Pajaro Valley and Pete Galea

[Bob_Huntley]

A good article on Pajaro Valley G.C. and mention of GCA member Pete Galea.

see:

www.montereyherald.com

Bob

[James Bennett]

Photo's of Pajaro Valley's initial holes, including a long distant one of Pete and his 'boss' Charlie.  Remember, these photos were taken in early April 2006 when NorCal was suffering from a very cool monsoon!  It tested drainage no end.

The first tee shot to a par 5

The first green

The second hole - a longish par 4

Charlie (right) and Pete (left) coming back to the cart on #2

The third hole - a triple water carry.  It used to be the second green, played as a par 5 from the right - the current #2 green is quite good.  Playing a long par 3 across the (original) flanking bunkers tests all players, with only the best able to strike a long iron within 5 feet of the pin.    Missed the putt though.

The fifth green a short par 4 - massive elevation and slope change here.  I think Back right to front left gets up to 8 degrees of slope - a very tricky pitch for your second, especially if you have bailed out right.  Interesting would be one word for the shot when the course is firm.


Thanks Pete and Charlie - happy memories reminded to me by Bob's post. Unfortunately the rain prevented seeing any more of the holes on that day.

James B

[Bob_Huntley]

James,

Thanks for the photos, it was pretty damp then..

Were you able to access the article? Some were not and when I tried to bring it up from the Herald web site it was nowhere to be found..

Bob

[James Bennett]

Bob

I did go there, and couldn't find the article.  About 3 hours ago when I posted the photos.

By the way, I'm starting to get reorganised from my return, so the MPCC photo disk should be in the mail soon (plus a couple of other local courses you will enjoy).

James B

[Mike_Cirba]

I've never had the chance to play Pajaro but it's great to see Pete getting some plaudits.  Everyone who knows him would attest to the fact that he's one of the really good guys.  

[Tom Huckaby]

Pete is a great guy, and Pajaro is a really fun golf course.

But can someone point me to that article?  Bob's like opens the newspaper, but I sure can't find the specific article...

[ed_getka]

I played with Pete a few weeks ago at Pajaro. I like that course more every time I play it. Pete keeps it in great shape especially for the resources he has to work with. A few trouble spots here and there that Pete has plans for. It will only get better. I look forward to seeing the new holes in the coming years. Pete is definitely one of the great guys out there in the golf world and it is always a pleasure to get together with him.

[Bob_Huntley]

I wish we had more Pete Galeas. A quietly confident super who produces the best greens in Monterey County on a miniscule budget. When it comes to grass, Pete is the best.

Bob

[Mike Benham]

The greens at Pajaro Valley will not be the same as Pete Galea retired as the Superintendent last week.  I wish I could list Pete's resume prior to Pajaro but it seems like years ago that he was the grow in Superintendent for the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links (1997 I believe).

Pajaro Valley is the type of course where the staff and local members make it "it", they treat each other as family, treat visitors as family and run a fun enjoyable course and club.  Pete has been an integral part of Pajaro Valley for more than 10 years and one of the reasons why I play there as often as I can.

I got a text from Pete last Friday and I was expecting it to be the skins game for the weekend but no, it was a late afternoon photo of the 7th green at Pebble where he treated his son to a round for his 18th birthday.  Not a bad way to leave the Golden State.

I know Pete has been itching to finish the project on the drawing board at PV but something tells me the time was right to close up shop and head back home.


Best of luck my friend ...

[Kevin_Reilly]

Thanks for the post, Mike.  I met Pete at the Pasatiempo KP...he had his vintage camera there and took the group picture on 18.  Your mention of HMB brings back memories of one of the earlier boards, where we talked about the new course there and Pete's involvement.  Good luck, Pete.

[James Bennett]

Happy trails Pete, wherever you go.

James B

[Brent Hutto]

I enjoy meeting Pete when I was out there in 2005. Dude knows grass and that's a fact. I also noticed recently that the Mexican food place where he and I had dinner in Watsonville had closed. Life is change.

Good luck to Pete.

[Kris Shreiner]

Pajaro always hit high notes in the value department and I enjoyed the quirk. Many happy rounds with the PB caddies there. Happy trails Pete!

Cheers,
Kris

[Mike Nuzzo]

Happy Trails indeed Pete!
We had a great day at Pajaro with Pete as our guide.
Thank you.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

I found Pajaro to be in great shape the one time I played it, wasn't it the last day of a Kings Putter?  Pete has always promptly returned my calls, and I know he was an asset to the local high school golf program.  I think Pajaro had some great remodel plans, but I don't think the current ownership will be able to pull it off.  Onward and upward for Pete.

[Mike Hendren]

Very fond memories of our retro-round at KP years ago.  Then again, how can one forget a round with Barney, Jeff Fortson and Mike Benham (As Mike likes to remind us, which of these things is not like the other?) as well as meeting my friend Bob Huntley.   As I recall Pete provided the balatas to play with our vintage clubs.  

Hopefully someone can post the group photo that Kevin referred to.

Best of luck, Pete!

[Mike Benham]

And Pete is in the photo ...

[John_Conley]

Pajaro is terrific.  Pete showed me around what must have been 5 or 6 years ago and I got to play a few holes.  Wish I'd have had the time to play a full 18.

As for Pete, he's even more terrific.  Best of luck wherever's next.  I can't recall where "home" is.

[Kalen Braley]

My best wishes to Pete as well.

I was also fortunate to play Pajaro at the KP in 2008 and it was indeed terrific.  A fun undulating layout with some inteersting fast and firm greens.

[David Stamm]

Best wishes, Pete!


Pajaro is indeed a very cool course. I really enjoyed my visit there. It will miss Pete's services.

[Dan Grossman]

Thanks for posting the photo Mike.  I wish I hadn't bailed before that was taken, but alas, other things in life seemed more pressing at the time.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Pete is one of the best!  I was fortunate enough to get to join Pete for a round at Pajaro Valley many years ago.

Best wishes.

[Bill_McBride]

Pajaro is terrific.  Pete showed me around what must have been 5 or 6 years ago and I got to play a few holes.  Wish I'd have had the time to play a full 18.

As for Pete, he's even more terrific.  Best of luck wherever's next.  I can't recall where "home" is.

Asking as well, anybody know where Pete's headed?

[Marty Bonnar]

Hopefully the road home includes a wee detour via St Andrews, Pete!!!???
Congrats, Bud.
cheers,
MB.

[Bob_Huntley]

I spoke with Pete just a week ago and he said he was moving to Up State New York.

I know of no more modest man in the world and one helluva Keeper of the Green.

For those of you that have never met Dan King, go to the photograph above and check out the hirsute gentleman standing fourth from the left.

Bob

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