Arg's Travel Log

[Mullenboy]

Arg - you are a very devoted walker - which of course is an understatement.  But come on... 105 degrees?  Seems more sane to just jump in a cart... at least for back nine.  No?

 

And I know, you have walked in worse.  🙂  I'm just curious about the thinking.

 

 

[TBD203]

I caved and took a cart on Sunday, and it was only 92 here (60% humidity though). I think my limit is 90 with over 50% humidity. I can still walk and get around without too much of an issue, but I am absolutely fried by the end in that kind of weather.

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, Mullenboy said:

Arg - you are a very devoted walker - which of course is an understatement.  But come on... 105 degrees?  Seems more sane to just jump in a cart... at least for back nine.  No?

 

And I know, you have walked in worse.  🙂  I'm just curious about the thinking.

 

 

 

Lol. I'm sure it was only 93 degrees at the turn.

 

I wasn't in any hurry. Nobody in front of me, and nobody behind me. I walked in the shade on many holes, so I could take my hat off. Pretty sure I'm going to use my umbrella tomorrow.

 

Yeah, I've done worse. Landman two summers ago was pretty tough. I believe it was over 100 degrees. Had a late morning tee time, so it was a hike in the midday heat.

 

Forgot to mention the bugs. They were nasty. Didn't feel a breeze until the 16th hole, and even then it was very light.

 

 

Edited June 23 by Argonne69

[bcjim]

Brutal temps here in the Mid-Atlantic this week.  Definitely use caution out there. 

[Mullenboy]

56 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. I'm sure it was only 93 degrees at the turn.

 

I wasn't in any hurry. Nobody in front of me, and nobody behind me. I walked in the shade on many holes, so I could take my hat off. Pretty sure I'm going to use my umbrella tomorrow.

 

Yeah, I've done worse. Landman two summers ago was pretty tough. I believe it was over 100 degrees. Had a late morning tee time, so it was a hike in the midday heat.

 

Forgot to mention the bugs. They were nasty. Didn't feel a breeze until the 16th hole, and even then it was very light.

 

 

Thanks.  So I have to ask... is there EVER a situation where you will take a cart, if allowed to walk?  Any type of mountainous terrain or horrible weather?  

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, Mullenboy said:

Thanks.  So I have to ask... is there EVER a situation where you will take a cart, if allowed to walk?  Any type of mountainous terrain or horrible weather?  

 

I had to take a cart for two weeks after my surgery two years ago. Not my choice. Doctor's orders. Lol. 

 

Otherwise, I think I've voluntarily ridden four times. Three were weather related as I wanted to beat the coming rain. 

 

Two summers ago I had a round where they didn't tell me about the full shotgun going off in two hours. I'm quick, but can't walk 18 in two hours. Had a choice of walking nine, or riding 18 in two hours or less. I grabbed the cart. 

 

Goofiest walk had to be that crummy course in Yuma, AZ that had a mile between the 6th and 7th holes, and the same mile coming back from 15 to 16. The course was originally a nine hole layout, and then they built a new housing development a mile down the road with nine new holes and combined the two. Instead of walking the course in my usual 2:40 it took 3:20 with the extra two miles. 

 

I've done several long hikes/climbs on this trip. I climbed 4000' at Sandia Mountain. Glacier National Park was a 13 mile hike with a 2500' climb I believe. The climb in Big Bend National Park was no pushover (10.6 mile out and back and a ~2500' climb). I enjoy the challenge of the walk nearly as much as the golf. 

 

Edited June 23 by Argonne69

[caniac6]

Glad you enjoyed Poplar Grove. I have never played it,but my wife and I rode the back 9, and were very impressed by the beauty of the course. I’m a walker, but I don’t think I would attempt to walk that course! Wake Forest men’s team played in the regionals,  and they play five players, and count four scores. In the last round, they threw out a 68.

[Argonne69]

Man, it's hot. I've had both ACs running all day, and it's still 85 degrees inside Bessie. 

 

[Mullenboy]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I had to take a cart for two weeks after my surgery two years ago. Not my choice. Doctor's orders. Lol. 

 

Otherwise, I think I've voluntarily ridden four times. Three were weather related as I wanted to beat the coming rain. 

 

Two summers ago I had a round where they didn't tell me about the full shotgun going off in two hours. I'm quick, but can't walk 18 in two hours. Had a choice of walking nine, or riding 18 in two hours or less. I grabbed the cart. 

 

Goofiest walk had to be that crummy course in Yuma, AZ that had a mile between the 6th and 7th holes, and the same mile coming back from 15 to 16. The course was originally a nine hole layout, and then they built a new housing development a mile down the road with nine new holes and combined the two. Instead of walking the course in my usual 2:40 it took 3:20 with the extra two miles. 

 

I've done several long hikes/climbs on this trip. I climbed 4000' at Sandia Mountain. Glacier National Park was a 13 mile hike with a 2500' climb I believe. The climb in Big Bend National Park was no pushover (10.6 mile out and back and a ~2500' climb). I enjoy the challenge of the walk nearly as much as the golf. 

 

Thanks!  It is good to hear you are not absolute about this.  

[tips09]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Man, it's hot. I've had both ACs running all day, and it's still 85 degrees inside Bessie. 

 

Check those AC filters! You’d be amazed at the amount of service calls I get that say the ac isn’t keeping up and turns out to be a dirty filter ( I’m a refrigeration mechanic). Sometimes though… it’s just too damn hot and humid for the system to keep up. Thanks for keeping this thread going for so long. It’s been great to follow your journey. Also there’s tons of great golf up in British Columbia, Canada if you find yourself up in the PNW. 

[Argonne69]

8 hours ago, tips09 said:

Check those AC filters! You’d be amazed at the amount of service calls I get that say the ac isn’t keeping up and turns out to be a dirty filter ( I’m a refrigeration mechanic). Sometimes though… it’s just too damn hot and humid for the system to keep up. Thanks for keeping this thread going for so long. It’s been great to follow your journey. Also there’s tons of great golf up in British Columbia, Canada if you find yourself up in the PNW. 

 

Spent 2 weeks in BC last August. Yeah, good golf. 'Got kicked out of my first course for asking about walking. Lol.

 

8/27/24,Kings Links by the Sea,Delta,BC,6
8/26/24,Morgan Creek GC,Surrey,BC,5
8/25/24,Bear Mountain GTR Mountain,Victoria,BC,7
8/24/24,Bear Mountain GTR Valley,Victoria,BC,7
8/23/24,Northview GCC Canal,Surrey,BC,6
8/21/24,Big Sky GC,Pemberton,BC,6
8/20/24,Chateau Whistler GC,Whistler,BC,7
8/19/24,Nicklaus North GC,Whistler,BC,6
8/17/24,Predator Ridge GR Ridge,Vernon,BC,7
8/16/24,Bighorn GCC,Kamloops,BC,6
8/15/24,Sagebrush GC,Quilchena,BC,8
8/14/24,Tobiano GC,Kamloops,BC,7
8/12/24,Club Shuswap GR,Salmon Arm,BC,3
8/11/24,Revelstoke GC,Revelstoke,BC,4
8/9/24,Greywolf GC,Panorama,BC,7
8/8/24,Golden GC,Golden,BC,4

 

[TBD203]

Wow, cool to see an 8 cow in there. If I recall you said Pebble is... 9? Do you think there *is* a 10?

[Argonne69]

56 minutes ago, TBD203 said:

Wow, cool to see an 8 cow in there. If I recall you said Pebble is... 9? Do you think there *is* a 10?

 

I sure hope there's a 10. The quest to find it keeps me on the road. Lol. Shadow Creek? 

 

[TBD203]

I hope to find one in the next two weeks in Scotland/UK! I think I have two that I would consider 10s by my standard, but I know the cows are different than my personal preferences. 

[Argonne69]

Another tough hike today. Pretty sure I'm crazy walking in this heat and humidity. Even though I teed off 30 minutes earlier than yesterday, it was hotter in the parking lot after the round. 107? Whoa. Popping the umbrella helped, but it was still a slog. The course starts play at dawn, so I wasn't the first one out, but after playing through a pair of threesomes and a twosome I had a clear course. The early rabbits must have been really moving.

 

Colonial Hills GC today. OK I guess. Very nice piece of parkland property with some decent elevation changes, but they didn't do a ton with the design. Bunkering was very light. Water in play on 5 holes. Half the holes had left/right movement including five doglegs. A handful of blind shots slowed down play a tad. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee primarily due to the doglegs. Minor misses were no problem with plenty of freshly cut rough. Big misses were generally playable, either from an adjacent fairway or from the hardpan under the trees. 

 

Approaches were fairly straightforward. Greens were a couple of notches above small, and lightly guarded. The par 3s were the exception. Greens had gentle contouring and slope. Pretty boring actually. Up and downs were no problem. Fairly easy chips or pitches from the rough with few bunkers to deal with. 

 

Three of the four par 3s were very good. The 5th and 14th were tough with elevated tees and water in play. Variety of length was meh. 8i to FW. The three par 5s were meh. Zero risk. The sole short 4 3rd was pretty good with a forced carry over a large pond, and a steep sidehill covered in rough on the RHS if you bailed right. 

 

Conditions were mixed. Fairways had more than a few iffy areas. Turf was shaggy and damp. Rough was very good. Bunkers needed grooming. Greens looked fine and were rolling at least 10. 

 

Played the Blue tees (tips) at 6370 yds on the par 71 layout (71.2/129). Solid day with the driver, but not a lot of rollout. Woods and irons were decent. Short game saved several strokes. Putter took the day off. Five bogies. Shot of the day was probably the teeshot on the long par 3 14th. Intimidating shot downhill with a pond to cover, I hit a nice high draw with the 9w. Didn't quite hold the green, but had an easy chip from a yard off the back left. Highlight of the day was once again surviving the hike. I really need to consider taking a cart tomorrow. 

 

Going with 4 cows unfortunately. While there are a handful of fun holes, just too many meh holes with little danger or strategy required. Needs better bunkering, a short par 3, and trouble on the par 5s. The $33 weekday walking rate was spot on. Playable for locals, but easily skipped. Head north to Poplar Grove 

 

[Argonne69]

Colonial Hills Golf Club, Forest, VA 

 

 

 

 

 

The new summer logo. Lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oy. The Honda's thermometer is off by 3 degrees, but still.. 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/chdsocns0qfxkqpsoygrl/AJRr-HXdB3d7UJhyaN9V59E?rlkey=vzptpinftugtptqqaj4lkg66b&st=seerf497&dl=0

 

Edited June 24 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

48 minutes ago, TBD203 said:

I hope to find one in the next two weeks in Scotland/UK! I think I have two that I would consider 10s by my standard, but I know the cows are different than my personal preferences. 

 

I'm thinking Ireland or Australia would be possible. 

 

[Argonne69]

Lynchburg Beer Cellar today. Stopped by hoping to stock up on some Bourbon County, as Virginia only allows beer sales in grocery stores and limited stores. Distilled spirits are available in state run liquor stores. Got lucky here in that they had a very nice selection of bottled and canned beers, including BCS. Picked up 4 bottles of Bourbon County, and a couple of nice Belgians. 

 

They have 14 taps, but the selection was meh. Grabbed a tasty Duval Belgian Strong Golden Ale from the cooler. Joked with the server that I needed a spoon. Looked like a golden ale sundae. Lol. 

 

 

Edited June 24 by Argonne69

[TBD203]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm thinking Ireland or Australia would be possible. 

 

One of mine is Ireland! I have not been to Australia yet, that is probably a 40th birthday trip... that and New Zealand.

[islesmb]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm thinking Ireland or Australia would be possible. 

 

Ballybunnion and Lahinch would be 10's for me.

[Mullenboy]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm thinking Ireland or Australia would be possible. 

 

Get back to Nebraska next summer.  Be willing to play a private club, with sponsorship.  I can think of two that I have to believe would tick all of your very specific boxes.  You do surprise me though. 🙂

[mci711]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I sure hope there's a 10. The quest to find it keeps me on the road. Lol. Shadow Creek? 

 

 

Shadow Creek is a place I went into with low expectations that it would live up to its ranking. It blew out my expectations and I would have no problem playing there again. A top 5 golf experience for me. In no order, it is right there with Sunningdale (uk), Pebble Beach, Pasatiempo, St Andrews. Just ahead of places like Bandon, Kiawah, Whistling Straits. It is impossible to rank courses that are that good, but I think there are very close tiers to split at the top. 

 

Maybe you should introduce decimals for future ranking. Shadow Creek is maybe 9 cows and a calf.

Edited June 24 by mci711

[Mullenboy]

Shadow Creek is an incredible golf experience.  Some find it hokey or overkill - the drive out in a limo, tour of the famous lockers, your own little driving range slot, etc.  I went with it and loved it all.  And the course is undeniably fantastic.

 

But that is easy for me to say because when I did it - 20 years ago - the only requirement was staying at a Wynne hotel.  I was otherwise comped as a magazine rater.

 

If Arg goes... from what I hear... he'll also have to stay at one of the hotels and it will cost him $1000+.

 

Is the 9.5 cow experience worth that?

 

I wonder.....

Edited June 24 by Mullenboy

[mci711]

2 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

Shadow Creek is an incredible golf experience.  Some find it hokey or overkill - the drive out in a limo, tour of the famous lockers, your own little driving range slot, etc.  I went with it and loved it all.  And the course is undeniably fantastic.

 

But that is easy for me to say because when I did it - 20 years ago - the only requirement was staying at a Wynne hotel.  I was otherwise comped as a magazine rater.

 

If Arg goes... from what I hear... he'll also have to stay at one of the hotels and it will cost him $1000+.

 

Is the 9.5 cow experience worth that?

 

I wonder.....

 

I went in April. $1500 plus a stay at the Bellagio (you can stay at other MGMs). I don't count the hotel stay, as I was going to be in Vegas anyway. No course is worth $1500, two rounds at Pebble is probably smarter 😂. Am I looking to book another round when I'm there in October though?...Maybe. lol  

 

I'll probably check Wynn GC off the list instead, though. Half the price at $700, basically giving it away 🤦‍♂️

[TBD203]

5 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

Shadow Creek is a place I went into with low expectations that it would live up to its ranking. It blew out my expectations and I would have no problem playing there again. A top 5 golf experience for me. In no order, it is right there with Sunningdale (uk), Pebble Beach, Pasatiempo, St Andrews. Just ahead of places like Bandon, Kiawah, Whistling Straits. It is impossible to rank courses that are that good, but I think there are very close tiers to split at the top. 

 

Maybe you should introduce decimals for future ranking. Shadow Creek is maybe 9 cows and a calf.

love to hear this - have 36 at sunningdale first week in July!

[Mullenboy]

1 hour ago, mci711 said:

 

I went in April. $1500 plus a stay at the Bellagio (you can stay at other MGMs). I don't count the hotel stay, as I was going to be in Vegas anyway. No course is worth $1500, two rounds at Pebble is probably smarter 😂. Am I looking to book another round when I'm there in October though?...Maybe. lol  

 

I'll probably check Wynn GC off the list instead, though. Half the price at $700, basically giving it away 🤦‍♂️

YIKES!  $1500???  Wow.  Ok we all have our thresholds I suppose but in my world - and dare I say nearly everyone - that can't be worth doing.

[StudentGolfer4]

9 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

Get back to Nebraska next summer.  Be willing to play a private club, with sponsorship.  I can think of two that I have to believe would tick all of your very specific boxes.  You do surprise me though. 🙂

I don’t know. I’m pretty sure if Arg teed it up on the beach in Florida he would still proclaim, could use a bit more sand! Hahaha

[TBD203]

6 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I don’t know. I’m pretty sure if Arg teed it up on the beach in Florida he would still proclaim, could use a bit more sand! Hahaha

surely he can’t think Pine Valley or Sand Hills needs more?!

[cassel191919]

19 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I sure hope there's a 10. The quest to find it keeps me on the road. Lol. Shadow Creek? 

 

Shadow Creek is so beyond overrated and the price tag is laughable.

[Argonne69]

Shadow Creek is the only Top 20 public course I haven't played. 'Was hoping to play it two years ago as my 1000th course, but I couldn't get a tee time due to some celebrity outing. Was planning to play it late last year, but they had just punched the greens, and they were offering no discount. 'Not going to drop $2000 for a one-time round and play on bumpy greens.

 

I'm sure it's overpriced, but it looks like a fun track. Hope to get on it soon. I'll save a few bucks by staying at the MGM Grand. I don't believe one can stay at New York New York or Excalibur.