Introduction

[Jeff Segol]

Hello to you all:


RM was kind enough to give me access, with a recommendation from Paul Daley. My name is Jeff Segol. A bit about me:


Age: 61
Hcp: 8
Home: San Jose, CA
Job: Local Government


Golf History: Played a bit as a kid, mostly at the Jack Fleming 9 in Harding Park (San Francisco--Fleming), and at Northwood with my dad (Monte Rio, CA--MacKenzie). Started playing seriously about 35 years ago, as I was working nights as a reporter, and needed afternoon activities.


Previous Home Courses: Los Robles Greens (Thousand Oaks, CA--Baldock, although they're now claiming William F. Bell  for marketing), Sinaloa Golf Course (Simi Valley, CA, Par 3-Shackelford), Soule Park (Ojai, CA--Carl Dwire?, Baldock), Olivas Park (Ventura, CA--William F. Bell/pre Richardson)


Current Home Courses: Baylands Golf Links (Palo Alto, CA--William F. Bell/Forrest Richardson), Santa Teresa Golf Course (San Jose, CA--George Santana), Boundary Oak Golf Course--Walnut Creek, CA (Robert Muir Graves)


Other places I have played of note: Pebble Beach (8-10 times, because a friend lives there), Spyglass, Links at Spanish Bay, Riviera (once, from a Cal golf fundraiser), Orinda CC, Lake Merced CC, Claremont CC (also from Cal events), Pasatiempo (two or three rounds), Kapalua Plantation


I served on an advisory committee for Baylands, and in that role helped select Forrest Richardson to do the remodel, because I was aware of his work at Olivas, and knew therefore that the high water table at Baylands and bad soil wouldn't faze him, and that paspalum would be part of his solution. I was right on both counts.


I have a 1,000-volume golf book collection, including all the major GCA works. One of my prized possessions is a copy of The Architects of Golf that has about 30 signatures on the front end paper, of which I've identified all but a couple of them.


I'll try not to embarrass myself here, bringing the perspective of a decent, but not great, golfer who plays most of his rounds at public courses. And I promise nearly all of my posts will be shorter than this one.


Thanks for having me.

[David_Tepper]

Jeff -

Welcome to GCA and greetings from San Francisco. Always glad to have another member here in the Bay Area.

We have covered a lot of the same golf ground here, but I have yet to play Baylands. Maybe we can organize an outing there this summer.

David T.

[John Kavanaugh]

Do you know Tom Huckaby? I think he got his first hole in one at St.Teresa.

[Jeff Segol]

I don't. Mostly I was playing there on occasions where I didn't have a regular game and wanted to walk on, since it's usually not too tough to get on there. Course is in nice condition (owner has a very good lease from the County), and the design is OK, except for #11 (wacky 90-degree par 5) and #12 (equally wacky 90-degree par 4). They needed land for one more hole, which would have allowed 11 to be routed through the obvious saddle leading to the 12th green.

[John Kavanaugh]

Unfortunate. Tom is one of the great ones!!! I wish he posted here more often.

[Kalen Braley]

Jeff,

A hearty welcome from another ex-bay area native who now lives in Utah.

To complete your initiation, please give us your analysis on Lincoln Park and Pacific Grove with an overall thumbs up or thumbs down 

P.S.  Bonus question, thoughts on Lake Chabot?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jeff,


Welcome, and I hope you feel right at home.  There are no dumb questions or statements here....except occasionally mine, if you go by the peanut gallery, LOL.


That Architects of Golf book sounds like you managed to acquire a copy that had been handed out to someone (most likely a guest speaker) that had been autographed by all members of ASGCA in attendance as a memento.   Or, you bought it in Arlington TX Half Price books, where I once decided to get rid of 2 of my 3 copies, and accidentally took the autographed one in.  I went back to exchange it, but it was already gone by the time I realized my mistake.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Welcome Jeff, I know you will enjoy your time with us.

[Tim_Weiman]

Jeff,


Welcome!


How do you know Paul Daley?

[Jeff Segol]

To answer the questions in order:


I've actually never played Pacific Grove, amazingly. As for Lincoln, the bones of a good course are there, but the poor conditioning sort of overwhelms everything else. I played it most often in NCGA matches against their club, which they almost always won at home because of the quirks of the course. I actually prefer Sharp Park to Lincoln, because it's location near the course means it's actually more playable, even with relatively minimal maintenance. The best hole is obviously the par-3 looking at the bridge, although I also like the one that climbs the hill toward the museum, with the obelisks as a hazard to the left. I've also played Lake Chabot only a few times. The par 6 to end is cool, but the course is again not in great condition. There was recently an albatross made there.


To Jeff Brauer: Ouch !!! On my copy you are the second signature, right below Michael Beebe. I went back and looked, and the only signature I haven't been able to identify is on the end-paper right before the title page, between Gary Linn and Bobby Weed. Looks like the name starts with an E or O, and the last name is a J or an R. Any guesses who it might be?


To Tim Reiman: I only know Paul through his books, which I've picked up in various locations over the years. I was looking in vain for a copy of Vol. 7, and when I saw him on here and was able to get his e-mail address, I wrote to him and he sold me a copy long distance. He was kind enough to also tell me how to get in touch with Ran and to give me an introduction.

[Jeff Segol]

To Jeff Brauer:


Not in HPB. I bought it at auction at PBA Galleries, which has a twice-yearly auction of golf books, supposedly beating out Forrest (at least that's what he told me when I had him sign it at a Palo Alto City Council meeting on the golf course renovation).

[Kevin_Reilly]

Lincoln Park was in poor condition in the late 70's/early 80's when I grew up in SF.  The flagsticks then were actual pipes, about 5-6' long.  Made the approach shots look longer (shorter flag stick - optical illusion), but indicative of the low budget at LP.  That has never changed...back then, even neighborhood putting greens (such as 19th and Wawona, or in the Marina) had better greens.  Times have changed, but Lincoln Park's conditioning has not changed...still bad.

[PCCraig]

Welcome!