Jeff Stettner:
Thanks for the update on the courses at the top your public listing. Next time out I'm going to see with my own two eyes.
Have you played The Dragon at Gold Mtn? Impressions? If you didn't like Coyote Moon I'm guessing you must have really disliked The Dragon. Your thoughts?
Also, do you have any slope and CR from Steveson and Saddle Creek from the tips?
Shooter:
I played Desert Canyon a number of years ago and my first impression was I really liked it. Playing from the tips at #16 and seeing the whole vista as you play the long par-5 is really something. I'll admit the routing isn't the best of the best but the course does have a good variety of holes and the location just adds to the round. I'd like to see it again and see if it confirms to what I originall thought. Is there something deificient from what you see?
Steve Johnson:
The best thing I can say about Barona Creek is that it makes you play golf shots of all different types. Too many courses today are one-way oriented ... you fly the ball to point "X" and it stops there and you hit to another point "X" and on it goes. The net effect --- B-O-R-I-N-G Big time !!!
You will not be bored with Barona Creek. You must use imagination because if controlling the flight of the ball is only part of the equation. You must antcipate what will happen AFTER the ball lands.
There is enough pitch in the property without making so excessive that walking would be impossible. The middle holes of the round are somewhat of a letdown (they are not bad) from #8 through #13 because the requirements are not as demanding. However, from #14 until the final you must step it up.
The green sites are also well done. You must shape your approaches. The holes do not surrender just because you've hit a big tee shot. There are plenty of holes to mention and I think the par-3 16th is an absolute gem. Try to get close when the wind is with you and the pin is deep right and you're last name will be Houdini. Just shows a good par-3 doesn't have to be long -- although Barona's 3rd hole is solid as well and it's over 250 yards. I also like the 4th hole because of the elements of chocie at the tee. If you want to have the best angle to the flag you need to go down the tight left side. Miss and the penalities will be there. I nailed a tee shot and had nothing more than a soft SW into the hole since the pin was cut tight right to the front bunker. Barona gives players options -- the player had better make the right ones consistently. In my mind, that's what makes for a solid course and one you want to play time after time.
Steve, like yourself, I'm a low handicap player and I hit the ball a decent ways off the tee, however, at Barona you must coordinate all aspects of your game together. I would not elevate the course as high as GW's state public rankings did, but a top ten finish isn't too high in my opinion. You mention your fast start but how did you finish the round? What Barona will give it can take away too.
What I mean by fairway lines is that the cuts vary. You don't get the straight razor approach you see at so many golf courses today. Courses that overly use a straight look appear as if the maintenance was rushing to a hot date.
Do yourself a big favor -- trek to Lompoc and see LaPurisima. The course isn't named "the pure" for nothing. In my mind, it's a top ten public layout that often gets lost from all the hype that usually goes to Sandpiper in Goleta.
Paging George Pazin / Craig Rokke / any other Pennsy guys?
How do you guys view the Pennsy list? Can't believe Quick Silver isn't in the top ten -- heck, in my mind, it's better than Olde Stonewall. I agree with Shooter that too many new courses leaped way ahead of a number of solid old time courses. Many of them will fade fast.
Also believe Mystic Rock, always controversial to many, is a major league candidate for the top spot. I'm sure others will disagree. Wyncote is also good but I have not played it in the last 3-4 years. I also think Great Bear should be listed higher.