Lazy Man Tours of Fall 2015 (all 10 Posted) Great Bear & Tour 18 Houston

[Ronald Montesano]

Hey, brahs.


I've lost that loving feeling, which is the motivation to put tours up here. I'm hoping it saves Ran space on the server, but I suspect I'm incorrect or the saving is minimal.


Anyhoes, here are the latest efforts, including an i-view with Mark (No E) Pavy, one of our brehs on the DBoard.


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-tunica-national-butterfield-trail/


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-bandon-crossings-old-macdonald/


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/mark-pavy-2015-interview-series/


More of the Eighteen 18s to come.


And so JCJ doesn't have to waste time brohtching me out for self-promotion, here's some self-immolation:


Dude, seriously? You think you are the sun, the moon and the stars, that you orbit yourself? Stop with this crap, because no one cares. Think about someone else for a change.


In the offing are an upstate Donald J. Ross piece that the other RM encouraged me to do. It won't be done until next fall, as I've yet to gain access to some of the most important courses DJR did while in my neck of the wape (how come you're here?)

[Ronald Montesano]

Here's a new one, with Astoria and Pacific Dunes


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-astoria-pacific-dunes/

[Ronald Montesano]

Two Gil Hanse courses went up today at http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-rustic-canyon-soule-park/


Funny story is this: I was driving through Ojai, on my way to the Thacher School when I saw the sign for Soule Park. I did a 180 and came back to the course. The fellow in the shop granted me permission to shoot the course, so off I went. The sun was low in its sinking arc, so I had many shadows with which to contend. Two days later, on my way south, I had the opportunity to shoot and play Rustic Canyon. The winds were howling from the north, which made the experience absolutely authentic. The only negative was the absence of Sir Thomas of Naccarato. He was in Indiana, cheering on his Fighting Irish against my Demon Deacons (pure coincidental irony, I beseech you.)


My exposure to Hanse' courses had been limited to Tallgrass on Long Island. It was nice to see an original design (RC-2001) and a renovations (SP-2005) and I now have a bit more insight into his approach, although words escape me.

[Ronald Montesano]

This week we have Bandon Dunes (the old course) and Pasatiempo for you at http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-pasatiempo-bandon-dunes/


I don't believe I have nearly the pretty colors that Juan Caballero has in his threads, so hopefully I won't be accused of causing concussions by our curt curmudgeon, Cavanaugh.

[Ronald Montesano]

Here's the lazy man's latest, from Chambers Bay and Bandon Trails:


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-chambers-bay-bandon-trails/

[Steve Lang]

   Ron,


I appreciate the tours, if no one else does... straightforward.  The views take me back to some fond memories of CB, BT, Pasa, RC & PD, OM and BC ( though haven't played the Bandon Dunes, Astoria, Soule Park or Tunica courses).


Found it funny how some of the caddies we met at Bandon really appreciated being able to ride at BC and carry some beers to relax..


ps  have any picks of Sheridan Park in Tonawanda?  played it 5 years or so ago

[Ronald Montesano]

Thank you, Steve. I appreciate the appreciation.


The locals love Crossings, as you said. It's affordable during the Bandon Dunes high season, and offers that opportunity to take a load off via the cart.


Sheridan Park is a tough one to photograph, as it is so flat. That said, the stretch of holes from 9-18 is hard to equal in western New York (for challenge, if not for conditioning.) The course itself was altered/neutered in the 1970s when land was sold to Praxair and the holes 4-9 were built out of baseball fields. 9 is the only good one of the new additions. The lost holes were across Sheridan Drive from the 11th hole (what used to be the 2nd.)


I'd played Bandon's original 3 courses 10 years ago. Returning this year (with a GCA chum to boot) made the experience even better. Courses like Astoria, Pasatiempo. Sandpiper, Rustic, Coronado showed me how different and wonderful the west coast experience can be.

[Ronald Montesano]

This week's offering (number seven in the series) pairs Bandon Preserve with the oft-scorned, very-underrated, Sandpiper:


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-usa-bandon-preserve-sandpiper/

[Ronald Montesano]

Latest two are Primm Valley Lakes and Coronado, both in California, although just barely.


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-usa-primm-valley-lakes-coronado/

[Ronald Montesano]

Latest pair of courses are the other course at Primm Valley (and the one that I preferred) the Desert; and La Torretta, an older-school type of course northwest of Houston.


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-usa-la-torretta-primm-valley-desert/

[Ronald Montesano]

Last of the fall tours are Tour 18 Houston (on a soggy, November day) and Great Bear (Poconos) from last summer.


http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/eighteen-18s-of-the-usa-tour-18-houston-great-bear/