Langford and Moreau Tour: Pairings Announced

« **Reply #50 on:** September 02, 2007, 04:15:58 PM »

Quote from: Dan Moore on August 31, 2007, 01:33:08 PM

I also heard that Ron Whitten recently paid both Spring Valley and Lawsonia a visit for a story he is doing on Langford Moreau for Golf Digest. I can't wait to see what he and everyone who will be seeing Spring Valley for the first time think about the course. Dave Esler will have some interesting things to say about Spring Valley I'm sure.

Without knowing the nature or specifics of the article, I have trepidations regarding the impact it might have on Lawsonia Links. From a strictly selfish standpoint, I would like to see things there remain precisely as they are (because they are dialed in really well IMHO), and fear that any positive exposure will only cause potentially increased play and rates. Sounds selfish and curmudgeonly, but I want to still be able to play a twilight round there while having the course all to myself.

Cheers,
Brad

« **Reply #51 on:** September 02, 2007, 05:37:23 PM »

Well Brad, I imagine that sentiment will be prevalent at the dinner roundtable Sat, night!

I believe that the cat won't get out of the bag to the extent of the kind of sentiment I heard just the other day from a local men's club, decent player. They were talking about a few guys meeting at Lawsonia coming up soon. They were all charged up to play that marvelous woodlands...

« **Reply #52 on:** September 03, 2007, 11:01:42 AM »

I echo Brad's sentiment that Lawsonia is in the best overall condition in the years since I have been playing there. This aerial from 1992 or so shows the course before Ron Forse was brought in. I compared it to a 1939 aerial and noted over 25 missing bunkers and the areas where trees had been planted where none existed originally. One can also see how narrow some of the fairways had become.

Tree removal, green and fairway recapture and fescue growth as an aesthetic enhancement have been the big changes over the last ten years. However I feel there is more that can be done to further improve the course in the area of tree removal and bunker replacement. For example trees need to be removed on the 2nd and 4th holes on the front and behind the 12th on the back. The 14th could also be opened up a little.

Some of the bunkers marked as missing may have been restored (I'm not sure) but most have not. Among the more intriguing bunkers that could be restored is the one to the left of the boxcar green on the 7th. The other is one that would be on the opposite side of the fairway tree on the par 5 13th really pinching the landing area of the 2nd shot. Most of the fairway bunkers retain the built up earthwork mounds so one could debate the need to restore any of those.

Tree growth is indicated by red letter T's. Most have been removed since 1992. Missing bunlers are indicated by yellow dots.

« **Reply #53 on:** September 03, 2007, 12:31:46 PM »

Dan:

I do know that the bunker (I think it's just one) on the right side (from the golfer's perspective) of the 6th fairway (the second of the two holes that run north-south along the road on the left side of the picture, for those unfamiliar with the routing) is there, as I've been in it! It's located at the crest of the hill, and is often my aiming point for that tee shot.

Other thoughts:

-- Adding that left-side bunker on 7, the boxcar hole, would make that tee shot all the more scary. Left there is about the only place to bail/miss on that hole with a decent shot to still make par. A bunker shot with Niagara Falls (well, sort of) looming on the other side of the green would be fun.

-- Was there really a pinching bunker on the left side of 8? If so, I can't say I'd argue for its restoration/addition. The lone fairway bunker right, to me, helps set up a tee shot that -- from my perspective -- is the most thought-provoking and interesting on the course.

-- Boy, that's some contrast between the linear, graceful bunkering of the links and the traditional modern-era bunkering on the Woodlands, in the lower right corner of the aerial. Notice, too, the heavy reliance on cart paths on the Woodlands in contrast to the Links.

« **Reply #54 on:** September 05, 2007, 01:47:36 PM »

Any more questions about the Langford Morreau tour?

It looks like about 15 for dinner Saturday. I gave them the special orders from the menu that I received via e-mails. The others are now having Prime Rib. It will be $25 for the meal which will include appetizers, a special table salad, and the separate dining space for our discussions after dinner. Drinks are extra.

I paid for SV for those that pre-sent their green fees. Also, Lawsonia was paid. Oz doesn't take a check card. So, I will pay them that morning for those that pre-paid. Likewise, WBCC will be paid on the day for those who sent in. You buy your own fish fry there. All those not pre-paid, it is OK to pay when you play, personal checks or cash only at WB and OZ.

Weather may have some light showers Fri-Sat, nothing big is predicted. It will cool down to low 70s. It was been record heat here yesterday.

The one thing is obvious, those driving up after fish fry, please be wise with the drinks at WBCC, and hwy 23 is one notorious huge speed trap from Fond du Lac through to Lawsonia, with heavy emphasis on the hamlet of Rosendale!

« **Reply #55 on:** September 05, 2007, 02:01:11 PM »

Quote from: RJ_Daley on September 05, 2007, 01:47:36 PM

The one thing is obvious, those driving up after fish fry, please be wise with the drinks at WBCC, and hwy 23 is one notorious huge speed trap from Fond du Lac through to Lawsonia, with heavy emphasis on the hamlet of Rosendale!

Wow, I've had multiple coworkers tell me the exact same thing in the last few weeks regarding Rosedale. Notorious, indeed!

Cheers,
Brad

« **Reply #56 on:** September 05, 2007, 02:22:14 PM »

Brad, it is an embarrassment to all real Law Enforcement Officers. They are pri(^^*ks there. Most of us old guys know when it is a good L.E. effort to promote safety, and when it is just a town revenue raising thing with overzelaous boys with radar/lidar toys who might not take the most accurate readings. Always demand to see the machine and the reading and tracking history report. Ohio, also has burgs that are notorious "mayors court" speed traps where your appeal goes not to the county court, but the little muni court, with no local JOP ever taking into consideration the facts like the obscure one temporary 55 sign in the middle of successive 65 signs, and other such trickster things.

« **Reply #57 on:** September 05, 2007, 02:38:01 PM »

Everyone should have received an email with pairings, tee times and other information yesterday.

If you didn't receive the email let me know.

« **Reply #58 on:** September 05, 2007, 05:19:02 PM »

I've got 4 very important letters for the attendees to heed when planning for their trip.

D E E T

The mosquitos here in Madison are thick and hungry after all of the rain we have had recently. I imagine the golf courses will be similarly infested. Bring OFF or whatever DEET-containing bugspray you can.

Cheers,
Brad

« **Reply #59 on:** September 05, 2007, 05:20:30 PM »

Will garlic and basil in a pouch around the neck do?

« **Reply #60 on:** September 05, 2007, 05:59:36 PM »

Not sure if the mosquitos are of Italian heritage or not, Dick, but that stuff is probably just a nice dry rub to the bugs.

Cheers,
Brad

« **Reply #61 on:** September 05, 2007, 06:08:16 PM »

Now you guys are definitely a lot of fun, but how about for us onlookers you post the pairings? It's rather tough to get our betting lines going without them....

« **Reply #62 on:** September 05, 2007, 06:15:27 PM »

Tom,

Here is all you need to know.

Saturday September 8th at 12:20 pm

The Links Course at Lawsonia

Dave Schmidt vs. Brad Swanson

Referee Dick Daley

« **Reply #63 on:** September 05, 2007, 06:31:58 PM »

I'm cheerin for the two putter dude.

« **Reply #64 on:** September 05, 2007, 06:32:08 PM »

...with a pretty good undercard Friday afternoon of tour organizer Dan Moore and Swanson taking on Shivas and West Bend's Mike McGuire in a no-room-for-error nine-holer at McGuire's West Bend CC (where he's the greens chair -- watching McGuire giving advice for Shivas' two putters on his home course greens is probably worth the price of admission alone...)

« **Reply #65 on:** September 05, 2007, 06:56:10 PM »

LOL
I knew about the main event... but that undercard sounds darn interesting as well.

Any other grudge matches to report?

« **Reply #66 on:** September 05, 2007, 08:01:55 PM »

Mike,

Does Shivas make 4 if they play leather?

« **Reply #67 on:** September 05, 2007, 08:28:43 PM »

I have always been a Bears fan even while living in Wisconsin during the Lombardi years.

« **Reply #68 on:** September 05, 2007, 11:33:59 PM »

Brad, really should ween himself off the lazer range finder for his second shots. It is pretty easy to eyeball yardage inside 125 all the time... just by looking at the 100 disk.

The Promoter? Is that a new brand of Maytag?

« **Reply #69 on:** September 05, 2007, 11:36:07 PM »

PS: this is going to redifine the role of referee because I hope to play along with shrug my shoulders when asked for any rulings. I could use Big John's phone # to call on my cell if anything questionable arises...

$:-\$

« **Reply #70 on:** September 06, 2007, 07:38:16 AM »

Quote from: RJ_Daley on September 05, 2007, 11:33:59 PM

The Promoter? Is that a new brand of Maytag?

Dick,
I fully expect you to show up to Lawsonia sporting a head of Don King hair.

Cheers,
Brad

« **Reply #71 on:** September 07, 2007, 07:12:48 AM »

See ya Sunday night.

News:

Brad Swanson

RJ_Daley

Dan Moore

Phil McDade

RJ_Daley

Brad Swanson

RJ_Daley

Dan Moore

Brad Swanson

RJ_Daley

Brad Swanson

Tom Huckaby

Dan Moore

Garland Bayley

Phil McDade

Tom Huckaby

Joe Hancock

Dan Moore

RJ_Daley

RJ_Daley

Brad Swanson

Dan Moore

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