Arg's Travel Log

[imkirby34]

Poppy Hills with a well-deserved 8 cows.  My buddies and I just love playing there.  I think we've seen about the full gamut of playing conditions in our rounds there - fog, drizzle, sun, rain, wind, and combinations - and we've enjoyed it every time.  I've never played well there and I still love it. 

[Mullenboy]

6 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

Poppy Hills with a well-deserved 8 cows.  My buddies and I just love playing there.  I think we've seen about the full gamut of playing conditions in our rounds there - fog, drizzle, sun, rain, wind, and combinations - and we've enjoyed it every time.  I've never played well there and I still love it. 

I'm with you re Poppy Hills.  It's Arg's cup of tea.  Tough, lots of bunkers, some risk-reward.  That's all good by me.  I can dig that also.  But man Arg needs to open his heart and mind to courses that are very fun without those things.  Like Pajaro Valley.

 

Sorry I can't give it up just yet.

 

And it is all in good fun.

[Dancin]

Pajaro Valley is getting a Forrest Richardson renovation as soon as CA approves the permits
https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/forrest-richardson-to-develop-renovation-plan-for-pajaro-valley

[Mullenboy]

13 minutes ago, Dancin said:

Pajaro Valley is getting a Forrest Richardson renovation as soon as CA approves the permits
https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/forrest-richardson-to-develop-renovation-plan-for-pajaro-valley

I've been hearing about renovations at Pajaro for as long as I have been playing the course.... nearly 40 years... it seems to never happen.  So consider me a doubting Thomas.  And also consider me very against yet ANOTHER one of our local courses being torn up, tricked up, prices jacked up.  Pajaro is fine as is.  So was Palo Alto Muni.  So was San Juan Oaks.  So was Pasatiempo really.  

 

That article is so weird and off also.... 17 is a par 5 now... the hole they are talking about with a great view behind the green is 16... 

Edited November 18, 2024 by Mullenboy

[Nels55]

12 minutes ago, Dancin said:

Pajaro Valley is getting a Forrest Richardson renovation as soon as CA approves the permits
https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/forrest-richardson-to-develop-renovation-plan-for-pajaro-valley

Huh?  My understanding is that they are eliminating the current 17 and 18th holes to put in whatever the development is.  I had heard condos not an rv park.  Also 17 is currently a par 5, it sounds like they are making it a par four?

[Mullenboy]

1 minute ago, Nels55 said:

Huh?  My understanding is that they are eliminating the current 17 and 18th holes to put in whatever the development is.  I had heard condos not an rv park.  Also 17 is currently a par 5, it sounds like they are making it a par four?

We crossed in space.  Sure seems like that article is way off.  But again, they've been talking about many re-dos forever.  Remember the model that used to be in the front of the restaurant?

[Argonne69]

Lol. Can't wait to get away from US-101. Short drive down to Paso Robles today, and it was another trip involving bad concrete pavement. The left lane looked fine, but the right lane was a mess with cracked pavement for large stretches. Occasionally it would switch to asphalt, which was fine. I basically retraced my route from late March when I headed north from Paso to Monterey. Alway nice to pass through King City, as it brings back good memories of a road trip in 1990 with my brother. 

 

Staying at the same RV park just east of town. Upscale park with fairly level concrete sites. It's going to drop down into the upper 20s tonight, so I have to run off my fresh water tanks for three days. 

 

 

Looked at the long term forecast for early December in Las Vegas, and I think I'm going to skip it and head to Palm Springs. Morning lows will be in the low 30s, and daytime highs with be mid 50s. Chance for rain on the day I was hoping to play Shadow Creek. Don't want to pay $2000 to play Shadow Creek in that weather. The following two days the cost of hotel rooms at the MGM grand double/triple in price. 

 

Probably going to drive into town for a beer later. Going to take a day off tomorrow to rest the wrist after playing the past two days. It's still very sore. I'll try to tee it up on Wednesday. The front brakes on the Honda have started squealing. Looks like tomorrow will include a trip to the Honda dealer in San Luis Obispo. 

 

Edited November 18, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Bummer. I had planned to play Hunter Ranch on Wednesday, but right now the earliest tee time is noon, and with a very likely frost delay there's little chance of finishing the round before sunset. They've got some type of event going, and there's not even a spot for a single. I'll probably show up early anyway, as lengthy frost delays often lead to players bailing. 

 

Otherwise I'll check Chalk Mountain in Atascadero. 

 

[Mullenboy]

Chalk Mountain is short and tricky.. a few layups required... likely not your kinda course.  But perhaps it's better than nothing.  Bummer because I think Hunter Ranch is right up your alley.

 

 

[Argonne69]

40 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

Chalk Mountain is short and tricky.. a few layups required... likely not your kinda course.  But perhaps it's better than nothing.  Bummer because I think Hunter Ranch is right up your alley.

 

 

I played Chalk back in late March. Gave it 5 cows vs 6 cows for Hunter. Definitely was looking forward to HR. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Yet another visit to California Coast Beer Company. Their Belgian Golden Strong is one of the best I've had. Bought a four pack back in March, and I'll stock up again today. Looking forward to Firestone Walker tomorrow after my service appointment at Honda. 

 

 

Sitting at the bar enjoying the brew when I heard a train passing on the adjacent tracks. Similar to this past spring, it was the northbound Amtrak Coast Starlight heading to Seattle. 

 

Edited November 19, 2024 by Argonne69

[ThinkingPlus]

35 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I played Chalk back in late March. Gave it 5 cows vs 6 cows for Hunter. Definitely was looking forward to HR. 

 

 

Hunter is outstanding. One of our favorites along with La Purisma (same designer so no surprise). Just really solid golf. Conditioning is usually good and no tricks. What you see it what you get.

[Mullenboy]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I played Chalk back in late March. Gave it 5 cows vs 6 cows for Hunter. Definitely was looking forward to HR. 

 

 

Chalk got 5 cows???  There is hope for you.  😉

[StoutKing]

16 hours ago, ThinkingPlus said:

Hunter is outstanding. One of our favorites along with La Purisma (same designer so no surprise). Just really solid golf. Conditioning is usually good and no tricks. What you see it what you get.

 

TP - read your comment and first thing I thought is you're an excellent player.  Then I saw your handicap.  I'm with you, excellent tracks.

Edited November 19, 2024 by StoutKing
I can't spell

[ThinkingPlus]

1 minute ago, StoutKing said:

 

TP - read your comment and first thing I thought is you're an excellent player.  Then I saw your handicap.  I'm with you, excellent tracks.

My hubby and I lived in the desert outside LA. We would do weekend trips to Paso Robles to play HR. Always fun and got us away from the convection oven that was the Antelope Valley. Had a co-worker who was a plus that we would meet at La Purisima to play 36 on a Saturday or Sunday. He loved LP and always enjoyed challenging his game. We also would play Rancho San Marcos (RIP) occasionally. Really tough layout where you could run into celebs sometime.

[Mullenboy]

1 minute ago, StoutKing said:

 

TP - read your comment and first thing I thought is you're an excellent player.  Then I saw your handicap.  I'm with you, excellent tracks.

I was thinking the same.  Each of HR and LP are very difficult courses... loved by great players because yes, in each case, what you see is what you get.  No surprise each of you think they are great.  Arg also is a pretty strong player, from he reports here... so I know he likes these two also.

 

For the rest of the world... there's not that much love for either... LP in particular is too hard for most.

 

 

[StoutKing]

1 minute ago, ThinkingPlus said:

My hubby and I lived in the desert outside LA. We would do weekend trips to Paso Robles to play HR. Always fun and got us away from the convection oven that was the Antelope Valley. Had a co-worker who was a plus that we would meet at La Purisima to play 36 on a Saturday or Sunday. He loved LP and always enjoyed challenging his game. We also would play Rancho San Marcos (RIP) occasionally. Really tough layout where you could run into celebs sometime.

Agree on RSM.  Only played it once - right before CV19 - and it's a shame they closed.  That's one of the more beautiful settings in golf and one of my favorite Jones courses.

[Argonne69]

Ouch. Expensive day. The Honda needs brake pads and rotors on the front, and brake pads on the back. Service at a dealer is never cheap, but it's still much cheaper than a new car payment. Lol. 

 

The Honda dealer in San Luis Obispo offers a free shuttle to and from town, so with 3 hours to kill I'm doing a little pub crawl. First stop is at The Libertine Brewing Company. 60 taps with a fairly lousy selection of national and regional brews. At least 16 IPAs, and no Belgians or imperial stouts. Settled on a Barrelhouse Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout. At 5% ABV, it's the lite beer of stouts. Lol. 

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

2 hours ago, ThinkingPlus said:

Really tough layout where you could run into celebs sometime.

 

I hope you swung a 5-iron at Jack Nicholson.

[Argonne69]

Well, that's more like it. Antigua Brewing has 19 taps with a minimal mix, but they do have a very nice Belgian Golden Ale. 

 

 

[imkirby34]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Settled on a Barrelhouse Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout. At 5% ABV, it's the lite beer of stouts. Lol. 

 

 

I picked up some Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout recently and didn't realize it was 5% ABV until I got home.  Haha.

[zer0]

On 11/18/2024 at 8:37 AM, Mullenboy said:

Sigh.  Another course I've played many times over the years and generally love gets the dreaded four cows.  Pajaro Valley.  Arg I could go on and on as to what you missed and/or glossed over, but it's no use.  You love The Bridges and poo-pooh Pajaro and Monterey Pines.  You and I appreciate differet things in golf courses. So the golf world goes.  It just makes me a little sad.  🙂

 

BTW the best play on 6 is nearly never down 8 fairway... unless you go way right you're blocked by trees.  I suppose if one's normal shot is a draw the normal straight shot into 6 fairway seems daunting but...lay up.. play way left... you'll have 150 max in.  It's a short tight hole with a very small green, tough to hit. The tee shot is way more manageable than it looks in one play.  But what do I now?  I've played there at least 50 times.  😉

 

Poppy Hills... always great, most so now after most recent revisions.  I'm usually for leaving well-enough alone in terms of messing with golf courses, but every time they've changed Poppy it's been for the better.  Cool you got a nice day, there and everywhere nearby.  Enjoy the drive south.

 

 

 

We should all be so fortunate to find a soulmate who hangs on our every word the way Mullenboy awaits the daily cow rating.

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, zer0 said:

 

We should all be so fortunate to find a soulmate who hangs on our every word the way Mullenboy awaits the daily cow rating.

 

Lol. I appreciate that he keeps me honest. Before I click the "Submit Reply" button, I ask myself, "What would @Mullenboythink?" 🙃

 

[Argonne69]

Lol. Love how a three hour job turns into 5 hour job. Thank goodness that I didn't sit around the dealer all day. The new brakes are nice, but there is a slight vibration at highway speeds. They rotated the tires, so it's very likely that the wear pattern is causing the shimmy. I'll give it a couple of days. 

 

Couldn't resist stopping at Firestone Walker given that it's on the way back to the RV park. Stopped by earlier this year. Enjoying their overly pricey 3 ounce samples of the 2024 Anniversary XXVIII barrel ale, and their Dark Ray Bourbon Barrel Aged Blended Ale. 

 

 

I'm going to be a good boy and pass on the smash burger. I'll stop by tomorrow for one. 

 

[Mullenboy]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. I appreciate that he keeps me honest. Before I click the "Submit Reply" button, I ask myself, "What would @Mullenboythink?" 🙃

 

Love it.  I do enjoy this... when it's about courses I know well as it has been for a few weeks.  It's fun to see Arg's reviews and pics and his take.  I'll go silent again soon enough.  And Arg if I am making you think... then my work here may well be done.  🙂

[Argonne69]

Wow. Looks like I got out of northern California just in time. The Napa area is going to get 8 inches of rain over the next few days. San Jose is likely to receive 2 inches. 

 

[tad950]

10 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

I was thinking the same.  Each of HR and LP are very difficult courses... loved by great players because yes, in each case, what you see is what you get.  No surprise each of you think they are great.  Arg also is a pretty strong player, from he reports here... so I know he likes these two also.

 

For the rest of the world... there's not that much love for either... LP in particular is too hard for most.

 

 

I’m an aging mid handicapper, and I thoroughly enjoy playing Hunter Ranch and La Piranha. I enjoy variety. And courses with memorable holes. Then again I might be just a glutton for punishment. 😄

[Nels55]

10 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Ouch. Expensive day. The Honda needs brake pads and rotors on the front, and brake pads on the back. Service at a dealer is never cheap, but it's still much cheaper than a new car payment. Lol. 

I hate to say it but there is pretty fair chance that you got hosed by the dealer.  I had a Honda dealer tell me that I needed new brake pads a few weeks after I had put a new set on while they were doing a timing belt change on my old civic years ago.  They screwed up putting the valve cover gasket in and it spewed oil all over the place.  I took it back and to their credit they did fix it though the service manager told me that the gasket was "casted wrong".  LOL.  That's what I get for not doing the timing belt myself I guess...  There is a really good auto service place in Santa Cruz that will not hire any mechanic who has worked for a dealer.   

[DrDon]

5 hours ago, Nels55 said:

I hate to say it but there is pretty fair chance that you got hosed by the dealer.  I had a Honda dealer tell me that I needed new brake pads a few weeks after I had put a new set on while they were doing a timing belt change on my old civic years ago.  They screwed up putting the valve cover gasket in and it spewed oil all over the place.  I took it back and to their credit they did fix it though the service manager told me that the gasket was "casted wrong".  LOL.  That's what I get for not doing the timing belt myself I guess...  There is a really good auto service place in Santa Cruz that will not hire any mechanic who has worked for a dealer.   

I quit going to the Honda dealer after they wanted me to replace my brake pads with 60 percent still remaining on the pads.  The Honda dealer service department ALWAYS found hundreds of dollars in repairs that they recommended be done.

 

Thankfully, I found an honest mechanic.   When I took my wife’s car in for service, the honest guy recommended that I wait until the next oil change before replacing brakes with 20 percent remaining.  
 

 

[Argonne69]

7 hours ago, Nels55 said:

I hate to say it but there is pretty fair chance that you got hosed by the dealer.  I had a Honda dealer tell me that I needed new brake pads a few weeks after I had put a new set on while they were doing a timing belt change on my old civic years ago.  They screwed up putting the valve cover gasket in and it spewed oil all over the place.  I took it back and to their credit they did fix it though the service manager told me that the gasket was "casted wrong".  LOL.  That's what I get for not doing the timing belt myself I guess...  There is a really good auto service place in Santa Cruz that will not hire any mechanic who has worked for a dealer.   

 

I checked with two local mechanics in Paso before taking it to the dealer, but both were booked solid for the week. Back in Chicago I had a trusty local mechanic who did all my work. Other than the (expected) price, I got a fair shake at the dealer. They didn't try to upsell me on any additional work. They did mention that I should consider replacing the timing belt, which was on my radar anyway.

 

I have 109,000 miles on the CR-V. I also have another 30,000 miles on it flat towing. It has an auxiliary braking systems installed, so even though the engine isn't running up additional miles, the brakes and tires are chalking up the additional wear. I purchased it with 30,000 miles, and never did the front brakes. I was actually shocked that they lasted this long. I insisted on new rotors, as it's fairly cheap. I had the rear brakes done (w/ rotors) at 50,000 miles, so they had close to 90,000 miles on them. Pretty sure the pads were toast.

 

Worst experience I ever had with a dealer was when my friendly Audi dealer double filled the oil on my A4 when I brought it in for a routine oil change. When I hopped on the highway the car let out a giant wall of smoke behind it. Pulled over and discovered that the oil level was an inch above the full line. Could have done some serious damage. To this day I always check the oil levels before leaving a service center after getting an oil change.