Pasatiempo Restoration Photos

[Marty Bonnar]

Wonderful work.
I will simply HAVE to return westwards to see Pasa again. Maybe won't be quite the same delugial precipitation next time.

I can't believe how goooooooood 16 looks. I loved it before. I could elope with it now.

Does my memory serve me correctly that the houses get close to left side of 17 green? and the fence used to run along it and around the back of the green?

15 is still a hound though

FBD.

[Tom Huckaby]

I like 15.  

Re 17, I don't believe the green has been moved really - so if you thought the houses were close before, well they still are now.  There just is plenty of room to miss left and still have a shot.  Oh you're going to have a TOUGH shot for sure, but the spheroid will be found.  I think it will take a pretty hideous pull or hook for us right handers to find the houses next to the green.

I seem to remember a fence there too... and darn it, I was just there yesterday and can't recall if it's been removed.  I know there's no fence at the rear.  I wasn't really looking much at the hillside or houses on the left.  

And yes, playing the course in less than deluge is so good for the soul.

 

[Kalen Braley]

Huck,

I looked at the 18th hole in the link you sent showing the original form, pre-restoration, and then restoration.

In the original form, that ravine of land in front of the tip tee box, looked like a moonscape of sorts.  Does it resemble that at all today or is it all grownover with vegetation.  That would be awesome if they could restore that part of the hole to go along with the green.

[Tom Huckaby]

Kalen:

The first 50 yards or so off the tee are grass, sloping down to the barranca... which is filled with bushes and other vegetation.  The rest you can see.  There was a very cool bunker on the right side that according to the member with us yesterday was not restored because it would be far too difficult to maintain.  But those are his words, and I hesitate to even say that given the guy who's firm did the work is right now posting in here.

If Tom Doak sees this thread, hopefully he will provide all answers.

In any case 18 from the tee to the barranca doesn't look much like it did in 1929.  But given you hit right over it unless you really really top one or something, I'd say it's better today.

TH

[John Kavanaugh]

Huck,

Can you post your before and after Golf Digest ranking numbers.  I'd love to know how much you feel the course has improved (if any).

[Tom Huckaby]

Huck,

Can you post your before and after Golf Digest ranking numbers.  I'd love to know how much you feel the course has improved (if any).

JK:

1. I didn't keep such from when I did a rating before, which was several years ago.

2.  I haven't done such yet for the course as it stands now - it takes me awhile to cogitate and take the time to do it.  I will do a new rating soon, for sure.

3. We don't give overall numbers, just values for the criteria we're required to assess.

4.  The day I post those in here is the day I cut off my arms.  I am stupid but not THAT stupid.  I know you are all for honesty and transparency, but you relish being challenged... I for one could live without 1500 guys challenging me.

Let's just say I gave it very high numbers before, as I recall.  I do expect a couple to rise.

TH

[rchesnut]

While my good friend Rob Babcock was slaving away at work this morning, I got out and played 18.  Pete, I'm not an expert on this stuff, but I do know that the new back of the 17th green was sodded with sod taken from our chipping practice green.  We haven't putted on the restored back half of the green, and I've never seen Shivas putt, so I can't shed any light on the odds that he'll 5 putt this new one....there is a ridge that runs through the area, but I think most golfers will just be grateful to be on this green.  The barranca is now in play for errant shots long and right, lots of woods and vegetation in there.  I hit a 7 iron from the left side of the fairway, it drifted to the right side of the green, landed on the green, and kicked off the green and down the slope...only the soft newly sodded slope to the right of the green saved me from the barranca...it was quite eye opening.  There are houses to the left of the fairway on 17 Martin, but there's plenty of room left of the green, and no fence behind or on either side of the green.  

And Martin, you're correct about Dean -- he's retiring and the club is in the process of finding a new superintendent.  Tough shoes to fill.  Fortunately Dean will still be a member of the club and will be around to help out, he's great.

On #18, you're right Kalen, there was originally one other bunker in front of the green, on the right.  Unfortunately, it couldn't be restored, the member you spoke with was correct -- the area is just too steep and erosion would have gotten it.  And while the #18 barranca was originally more barren and  moonscape like in appearance, there's more vegetation today, and that will likely remain to control erosion.  

Rob C.

[Tom Huckaby]

On #18, you're right Kalen, there was originally one other bunker in front of the green, on the right.  Unfortunately, it couldn't be restored, the member you spoke with was correct -- the area is just too steep and erosion would have gotten it.  And while the #18 barranca was originally more barren and  moonscape like in appearance, there's more vegetation today, and that will likely remain to control erosion.  

Rob C.

Rob - great stuff - thanks!  Only it wasn't Kalen who said the latter stuff but moi. Kalen asked the question, I reported on what occurred yesterday and what the member told us. No hassles.  

[Kalen Braley]

On #18, you're right Kalen, there was originally one other bunker in front of the green, on the right.  Unfortunately, it couldn't be restored, the member you spoke with was correct -- the area is just too steep and erosion would have gotten it.  And while the #18 barranca was originally more barren and  moonscape like in appearance, there's more vegetation today, and that will likely remain to control erosion.  

Rob C.

Rob - great stuff - thanks!  Only it wasn't Kalen who said the latter stuff but moi. Kalen asked the question, I reported on what occurred yesterday and what the member told us. No hassles.  

Ahh Huck, your such a gloryhound!!!  

The old pic of #18 is wicked cool from an aesthic point of view, but certainly understood how the "moonscape" needs to be turned into a garden of sorts to keep it and the tee box from sliding down the hill.

On a related note, I know its been brought up a time or two on this site.  But were those two front bunkers to the left of the original 18 basically unsustainable in the long run.  The restored green complex looks great, but in that original pic it looks like those bunkers were literally connected to the ravine....

[Tom Huckaby]

Kalen, you have me pegged.

 

We need one of these Pasa members to answer your question again.  My understanding was that it was very difficult to maintain those bunkers, but since they decided to put the ones on the right back and not the ones on the left, those that are restored must be maintainable....

TH

[Marty Bonnar]

There are houses to the left of the fairway on 17 Martin, but there's plenty of room left of the green, and no fence behind or on either side of the green.  

Rob,
many thanks for data!
It's always so much better for ACTUAL MEMBERS to discuss the minutiae of the courses we blather about.

My memory of 17 is definitely 'clouded' by the rather unseasonal monsoon we experienced. I vividly recall tip-toeing through running water between the green and the cart path to tend the flag for Dr V.

Having said that I do have the life-altering memory of us two grown men towelling down together stark bollock naked and not giving a fig cos we were so SOAKED and simultaneously discussing golf architecture. A rare gift indeed.

Nice clubhouse though! Nancy will happily vouch for the open fire and the lovely gin and club sodas...

FBD.

[Tom Huckaby]

There are houses to the left of the fairway on 17 Martin, but there's plenty of room left of the green, and no fence behind or on either side of the green.  

Rob,
many thanks for data!
It's always so much better for ACTUAL MEMBERS to discuss the minutiae of the courses we blather about.

Well I never.  THis sir, means war.

 

You know, I did give pretty much the same answer as Rob.

But know that I've calmed down - and I have - you're still good by me, Martin.  And I'm with you, it is invaluable to have real members with whom to discuss these things.  The chap we were with yesterday was a fount of info for sure.

TH

[Marty Bonnar]

Dearest Cousin!
That post was in no way pointed at your good self. Why, on matters Californian, I depend on your, and my other good friends in the area, for unbiased, well-informed opinion upon which to base my appreciation of coursian relativity.

(I've been watching 'The Tudors' tonight and gone all greensleevesian on ya all asses...! )

bestest,
me.

[Tom Huckaby]

Love it!

I am going to find a way to use the word "greensleevesian" tonight, some how, some way.  I anticipate my kids looking at me quite strangely.

Playing Pasatiempo yesterday has made me smug, excited, bummed (because who knows when I'll play it again), happy, enthused and wistful, all at the same time.  Funny how a great course can effect one.

TH

[Marty Bonnar]

I anticipate my kids looking at me quite strangely.

THEY are teenagers. You are a middle-aged man with 1500 imaginary Internet 'pals'. Strangely would be kind....

M.

[Kalen Braley]

Love it!

I am going to find a way to use the word "greensleevesian" tonight, some how, some way.  I anticipate my kids looking at me quite strangely.

Playing Pasatiempo yesterday has made me smug, excited, bummed (because who knows when I'll play it again), happy, enthused and wistful, all at the same time.  Funny how a great course can effect one.

TH

Forget Viagra....all Tom needs is a trip to Santa Cruz to play some golf amongst the hippies.

In the immortal words of Christopher Walken:

"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

[Tom Huckaby]

Martin:

Well, one is a teenager and the other two aren't, but you're sure right about the first one.  I just stand there and she looks at me strangely.  

Kalen:  we need more Pasatiempo!!!!

TH

ps - those exact words as uttered by Walken were the ringtone for my cellphone for a long time.  

[Ash Towe]

Tom
Glad you enjoyed the round.  I can feel the enthusiasm from across the Pacific.  It is a pity the work was not completed before my trip.  Hope you can join us the next time I am in your part of the world.

[Steve Pieracci]

The tree removal was a welcome site on the 16th tee.  The left hand tree line was nearly coincident with the tall pine off in the distance


16th green photo.  I got to experince the depths of the right hand bunker.  It is indeed deep, and steep with very new sand.


Huck's 150+ foot putt on 16


18th Green and the new bunkers


And this is the only proof that is needed that camera's do indeed ruin your round!

[Kevin_Reilly]

Steve, can you post smaller pics next time...those took too long to load.  

[ed_getka]

Kevin,
   What are you using, dial-up? See you next weekend.

Tom,
    Until we hear from Andy, what did his general impression of Pasa seem to be? He should be on his way to a delightful day with Sir Bob about now.

[Mike Benham]

Steve, can you post smaller pics next time...those took too long to load.  

You know what they say "Small Pictures, Small ..... Camera"

[Kevin_Reilly]

Kevin,
   What are you using, dial-up? See you next weekend.

Old faithful 9600 baud modem.  Works great except for huge pics like Steve posted.  

[Mike Benham]

Wow !!!!

What a nice surprise, nicely firm fairways, swirling winds and enlarged greens that allow for many more hole locations and bringing more contours into the greens. 

And the clearing of trees down the right side on #16, gives you a view of the corner of the green and makes you believe you can take your tee ball down the left edge of the fairway, which is obviously wrong.

And pity the day when the hole is on the back portion of 17 ...

[Tom Huckaby]

Wow !!!!

What a nice surprise, nicely firm fairways, swirling winds and enlarged greens that allow for many more hole locations and bringing more contours into the greens. 

And the clearing of trees down the right side on #16, gives you a view of the corner of the green and makes you believe you can take your tee ball down the left edge of the fairway, which is obviously wrong.

And pity the day when the hole is on the back portion of 17 ...

Indeed.  Restoration is pretty darn incredible, huh?

I hear you had a great time.