Normally at a KP ... there's talk of the following year's venue.
I'll throw out a return to the very 1st KP: Barona!
Does that mean I have to cook again? I would be happy to host, but let's see if anyone else steps up to the plate for the South.
I think we should all lift our glasses high to Dan King, there's no question that anyone has ever rolled out the red carpet better, in any GCA event, than Dan did this year. He hosted 9 fellow golf junkies at his beach house in Cayucos; he's got a great set up and it was indeed perfect spot for a gathering, whether eating in or dining out. Now that I know the combination to the lock box, I'll be vacationing there often! The tenor of this year's event mirrored Dan's attitude: play fast, have fun, and don't worry about the score! Dan made everyone feel welcome although I doubt he has a future career in cat herding. After holding onto the King's Putter for the last two years I'm glad it gets to visit a new state this year, Pete Pittock is taking it up to Oregon. The North beat us with sheer numbers this year; this is a call for former So Cal players to step up next year, even if we have to play at Pelican Hill!
It was very heart warming to see three people from the original KP I, Gib Papazian , Neal Meagher and Rich Goodale make it back for the 10th go round; it was great to see them all again, none afraid that they might have to mingle with the unwashed at the local muni.
We certainly need a big shout out to Neal Meagher for hosting us at SLOCC; I've lived in Cal for 32 years and never heard any buzz about the place, but was very impressed. No doubt Neal's tweeks have improved the strategy and made the course more fun to play! Having Neal gesticulate over his 6'x4' topographical map after the round over cocktails was a GCA classic moment; no one is more passionate about golf course design than Neal.
It was also great to finally play with Alev Stavrides, Alex Miller and Patrick Kiser; all very good players who you can learn alot from.
I was also witness to Pinot Pete's fine round at Santa Maria CC on Sun afternoon; a smooth 76 capped off by a clutch par at 18 after the fabulous "boxcar boingo shot" on 17! A big thank you to Bob MacGee for hosting us there. For those who grew up putting off Poa Annua these surfaces made for a "Heaven on Earth" experience; possibly the best Poa surfaces I've putted on. Just a wonderful Club with 9 holes dating from 1921 and 9 newer holes; which all doglegged nicely in the rather compact parcel over the railroad tracks.
The biggest surprise of the trip was Monarch Dunes, the links like nature of most holes was outstanding. From the fescue fairways to the ultra smooth velvet bent grass greens the turf selections allowed for numerous ground game opportunities. There were alot of kick plates and backboards for the creative golfer to find an alternate route to the hole near the green. They did have to ruin it with a water hole start and finish at 10, 17 & 18 though. The parallel par 5 8th and 15th needlessly employed ponds off the tee, complicating two already difficult uphill holes. Luckily they were both saved with outstanding green sites; the 8th dropping off radically on the right and the 15th having a pinched, two tiered saddle green.
All in all a memorable King's Putter: two nice CC's, a cutting edge faux links and three fine munis. The opportunity to have the Central Coast tri-tip BBQ with an Armenian rice pilaf at the beach made for an intimate and reasonably priced affair. Congratulations to all to participated or contributed!