As of today, I have been on this website for ten years. I took a look at my posts over that time period and my primary impression is "what a lot of drivel." Nonetheless, the review brought back some pleasant memories and a few lessons I have learned. Here is my Topp 10 list:
1. The make up trip is still golden
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37432.msg769432.html#msg769432But the best strategy of all --- THE MAKE UP TRIP
This is my go to strategy.
Schedule a separate pure golf trip with golf partners shortly before the family/spouse trip. On the golf trip, have a great time and play as much as possible. On the spouse/family trip - make it one you are excited about and do not mention golf.
The result - your spouse is happy because any lingering distaste about you golf trip is replaced with anticipation of and memories of your great second trip.
The best part of the plan - you are a double winner. You have gotten to take two great trips."
2. All of the big events are worthwhile (KP, Dixie, Buda) are terrific experiences:
KPV:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,23848.0.htmlBUDA
Pennard
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45949.msg1011927.html#msg1011927Dixie:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,46928.msg1133434.html#msg1133434Tequila:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,54595.msg1262773.html#msg12627733. You can blindly play with a GCA member and know it is likely you will have a great time.
MWP:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,17134.msg301311.html#msg301311Sutton Bay
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,17965.msg317911.html#msg317911Newcastle
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21280.msg385243.html#msg385243TPC Sawgrass
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21551.msg390754.html#msg3907544. You can make a difference at your golf course and should strive to do so.
Green Committee advice:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,20474.msg366592.html#msg366592http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21597.msg392032.html#msg392032http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,25320.msg470001.html#msg470001http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53739.msg1235979.html#msg12359795. Making a difference at your club is more of a political challenge than a conceptual challenge.
6. Driving distance has been effectively constrained by the USGA despite our fears ten years ago:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,16574.msg288155.html#msg2881552014 (difference 20.3) 5. Andrew Loupe 308.0 100 Boo Weekly 288.3
2009 (difference 20.7) 5. Gary Woodland 307.3 100. Derek Fathauer 286.4
2004 (Difference 16.9) 5. Chris Smith 304.0 100 Steve Elkington 287.1
1999 (Difference 19.1) 5. Harrison Frazar 290.5 100.Rocco Mediate 271.4
1995 (Difference 17. 5. Kelly Gibson 280.2 100. Chris Demarco 262.4
1989 (Difference 16.0) 5. Bill Sander 276.9 100. Jim Benepe 260.9
1980 (Difference 14.9) 5. Joe Hager 270.4 100. Tom Jones 255.5
7. I joined one of the first clubs I criticized:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,17705.msg312818.html#msg3128188. If you jump into the fray regarding a golf course, understand it will be public
Musselburgh My posts here wound up on the save Musselburgh website and it turned out we visited friends that lived next to the course and were appalled at the proposed changes.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21700.msg398506.html#msg398506Minneapolis it turned out that the two antagonists in the club battle over this renovation plan were two good friends.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,19855.msg353198.html#msg353198Kingsley my comments wound up on the Kingsley website
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40340.msg847939.html#msg847939Dominican this post wound up on the NPH website:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51226.msg1169379.html#msg11693799. Aerial photo history of a course is an interesting exersice
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,21451.msg388970.html#msg38897010. Topps Travels was a ton of fun to experience and a ton of work to write.
2011
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47337.msg1058172.html#msg10581722012
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50993.msg1163135.html#msg1163135October - Windsong Farm
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53879.msg1239581.html#msg1239581August - Dacotah Ridge
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53185.msg1221853.html#msg1221853June Kawana -
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,52352.msg1201935.html#msg1201935May The Jewel and Memorial Day thoughts -
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,52236.msg1197860.html#msg1197860April Royal Hawaiian
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51931.msg1189714.html#msg1189714March Stanford
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51548.msg1179219.html#msg1179219February Casa de Campo
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51226.msg1169379.html#msg1169379January May River
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50993.msg1162920.html#msg1162920Barley Cup
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53879.msg1239794.html#msg12397942013 I tried to spice it up with $1 matches but the idea lost some luster for me when I kept losing the matches:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,56724.msg1318954.html#msg13189542014
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58703.msg1380414.html#msg1380414I look forward to the next ten years. Despite all the whining that this site is somehow less than it once was, I do not really think that is the case. Several discussions on the first page, such as "Strategic v. Penal," "what is wrong with Contrived" and the photo of the year thread represent this discussion group at its best.