2014 5th Major at Dismal River

[Pete_Pittock]

Is there going to be a Chiropractor in the group? 

Not sure, but we should be ok if any dental emergencies were to arise.

Alright guys and gals, it looks like we have a full field or will have in short order. Here are the teams.

If you find any errors in this list, please let me know asap. Thanks!

This takes me back to grade school when I was the last person chosen. My parents said I must be special, but I think they were biased.

[Eric Smith]

This takes me back to grade school when I was the last person chosen. My parents said I must be special, but I think they were biased.

Oh man -  no way, Pete! I initially had you paired with someone else, but when Ace started chirping in my ear I decided to roll the dice and put you two legends together. Sorry it didn't work out but trust me you're going to have a great partner in the 5th Major.

[Mark Steffey]

if anyone had looked into commonground for a getaway round and saw that due to the flood last fall they were not going to open until July 1st....WELL ----- mgmt (i read) had decided to re-sod the greens instead of re-seed and the course is planning on opening June 1st - maybe earlier depending on the spring.

therefore if you want to play near DIA you have another option.

[Rob Curtiss]

Anyone play that Bayside in Ogallala...is it any good..looking for something to play possibly wed or thurs before the Major.

any information on it would be appreciated

[John Kavanaugh]

If you want to spend the night Bayside is the Greg Zipadelli of pit stops. Affordable, exciting and visually stimulating. If you want a quick stop and play Bunker Hill in Brush, CO is my favorite. 

[Brandon Urban]

Our group had a great time at Bayside last year. Fun golf course. Added bonus, the back nine is a great workout.

[Rob Curtiss]

John,

I will check out Bayside. I like a golf course with the same descriptions I like in a gentlemans club- Affordable, exciting and Visually stimulating.

[Keith Grande]

I perfer "pleasurable excitement, but that's just me. 

[RJ_Daley]

Bayside is a hoot.  You really can't go wrong there.  You even get some grist for the mill with a couple of controversial designed holes.   But they are fun to play, despite that you might find a couple holes over the top.  The front nine may be one of the best public 9 holes available to play in Nebraska. 

[Eric Smith]

I'm stopping at Bayside in search of a clay man.

[Mike Hendren]

I enjoyed Bayside and recommend it.  The shaping and features there are outstanding, yet the parts do not come close to making the whole.  Even the best builders need a good architect.

Bogey

[Pete_Pittock]

Looks like Wednesday at Bayside for me. That way I'll have an easy drive to Dismal River for some practice acclimatizing on Thursday.

[Bruce Wellmon]

If you want to spend the night Bayside is the Greg Zipadelli of pit stops. Affordable, exciting and visually stimulating. If you want a quick stop and play Bunker Hill in Brush, CO is my favorite. 

Greg Zipadelli reference.
+1

[Eric Smith]

This takes me back to grade school when I was the last person chosen. My parents said I must be special, but I think they were biased.

Pete - Your partner has arrived! Alex Miller just confirmed he's in, so you're all set.

Cheers

[Matt Elliot]

I recommend Bayside!  I will be out there June 19th for a day of 36 holes!.  Front nine is a fun warm up for the back nine.  The monster par 5 11th hole is a fun one!  Carry a club in the rough if you must go searching for your ball.  Rattle snakes are present!  Neat and cheap stay and play.  Little cabins are great if you just have a couple guys but bigger houses are there for rent as well.   

[Bill_McBride]

This takes me back to grade school when I was the last person chosen. My parents said I must be special, but I think they were biased.

Pete - Your partner has arrived! Alex Miller just confirmed he's in, so you're all set.

Cheers

Wow, what an upgrade!

Of course he doesn't get 15 blows.......

[Jack Parrish]

Greetings,

I received word last night that I have successfully made it off the wait list! Since I know not one person, I would love to find some folks that I could partner with to get from Denver or North Platte to Dismal. I plan on arriving Thursday night in Dismal, but would love to play somewhere on the way.

If anyone is looking for a +1 to drive from Denver, let me know!

Pumped for this trip, look forward to meeting many of you.

[Alex Miller]

Greetings,

I received word last night that I have successfully made it off the wait list! Since I know not one person, I would love to find some folks that I could partner with to get from Denver or North Platte to Dismal. I plan on arriving Thursday night in Dismal, but would love to play somewhere on the way.

If anyone is looking for a +1 to drive from Denver, let me know!

Pumped for this trip, look forward to meeting many of you.

Perhaps we can all post here? I have not requested to arrive Thursday in Dismal, but might just do so. Would also be looking to drive in with someone from Denver... damn rental car companies are ageist!


Also, thanks Bill! Doing my best to build up my handicap at the moment, but keep getting foiled by spurts of greatness  .

[Dan Herrmann]

For those making their first trip, prepare to have a fantastic experience.  Recommendations:
1.  Get in touch with the vibe of the place.  Relax, enjoy the scenery, the calm, the sounds. 
2.  Be sure you get away from the cabins/clubhouse at night (head out toward the Doak course).  I promise you that you've never seen as many stars.
3.  The key thing is to have fun.  Winning is secondary.
4.  The staff is great.  Take time to talk with them and thank them for their work to make your stay so special.
5.  Wear sunscreen.  A lot of sunscreen.
6.  Take some bug spray for the area near the river on the Doak course.  Otherwise, the bugs aren't a factor.
7.  It's Western-casual.  Nobody will look at you strange if you wear jeans in the clubhouse.
8.  Get some good western music for the ride up. 
9.  Thank Eric.
10.  Thank Chris.

[Cliff Walston]

I would add few minor things.  My bag always ends up caked in sand from the cart traffic, particularly playing the Nicklaus course.  So I have started bringing an older bag that I don't care about as much.  Second, I prefer light weight pants, regardless of the temperature for two reasons.  It lets me wear long socks to keep sand out of my shoes without looking like a total dork, and being someone who ventures into the native more than I care to admit, pants provide a little protection from the occasional plant with thorns or burrs.  Plus there is the added sun protection benefit. 

Also, introduce yourself to as many people as possible.  I have met some truly great people at Dismal/5th Major and now have additional golfing buddies all over the country.  There isn't a business trip that if I have the time, I don't reach out to someone I have met there.  I first year I went as a solo not having met anyone from GCA before and came back with lasting friendships.

[Don_Mahaffey]

For those making their first trip, prepare to have a fantastic experience.  Recommendations:
1.  Get in touch with the vibe of the place.  Relax, enjoy the scenery, the calm, the sounds.  
2.  Be sure you get away from the cabins/clubhouse at night (head out toward the Doak course).  I promise you that you've never seen as many stars.
3.  The key thing is to have fun.  Winning is secondary.
4.  The staff is great.  Take time to talk with them and thank them for their work to make your stay so special.
5.  Wear sunscreen.  A lot of sunscreen.
6.  Take some bug spray for the area near the river on the Doak course.  Otherwise, the bugs aren't a factor.
7.  It's Western-casual.  Nobody will look at you strange if you wear jeans in the clubhouse.
8.  Get some good western music for the ride up.  
9.  Thank Eric.
10.  Thank Chris.

That is a really good list.
I'd add one; when your headed back to the clubhouse after finishing up on the Red, stop in at maintenance and say hi to the boys and you might even end up with a cold beverage. Jagger, Mark, Clay and crew get it done with about 1/3rd the size crew you'd find on a "normal" 36 hole complex, but you'll never know it.  It is more then a job to those guys and above that, they are great people.

Dismal is a very cool place to hang out and play golf for a few days.

[Doug Siebert]

I would add few minor things.  My bag always ends up caked in sand from the cart traffic, particularly playing the Nicklaus course.  So I have started bringing an older bag that I don't care about as much.  Second, I prefer light weight pants, regardless of the temperature for two reasons.  It lets me wear long socks to keep sand out of my shoes without looking like a total dork, and being someone who ventures into the native more than I care to admit, pants provide a little protection from the occasional plant with thorns or burrs.  Plus there is the added sun protection benefit.  

Also, introduce yourself to as many people as possible.  I have met some truly great people at Dismal/5th Major and now have additional golfing buddies all over the country.  There isn't a business trip that if I have the time, I don't reach out to someone I have met there.  I first year I went as a solo not having met anyone from GCA before and came back with lasting friendships.

Seconded about the sand, it gets into everything!

As for the native, I'm willing to admit how often I go there but I view the occasional encounter with that thorny grass on the ankles as justified punishment for hitting there!  It is not nearly as bad as the native at Sand Hills in that regard, at least.

I'm in the same boat having never played a GCA event and only having met one person on GCA before my three trips to the Fifth Major.  Without exception, everyone I've met has been great, and fun to talk to, drink with, and play golf with.  When I looked at the list of this year's attendees there are a few names I didn't see which disappointed me, but that just means more new people I'll have an opportunity to meet.

Dan's list was spot-on, too, especially #8.  The best thing about Dismal River is how laid back it is.  That allows the club to fade into the background, as it should - it is all about the people, the stage, and the golf.  Chris "gets it".

[Sam Morrow]

The sand does get everywhere, took me 4 tries to get it all off my bag.

[Brandon Urban]

My bag wears the sand like a badge of honor for at least a month afterwards. It gives me the chance to talk to strangers about heaven, I mean the sand hills, when they ask "what in the hell happened to your bag?"

[Eric Smith]

A dusty bag is better than a wet bag any day!





...better bring your umbrellas just in case.