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Cory Lewis

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #150 on: October 24, 2011, 11:42:16 AM »
Jason has the unique ability to get some of the most interesting lies:

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Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #151 on: October 24, 2011, 12:06:34 PM »
I got the pleasure of seeing other GCA’ers on the trip.  The Lang couple rivalry appears just as strong as it was when we played together at Kingsley.  I met David Madison for the first time and learned that bunkers 300 yards off the tee actually can come into play. 

We played five courses.  By far the star of the group is Fallen Oak associated with the Beau Rivage Casino.  The course is the Biloxi version of Shadow Creek complete with a limo ride to the course, a secretive location and outstanding service.  The Tom Fazio course might be better than Shadow Creek.  It presents endless variety, is in impeccable condition, is challenging while still being playable for all levels, sits on a nice piece of land and has a distinctive bunker style that must cost a mint to maintain. 

This is a picture of one of the practice greens:
 

Other courses in rough order of preference included:

The Preserve (Pate)
Shell Landing (Love)
Grand Bear (Nicklaus)
The Oaks (cannot remember)

All of these courses were pleasant experiences generally designed for fun rather than punishment.  The Preserve brings the most water into play, and requires that one be able to keep the ball within reasonable corridors.  It features small greens and places reasonable demands on the player without becoming a death march.

Shell Landing offers ample room off the tee and interesting greens with significant contour as its primary defense.  Recent topdressing and slow greens on the day we visited made the undulations significantly less daunting than what I assume is typical.

Grand Bear must be from Nicklaus’ gentler period – fairways are wide and the demands on iron play are significant but not as difficult as presented on some of his mean courses.

The Oaks fits into relatively tight tree lined corridors.  Its greens are interesting for the first few holes but repeat so often that it is difficult to differentiate them when one thinks back at the end of the round. 

The flat terrain and sandy soil lends itself to better golf than pictures but here are a few shots.  I will need to do some research in order to describe them:













Bill_McBride

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #152 on: October 24, 2011, 12:08:16 PM »
Just one question:

Did Sam lay up to the drop area? 

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #153 on: October 24, 2011, 12:08:20 PM »
Jason has the unique ability to get some of the most interesting lies:



At least I handled it well.  My next shot is barely visible on this cart path:

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #154 on: October 24, 2011, 12:11:10 PM »
Just one question:

Did Sam lay up to the drop area? 

No - it may have been the only ball he lost. 

By contrast, I was worried about my dozen running low.  I needed to take advantage of the opportunity for a drop area photo when it arrived. 

If one every has illusions that they cannot play well because they do not hit the ball far they should play with Sam and Cory who both know where the ball is going and have excellent short games.

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #155 on: October 24, 2011, 12:14:58 PM »
One picture and it's me in the drop area? That is so frickin weak, of course all my Topp pictures are him in the gunch.

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #156 on: October 24, 2011, 12:18:13 PM »
One picture and it's me in the drop area? That is so frickin weak, of course all my Topp pictures are him in the gunch.

Bring it funny guy

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #157 on: October 24, 2011, 12:20:40 PM »
One picture and it's me in the drop area? That is so frickin weak, of course all my Topp pictures are him in the gunch.

Bring it funny guy

We never found the sweet n lo at the blackjack table

Cory Lewis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #158 on: October 24, 2011, 12:44:47 PM »
I do have that picture of Jason and his "friend" at the blackjack table. Maybe I should post that one?  What do you think Sam?
Instagram: @2000golfcourses
http://2000golfcourses.blogspot.com

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #159 on: October 24, 2011, 12:46:55 PM »
I do have that picture of Jason and his "friend" at the blackjack table. Maybe I should post that one?  What do you think Sam?

Was that were I had my thumbs up like a bigger douche than I already am?

Cory Lewis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #160 on: October 24, 2011, 12:48:24 PM »
I do have that picture of Jason and his "friend" at the blackjack table. Maybe I should post that one?  What do you think Sam?

Was that were I had my thumbs up like a bigger douche than I already am?

That's one of them.  I took a few.  Had to document the moment.
Instagram: @2000golfcourses
http://2000golfcourses.blogspot.com

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #161 on: October 24, 2011, 12:51:41 PM »
I do have that picture of Jason and his "friend" at the blackjack table. Maybe I should post that one?  What do you think Sam?

Was that were I had my thumbs up like a bigger douche than I already am?

That's one of them.  I took a few.  Had to document the moment.

But you didn't get me winning all that money on a penny slot? I'm pissed at you guys.

Cory Lewis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #162 on: October 24, 2011, 12:53:49 PM »
But you didn't get me winning all that money on a penny slot? I'm pissed at you guys.

What kind of person wins $200 on a penny slot, never heard of that.  I should get a percentage since I gave you all my "winnings" from the penny slots great as they were.
Instagram: @2000golfcourses
http://2000golfcourses.blogspot.com

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #163 on: October 24, 2011, 12:54:34 PM »
But you didn't get me winning all that money on a penny slot? I'm pissed at you guys.

What kind of person wins $200 on a penny slot, never heard of that.  I should get a percentage since I gave you all my "winnings" from the penny slots great as they were.

I dominate the penny slots in Biloxi. Hell I had more fun at The Palace than I did at Beau Rivage.

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #164 on: October 24, 2011, 09:37:09 PM »
I need to add my thoughts on Topps Travels though Mississippi. It went a little something like this.

  Our Sunday round at The Oaks was interesting. It would be most highlighted by Cory and I being in a cart and using our Androids to check NFL scores, all the while Jason giving us the stink eye that he didn't get all our fun. The Oaks is a decent course, nobody (with common sense) will confuse it for anymore than that. They could take out about 10,000 more trees and you might notice. The finest compliment I can give this course and really any course for that matter is that the burgers were good and the stall was clean. That night at dinner Jason was at another table and I could feel his eyes on us all night, the irony is that I would have gladly switched seats with him.

  On Monday we got to play Fallen Oak, I didn't take the limo. I rode with Cory because he is an angry person and needed someone to make his ride more enjoyable. When we got to Fallen Oak we sat down at the great breakfast spread and I did what I do best, ordered an 8am bloody mary and found the lox. As I brought a slab of lox to the table Cory seemed confused what I was eating. I might be a southern Baptist boy but I'm half Jewish and I know good lox when I find them, especially when they are free. I was in a cart by myself but I had Emanuel, our forecaddie (and locker room attendant) ride with me. We didn't talk much golf in our cart but we did talk about cart girls and his years in education. Fallen Oak is one of the best courses you while find just about anywhere. They have one of the best short game areas I have ever seen. Fazio knows practice. Fallen Oak is a special place and even more special knowing that my last 2 rounds there have been with Jason, Cory, and last year Mayhugh.

  That afternoon we went to Grand Bear, this course was much better than I expected. We did get a little lost which led to Cory and I both using our GPS's and getting two different routes. Once we got there I found a Nicklaus course that wasn't overly hard and used the land naturally. I was pleasantly surprised and they had a cool clubhouse, it reminded me of the Wilderness Resort at Disney. After the round the 3 of us had a romantic dinner at The Outback Steakhouse where I professed my love for Barry Manilow and that I will fight anyone who doesn't like Whataburger.

  The next morning we played The Preserve, this Jerry Pate course kind of falls under the radar but it's very good. We got to meet Jerry Pate, Jerry loves himself some Jerry but Cory made lewd comments about me and Jerry. I think Cory was jealous.

 After The Preserve we went to Shell Landing, it's a Davis Love III course but I've heard that the real brains behind it are GCA's own Paul Cowley. Paul should really step up and take that credit. This is a really cool course with some wild greens. The greens had just been top dressed and were a little shaggy but in optimum conditions I can see this course being all you want and then some.

  Lastly we had a wonderful wine dinner that night followed by a trip to the casino. We had a run in with an easy women who wouldn't leave us alone and I got crazy on penny slots, it was a great time.

  It would certainly be tough to Top Topp's Travels. (See what I did there)


Jason Topp

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #165 on: November 09, 2011, 03:36:51 PM »
I am going to get to the Dixie Cup eventually but feel compelled to post one of the ugliest group pictures I have been involved in ever.  Sam, Cory and I demonstrated why we are not fashion models with this one:


Cory Lewis

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #166 on: November 09, 2011, 04:00:03 PM »
Why didn't anybody tell me I had such a big head!
Instagram: @2000golfcourses
http://2000golfcourses.blogspot.com

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #167 on: November 09, 2011, 04:09:07 PM »
Why didn't anybody tell me I had such a big head!

You don't.  Something strange happened there.  I look like a Zombie. 

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #168 on: November 09, 2011, 05:09:17 PM »
It's hard to believe that Jerry isn't talking.

Maybe he's taking a breath.

I am going to get to the Dixie Cup eventually but feel compelled to post one of the ugliest group pictures I have been involved in ever.  Sam, Cory and I demonstrated why we are not fashion models with this one:



Steve Lang

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Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #169 on: November 09, 2011, 09:46:19 PM »
 8) Great stuff... emblematic of the gca.com spirit that binds..

Fallen Oak

There was everything to like at Fallen Oak... solid routing, great variety, good bad and ugly pin placement options on sizeable greens.. great walk  or ride in the park... though some big and beefy views oddly made me think of a meld of the Fazio Course at Carlton Woods and the one at Treetops...  couldn't go for the AM bloody mary, but i agree, the lox and bagels were good sam! 

Instead of an emergency 9 we went back to Mobile for bbq at The Brick Pit, unfortunately they're closed on Mondays.. but The Shed down the street was a good plan B..   If one played FO everyday, you'd develop a serious game... but dominated by tee shots

The Preserve

Meeting Jerry Pate on the putting green at the Preserve within a minute of arriving and later playing several holes with him was a real treat, probably only outdone by playing/learning the inside scoop with his #1, Steve Dana.  JP is wired, but i think it was his mother's influence.  They really created a solid if not spectacular venue on that property.  There were many different looks.. shots required from my bag, which i thoroughly enjoyed.  My best compliment, we went back out for 11 more holes, those through the swamp were definitely fun.

 p.s. Bill McB  I asked JP what was he thinking at the PCC's # 18... he smiled and said,  "You like'd it?  Great stage!"


Jason, great to see ya again, keep up the Topps Travels serial..

Inverness (Toledo, OH) cathedral clock inscription: "God measures men by what they are. Not what they in wealth possess.  That vibrant message chimes afar.
The voice of Inverness"

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #170 on: November 09, 2011, 11:09:21 PM »
Hell I had the am bloody mary (3 times) and again at the turn and again downing one before we left.

Bill,

 Right before that picture was taken I name dropped you, I got nothing.

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #171 on: November 09, 2011, 11:12:39 PM »
Hell I had the am bloody mary (3 times) and again at the turn and again downing one before we left.

Bill,

 Right before that picture was taken I name dropped you, I got nothing.

It's always all about JP.   I was the golf chairman when he built the new course, and the Redan was my idea.   You never want to hold your breath waiting to be appreciated by Jerry. 

Sam Morrow

Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #172 on: November 09, 2011, 11:13:33 PM »
Hell I had the am bloody mary (3 times) and again at the turn and again downing one before we left.

Bill,

 Right before that picture was taken I name dropped you, I got nothing.

It's always all about JP.   I was the golf chairman when he built the new course, and the Redan was my idea.   You never want to hold your breath waiting to be appreciated by Jerry. 

I like yalls redan, I really liked the chipping area right.

Ben Kodadek

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #173 on: November 10, 2011, 09:06:07 AM »
Jason,

Was this day 1 or day 3 of your trip?  I only ask because I noticed you are wearing your shirt right side out.  I look forward to the clarification. 

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Topp's Travels 2011 - Updated in Post 149 - Biloxi
« Reply #174 on: November 10, 2011, 09:32:39 AM »
Ben
It was day 2. I remembered 2 shirts for this trip.

A tip for you - luggage fees are cheaper if you do not bring a trunk of clothes for a three day trip.