

 

 

[mci711]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Made it safely to my family member's place in Northwest Indiana. Bessie is jacked up in the driveway for the night, but I'll move her out to the street tomorrow after climbing on the roof and tightening the bolts on the vent covers. 

 

Just finished a tasty Aurelio's pizza, one of my favorite tavern style pies in the area. I know there are a couple of members here who don't particularly care for the pizza, but it's been a favorite for many years. I worked in the flagship store in Homewood in high school, and in a couple other locations through college. Ten years in a hot kitchen making pizzas three days a week, and I never got tired of eating it. Lol. 

 

 

 

Well, now I feel guilty. I will say, Aurelio's is very dependent on location. Lisle location, not great. Geneva, pretty good. That one looks really solid. Enjoy the pizza!

 

Welcome back and good luck with everything. 

Edited March 28, 2023 by mci711

[tw422]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Oy. I filled up Bessie's gas tank yesterday in Tennessee, and it was $2.95 a gallon. Just filled up for the last time on this leg in Indiana, and it was $3.40 a gallon. Your tax dollars at work. Lol. 

 

c'mon out to CA when you are better.  gas is only $5.20/gallon here.  talk about tax dollars at work!  

 

Feel better soon and look forward to seeing you back out playing golf and drinking beer in a few months!

Edited March 27, 2023 by tw422