New Member Introduction

[Bill Spence]

Greetings all.  New member here and wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Bill Spence, I'm 32 years old and live with my wife and 6 month old son in Arlington, Virginia (just outside of DC for those not familiar with the area). 

I first became interested in gca after reading Anatomy of a Golf Course which caused me to critically look at architecture for the first time.  It also led me to seek out other articles/books on the subject.  I've been reading this site for a couple of years now especially recently since I haven't been able to play as much (see 6 month old son).

I'm a member of the former Lowes Island Club, now Trump National...so if you have always dreamed of a firsthand account of waterfall construction, then I'm your man.

Thanks to Ran for allowing me to join the discussion and I look forward to participating.

[Mark Pritchett]

Welcome Bill!

Do you prefer the Champ Course or the River Course?

Mark

[Anthony Gray]

  Bill,

  Have you played Cruden Bay?

  Anthony

[Bill Spence]

Welcome Bill!

Do you prefer the Champ Course or the River Course?

Mark

Championship course by far.  In 10 rounds, maybe play it 8 vs 2 on the River.  There's a lot of variety on the Champ (river, hills) that the River course just doesn't have.  Not surprising considering Fazio had his choice of land to build the Champ and the River was built years later on the remaining land.

Bill

[Bill Spence]

  Bill,

  Have you played Cruden Bay?

  Anthony

I haven't, but I plan to in the next year or so.  I have a good friend who just moved to London and a Scotland trip is in the works.

[Carl Nichols]

Welcome Bill!

Do you prefer the Champ Course or the River Course?

Mark

Championship course by far.  In 10 rounds, maybe play it 8 vs 2 on the River.  There's a lot of variety on the Champ (river, hills) that the River course just doesn't have.  Not surprising considering Fazio had his choice of land to build the Champ and the River was built years later on the remaining land.

Bill

I agree -- even though I haven't played the Champ (but have played the River)! 

What's your top 5 Washington Metro list?

[Mark Pritchett]

Welcome Bill!

Do you prefer the Champ Course or the River Course?

Mark

Championship course by far.  In 10 rounds, maybe play it 8 vs 2 on the River.  There's a lot of variety on the Champ (river, hills) that the River course just doesn't have.  Not surprising considering Fazio had his choice of land to build the Champ and the River was built years later on the remaining land.

Bill

I agree -- even though I haven't played the Champ (but have played the River)! 

Now that says it all!

[Bill Spence]

Welcome Bill!

Do you prefer the Champ Course or the River Course?

Mark

Championship course by far.  In 10 rounds, maybe play it 8 vs 2 on the River.  There's a lot of variety on the Champ (river, hills) that the River course just doesn't have.  Not surprising considering Fazio had his choice of land to build the Champ and the River was built years later on the remaining land.

Bill

I agree -- even though I haven't played the Champ (but have played the River)! 

What's your top 5 Washington Metro list?

As has been discussed on this board, the Washington Metro area lacks the number of quality courses that you would expect from a major metro region.  That being said, of the ones that I've either seen in person or played, I would say Congressional, Trump Champ, Laurel Hill, Lake Presidential and Bulle Rock.  Kind of misleading because there are several in the area that I haven't seen that would certainly be in the top 5 (Five Farms, Four Streams, Coulumbia CC, RTJ).

Bill

[John Mayhugh]

I haven't, but I plan to in the next year or so.  I have a good friend who just moved to London and a Scotland trip is in the works.

Welcome.  If you have a friend in London, go there first.  You won't be sorry as the golf there is as good as anywhere I've been.

[JC Jones]

Bill,

I used to live in Rosslyn and then Old Town Alexandria.  Mr. Smiths, Old Glory or the Rhino Bar?

[Bill Spence]

I haven't, but I plan to in the next year or so.  I have a good friend who just moved to London and a Scotland trip is in the works.

Welcome.  If you have a friend in London, go there first.  You won't be sorry as the golf there is as good as anywhere I've been.

Thanks.  We talked about doing the surrounds of London as well.  I'm thinking it needs to be separate trips as I don't think a whirlwind trip of Scotland/London would do either justice. 

[Bill Spence]

Bill,

I used to live in Rosslyn and then Old Town Alexandria.  Mr. Smiths, Old Glory or the Rhino Bar?

I lived in Rosslyn as well and my office is in Old Town...I know those Georgetown bars well.   Good times.

[Jamey Bryan]

I lived in Old Town as well.  Showing my age, I think Mr. Smiths was the only one then existent in Georgetown.  Then again, I saw no reason to cross the Key Bridge.  Old Town bars were better.

Jamey

[Chip Gaskins]

Bill

Welcome to GCA.  Play your good golf out of the DC metro...but you probably already know that.

Shot me a PM if you want to get a game.  I live in Northwest DC.

Best,
Chip

[Jimmy Chandler]

Bill -

Welcome from a fellow Arlington resident (East Falls Church neighborhood). I'm always up for a game if you're interested, just use the PM feature.

Jimmy

[Carl Nichols]

I lived in Old Town as well.  Showing my age, I think Mr. Smiths was the only one then existent in Georgetown.  Then again, I saw no reason to cross the Key Bridge.  Old Town bars were better.

Jamey

Maybe we need to go match play, but I lived in Old Town for 7 years and have to disagree -- especially if you factor in the other bars that were a quick cab ride away. 

[Rich Brittingham]

Its funny the number of Old Town residents on this board, I lived there for a year myself but now live in Reston, VA.  Maybe us DC GCA'ers should all meet up to lament the lack of quality courses as is so often menitoned on this forum. 
There is a small feature on the Champ. Course in the latest issue of "Virginia Golfer" which came out this week.  I was a bit underwhelmed when I'd played it in the past and am sure the changes will be quite well received.
Jimmy I should've contacted you last week, went off at Twin Lakes at 6:30am Sunday and was driving home by 10:30.