Highways and Fairways

Mike Strantz is rolling in his grave and Blackhorse (Fort Ord)

Before arriving at the former Fort Ord golf course development, we decided to stop into the private Pebble Beach club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club.  This club is on our radar screen because it was one of the remaining Michael Strantz designed courses that we have yet to tackle on this trek.  Our favorite course architect by far, we had to try to get on this private course.

 

The kind young man behind the front desk listened patiently to our story and said that yes, we could play their private course!  Yay!  All we would need to do is have our head pro, Jeff, contact his head pro and arrange for the accounting transfer of our fees.  The guest fees?  A mere $320 EACH and we would be required to hire a caddie for our round.  Mike then asked if we could speak directly to the pro to grovel a little bit more.  As delicately as he could say it he agreed to arrange a meeting as soon as Mike changed into long pants and tucked in his shirt!  If he looked closer he would have asked that the Birkenstocks go too. 

There's a first on this trip, which is getting hard to do.  As we were writing down contact information a stern skinny weasel looking guy came around the desk and asked Mike to leave the premises as the "members" were complaining about his attire.  Is this what Mike Strantz had in mind when he designed this course?  I guess I took for granted that golfers are friendly and down to earth folks because that's all I've met in my five year career. 

Acquiescing to Mr. Snotty Pants, Mike quickly fled while I finished up with the nice young man, making sure my attire was satisfactory.  Nope, I'd need longer shorts (knee length).  Do they not watch the LPGA on TV? 

We'd heard all we needed to especially after learning that this course didn't sound much like the Strantz courses we've played in other parts of the country.  It's more traditional in its lay out, so off we were to make our tee time at Blackhorse, formerly one of the two courses at the Fort Ord Training Base in Seaside (next to Pebble Beach).

Arriving just in time to participate in their Tuesday Skins game, we jumped at the chance to play.  For $60 we got a cart, $25 of which would go to the skins game, a delicious hot dog (oxymoron but it really was GOOD) and a cup of tortilla soup.  The only rub was that for me to participate in the skins game I'd have to play from the men's tees.  My opinion of the course may be tarnished by the fact that I whined from nearly every  tee box to every 3 wood approaching green.  Sand, length, and putting impossible greens made for a difficult round for all but it was a beautiful setting with very kind people, unlike THAT OTHER place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a course designed by a General (General Edwin Carnes), greens by Houdini, and bunkers cut out by Mr. Jigsaw, this was quite a round.

 

 

 

Mike has the sand shot so that was no biggie.  It was fun for me to watch him play everything down given the skins game in which we were playing.

 

 

Truth be told, Mike played well.  He is, after all, my Trouble Man.  We expected he would win a skin when he birdied the number one handicapped hole.  Unfortunately one of the scratch golfers in the fivesome behind us pitched in for an eagle on the same hole.  Sheesh.  Their fivesome won all of the skins so at least there was one that Mike prevented those young buggers from winning (net eagle).

We played with John and Dan, a couple of fun locals. 

 

Dan had a great round but it was John that joined us in the Birdie Horsey Club.

 

This was another round to pump up my index.  I walked away with a bruised ego and a weary 3 wood.  My putter should have gone for a long swim in the Pacific Ocean.  Hell, just look at these greens!

 

 

 

 

 

We finished in time to enjoy our free hotdogs complimented by a gorgeous pacific sunset.

 

 

 

For the money this course is a gem.  The locals are fortunate to have such a challenging and alluring course in their backyard.  I would like to have a rematch though, this time from the forward tees!

Today we did something quite uncharacteristic for us...we took the first tee time at another local jewell, Pacific Grove Muni.  We were up at 5:30 for a 7:10 tee time!  Those who know us know that is huge for us.  Stay tuned for that review as we are headed out to explore our neighborhood du jour.

Thanks again to Andrew for the suggestion in Paso Robles, home of my favorite winery and our next stop, Hunter's Ranch.

We appreciate you reading our diary!

 

Pasatiempo

First, a very big thank you to Rich for kindly inviting us to play Pasatiempo as his guest during that 45 second shuttle ride at Bandon Dunes earlier this month! Also tagging along was one of his golfing buddies, Dave.

 

It helps to understand the history of Pasatiempo.  The course designer, Alister MacKenzie invited Bobby Jones to come and play at Pasotiempo after Bobby Jones missed the cut at Pebble Beach that year.  Jones fell in love with the course and fired Donald Ross and hired MacKenzie to design a course for him in Georgia where he had just purchased land (later known as Augusta National) .  What a lot of people don't know is that Bobby Jones stiffed MacKenzie and never paid him for designing Augusta National.  This all happened at about the time of the Great Depression and so Mackenzie was never paid. 

MacKenzie loved Pasatiempo and the course loved him back.  His modest home along the course still offers this placque in his memory.

 

 

MacKenzie's favorite hole that he ever designed was the 16th.  He liked the blind tee shot to a three tiered green.

 
 

 

Legend has it that Alister's ashes were spread on this green.

 

My Golfer's Annonymous partner, Elizabeth emailed me after she'd read the blog that we were about to play Pasatiempo. In June she and Steve toured the northern Ca coast playing all of the fabulous courses nearby including Spyglass, Pebble Beach, Sandpiper, and Pasatiempo.  In her words, "... the one I remember most is Pasatiempo.  It went something like this... hit a bad shot... be in trouble... hit a good shot... be in more trouble.... this course kicked my BUTT!  Maybe I had a tired swing from all the travel and golf  but it seemed like I stayed in the rough, which made our Bermuda roughs here(Barefoot Resort) seem mild."

Rich concurred that most who come to play here go away mad--at their score.  The rough didn't seem to bother me as much as the length and the abundant traps.  I suppose with 11 + months at this golf road trip we've experienced enough rough of all lengths that we are used to it.  But oh the sand!

How do you miss it when this is what you see from many tees?

 

 

This sparkling white stuff was everywhere!

 

 

 

 

I agree with Elizabeth's assessment of the punishing results this course offers up after hitting two of the best golf shots I've ever hit only to land with this precarious lie.

 

How did it not roll down to the middle of the trap???

If you have length and a great sand game in your bag as Mike does, then the greens will be the thing to frustrate you.  Rich and Dave both commented that the greens were slower than normal but still a tough read.

 

 

At the end of the day, with high scores in hand, we were very grateful for the humbling experience that had more than length, sand, and tough greens to challenge you:

 

 

 

 

I picked up another cart path coffee table entrant, this one required to get from your first shot to your second.

 

And this one:

 

After our butt kicking golf Dave treated us to a beer at their breath taking 19th hole.

 

We thank you Rich and Dave for a terrific day at Pasatiempo!

Stay tuned for a review of today's golf at Fort Ord in Monterey, a referral from Rich.  More beautiful humbling California golf!

 

 

 

WineTasting, parties, and new I Phones

Amelia did one heck of a job of hosting us while working and staying on top of her Master's online classes.  She was excited to take us to Apple Hill, an affordable alternative to Napa for wine tasting while also offering apples in every concoction from carmel, to wine, to fudge, to donuts...you name it.

 

We were very surprised with how good the wine was.  The tasting was free and we picked up a case of red zin from Boeger wineries that rivals some of the best we had in Napa for a fraction of the price.  It was a beautiful way to spend a Thursday afternoon...

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike the wineries in Napa that cater to yuppies, wine snobs, and bachelorette parties, Apple Hill embraces children and families.  This was the designated driver at Boeger's:

 

The Lava Cap winery has an area for kids to color and read while mommy and daddy taste what's inside the adult grape juice boxes.

 

You even can pick up a baby shower gift while tasting...

 

The zin from Lava Cap was outstanding as was the $26 price!  We wish we'd bought more!

As if playing tour guide and driver through Apple Hill wasn't exhausting enough, Amelia and G cooked up a scrumptious steak dinner for us and some of G's kin.  Eating out is fun and always different, but nothing beats a home cooked meal if you ask me.

 

 

 

Can you tell which twin belongs to Amelia?  Gerardo (G) is the one on the right...

Friday Amelia took us to old town (Old Sac)

 

We had lunch at one of her favorite places, the Delta King on the river.  Before lunch she took us to the AT&T store where she convinced us to join the 21st century and invest in I Phones.  We're glad we waited to do this until we had her to help tutor us through this major change in our technical lives.

 

Later that evening we were invited to one of the famous "Front Porch Friday" parties in Vacaville at Cal and Connie's home, more old friends of Mike's.  The theme for this night's party was wine and food pairings.

 

 

The consummate host, after the wine was enjoyed, Cal whipped up his signature margaritas which put most under the table.  I'm grateful it was my turn to be the designated driver...

 

Thank you Connie and Cal for a fantastic time and for including Amelia and G in the fun you've been whipping up for so many years at your warm home.  This was their first party that had appetizers that were more than chips and ranch dressing!

To finish up our week with Amelia we headed back up to Napa for one last night together in this amazingly beautiful part of our country. 

 

 

G had to work but Amelia spent the night with us in the rig not before one last winery and a few more restaurants.  Mike's nephew Andy highly recommended Alpha Omega for our last Napa wine stop.  Clearly a popular spot,the wine was tasty but was a bit rich for our budget.   

 

Next time we come to Napa I may be persuaded to see wine country on the wine train.  I hear the food is great.

 

I took that picture last weekend in Napa where the temperature never got above 60.  What a difference a few days can make.  This weekend it was 100!

Leanne and Sean came by the campground in Napa to see our home  just in time for Cosmo hour.  With her brother Scott in tow, we had one last night on the town in Napa and one last night with my kiddo.

 

 

 

I have really enjoyed making Mike's old friends my new chums , especially this leg of the trip.  Like Liz and Bill in Naples, Leanne and Sean are the best!

 

There are so many restaurants and hot spots in Napa to choose from but my favorite for food was hands down Bistro Don Giovanni.  My favorite martini bar was the bar next to the Napa Valley Inn where I got to imbibe as it was Mike's turn to drive!

We are now set up at a campground in Santa Cruz where the temperature has moved back down to 64 after a pleasant two hour drive.  Incredible!  More gorgeous scenery...

 

 

Tomorrow morning is Pasatiempo with Rich.  Please wish us luck!  I hear we'll need it with this historic Alister MacKenzie design.  I'm hoping I will remember how to swing a club, it has been so long!

 

 

 

 

Sacramento, CA

It's repair and family time this week.  That's not to say we haven't found time to play a little golf.  Although we had numerous suggestions on places to play in the area, I spent Tuesday morning calling clubs to find one that would allow us to bring Peanut.  Unable to leave him in the coach at the repair shop we had to bring him along.  That left us one choice, a mega golf complex, Haggin Oaks which offers two courses, a golf superstore, and quite a training facility.  We chose the Alister MacKenzie course as it has won numerous accolades for being in the top muni courses in the country.  The place was mobbed, so surprising for a Tuesday morning.  With Peanut in tow, we set off for our round of golf.

 

An open and relatively easy course with slow but well maintained greens.

 

 

Truth be told it was a yawner for me.  About the only interesting part of the day was watching the drama unfold between our two playing partners, Darren and Shane, who battled back and forth in their quest to be crowned the ultimate supreme linkster.

 

At one point Darren was on top by a mile but Shane fought back and willed Darren's balls into the thick brush and other hazards.  At the end of the day it was a draw.  They were a kick to play with but even they said we should have played the Ancil Hoffman course instead.  The Haggin courses are over priced for muni back and forth courses.  At $47, we agreed, as most were priced well under that in the area.  Oh well, I got some much needed practice before we play Pasatiempo on Monday.

After golf Amelia had me set up for my 6 month hair appointment with her guy, TJ for a hair spray painting.  OK, so now not ONLY my hair dresser knows for sure...

 

Yep, every six months I sit in one of these chairs whether I need to or not!

While Mike babysat Peanut he released me from RV repair hell to go play the Ancil Hoffman course.  Truth is he really didn't want to play anyway.  Which means I can only give feedback of the course from my perspective.  Long!  Had I realized that I would never hit a single iron shot I would have left the irons in the car since I carried my bag.  Talk about unnecessary weight!  It gave me a chance to work on my swing and my woods.  Still, I can't express the frustration when I'd hit the drive of a life time followed by a perfectly sweet spot struck three wood only to come up 15 yards short of the green on a par 4.  Aside from the challenging length, the greens were often barricaded from my ball by BOTH sand and trees!

 

Different from most local courses, one par 3 green was elevated enough to require 3 additional clubs to reach the putting surface.

 

The deer and turkeys flaunted their stuff without a care all over the course.

 

 

Overall a boring course from a scenic or obstacle perspective, yet certainly challenging for the length and greenside bunkers.  From what I'm told about Pasatiempo, if this one was a problem I should call in sick for our Monday tee time there.  Yeah right!

We are out of the local RV repair shop but awaiting parts.  The problems now are liveable so we may have them ship the necessary parts home and have it fixed once and for all back in Myrtle Beach.

We are enjoying our time with Amelia and her hubby, Gerardo.  We've had time to catch up both leisurely...

 

and out on the town at their favorite sushi bar, Mikuni's.

 

 

 

 

More fun to come as Amelia is using some much coveted vacation time to goof off with us!

Until the next post, bottoms up (but only with a designated driver of course)!

 

Napa and Silverado Country Club

We certainly made the most of our short time in Napa, though we'll be back for more wine tasting next weekend with my daughter, Amelia.  With limited RV resortsin the area we went with the one of two that could handle a "biggin" like ours on a Fall Napa wine tasting weekend, Skyline Park.  The Pic below is for Lisa's daughters who didn't get to see the rig since there was no way to drive it up their beautiful neighborhood streets off the Silverado Trail.

 

Saturday Mike and I checked out the nearby Napa Golf Club only to tune my swing as it has been deteriorating of late.  Mike continues to whine about his life of drive, golf, eat, sleep, drive, golf, eat, etc.  So we didn't get a chance to see what the course has to offer other than a nice view from the pro shop and very reasonable rates.

 

Their senior club champ trophy caught my eye.

 

Hmmmm?  Does Blue Eyes live in Napa?

High on the list was good Mexican for me and an evening at his favorite Napa spot, Bistro Don Giovanni.  The guys at the car wash referred us to Taqueria Maria which had a fabulous guacamole filled chile relleno burrito--ahhh, CA Mexican food again!  Mike was also pleased with his chile verde but by all means stick with beer.  Don't fall for the margarita specials.

Our dinner at Don Giovanni was fantastic, and per the locals, never disappoints.  I started with a sweet nectarine salad, we then shared this incredible fig pizza...

 

Mike loved his mushroom risotto with duck confit.  Second only to his own risotto, it was delicioso.

 

We then shared the butterscotch pudding.  All of this and a bottle of their house cab for under $100.  Pretty darn good for Napa!

Two really big thumbs up for Bistro Don Giovanni, and you'll need two really big ones for this...

 

After dinner we wandered around downtown Napa which had changed mightily since Mike stomped around these grounds twenty or more years ago.  Like the night I spent with TIna in Valparaiso, IN, Napa also holds an occasional movie night in the park.

 

Very cool thing to do even if it was one movie that has creeped me out since childhood (Wizard of Oz).  Did screen writers use a lot of drugs back in those days?

We didn't stay out too late as we wanted to be fresh for our day of wine tasting and golf with Lisa and Frank at Silverado CC on Sunday.  Frank took daddy duty (daughters are fantastic athletes and keep mom and dad running from game to game) so Lisa could show us around wine country.  We began our slow trek at Luna Wineries.

 

We tasted just about everything they had to offer, plus some from the private reserve thanks to Lisa being an investor in Luna.  We had such a great time with our host that he gave us three tickets to a private release party down the road at Robert Biale vineyards.  We bought a few bottles of Luna's Chardonnay as it had the oaky, almost buttery taste we seek in our white vino.  We also left with a couple bottles of their cab.

 

After blowing a lot of our wine tasting time in one spot, we hurried off to make our lunch reservation at Farmstead in St. Helena.  Great choice, Lisa!  She even treated us to a beautiful bottle of cabernet from the winery she also works for, Lail.

 

Wow did that spoil us for other wines!  Thank you Lisa--great restaurant choice and a very generous wine pairing for our meal.

After lunch Lisa pointed out the quaint town of Yountville, home to the famous and ridiculously expensive French Laundry.  Give yourself a year to get a table and bring that visa card with thebig credit limit as a typical ten course meal for two will run you over $1,000.  Like Bandon Dunes, I was OK with a fly-over instead.

 

We still had time for one more winery before hooking up with Frank at Silverado for what I feared may be "goofy" golf.  Lisa pulled out our tickets and off we were to crash a wine party at Robert Biale's place tucked away from the usual wine tour stops. 

 

Unfortunately we were down to only about twenty minutes before our tee time, so Mike began "speed-tasting".

 

Mike's tasting wasn't limited to wine.

 

Harvest time is just around the corner.  Such a great time to be doing this kind of thing.

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a couple bottles of their zin, Black Chicken.  Tasty tasty!  Fortunately we'll be back next weekend!

Frank's only request was that we bring lots of cash when we met him at Silverado.  He was looking forward to big bets given our activities of the day.  All of the things I'd worked on at the range with my swing the day before were oh so easily forgotten once on the course.  Silverado offers two 18 hole championship courses and we played the South but I'm sure the North course was equally beautiful.  Other than the atypical cloudy Napa afternoon, we could see why they love this traditional and challenging course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a kick to drink wine and play golf with Lisa as opposed to the lemonade and tennis when we were kids.

 

Both Lisa and Frank have game, though Frank's game was a bit more sober than the rest of ours.

 

The condition of the course and the greens were both impeccable, as you would expect at such a club.  Mike and I both felt dislectic in trying to read the greens.  Ben Harmon designed the course but I'm guessing David Copperfield conceived the greens.  When Mike puts his put three feet wide, the greens are either tough reads or he went wine tasting before golf.

 

 

I was happy to pick up one more picture for my cart path coffee table book.

 

Thank you Lisa and Frank for a most memorable day in Napa.  I will be forever grateful that you reached out to me through Facebook!

We spent today (Monday) at an RV repair place in Sacramento.  It had been feeling the walls were closing in on me and we chalked it up to eleven months living in a shoebox.  As it turns out the bedroom slide really is closing in on us--broken!  We left the RV at the repair shop and are enjoying spending a night in Amelia's guest room!  Wow, a whole house for us to run around in!

Amelia has offered up my sign off for tonight-- Stay Classy San Diego!

 

Benbow, drive through tree, and the harrowing road to Napa

We've been to a few interesting places since my last post. Thanks to the kind folks in the fresh oyster bar back in Eureka we were told of a campground and nine hole, par 35 golf course resort in Garberville.   Benbow Resort and golf is just 5 miles north of the Avenue of Giants and for $24 you can play all day if you want (I wanted).  They do get you on cart fees so we walked the somewhat hilly course and managed to play three times on this surprisingly nice and challenging course that is also an RV park!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny how a simple 30 miles inland in CA can take you from 55 degrees to 85.  Ah, to be back in shorts again!

 

Upon setting up camp the night before and enjoying our nightly customary cosmo, we met our neighbor, Dave from Vallejo, CA, and hooked up with him for golf.

 

A regular at the RV resort and on this course, he was able to guide us through some of the nuances.

 

For the first time since I graduated a million years ago, I came across a fellow alum of UCR!  Dave is even a proud towel carrying grad!

 

As for the course, the par 5's were definitely a challenge and for a nine hole RV course I was delighted there were two of them.

 

My only real complaint about the course was the greens.  No matter how hard we would smash a putt we still rarely made it to the hole. 

 

Made sluggish by the heavy moisture, this seemed to be the only thing able to run on these greens:

 

There was one quite noteworthy downhill par three.  Pull your tee shot and you could be stuck in rush hour on the 101.

 

 

My shot was merely a little long...

 

With no OB markers, Dave had this challenging pitch to the green...

 

Good stuff!  With perfect weather, great company, a decent lay out, this was the ideal pit stop on this golf tour of ours.  We'd highly recommend anyone needing a campground and a golf fix make the layover at Benbow.  Across the freeway is the Benbow Resort which has an historic Inn and a top notch restaurant.

 

 

 

I'm a sucker for a good tomato salad so I jumped at the chance to taste their homegrown fruit.

 

Over priced at $14, they didn't compare to the beautiful tomatoes we were given by a gentleman who knocked on our door at the Winnebago factory parking lot in Iowa.  He refused our money, just wanted to give weary travelers his excess garden produce.

I digress.  Mike ordered the lamb pasta, hoping it would taste even a tiny bit as wonderful as the lamb dish he'd had back in Michigan.

 

Deeply disappointed in the fatty and limited amount of lamb, he did something he hasn't yet done on this trip.  He sent it back and ordered the Red Snapper special instead.  Lucky for us Dave and his wife and friends were dining next to us and Dave offered Mike a taste of the snapper.  Mike enjoyed his second dinner much more so than the pasta dish.  He will wait until we get back to Michigan before trying to order lamb pasta again. 

A little tired of fish, I went with the petite filet and was quite happy with some delicious red meat again, and the purple mashed potatos were pretty good too.

 

As we continued on our journey we did what anyone should do along this highway, stop at the drive-through 2400 year old redwood tree in Leggett.  A tedious and thankfully short side trip to make in a 40 foot long, 13 foot high vehicle..

 

We couldn't quite fit through the tree.

 

So we walked through instead.

 

We don't know these folks, but wanted to show you that most really CAN and do drive through for their picture op.

 

Here is another view of this 315 foot tree.

 

 

Onward we went, stopping for one night at a casino in Clearlake.  I was hoping for the charming Clearlake kind of feel we got in Iowa, but no.  This is not a place to stop on your way toward Napa.  Instead we wish we'd held out for Calistoga...

 

We should warn our fellow RV'ers to take your time on the narrow road leading to Napa (Hwy 29) as it can be a white knuckler for the faint of heart (me).

 

But oh so worth it when you round a bend and catch a glimpse of this view...

 

We are now set up at a campground for the weekend in Napa.  Thanks to the magic and wonders of Facebook, a friend from my childhood found me and the blog early this year and invited us to stop through Napa and play their home course of Silverado Country Club.  Lisa and I go back to the 6th grade but lost touch not long after high school.  She and I played tennis at her country club in Redlands as children, having no idea of the fun we were missing outside the tennis courts on her beautiful and historic golf course there.  Seems we are both making up for it now!  I can't wait to see her and meet her family tomorrow!

Last night Mike reached out to one of his long time friends, Leanne, who lives in nearby Fairfield with her new husband, Sean.  Leanne was at the famed wedding 20 years ago in which Mike donned a chiffon bridesmaid gown for their friend Liz' wedding (picture in much earlier Florida post).  We had a lovely evening with perhaps a little too much wine due to Sean's generous pours. 

 

While Mike and Leanne caught up on too many years gone by, Sean provided me with tons of golf course recommendations in the area.  I love that they're both golfers!  Leanne, new to the game, loves the social and party aspect of golf and, with Sean, is delving into a new business venture with fun loving women golfers in mind.  More on that line later (I don't want to give any secrets away too soon).

And while the four of us enjoyed our time together, crotchety old Peanut incessantly harrassed poor Louie.

 

I must get on with enjoying our beautiful day here in Napa.  Stay tuned!

 

 

Driving and Putting the Oregon Coast

As we work our way south toward Sacramento to see my daughter, we were told to stop and play Bandon Crossing and Salmon Run on our scenic route down the Oregon coast. Set just off 101, Bandon Crossing is touted for having the best greens of the Oregon courses.  What jumped out at us was the open feel, the elevations for being so close to the coast, and the majestic trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wildlife we spotted wore a collar and was faster than a speeding bullet...

 

The greens were indeed impressive.  Try as I might I couldn't find a single blemish on any of the greens.  That would be a testimony both to the maintenance crew and our fellow players.  They weren't too fast and yet ran true and fair with the undulation challenges.

 

 

 

 

After an enjoyable and affordable round ($59) we took off the golf spikes and went on down highway 101 about another 50 miles, found a pull through RV site for the evening, and readied ourselves for our next round at Salmon Run.  If we could combine Bandon Crossing's greens with Salmon Run's lay out, it would have been a perfect golf experience.  Not everyone's cup of tea, Mike especially loves a tricked up course with elevations and this one fit the bill. He shot one over par on the front nine without ever pulling out his driver.  Hmmmm?  Is there an idea there?

Narrow landing areas and undulations from tee to green, patience and discipline are required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The signature island hole is quite beautiful to see and the green large enough to not intimidate.

 

 

 

Whoever put the signs on the course has riden with Mike in a golf cart...

 

We had plenty of curious and adoring fans on the course.

 

 

There were only a few sand traps to be found and those we did find were green and apparently the same sand with which the greens had been brushed.  They were slow and nearly impossible to read speed or bends thanks to the heavy sanding.

 

Green maintenance aside, it was a challenging round for such a short course.  You also can't beat the $38 price!  Too bad we arrived two weeks too soon.  Coming up is their Big Hook Tournament which combines King Salmon fishing with golf in this three day event.  Dang, that would have been a hoot! 

We thoroughly enjoyed our short time in Oregon though I have one very big complaint.  I'm COLD!!!!  With wind a constant factor and the temperature never getting above 55, I have been yearning for a fireplace or a hot bath--neither of which are in our 40 foot shoebox.  We left Oregon last night after golf and kept driving until we found sunshine and 75 degrees.  We now have camp set up in the small CA town of Garberville just past the 31 mile Avenue of Giants drive through the Redwood Forest.  I found an RV & Golf Resort (Benbow Hotel & Resort) which is perfect for the next day and a half.  AND we're back in shorts (though tough Mike never left his).

Below is a short picture show of our drive down the north west coast of our magnificently beautiful country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recylceable art as only Californians can do...

 

Seals popping their heads up...

 

And oh, the redwoods...

 

 

 

 

 

Old Hwy 101, the 31 mile stretch named aptly The Avenue of Giants is listed in the book, 1000 Places to visit Before you Die (thanks Theresa!).  It was well worth the extra time to maneuver our monster vehicle through this incredible forest of ancient and historic trees.

That's it for now.  Much on the agenda over the next few weeks as we work our way home!

One last belated post script:  congratulations to Andrew for winning his flight in the Pacific Am held in Oregon!  He put together five solid rounds to finish quite respectably in the Championship Round!  Way to go!  Also a big shout out to Elizabeth, who came in 4th place and in the money on her maiden voyage of the World Am this year!  Look out next year, girl!  I'll be back!

 

A-BANDON DUNES

We had a fabulous time in the old fishing town of Florence on our way down the coast to Bandon.  It helped that we were in town during the annual Florence Car Show, something near and dear to my heart.

   

We were able to walk to the festivities from our campground.

 

 

All kinds of cool rides born in the era when cars came equipped with baby books and souls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were introduced to one of Irene's ancestors.

 

A small town that honors their fishing roots, I was able to swim with the fish while Mike was able to "catch" some fresh tuna for a sushi feast last night.

 

 

 

 

YUM!  Nothing better than sushi right off the tuna boats!

Unfortunately golf is not the main attraction here but, unable to afford Bandon Dunes, I needed a fix so we gave Ocean Dunes a try.  For $34 including a cart I came in with low expectations and was still disappointed.   A major misnomer, there would be no pacific ocean views in my immediate future.  The driving range also left a bit to be desired.

 

Oh well, we were still promised a challenging round requiring accurate tee shots as the landing area was quite narrow.

 

 

 

Although there were some patchy areas on the tees and fairways, the rest of the course was in pretty darn good shape.

 

The proper name of this course should have been Mountain Dunes as there were many elevation changes, plenty of dunes, and nary a flat lie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike is accustomed to shoots through trees off the tee, but this course offered it for all three tee boxes.

 

 

The greens were slower than we've been playing but were still fair and in good shape.  It was a pleasure to repair ball marks again as they embraced good approach shots.

 

 

 

I was able to keep my ball in play for the most part and had a good shot at breaking 80 until those last two pesky holes got in the way.  The weather had been perfect until the end when the wind was gusting at about 30 mph in our faces.  Oh well.  I can't lie.  I was very disappointed that it had now been more than five years since I've had a glimpse of my childhood friend, the Pacific Ocean.  I was really hoping we'd be meeting again at OCEAN Dunes.  That said, if you happen to be otherwise in Florence for a car show or for the fabulous fresh fish, this is a decent course for $34.

After our time in Florence came to an end, we crossed over their lovely bridge heading the 75 or so miles to Bandon Dunes.

 

Our plan was to make one last ditch effort, face to face, for a discounted round at the famed course.  If not, to see about getting out and seeing the course.  We quickly learned that even Arnie Palmer was once charged the full freight at Bandon Dunes.  When this course first opened they had a hard time finding employees that had interests beyond hunting and fishing so the person behind the desk that day didn't know who Arnie Palmer was. 

Mike's groveling did get us an escorted cart ride around some of the more picturesque holes with one of the senior interns, Michael.

 

One of the more beautiful days here, or so we were told, we about froze our butts off.  The wind was howling, the norm along the ocean cliffs.  I was OK with NOT spending $275 to play.  Like Chambers Bay, this is a walking only course.  We were happy in our warm covered cart to ride around and see the course we were missing.  An open course, I finally got my first view of my pal the Pacific!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wildlife also enjoys the openness of this course.  I also don't think these guys know how easy it is to get a hunting license in this state (buy 'em at Walmart).

 

 

Thank you, Michael, for an unforgettable tour of your course.  For the money, I'm satisfied with our decision to play other courses in lieu of Bandon Dunes.  Hell, we got Chambers Bay, Arcadia Bluffs, and Coeur d'Alene Resort for what one round would have cost here.  It was a very good call.  Plus, after the tour, we feel that Chambers Bay is the better course of the two.

I am thrilled we made the stop.  Upon arrival we were told to take the RV down the road a bit and a shuttle would pick us up and bring us back to the course.

 

In the next 60 seconds we met Rich on the shuttle who invited us to play with him at his course, Pasatiempo, on our way through CA.  Pasatiempo was one we've had numerous recommendations but it was off the list for the price.  In the that short shuttle ride, it is now back on our tour, thanks to the kindness of strangers!

 

Thanks Rich!  We look forward to seeing you again soon.

We are now sitting in the parking lot of Bandon Crossing, listening to the Steelers play while we wait for our tee time at this more reasonably priced course with no hope of sweeping ocean views.  At least I got my fix yesterday! We will hit Salmon Run on our way south. 

Thanks so much for following our adventures!

 

 

 

SANDPINES, Florence, Oregon

Perhaps a bad choice to golf at a place whose first name is Sand?  I reached out to a former colleague and golfer from Oregon and asked Todd for another option to the $275 Bandon Dunes.  As well, when Mike groveled to the head pro at Bandon Dunes seeking a break in fees, the pro, like Todd, sent us to Sandpines.  Set in the small coastal town of Florence, I was looking forward to sweeping coastal views.  Rats.  Certainly no Bandon Dunes in any respect, Sandpines, at $59 is a bargain.  Sadly the only shoreline we saw was the body of water that Rees Jones designed half a dozen holes around.

 

 

 

A particularly tough par five hugging the "coastline" all the way, some people can't resist going for it!

 

Seems like a good enough place to drop...

 

I meant the ball!

 

The dunes made a nice backdrop in several shots.

 

 

 

In my quest for a pacific ocean view, I broke all the rules and climbed the dunes to see what was on the other side...

 

 

What did I find?  More dunes, sigh. 

 

Nothing worse than spoiled golfers, eh?  Coming on the heels of playing Chambers Bay in the Tacoma area of Washington, walking the course here was far easier and the putting a piece of cake (even for me).  Frightened of green side bunkers, I generally have no issue with fairway sand, until this day.

 

 

For the most part your approach shot had to be ridiculously offline to catch a green side bunker, but I still managed to do so.  Given the plentiful sand all around us, I was surprised to see the "faux" green side bunker that Mike found.

 

Lacking the (80 feet!) elevations of Chambers Bay, Sandpines was an easier walk.

 

 

 

I loved the smell of the pines and thankfully they really didn't come into play as this was one of the more open courses we've golfed.

 

 

 

 

After an enjoyable round with near perfect conditions, a high of 70, light wind (this course is known for the gusty wind most of the year), and no rain, we enjoyed the panorama from the fire pit.

 

Back at our home on wheels, we'd found a wonderful inexpensive park to plant for a few days, Port of Siuslaw Campground and Marina. 

 

Most folks tow their fishing boats here as the Siuslaw River is ripe with beautiful salmon and dungeness crab. Peanut liked the clever things folks do with their drift wood.

 

I like it for its proximity to Old Town Florence as we were able to walk to dinner last night.  We'd been told to eat at the Waterfront Depot but it's small and you'll need reservations. 

 

Fortunately we got in at 8:30 to this place that has you walking through the kitchen and the most reasonably priced gourmet meals we have seen on this trip.

 

 

Mike flirted shamelessly with Vickie, the head chef and ended up with all kinds of yummy freebies on his plate.  Consequently we'll be back tonight to share some of Mike's wine with her and test other items on the menu board.

We're off shortly to play another local course, Ocean Dunes.  There had better be "ocean" or I will be quite put out!

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

Chambers Bay, Holy Schmoly!

 

Before you grab your clubs and hop in the car to play here, and of course you must, pack your most comfy walking shoes.  You are in for one of the most picturesque and challenging 8 mile hikes of your life.  Chambers Bay's goal is to keep both their course and you in excellent shape as carts are never allowed without a note from your doctor.  After so much sitting on highways of late, I welcome the opportunity to walk.  Mike?  Not so much.

 

I have come to prefer carrying my bag as opposed to pull carts that must be yanked up and down dunes and through thick native grass, unless of course my ball stays in the shaved fairways.

 

Chambers Bay played host just last month to the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the course was still playing in competitionshape.  The USGA required that they "toughen up" their course by turning off the sprinklers for three weeks prior to the event.  The USGA also has clout where Mother Nature is concerned because they had little rain leading up to the event.  The result?  Fast fairways and faster greens and both are fescue.  For the Amateur they had to paint where the fairway ends and the greens begin.  They have five years to grow the rough and make it EVEN tougher for the 2015 US Open.

Called the British Open with altitude, I took tons of pictures.  Between the Puget Sound, the looming rain clouds, and the setting sun, the beauty was more than I could stand. Please take a visual tour of this course that, with a little water, could be even more beautiful with greener fairways.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, this is a fairly open course.  It's quite likely you will finish with the same ball with which you begin.  Fast fairways so you get more distance.  What could possibly be the problem?  Ey yi yi, the greens!  Even those who can putt are thrilled when their second putt is closer to the hole than their first or at least still on the green.  More on that later.

 We were joined by Reed from CA, who was the only one smart enough to hire a caddie, Juan, for his round. 

 

 

 

We also hooked up with Galen from Houston, who early on joined us in the Birdie Horsie stable.

 

Though he had three birdies Galen opted to only ride the one time, which resulted in this (you just can't dis the birdie horsie!)...

 

This guy was keeping an eye on us on our first tee shot.

He was the only wild life we could see.  We heard the sea lions for most of the round but they were out of sight.

Between the shaved fairways that abutted the greens and the elevations, just try to keep your ball on some of those mean greens.  We had to laugh as our approach shots would land on the green and slowly roll across and down and end up 60 yards from the green.  To avoid a six hour round, when my third try didn't stick, I picked up on greens like this one.

 

and this one...

 

Not all greens were mean.  There were a few where Juan said not to worry about being too long...you can't.  The ball will come back, and it often did.

 

 

 

 

Some greens were quite lovely and some downright diabolical.

 

 

 

Chambers Bay will go down in my top five for sure.  It was a kick to play a course that is close to the same condition as the pros play.  Though there was little wind Mike still thought it played longer than the yardage.  I didn't notice but he usually was coming at the hole from a slightly different angle which may account for the extra yardage?  Luckily Juan also kept an eye out for Mike's balls.  Even with the extra distance, being blind to the pin, and an extreme lie, Mike put his ball closer to the pin than any of us.

 

That's my Trouble Man.

We finished up before the sun set and somehow avoided the rain.  A nearly perfect day.  If only I hadn't kept score!

 

We now sit in a campground in Florence, on the coast of Oregon.  We have tee times arranged at Sand Point and Ocean Dunes.  Bandon Dunes is not in the cards.  $550 for the two of us to play just didn't make sense.  Hopefully it will be warmer as we work our way south.