[Doug Hodgson]

Here's the list of all golf courses I have played in 2018 (all courses 18 holes unless otherwise indicated).  At the moment there are 16 courses (279 holes), but as mentioned in another thread I am at the start of an Australia/New Zealand trip so the list will be a lot longer in a couple of weeks.


FLORIDA:
West Palm Beach Muni
Boca Raton Muni
Atlantis CC
Atlantic National
Osprey Point (Falcon/Raven)
Eagle Trace
Madison Green


QUEBEC:
Vallée des Forts
Ile de Montreal  (Ireland)
Royal Montreal  (Red)
Royal Montreal  (Blue)
Royal Montreal  (Dixie, 9 holes)
Royal Ottawa


ONTARIO:
Hawkesbury
Stonebridge


AUSTRALIA:
Moonah Links (Legends)

[Chris Mavros]

The year started out in great form at Bandon Dunes for a few days but since then, has been relatively low key until things start kicking again in July.  Thus far, here's my list:


Bandon Dunes
Old Mac
Pacific Dunes
Bandon Trails
Bandon Preserve
LedgeRock
Wildcat GC in Houston, scramble
Riverwinds
Wyncote
Inniscrone
Forsgate Banks
Northampton Valley
Blue Bell CC

[Tom_Doak]

My year in golf stepped up a notch or two in the past week, between building greens in Ireland, spending four days in St Emilion, and signing up a big new job in the USA. 😀

[Ally Mcintosh]

My year in golf stepped up a notch or two in the past week, between building greens in Ireland, spending four days in St Emilion, and signing up a big new job in the USA. 😀

Where have you been building greens, Tom?... I’ll make a point of making a visit to have a look

[MCirba]

I've been really fortunate over the years to play my fair share of golf and different golf courses (1,083 courses to date) but so far 2018 has really been pretty much of a washout for me golf-wise, literally and figuratively, due to work demands and horrible weather in eastern PA this year..

Sitting here in mid-June I've only been able to get out to play golf a total of 14 times, to date.    On one of those we were rained out after six holes.   On a few of those days I was able to play multiple courses including one day with 3 short nine holer courses in south Jersey.   Here are the courses I've played so far grouped by when I played and multi-course days are grouped together.  I've also listed whether the course was new or a replay;

Karakung (PA) (replay)

Winter Park (FL) (new)

Mission Inn (El Campeon) (FL) (new)
Deltona (FL) (new)

Southern Dunes (FL) (new)

Avalon (NJ) (replay)
Pines At Clermont (NJ) (new)

Atlantis (NJ) (replay)

Laguna Oaks (NJ) (new)
Heritage Links (NJ) (new)
Ocean City (NJ) (new)

Hooper's Landing (DE) (new)

Rich Maiden (PA) (replay) (scramble)

Mountain Laurel (PA) (replay) (6 hole rainout)

Skytop (PA) (replay) (played in the rain)

Country Club of the Poconos (PA) (replay)

Ridge At Back Brook (NJ) (replay) (scramble)


I've got some catching up to do!

Just found out I won the long drive hole in the scramble at Ridge at Back Brook two weeks ago so as I'm turning 60 next month that's somewhat heartening.  There were about 175 golfers in that event in two shifts.


My year to date improved since then as well as follows;


Rock Creek Park (DC) (new)
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club (VA) (new)


Congressional (Blue) (MD) (new)


CommonGround (CO) (new)


Playing Riverdale Dunes (CO) in a couple of hours...


And then, best of all, having our Cobb's Creek restoration project approved by the city of Philadelphia last week made my year in golf complete and the rest is just gravy.

[Bill Seitz]

I’ve played four painful rounds, owing to a torn rotator cuff. Better luck next year, I guess.

I don't think my clubs have left the closet yet.  Newborn son in February, 9 of his first 11 weeks spent in the hospital, including a heart surgery at two months (he did great!).  He's home now on some breathing and feeding support (all is good and he'll grow out of it before too long), and still working on getting the home nursing fully staffed.  Add to that a new job that started last month, and needless to say, golf has not been a top priority.  Hope to get out sometime soon, though, and with all of the PTO at the new job (effectively upwards of six weeks), trying to get some rater rounds in over the next few months.  Very jealous reading through this thread. 

[Jeff Schley]

I’ve played four painful rounds, owing to a torn rotator cuff. Better luck next year, I guess.

I don't think my clubs have left the closet yet.  Newborn son in February, 9 of his first 11 weeks spent in the hospital, including a heart surgery at two months (he did great!).  He's home now on some breathing and feeding support (all is good and he'll grow out of it before too long), and still working on getting the home nursing fully staffed.  Add to that a new job that started last month, and needless to say, golf has not been a top priority.  Hope to get out sometime soon, though, and with all of the PTO at the new job (effectively upwards of six weeks), trying to get some rater rounds in over the next few months.  Very jealous reading through this thread.

Bill,
I'm sure I speak for all of us with saying God is with you and your family during this trying time.  I certainly hope your young son recovers as you and your wife pray for.  Don't know where you are, but send me a PM and in the future I'd love to share a round with you and meet your son.
God bless,
Jeff

[MCirba]

I’ve played four painful rounds, owing to a torn rotator cuff. Better luck next year, I guess.

I don't think my clubs have left the closet yet.  Newborn son in February, 9 of his first 11 weeks spent in the hospital, including a heart surgery at two months (he did great!).  He's home now on some breathing and feeding support (all is good and he'll grow out of it before too long), and still working on getting the home nursing fully staffed.  Add to that a new job that started last month, and needless to say, golf has not been a top priority.  Hope to get out sometime soon, though, and with all of the PTO at the new job (effectively upwards of six weeks), trying to get some rater rounds in over the next few months.  Very jealous reading through this thread.

Bill,
I'm sure I speak for all of us with saying God is with you and your family during this trying time.  I certainly hope your young son recovers as you and your wife pray for.  Don't know where you are, but send me a PM and in the future I'd love to share a round with you and meet your son.
God bless,
Jeff

+1000

[Paul Jones]

All in the US for me this year....12 different states so far (sorted by State):

TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) AZ
Aviara    CA
Dove Canyon   CA
Streamsong (Black)  FL
Streamsong (Blue)  FL
ANGC    GA
Champions Retreat  GA
Contraband Bayou  LA
Golden Nugget   LA
Oakbourne   LA
The Wetlands   LA
Beau Pre   MS
Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas) MS
Dancing Rabbit (Oaks)  MS
Mid Pines   NC
Pinehurst (No 2)  NC
Pinehurst (The Cradle)  NC
Tobacco Road   NC
Galloway Natl   NJ
NCR (South)   OH
Moraine    OH
Columbus   OH
Camargo    OH
Miami Valley   OH
Philadelphia Cricket (Wissahickon) PA
Balcones   TX
Boot Ranch   TX
Twin Creeks   TX
Loudoun    VA

[Steve Kline]

First off, Bill I hope your son is doing well and you and your wife are enjoying him to the fullest.


My year in golf is just beginning after a nearly seven year absence from the game. I quit almost seven years ago about 6 months before my first wife died. I tried to pick up the game again within a year of my first wife dying at the urging of my second wife. But, I wasn't really interested. I couldn't play very well so I sold my clubs.


Earlier this year I came oh so close to suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 42. I was too young, not very overweight, didn't smoke or drink, and had no family history. The doctors were stumped as to what brought it about, but it was probably a lot of stress. Since, I have changed my diet, lost 30 pounds, and gotten things under control. As a result, my energy level is through the rough. Also, my only son is off to college in a couple of weeks. I told my wife I was thinking about playing golf again.


Why?


I missed being in nature and walking a golf course. I missed architecture that stirs the soul. I missed the creativity of carving a shot into the wind, around a hazard, etc. I missed the feeling of a perfectly struck shot. I missed the couple of GCA outings I have played in. I missed challenging myself. I missed competing and I hope I can be ready for senior amateur golf in 6 years or so.


So, my year in golf sort of started yesterday as I cobbled together a used set of golf clubs on eBay.


I'm really excited to get to the range a few times and then hit the course. I'm sure it won't be pretty golf at first, but it will be great to get back on the course.

[Jeff Schley]

All in the US for me this year....12 different states so far (sorted by State):


ANGC    GA

Galloway Natl   NJ

Paul I'd love to hear about the very modest ANGC!  How was it?
Also I'm set to play Galloway in a few weeks, how did you like it? I hear it gets very little play with a small membership.
Your year will be hard to top thus far.

[Tim Martin]

First off, Bill I hope your son is doing well and you and your wife are enjoying him to the fullest.


My year in golf is just beginning after a nearly seven year absence from the game. I quit almost seven years ago about 6 months before my first wife died. I tried to pick up the game again within a year of my first wife dying at the urging of my second wife. But, I wasn't really interested. I couldn't play very well so I sold my clubs.


Earlier this year I came oh so close to suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 42. I was too young, not very overweight, didn't smoke or drink, and had no family history. The doctors were stumped as to what brought it about, but it was probably a lot of stress. Since, I have changed my diet, lost 30 pounds, and gotten things under control. As a result, my energy level is through the rough. Also, my only son is off to college in a couple of weeks. I told my wife I was thinking about playing golf again.


Why?


I missed being in nature and walking a golf course. I missed architecture that stirs the soul. I missed the creativity of carving a shot into the wind, around a hazard, etc. I missed the feeling of a perfectly struck shot. I missed the couple of GCA outings I have played in. I missed challenging myself. I missed competing and I hope I can be ready for senior amateur golf in 6 years or so.


So, my year in golf sort of started yesterday as I cobbled together a used set of golf clubs on eBay.


I'm really excited to get to the range a few times and then hit the course. I'm sure it won't be pretty golf at first, but it will be great to get back on the course.

Steve-Welcome back man!!! I appreciated your candid reply and hope your return is everything you hope for and more.

[Brian Bowman]

Courses of note: Scioto, NCR and Springfield Country Club.
Stepped off a tee box onto a spike from another tee marker, through my shoe and fell onto my side, bruising my ribs. Out for 4 to 6 weeks. Trying to plan my only trip of the year when my club has full course aerfication and I take a few days off Still working on the details but hope we get to see a few nice courses!

[Tom Culley]

I have just returned from a week driving around the west of England/Wales with one of my friends.
We played:
Painswick
Kington
Llandrindod Wells
Welshpool
Bala
Porthmadog
Nefyn
Royal St Davids


A wonderful trip adventuring around an area i haven't explored much. We camped all of the way, eating BBQs every night and drinking local beer (for those interested, i discovered Geipel brewery, a contender for one of the best UK brewery's imo, unfiltered lagers unparalleled in the UK.)


The back 9 at Harlech was the highlight of the trip, playing as the truest links test in to wind with fairways stimping around 8.


It was my second time playing Painswick and i loved it just as much as the first time. I feel that the 6th is an All-England par 3.


Welshpool, Kington, and Bala were all uniquely brilliant, though i'll be the first to admit they got the best of me in 30+MPH winds.

[Bill Seitz]

First off, Bill I hope your son is doing well and you and your wife are enjoying him to the fullest.

Thanks, Steve (and everyone).  So far so good.  Still some health issues that we're dealing with, but nothing life threatening, and insurance is covering a fair amount of home nursing (more than we probably need), so that helps.  Glad to hear you're playing again and that you seem to have your health issues sorted out.

[Cory Lewis]

I finished out the first six months of the year with 89 new courses played in 15 states.  I've decided to try to get to 150 for the year, my personal best so far in a year is 129. 


So far this year, I've had wonderful trips to Southern California, Florida, New Orleans, Connecticut/Rhode Island, and Maine/New Hampshire. 


Highlights of the year so far are Wilshire, Stone Eagle, Misquamicut, Bald Peak Colony, and Cape Arundel.


Fewer trips to look forward to in the second half of the year, but hopefully I will be returning to some of my personal favorites that I haven't seen in at least ten years.

[Rob Rigg]

Playing some golf again and trying to make the most of living briefly in CT and hitting some solid tracks pre-departure:
- Taconic GC in Williamstown, MA is phenomenal, highly reco, props to Hanse on the reno.
- Shennecossett in Groton, CT is a really cool DRoss and massive value at $50 per round - Wish it was closer.
- Bethpage - Black was challenging AF but quite enjoyed it (hadn't played there in 15 years).
- Pound Ridge GC was $150, played it because it's close by. Must be a love it or hate it course . . .
- Ridgefield GC is my local muni - Not bad for $50. Definitely not Shenny.

- Waverley in Portland, OR - Love this place post-Hanse reno - Timber!!!! Such a great setting for golf and a really enjoyable walk.
- Forest Hills GC west of PDX - Hidden Billy Bell gem with some fun internal movement. $40 well spent.

- Astoria G&CC on the Oregon Coast on deck for this weekend - Stoked! And hopefully a trip to Bandon when we've moved back home to PDX later this summer . . .

[Sean_A]

I have just returned from a week driving around the west of England/Wales with one of my friends.
We played:
Painswick
Kington
Llandrindod Wells
Welshpool
Bala
Porthmadog
Nefyn
Royal St Davids

A wonderful trip adventuring around an area i haven't explored much. We camped all of the way, eating BBQs every night and drinking local beer (for those interested, i discovered Geipel brewery, a contender for one of the best UK brewery's imo, unfiltered lagers unparalleled in the UK.)

The back 9 at Harlech was the highlight of the trip, playing as the truest links test in to wind with fairways stimping around 8.

It was my second time playing Painswick and i loved it just as much as the first time. I feel that the 6th is an All-England par 3.

Welshpool, Kington, and Bala were all uniquely brilliant, though i'll be the first to admit they got the best of me in 30+MPH winds.

Very fine!

Ciao

[V_Halyard]

Have Camera and Laptop will travel. Our day job is to tell stories with pictures, words, and music so here are some On-Topic, GCA relevant short stories. This year has presented itself as a perfect storm fueled by work, vacation, research and prolonged film and music writing/production/editing sessions in remote or golf adjacent locales. It has manifested into a year of golf exploration and discovery so extraordinary, it will be near impossible to duplicate. The fantastic part is that I believe 80% of these adventures were shared with a GCAer or ten! It should have a name on the Weather Channel.

Cedar Rapids CC, IA - (The home course with the phenomenal Prichard-Rae restoration of a 1915 Ross. It made even more sense and became more magical after a trip to Scotland, but more on that later. As is the case with many courses, the frustrating fact is that there are still some (few) members who just don't understand they play nirvana everyday after work.)
Davenport CC, IA  - (The Alison restoration work by Forse and Nagle is so outstanding, people have to confirm they are really in Iowa)
Blue Mound CC , Milwaukee - (Lost my Midwest Knockout to Buck Wolter at this Raynor oasis! Thanks to Blue Mound CC for a GCA neutral site hosting favor.)
LACC North - (Per club rules no comment... oh my)
LACC South - (Per club rules no comment... Ok, I got an Ace! Other than that, No Comment,... except the pro shop made me a plaque. It is most righteous. Special thanks to my host,... John Doe)
Sand Valley, WI - (Over-performing, so popular, only Sand Valley Platinum-Visitor Morgan Clawson is able to get a room for the rest of the year)
Sandbox at Sand Valley , WI - (A C&C and Jimmy Craig par 3,4,5,6 course depending on target. Grand opening was so fun it may need to be reclassified as a gambling establishment)
Brown Deer GC, WI ( Hello World...)
Washington County GC ,WI ( Muny heathland festival!)
Lawsonia Links, WI ( The Wisconsin Public ROTA is fantastic. If you don't believe it, we are sad for you but there are plenty of others coming through, so we're cool without you. Still you're always welcome and love to see you in Cheezeland. Go Packers!)
Southern Pines, NC - (Amazing Ross hiding in plain sight for all to see and play... in disguise, aching to be restored. Included a fantastic visit with Chris Buie and a trip to the GCA Secure Bunker with Ran.. and maybe some cocktails)
Pinehurst #1
The Cradle at Pinehurst
Meadowmeer GC , Bainbridge WA (mellow target practice. Dave the pro, Fish and Chips in the grill, and Beer from Brian's house on the 6th Fairway make this a perfect twilight superstar when taking a break from a 12 hour editing session.
Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley, Wi - (Filmed and attended the fantastic and always Wisconsin-festive course grand opening See the DMK piece we did with friends at GOLF here;
http://www.golf.com/tour-news/video/2018/06/27/midwest-marvel-inside-mammoth-dunes

   The Pilgrimage ..
- Musselburgh Links, The Old Course - (Hole-in-1 on the Par 3 5th at "The World's Oldest Golf Course" per their marketing material ) A muni. Asked our friend the GM if we should go to the Musselburgh Golf Club across the street and share our good luck: His Response, "ABSOLUTELY NOT, Under no circumstance tell the club across the street you have an ace... You just got here, your entire vacation budget will be at risk")
- North Berwick - (magic,... I tear up aching to return.. "I'm not crying, you're crying")
- Brora - (Most fun ever on a golf course,... plus me driving left side with Passenger Adam Lawrence in Northern Scotland, Priceless
He has yet to recover. Quoting ADAM:"Get off of the f*****g gutter!!!!" E.G: Curb)
- Royal Dornoch - (Sprayed a drive so very far right and still converted a hideous par from atop the dirt mound of the construction site of a new fairway... over a wall of gorse.
Again with Lawrence: "Good God Man, You're a loon."
Me: "Par is blind".    #IPlayTheBallDown
- St. Andrews The Old Course - (We hit the Tee Time Lottery! Not much else to say... its.The.Old.Course))
- The Renaissance Club - Scotland - (I know a guy...)
Athens Country Club - GA - (with Mike Young - I took my Obama Golf Bag to make sure his pals saw him with me and the bag)
Bowden Golf Course - Macon GA. - (A historic gem in a sand barren. A Golf Desegregation leader - See Golf Channel piece by Charlie Rymer)
Gold Mt - Olympic Cse - WA (Fantastic investment by City of Bremerton. Wide, High Canopy, (Fir fest is kept at bay) excellent conditioning, and really, really enjoyable. Challenging, fair and fun.)
Inglewood CC - WA - (Great Jeff Mingay restoration ongoing. Can also call it a resuscitation as the tree work is breathing life into previously asphyxiated fairways and greens.)
Wing Point CC - WA - (Fantastic in-house work being done on an island whose sand is still shifting. The in-house crew is led by super Mike Goldsby, also a really fierce stick. Hits bunker shots with a 1 Iron when he's bored.)
Jackson GC - Seattle - (Another chilled urban course that still has some fantastic vistas but is increasingly being encroached upon by urban "crush and "stretch". Can't call it "sprawl" because growth equates to "scrape off" and "build up" across the entire Seattle Tacoma Metro. The city gets accolades for redesigning and reinvesting in lost holes on the back 9. I have not played the new holes as of yet but anytime a City puts positive and proactive cash into improvement of a city-owned golf asset, they should be commended. Especially in a Real Estate gobbling Metro like Seattle.)
Rancho Park GC - Los Angeles (The busiest Muny on the planet - a gangster from overseas was selling fake memberships to travelers who would arrive to find out they were paying $100k initiation for access to an LA county course with a 14 hour tee sheet. HiJinks ensued. Hilarious OT tales to be told.#IGotStories)
Riviera CC - LA (Having lived in LA, I know Kikuyu, it's almost not fair playing Rancho and Riviera when playing opponents come from just about anywhere else. "No Strokes, stop whining, Play it down". I call it Gorse on a Brillo Pad)
Penmar By the Sea - Venice CA - (Throwback round with 9 holes of golf zen. Chilled, Short, Straight and you can still see where Han Solo Crashed his Airship... The skins game here is old school, convening Hollywood stars, crew, cast, catering, and general public. Everybody hangs out. Screen idols with stars on Hollywood Blvd pay their Press bets to Best Boys, Grips and Gaffers)
The Veteran's Administration Par 3 - Los Angeles-  (Throwback week, $9 Bucks walking - Here and Penmar are where my son caught the "I wanna' be Tiger Woods" bug. Now he won't give me strokes.  "I'm not crying, you're crying")

Work is taking us on the road all year and I'm looking forward to rounds with GCAers in Washington, Sand Valley/Mammoth, The Loop, Cobb's Creek, Prairie Dunes and elsewhere.
I am especially excited for the upcoming Pre-Mashie at White Bear and helping PCC defend the actual Mashie at Northland as victorious immediate-past-Mashie captain!
Also, Bill Seitz, you've had a hell of a different year. I'll come to you and play local.

[MCirba]

Jeeeezus, Vaughn...it's only July 4th.
Settle yourself, man. 

[V_Halyard]

Jeeeezus, Vaughn...it's only July 4th.
Settle yourself, man. 

Learned it from filming with the Blue Angels... "If the plane has a cargo hold, put the bag in it...
Cobb's Creek is on the Hot list!

[John Ezekowitz]

I've been lucky enough to have had a great year already, highlighted by a beautiful day at Fishers Island and another great trip to Cabot, with hopefully more to come. In chronological order:

[/size]Winter Park Nine
[/size]Country Club of Orlando
[/size]ChampionsGate National and International
[/size]Belmont Country Club (home course)
[/size]Eastward Ho!
[/size]Fishers Island
[/size]Bass Rocks GC
[/size]Boston Golf Club
[/size]Twin Hills (OKC)
[/size]CommonGround
[/size]Cabot Cliffs
[/size]Cabot Links

[Dan Herrmann]

Prepare to be underwhelmed.   I've played 95% of my golf at my home club (French Creek in PA).   In fact, I had a 2 week vacation - we stayed home and played it over and over again.   Why not - we love it, and it saves us a ton of money.


Only courses I've played were on Mondays when our place is closed:   Honeybrook (a really fun local daily fee), Berkleigh (some very good architectural bones there), Royal Manchester in York (surprisingly fun daily fee), and Twisted Dune at the Jersey Shore.


My days of golfing at Bandon are over, I'm afraid.   Their prices have gone up by over 300% since the last time we were there, and when you're paying for two, it quickly becomes a crazy expenditure.   It's a shame because I truly love it there - last time was a 3 day trip - 2 rounds, 1 round, 2 rounds.     If I'm ever doing Oregon golf again, I think I'll focus on the Bend area.


I do want to get back to Northern Michigan sometime.  Really liked the vibe up there.

[Matthew Rose]

Virtually nothing of any significant architectural interest or merit.

So, apart from 2017, pretty much like the last several years.

[Doug Hodgson]

After my Down Uunder trip, the updated list of courses I  have played in 2018 (28 courses, 495 holes)


FLORIDA:
West Palm Beach Muni
Boca Raton Muni
Atlantis CC
Atlantic National
Osprey Point (Falcon/Raven)
Eagle Trace
Madison Green


QUEBEC:
Vallée des Forts
Ile de Montreal  (Ireland)
Royal Montreal  (Red)
Royal Montreal  (Blue)
Royal Montreal  (Dixie, 9 holes)
Royal Ottawa


ONTARIO:
Hawkesbury
Stonebridge


AUSTRALIA:
Moonah Links (Legends)
Victoria
Yarra Yarra
Royal Melbourne (West)
Royal Melbourne (East)
Dunes
Commonwealth


NEW ZEALAND:
Tara Iti
Kauri Cliffs
Carrington Estate
Titirangi
Kinloch Club
Wairakei International

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()