Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: V_Halyard on December 15, 2020, 01:02:23 PM
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2021 MASHIE GROUP PIC!
The 2021 Midwest Mashie is in the books and the Mashie Remains with the West. The event was overwhelmingly enjoyable and hilarious. Thurm has the final scores and says it was a definitive win. We had so much fun breaking the monotony of COVID, I figure we’ll find out sometime. The West team however was able to repel Thurman's rampant abuse of free agency.
Keith Foster absolutely and excellently crushed the renovation of a previously excellent Keith Foster design.
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Walking the fairway with George
And thanks to our friends at Davenport CC and the Cedar Rapids CC, we were able to schedule a fantastic and enjoyable Race Across Iowa.
We kicked off with Mashie Attendee Tee times at 8:40 AM in Davenport. Then after the morning 18 holes, we scrammed to a set of 3pm Tee times at Cedar Rapids, capped by a dinner and drinks.
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Harvester Hole 15 with the Great Hazard
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Hanging at the Harvester
The weekend at Harvester was outstanding. Once I get through the swampy laundry, I'll add more pictures and descriptions but to summarize, it was fantastic to see the Mashie crew in person, and hear the trash mumbling across fairways, from friends old and new.
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Mashie reaches the first green… and beyond at Harvester
We shared a moment of silence and prayers for Howard.
Words of encouragement to Richard D! We missed your heckling and hope to see you as a guest at the next episode.
Thank you to the members of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and the Harvester for opening their golf homes to our crew.
It was like we all escaped from an asylum and met up on a golf course.
More pics to follow. That's a Wrap! Thank you all for attending and participating from your Mashie CommitteeW We are Looking forward to getting to the BUDA and Beyond!
Best wishes from your West Captain/Host Halyard, and fellow Committee and pals Freeman, Thurman, Titschinger and Craig!
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Jake reunites with the Mickle and models the MickeStix
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Harvester #13 Green
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Bill on the Hill
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Early AM Rolling for the Mashie
For Harvester info see:
Courses By Country: https://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/the-harvester-club/ (https://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/the-harvester-club/)
Ran’s Harvester notes:https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,68866.msg1652156.html#msg1652156 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,68866.msg1652156.html#msg1652156)
CRCC Damage Pix and Notes: https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,69896.msg1682860.html#msg1682860 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,69896.msg1682860.html#msg1682860)
All photo Copyright V Halyard StoryLounge Films
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Signing up Andrew Calcutt
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In - Pam Allen
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in
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In - Erik Mosley
Look forward to seeing everyone again! Course/club looks fantastic – great work by the committee.
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In, Jake Marvin.
Thanks for getting this together guys!
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I would like in.
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Please count me in if there is room. Thank you. Steve
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Vaughn, please add me to the list -- Stephen Northrup
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Please include me.
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Dan Gallaway please and thank you!
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In - James Reese.
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Count me in, Thanks Vaughn
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Sign me up please.
Ken Fry
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Please add me to the list. Thanks for putting this together. BILL STEELE
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I'm in for that.
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I would like to join.
Thank you everyone who helped set this up!
Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends,
chris
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In please.
Thanks,
Lou
P.S.- single room, before and after events as well.
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I’d love to join in if there is still room.
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Thanks for the update. I thought I had replied previously. Please add my name to the list!
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in - Alex Stavrides
Thanks!
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me too, looks like a great venue. I was probably 20 miles from it last August on the drive back from MI/WI
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Very much looking forward to it!!!
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Please count me in. Really enjoyed playing the course about 10 years ago, and the renovation looks very interesting.
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I would like to join in the event. I think Canterbury was my last.
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Yes please. I would like to attend.
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In Jeff Schley
I think I have a decent chance to make it work.
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Count me in.
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Please put me in.
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Count me in thanks.
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In, please.
Dan Kelly
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In Brad Tufts
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In, Charles Lund
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I am in . thanks , Mark Studer
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Single room please, Charles Lund
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I am In.
What a great choice of venue!
Thank you
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In, please.
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I am in if possible, thanks!
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In, please sign me up!!
Tyler Kearns
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Please sign up Carl Rogers.
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Add me to the waitlist please
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Please add me to the Wait List, Vaughn. Thanks!
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In, Tom Bacsanyi
I'll hop on the waitlist as well. Thanks for putting this together!
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Please put me on the wait list as well
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
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Hi Vaughn! I would like to join the event so please add me to the waitlist as well. Thanks!
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Ughh, late again.
Please add me to the waiting list!
Joe Melchiors
Chicago, IL
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Please add me to the waitlist...thanks a million for arranging!!!
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In
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
Ha sorry, though
We did announce when we were announcing the day we were announcing the time and day of the post. LOL!
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
Ha sorry, though
We did announce when we were announcing the day we were announcing the time and day of the post. LOL!
I guess I was also busy when you announced you were announcing the announcement
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Add Jay Mickle to list
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IN
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I look at the web site every day and was out clicked.
Perhaps another event in Michigan?
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I look at the web site every day and was out clicked.
Perhaps another event in Michigan?
I believe the problem was that Forest Dunes was already sold out for September weekends in 2021. [Not a problem for Harvester! ;) ]
Hopefully we will get things sorted for 2022. But it's starting to look as though I'll be so busy in 2022 that I can only hope to make a brief appearance.
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Add me as well
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Please add me as well from the Twin Cities treehouse.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
I paid attention to point 5 in the sign-up page and noticed that my entry was followed by a = sign, perhaps an errant keystroke, or maybe something else of significance. As probably light on the first criteria in the suggested point system (1 MM appearance) and probably in the middle of the pack on the second, I am ok with my spot being awarded to a more worthy candidate. In all likelihood, by the time the event nears, it will be mostly moot- we have the same issue with tee times at my home course, the tee sheet fills up quickly, but there are always times available for the walkups.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
I paid attention to point 5 in the sign-up page and noticed that my entry was followed by a = sign, perhaps an errant keystroke, or maybe something else of significance. As probably light on the first criteria in the suggested point system (1 MM appearance) and probably in the middle of the pack on the second, I am ok with my spot being awarded to a more worthy candidate. In all likelihood, by the time the event nears, it will be mostly moot- we have the same issue with tee times at my home course, the tee sheet fills up quickly, but there are always times available for the walkups.
I was 16th on the waiting list for Prairie Dunes and got in, so no big deal. That assumes that I won't be one of the ones that has to drop. And PD is a more "must do" destination that Harvester, as good as Harvester appears to be, so there's plenty of hope for me and others similarly situated. Theoretically I do like Buck's points based approach, but that's a lot to ask of the organizers to track all of that .
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I look at the web site every day and was out clicked.
Perhaps another event in Michigan?
I believe the problem was that Forest Dunes was already sold out for September weekends in 2021. [Not a problem for Harvester! ;) ]
Hopefully we will get things sorted for 2022. But it's starting to look as though I'll be so busy in 2022 that I can only hope to make a brief appearance.
Yep.
Fascinating shortage of venues for an outing like this.
Btw Already working with Kevin on it.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
I paid attention to point 5 in the sign-up page and noticed that my entry was followed by a = sign, perhaps an errant keystroke, or maybe something else of significance. As probably light on the first criteria in the suggested point system (1 MM appearance) and probably in the middle of the pack on the second, I am ok with my spot being awarded to a more worthy candidate. In all likelihood, by the time the event nears, it will be mostly moot- we have the same issue with tee times at my home course, the tee sheet fills up quickly, but there are always times available for the walkups.
Lol.
You’re doing a quarantine overthink.
“=“ is Just a thumb print
As for a points system, that’s batshitcrazy math talk.
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V.,
I've heard of chemo brain. Now we have quarantine overthink and thumb prints. The landscape is always changing.
As to the points system, Buck's suggestion did remind me of past discussions within the Buda crowd. At one time, consideration was given to finding a way to get new GCAers involved. Of course, we've had a hard time getting Captains to volunteer, a much lesser responsibility than having to organize and run the event itself.
All I am saying is that while it is easier to set the field on a first-come, first-served basis, there is some merit to considering other ways of completing the roster. Going the opposite direction from Buck, getting some new blood, especially from within the region, might make a lot of sense. I understand that the Twin Cities guys have built a cohesive group of GCAers (I thoroughly enjoyed the MM they hosted), which I am sure fosters the appreciation (as not to use the word "study" loosely) of golf architecture which is lacking at most clubs I've known.
What a better way to put a toe in the water than to sign up for a GCA affiliated event? Many of us (and our families- "you're going to do what, fly across the country to play golf for four or five days with 20-30 guys you met on the internet?") were apprehensive back in 2002 when the first King Putter was organized. Over 18 years later, any number of guys in that event still stay in touch and play golf together on occasion.
Am I making any sense, or do I need to go out and get some fresh air?
Thanks for all you're doing.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
I paid attention to point 5 in the sign-up page and noticed that my entry was followed by a = sign, perhaps an errant keystroke, or maybe something else of significance. As probably light on the first criteria in the suggested point system (1 MM appearance) and probably in the middle of the pack on the second, I am ok with my spot being awarded to a more worthy candidate. In all likelihood, by the time the event nears, it will be mostly moot- we have the same issue with tee times at my home course, the tee sheet fills up quickly, but there are always times available for the walkups.
Lol.
You’re doing a quarantine overthink.
“=“ is Just a thumb print
As for a points system, that’s batshitcrazy math talk.
How about an easy one -- you have to be have a current GCA donation to get an early spot -- no math involved. I volunteer to check versus the contributions page.
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OK folks let's review.
Trying to locate a venue that will block tee times for two days for a large group of strangers hoping for some rate consideration is an arduous task to begin with. In this pandemic climate we are finding that resorts are running at 110% capacity with waitlists. Top 100, no, make that Top 1000 courses are restricting outside play, their membership, ownership, and some municipalities are understandably cautious. Tee sheets are booked from dusk to dawn. This has taken hours from days that frankly do not exist. Lawsonia rescued 2020. Some Muny's don't even answer their phone anymore and send you to the web.
Securing confirmation for this in 2021 was a "situation". We're already working on 2022.
Additionally, we joked about it, but in all seriousness, for the first time, we went to extra lengths to make sure people were aware of our developments.
1- We announced the venue and summary of the events.
2- We then announced the schedule/date/time when we were planning to post the sign up list so people, if they were interested, could plan to sign up.
3- We posted the list at that time
4- People signed up
We have one criteria, you need to be registered with GCA and that is the only prerequisite.
Getting these things organized are a labor of love. This year was a bit of a grind.
We are not a for profit travel planning event agency and tend to get these arranged via relationships and GCA Member volunteer efforts " for the good of the architecture"... and our collective amusement.
It would be a great development for the good of golf if the current COVID fueled golf boom sticks, and rounds continue to outstrip capacity. Tee times at prime locations private and public will likely remain tight thru 2021.
Our ad-hoc system is not perfect but it is magnanimous. Mashie cancellations and drop outs have historically run 25%-30% and a good number of waitlist folks have gotten into the events.
We have used our club memberships, resort management, architect and other relationships to get these set up.
Many times, these go on personal accounts at the clubs, or as the case last year with Forest Dunes, it was necessary to secure fast depleting prime time fall tee sheet and room availability with a personal credit card, then request deposits from GCAers, then ultimately send individual refunds when the pandemic forced a cancellation. (Its all electronic this year. no checks)
With that in mind, we have not considered the addition of point systems, tracking donor participation tallies and the like. If our 2021 event yields 100% of people confirmed with little movement off of the wait list, we will have reached a tipping point and can look at adjustments.
No system is perfect. Historically, the volunteer hosts have spent time managing the cancellations, waitlist notifications, refunds and adjusting slots with venues, so I would pose that if that amount of time is diminished by full attendance, we can dedicate those hours to a points management system. For now? No
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I don't doubt all of this is a big challenge.
Suggestion:
Schedule future GCA events at the beginning or the middle of the week.
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I don't doubt all of this is a big challenge.
Suggestion:
Schedule future GCA events at the beginning or the middle of the week.
That is a consideration though we have been blessed with weekends.
Time will tell as weekend availability is increasingly scarce and Monday Tuesday may become the target in 2022.
With tee sheets jammed, the day of the week at the locations we would find attractive has become immaterial.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
We joked about it, but in all seriousness, for the first time, we went to extra lengths to make sure people were aware of our developments. 1- We announced the venue and summary of the events.
2- We then announced the schedule/date/time when we were planning to post the sign up list so people, if they were interested, could plan to sign up.
3- We posted the list at that time
4- People signed up
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We joked about it, but in all seriousness, for the first time, we went to extra lengths to make sure people were aware of our developments. 1- We announced the venue and summary of the events.
2- We then announced the schedule/date/time when we were planning to post the sign up list so people, if they were interested, could plan to sign up.
3- We posted the list at that time
4- People signed up
Vaughn - this was much appreciated! Set a quick calendar reminder and was all set. Always amazed how much the committee puts into this thing to make it an incredible event - thanks for all your hard work!
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Thanks Vaughn - your hard work on these events, in particular 2020, has not gone unnoticed.
As I can tell folks from experience, running these events is a lot of work and is truly a labor of love. It's incredible that the Mashie has morphed into an event that it is fully subscribed in a day and people are willing to travel to the literal middle of nowhere Iowa ;) , but with that comes some limitations.
Also, there is almost always significant turnover on the waitlist so hold tight... :)
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What a better way to put a toe in the water than to sign up for a GCA affiliated event? Many of us (and our families- "you're going to do what, fly across the country to play golf for four or five days with 20-30 guys you met on the internet?") were apprehensive back in 2002 when the first King Putter was organized. Over 18 years later, any number of guys in that event still stay in touch and play golf together on occasion.
I agree Lou. I went to the 2011 KP at Bandon having never met any of the other participants before the event. And I'm not really a big event sort of guy. But I had a great time, and met quite a few GCA guys who I'm still in touch with. Lou, not sure if you remember but I played against you in the first round at Old Mac. I played the first five holes well, then smashed a great drive on #6, after which you asked me to remind you what handicap I was playing off of. I told you to wait because the bad stuff would surely be coming (and it was).
As a native Midwesterner (now living in Texas) I would love to attend one of the Mashies, evidenced by the fact that I read the Mashie thread every year even though I'm not going to sign up. I've only met a couple of Midwestern guys. Still unhappy that I missed the signup for the Prairie Dunes edition as it's reasonably close to Austin. My goal of attending a Mashie is somewhat compromised by the fact that I barely play golf anymore. But if I can ever make it happen I'd hate to get bumped by some points system based on prior attendance.
And organizing even much smaller events than this is a tiresome thankless job, hope y'all appreciate the leg work that the organizer is doing.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
We joked about it, but in all seriousness, for the first time, we went to extra lengths to make sure people were aware of our developments. 1- We announced the venue and summary of the events.
2- We then announced the schedule/date/time when we were planning to post the sign up list so people, if they were interested, could plan to sign up.
3- We posted the list at that time
4- People signed up
I don't want to seem like I'm not grateful for the work you guys do to put these together. I know it's a lot of work and its much appreciated. My failure to sign up in time is my own fault. I don't see myself playing a lot of golf next year, if any, so hopefully there's enough movement, but that's on me.
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Wait list me, I suppose. Fell asleep at the wheel on sign ups. That sucks.
I believe there should be a points system for this event that rewards prior year participation and GCA donations rather than not being particularly busy the day its announced. While I am giving unsolicited advice I also petition for the Singles matches to be 9 holes each rather than 18. We will look for white smoke from Rome.
I paid attention to point 5 in the sign-up page and noticed that my entry was followed by a = sign, perhaps an errant keystroke, or maybe something else of significance. As probably light on the first criteria in the suggested point system (1 MM appearance) and probably in the middle of the pack on the second, I am ok with my spot being awarded to a more worthy candidate. In all likelihood, by the time the event nears, it will be mostly moot- we have the same issue with tee times at my home course, the tee sheet fills up quickly, but there are always times available for the walkups.
I was 16th on the waiting list for Prairie Dunes and got in, so no big deal. That assumes that I won't be one of the ones that has to drop. And PD is a more "must do" destination that Harvester, as good as Harvester appears to be, so there's plenty of hope for me and others similarly situated. Theoretically I do like Buck's points based approach, but that's a lot to ask of the organizers to track all of that .
I think at the time of the final deposit requests for Prairie Dunes there were only about 5 people who didn't get in, and the waitlist was like 30 deep at one point
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What a better way to put a toe in the water than to sign up for a GCA affiliated event? Many of us (and our families- "you're going to do what, fly across the country to play golf for four or five days with 20-30 guys you met on the internet?") were apprehensive back in 2002 when the first King Putter was organized. Over 18 years later, any number of guys in that event still stay in touch and play golf together on occasion.
I agree Lou. I went to the 2011 KP at Bandon having never met any of the other participants before the event. And I'm not really a big event sort of guy. But I had a great time, and met quite a few GCA guys who I'm still in touch with. Lou, not sure if you remember but I played against you in the first round at Old Mac. I played the first five holes well, then smashed a great drive on #6, after which you asked me to remind you what handicap I was playing off of. I told you to wait because the bad stuff would surely be coming (and it was).
I do remember. You had the indomitable Canadian veteran as your partner (Bryan Izatt). My ringer, Bob Hamilton, just happened to ham and egg it with me better than yours on that day. I am used to giving strokes to young, fit guys who smoke it by me. But I can't remember ever remarking on handicaps. Especially in the UK, I just assume that I am going to get fleeced. I do remember you had game and it is a shame that you're playing sparingly. I also remember liking Old Mac a lot. Austin has some nice private clubs, but the public scene is light in comparison to DFW and Houston, IMO. But migrating from SF, the adaptation was probably much easier.
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My wife just asked if she should get me another Forest Dunes gift card for the 2021 trip? LOL
I’m always up for some driving, but...
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Hello,
I'd like to sign up for this year's Midwest Mashie.
Joe Lynch (MN)
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Vaughn,
I am dropping out (#30). One too many long car trips for me.
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Hello GCA
Doing a quick update bump of this thread to the top.
We are still on and there has been movement up from the waitlist.
Please let me know if any of you have any updates or need to dropout.
Thanks
- V
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Sadly for me, another Mashie and another WD.
There are some good men on the wait list. I'm making room for one of them.
Thanks Vaughn and everyone for organizing. Hoping 2022 brings another opportunity.
Ken
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With regrets, I too am going to have to withdraw from this year's Mashie. There are just too many other obligations popping up at that time of year and something had to give. Please move the next man up from the wait list.
Have a great time, guys!
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Will the Mashie organizers require vaccination documentation for partication?
(I hope so)
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I'm a bit late to the party but please add me to the waitlist.
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Waitlist moving fast.
A family trip has come up for the same time period, so I'll have to withdraw.
Please remove me from the list.
One day, I'll make a Midwest Mashie!
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Coincidentally my alma mater is Iowa State University in nearby Ames (who's golf team calls Harvester home). Iowa State football is coming off the greatest season in their history and is playing UNLV that weekend in Las Vegas -- I must be there. Bill Seitz gets one spot closer. Go west!
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Coincidentally my alma mater is Iowa State University in nearby Ames (who's golf team calls Harvester home). Iowa State football is coming off the greatest season in their history and is playing UNLV that weekend in Las Vegas -- I must be there. Bill Seitz gets one spot closer. Go west!
Our hosts are big ISU Cyclone supporters.
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Coincidentally my alma mater is Iowa State University in nearby Ames (who's golf team calls Harvester home). Iowa State football is coming off the greatest season in their history and is playing UNLV that weekend in Las Vegas -- I must be there. Bill Seitz gets one spot closer. Go west!
Our hosts are big ISU Cyclone supporters.
Dickson is the man -- Go State!
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Tyler Kearns moves up off of the Waitlist.
Watch for Updates
Thx!
V
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Regretfully, Dan Gallaway has to back out of The Mashie for 2021. Thankful that I’ll be too busy with kids activities.
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I have to cancel due to family commitment. Enjoy the event.
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Update: More movement off of the waitlist. See top of thread for details.
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Is there a vaccination policy for this event?
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I recommend attendees get vaccinated. I'm sure we'll shoot a pretty solid 78 when it comes to adhering to local ordinances, as usual.
Do note that we will be in Iowa, aka Heaven aka North Texas.
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Is there a vaccination policy for this event?
We are volunteers arranging an event as a courtesy to fellow members of GCA. We cancelled the event last year at the height of the pandemic and will monitor the situation.
That said, we will adhere to state and federal policy and CDC Guidelines and are of the opinion that attendees should take advantage of any opportunity to be fully vaccinated before arrival.
We however are not in a position to mandate nor monitor attendee vaccinations.
Know that Iowa is lax in comparison to other states. I am fully vaccinated and navigate the state accordingly.
There is no vaccination policy for this event another than the CDC guidelines. Attendance is voluntary.
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Is there a vaccination policy for this event?
My second shot was March 24. I request all participants state their vaccination status.
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Is there a vaccination policy for this event?
My second shot was March 24. I request all participants state their vaccination status.
Carl, that is not happening. We are not mandating attendees declare their vaccination status on an open source public forum.
We will discuss this further in PM.
Please make no more requests on this thread.
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I recommend attendees get vaccinated.
I recommend those not attending also get vaccinated, because, ya know, you should get vaccinated.
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Cirba and Bacsanyi move up off of the waitlist.
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Is there a vaccination policy for this event?
My second shot was March 24. I request all participants state their vaccination status.
At first, I thought this was some attempt at dry humor.
LOL...you are requesting participants to state their vaccination status, who the hell are you? What if they have not been vaccinated yet or choose not to? Does that mean they will be excluded, or ostracized, or ridiculed? Will they have to wear some type of emblem? Will they have to add 5 strokes to their score as a punishment? Being the 20 hcp I am, that would sure be cruel! What about folks that have had the virus, and have antibodies? You may not realize this, but the body does a pretty good job of protecting itself going forward once it has been exposed to a pathogen. This is Bio 101 my friend! What about people that have pre-existing conditions and they have been advised not to take the shot, where do they stand? While we are at it, why don't we request that every participant submit a complete health history? How about submitting every participant to a genital inspection, STDs are very worrisone, who would want one of those?
I was at a golf outing last week at a bucket list course. The course finally opened up to guests, and we had a blast. No one wore a mask, none of the staff wore a mask, and not once did anyone bring up the virus. Not once, we were too busy enjoying the day and the comraderie. Saw a few friends I have not seen in years, the last thing we cared about was the virus. I am running a golf outing on August 1 at a top local venue, we filled up 32 spots in three days and have a waiting list. No one asked about the virus, and no one cares about vaccination status. It is none of my business what decisions people make in their lives and I am sure not going to use a golf outing as a platform to try and convince anyone of anything. This is a free country, there is a segment of self appointed Corona Nazi's that seem to have forgotten that. If you are afraid or feel compelled to judge others who make personal medical decisions that are none of anyone's business, just stay home. Be misireable and anxious, make others misireable, just stay the hell home. It is really that simple. I want to add, I am not for the vaccine, I am not against it. I am against neurotic busy bodies that judge others for medical decisions they make. Taking the vaccine might be the most intelligent decision people make, and good for them, or it might be the worst decision people make, and my prayers go to them if this is the case. Bottom line is you can act on faith, believe everything you are told, and that is perfectly ok. Or...you can question, be cynical, and distrust what others say, that is perfectly ok too. God gave us all a brain, none of us has the right to tell others how to use it. Interesting, the way this pandemic has created a lot of blow hard know it alls who think they have been annointed to judge others. Really no right or wrong, only time will tell us who is right and who was wrong.
Anyway, all the best to you and actually all of you. Hope you have a great golf outing at this wonderful course. God bless all here!
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Clearly my definition of common sense and responsibility is at extreme variance with others.
The one reality I know is 600,000 dead.
Irrelevant straw man, junk science and anecdotes do not impress.
Please remove me from the event.
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Carl. Give me a call if you are ever in Orlando. Vac 2/14/21. Last 4 SS#4716. Eyes blue.
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Clearly my definition of common sense and responsibility is at extreme variance with others.
The one reality I know is 600,000 dead.
Irrelevant straw man, junk science and anecdotes do not impress.
Please remove me from the event.
Carl,
Do not in any way confuse or equate our refusal to compel people to share personal health info on this open source site, with the event’s belief in the validity of vaccination nor minimization of the 600,000 dead. I know people that have died from the virus so I find your implication particularly insulting. That said, we are NOT compelling anyone to share HIPPA level info in public.
We will respectfully accept your resignation from the event but
let me be clear, in no way should you imply we are refuting the validity or efficacy of vaccines.
I don’t mind personally sharing my firm belief in the sciences and I have been fully vaccinated. I also urge as many as possible to be vaccinated globally. That is my decision to share that info.
It is unreasonable and unacceptable to demand and/or compel anyone to share their personal HIPPA equated information on this open source publicly accessible site. Do not conflate the two nor make any other inferences to that extent. It is not our place (nor yours) to demand that folks share that info on this open source site.
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Vaughn,
Participants in this and other GCA events owe organizers like you much gratitude for volunteering your time. It's a hassle to organize a large group of people to visit a public venue, but even more impressive when you manage access to private clubs like Harvester. Even though I'm not able to attend this Mashie, I want to thank you and the rest of the committee for arranging and managing it.
Rational people ought to understand why vaccination status is not something you should be expected to track. (Team Pfizer for me, if anyone asks.)
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Vaughn, I have to give up my spot. Next up from the waitlist!
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Vaughn, I have to give up my spot. Next up from the waitlist!
Thanks for the note Tom!
Smolens and Seitz move up.
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Vaughn, bad news for me, but good news for whoever is Number 41 - I will regretfully have to drop out of the event. Have a great Mashie!
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I also have to send regrets for this year. Can't be there, but standing by for 2022.
Mark
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I won't be able to make it this year. Decided to attend the Crump Cup instead. I'll miss seeing my friends this year.
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Waitlist movement. See Top of thread for Updates. Also if you are on the list and waitlist, watch for GCA Personal Message this week detailing rooming and schedule.
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how did I get bumped?
committee decision?
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how did I get bumped?
committee decision?
If you were bumped and made no indication that you had wanted to be, It was inadvertent and I will take a look at it later tonight.
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I’m afraid I must withdraw.
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I’m afraid I must withdraw.
Sorry Dave and thanks for letting me know.
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Main list updated on post #1 - Mickle moves up from waitlist and Lou Duran (in) status typo corrected
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Vaughn,
If not too late, could you add me to the waitlist?
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Vaughn —
I regrettably cannot attend; please feel free to reallocate my spot.
Also, this has nothing to do with Mayhugh requesting addition to the waitlist — at least as far as he knows… :)
Cheers, Andrew
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Vaughn —
I regrettably cannot attend; please feel free to reallocate my spot.
Also, this has nothing to do with Mayhugh requesting addition to the waitlist — at least as far as he knows… :)
Cheers, Andrew
I'll take your word for it but this withdrawal coming on the heels of the Mayhugh request does give one pause but is not surprising. Lol
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List updated.
Ward Peyronnin and Steve Solow move up From Waitlist 7/27
Room and hotel registration details forthcoming this weekend.
Thx
V
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Hi Vaughn,
I hope all is well!
I unfortunately will have to miss this one as well...next person up!
Thanks,
Brad Tufts
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More moves. [/size]Andy Ryall and Joe Lynch make get battle field promotions.[/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]Mayhugh is getting closer.
[/size]List updated in post one of the thread
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If you are lined below, please check your GCA Personal Messages or Email forwarding:
Greg Clark
Mark Studer
Evan Fleisher
Ward Peyronnin
Andy Ryall
Joe Perches
Thanks.
V
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UPDATE - 7/31
Everyone is in. See Post 1
Thanks to all of you that have confirmed your direct emails.
Hotel and registration information is being sent this weekend via direct email to participants.
Please confirm and or respond accordingly.
I still need direct emails from:
- Greg Clark
- Ward Peyronnin
- Rick Shefchik (Spelled Correctly I might add)
If you know them, please ping them and let them know to PM me via GCA or give them my email as you will have later today.
I have also sent them each a GCA DM.
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Thanks to all who notified me that my withdrawal a few weeks ago had not been duly recognized. I am not only merely out, I'm really most sincerely out, and Vaughn now knows that. Have a great Mashie!
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Vaughn —
I regrettably cannot attend; please feel free to reallocate my spot.
Also, this has nothing to do with Mayhugh requesting addition to the waitlist — at least as far as he knows… :)
Cheers, Andrew
I'll take your word for it but this withdrawal coming on the heels of the Mayhugh request does give one pause but is not surprising. Lol
Very kind of Andrew stepping aside to create an opening. At least that's how I'm viewing it.
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Vaughn —
I regrettably cannot attend; please feel free to reallocate my spot.
Also, this has nothing to do with Mayhugh requesting addition to the waitlist — at least as far as he knows… :)
Cheers, Andrew
I'll take your word for it but this withdrawal coming on the heels of the Mayhugh request does give one pause but is not surprising. Lol
Very kind of Andrew stepping aside to create an opening. At least that's how I'm viewing it.
He claims he was receiving texts from a blocked number...
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Afraid I am OUT.
Play well in Iowa.
Dan
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I will be flying into Omaha relatively late Friday evening and driving to Rhodes.I should arrive around 11pm in Rhodes.
My flight back from Omaha is Monday evening around 8pm.I've never played anywhere in the midwest before this trip.
Does anyone have a suggestion where to play Monday?
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I will be flying into Omaha relatively late Friday evening and driving to Rhodes.I should arrive around 11pm in Rhodes.
My flight back from Omaha is Monday evening around 8pm.I've never played anywhere in the midwest before this trip.
Does anyone have a suggestion where to play Monday?
If you play early in Des Moines, Wakonda is a fun, albeit difficult course. Could afford to lose a couple dozen trees but overall a cool place. For public, Waveland is a pretty unique muni.
If you're trying to play in Omaha, Omaha CC is by far the best private course. Indian Creek is probably the best public option and the home to a Korn Ferry event.
And if you don't have enough time to play anywhere, drive out to Elkhorn/Gretna and see the new private course (Lost Rail) being built. It's about 30 minutes from the airport.
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I will be flying into Omaha relatively late Friday evening and driving to Rhodes.I should arrive around 11pm in Rhodes.
My flight back from Omaha is Monday evening around 8pm.I've never played anywhere in the midwest before this trip.
Does anyone have a suggestion where to play Monday?
You're in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. You really should avail yourself of the opportunity to at least somewhat see what NE golf is all about. After play on Sunday, drive 5 hours to Kearney NE and play Awarii Dunes on Monday. You'll probably be the only person there on Monday morning. Play all day and then head back to Omaha.
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If anyone is interested in playing Thursday beforehand, I'll be in the general area a few days early. Leaning toward a return to Waveland in Des Moines, or heading toward Davenport and hitting TPC Deere Run. Open to other ideas...
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I haven't been able to reach Vaughn over the past week. Is there a deposit due? If so, where do I find the details?
Re: housing at the Harvester. Does anyone have a list of who's staying on property and whether I am on it?
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This may seem corny, but Field of Dreams is less than 2 to 2 1/2 hours away and two 9 holers nearby - Rolling Knolls and Dyersville G&CC
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tore my bicep tendon very recently and got surgery today. so sadly, i have to withdraw. thanks to the organizers for their efforts[size=78%].[/size]
-Alex
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Day job has imposed its will on the Mashie planning.
Attendees Watch for direct emails regarding both rooming and the Friday 36 at Davenport and Cedar Rapids
-V
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All,
As we plan matches for the event, a few notes.
- The white tees at Harvester rate 72.9/140 and play to a par of 72 at around 6400 yards. I plan to handicap most matches from these tees.
- The blues rate 74.4/143 (par 72) and roughly 6800 yards. I plan to handicap matches for the guys who have historically preferred to play from further back from the blues (looking at you, Calcutt, Salmen, Hill, Modern-club Flory). I'm also assuming that guys like Marvin, Seitz, or Treitler (?) would be game to move back to that yardage if need be, but also that you'd just as soon play the whites.
- Note that there is also a black set, at 76.8/148 and around 7350, best I can tell. All this is shared with the caveat that Harvester does not have a scorecard published on their website, so yardages could be slightly off but ratings/slopes are official.
If anyone would prefer to play from a different set of tees than what I'm slating, let me know either here, via PM, or via e-mail. If my plans sound right to you, no need to respond.
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Jason:
You have played with me. Keep me at the tighty whities. 140 is a lot of golf course for me.
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Really bummed to be missing the Mashie this year. Have a great time gents!! Here's to seeing everyone next year!
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Big thanks to GCAer David Duevel for sending over a copy of the Harvester scorecard. It's longer than I realized, so I want to update yardages in my previous post.
Blacks: 7463 yds, 76.8/148
Blues: 6959, 74.4/143
Whites: 6612, 72.9/140
Greens: 6175, 70.7/137
I'll still handicap most matches from the whites by default, as indicated in the previous post. But sharing the updated yardages in case they make anyone want to scoot up to the greens (or make anyone want to tip it out). Let me know here/via PM/via email. Goal is always to have guys play the tees they prefer.
Do note that Ran's profile suggests Harvester plays very fast and firm generally, so it may not play quite as long as listed.
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6,175 with a 137 slope is as much golf course as I could ever need...
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Please sign me up for the green tees.
Charles Lund
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Green tee guy here also.
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Jason - for your purposes put me down for white. I can use the calculator if my group is playing green.
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Green for me. Thanks.
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It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I regrettably have to pull out.
Thank you for everyone’s hard work setting up what is I am sure going to be a marvelous Mashie.
I hope everyone a wonderful time and safe travels.
chris
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I dug this up from the archives - thought it would be appropriate as the group prepares to play the difficult 9th hole at the Harvester:
Think Edmund Fitzgerald:
A dark day in May
When Jon went away
to do battle with the forces of evil
Everything was fine
til he got to nine
then the winds of November blew early
A chunk in the ground,
a plop in the soup
The first rumbling sounds of anger
A helicopter sound
rushed out to the sea
A titanium driver caused danger
Despite his fate,
Jon soldiered on
But his friends knew what to do
"Sir if you please
My club caught a breeze
Do you by chance have a canoe?"
Lest you think
this is a tale full of woe
I beg you sir take note
The Harvester it seems
swallows men's dreams
but thank god . . .titanium floats.
This was in honor of a friend who lost it on number 9 with a lake left and decided to throw his driver. He thought better of it half way through the throw, but in stopping managed to launch it at a 90 degree angle 100 feet straight out into the lake. It floated to shore by the end of the round. I didn't know that drivers floated.
In order to "help him out" I did request a canoe at the turn.
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I'll play whatever.
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As a few people have asked, just a note that I've confirmed with The Harvester that they'll have the kitchen open until 9p Friday evening.
Topp isn't wrong about 9 at Harvester being a real beast. It's been almost 10 years since I last played it though, and the only shot I really remember hitting on it was one of those 60 yard bunker shots where I played an explosion with an 8 iron and I actually kinda pulled it off. #GoodVibes
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All, I received a few emails last night about Sat AM and Sun PM "bonus" rounds, and I have you accounted for. If you haven't already replied directly to me, please do so, even if you contacted Vaughn earlier.
I'll be giving the club numbers today and Thursday, as I have them. Would like to get that locked down by Thursday, as I won't be very accessible Friday.
Even if you're a maybe, let me know if you haven't already.
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Criss -
Green tees for me.
I’ll play an afternoon round on Sunday.
Thanks -
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Ok people, it's time for some announcements.
First, the 2021 rosters:
Team East
Criss Titschinger
Jason Thurman
Jake Marvin
Bill Steele
Michael Wolf
Andrew Calcutt
Mike Treitler
Peter Flory
Joe Melchiors
John Mayhugh
Jay Mickle
Lou Duran
Mark Studer
Joe Perches
Josh Woodward
Team West
Vaughn Halyard
Jeff Shelman
George Freeman
John McCarthy
Charles Lund
Steve Salmen
Frank Sekulic
Morgan Clawson
Bill Seitz
Steve Greif
Brad Hill
Jason Topp
Dan Moore
James Rector
Buck Wolter
Pairings and Matches for Saturday
Fourball matches, with the exception of the Greif/Perches leadoff singles match
Handicap stroke allocations listed to right of each player's name
Tees on which match handicaps are based listed (numbers rarely change if all players in a match move up or back. Individual players who move from white to blue generally gain one more stroke, while players who move from white to green lose two strokes and vice versa. Handicapping can be confirmed using GHIN app, of course)
West players on left, East players on right
[/size]MATCH 1 (White tees)
[/size]Greif Perches 4
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 2 (Blue tees)
[/size]Hill 2 Calcutt 3
[/size]Moore 4 Flory
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 3 (White)
[/size]Seitz 2 Marvin 2
[/size]Rector 5 Treitler
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 4 (White)
[/size]Salmen Thurman 6
[/size]Shelman 3 Wolf 7
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 5 (White)
[/size]Topp 6 Studer
[/size]Wolter 2 Melchiors 1
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 6 (White)
[/size]Halyard 7 Duran
[/size]Freeman 3 Mayhugh 3
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 7 (Green)
[/size]Sekulic 1 Steele 3
[/size]Clawson 2 Mickle
[/size]
[/size]MATCH 8 (Green)
[/size]McCarthy 8 Titschinger 8
[/size]Lund Woodward 15
[/size]
[/size]Sunday singles matches will be announced at dinner on Saturday, and also posted here for reference.
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Hopefully this one will be streaming live on ESPN 8, The Ocho... :)
MATCH 6 (White)[/font][/color][/size]Halyard 7 Duran[/size]reeman 3 Mayhugh 3 [/size][/font][/color]
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What time are people going off tomorrow morning? I know I’m Playing but don’t know what time.
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Morning tee-times start at 9:10. I told them we had 4 groups going out in the morning. So times would be 9:10, 9:20, 9:30, and 9:40.
It's unlikely you'll get 18 in before the main event starts.
I'm trying to arrange the times based on the match times for the main event, but wanted to at least get the time out.
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Saturday AM Times:
9:10
Joe Perches
Steve Griefs
Bradley Hills
Mike Trietler
9:20
Jake Marvin
Jeff Shelman
Jason Topp
John Mayhugh
9:30
Steve Salmen
Buck Wolter
George Freeman
Vaughn Haylard
9:40
Lou Duran
Bill Steele
Charles Lund
Jay Mickle
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What time does the main event start? I'm driving over from Chicago. I assumed noon, but would like to know for sure.
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Officially, tee times for the main event begin today at noon.
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Tomorrow's singles matches and groupings, with Match 1 starting at 8a.
Match 1
Salmen vs Duran 3
Seitz vs Wolf 7
Match 2
Hill 3 vs Flory
Moore 1 vs Treitler
Match 3
Greif vs Studer 3
Shelman vs Melchiors 3
Match 4
Wolter 7 vs Marvin
Titschinger vs McCarthy
Match 5
Topp 5 vs Perches
Lund vs Mickle 6
Match 6
Freeman vs Thurman
Halyard vs Steele 7
Match 7
Sekulic vs Woodward 8
Clawson 10 vs Mayhugh
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Uhhhh....who's winning??
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Uhhhh....who's winning??
Yes.
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It was all knotted at 4 after day 1. And I think that's how we should remember this Mashie... before things went sideways.
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Updates!?!?!
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Thanks to Vaughn and everyone who put the event together. I had a great time.
Charles Lund
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Updates!?!?!
I left before all the scores were in, but it sounds like the West won. Was definitely trending that way.
Thanks to Vaughn, Jason, Criss, The Jensen family, and all involved in putting this together. Harvester was a really fun course with some really cool features, and a great, rolling property. Conditions were absolutely perfect, and the greens were lightning (up to the user to decide if that's perfect or not). 18th hole was certainly unique and I'd love to try to play it a number of different ways. The holes where the tees were set right off on, and in some cases right on the previous green were really cool. I thought the course was very visually appealing, and I really like the small clubhouse. As a member at a course where we've had a temporary clubhouse for 20 years, the clubhouse at the Harvester, checked most of my boxes for what I'd like to see built. A few showers, a small locker room, a nice dining area, deck, and pro shop is perfect.
And as always, great to see a number of old faces along with a few new ones as well.
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Here are a few photos (taken with my phone).
(https://i.imgur.com/LdRAG6al.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yTVxY5Tl.jpg)
Andrew Calcutt from the bunker. This was one of the rare holes that he did not birdie.
(https://i.imgur.com/ikeuqo8l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q74pKNal.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HDVG678l.jpg)
I don't have a picture of it, but Dan Moore's up and down on the 17th hole of his singles match was the filthiest thing that I've seen on a golf course this year.
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I echo the sentiment of Peter and Bill and Charles. What a wonderful weekend and thank you so much to Vaughn, Criss, Jason and anybody else who helped to put this together. It was great to see many of you that I haven't seen since the Prairie Dunes Mashie.
I absolutely loved the course. The visual presentation was stunning, the conditions immaculate and a very fun routing. I loved that the greens ran at about a 13.5 as it created a unique challenge.
The view from the tips on 11 was one of the better views I have seen in golf that didn't have an ocean or a mountain. Just stunning.
I also will add that Dan's up and down from the bunker on 17 was filthy and quite painful ;) . Well done Dan!
I couldn't figure out how to post it but I encourage everyone to take a look at the pics on the harvester website as there is a tee box that plays over the water on #5 that looks incredible. You can see it better from the #6 photos. I wish I would have walked back there.
https://www.theharvesterclub.com/aboutus (https://www.theharvesterclub.com/aboutus)
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I couldn't figure out how to post it but I encourage everyone to take a look at the pics on the harvester sight as there is a tee box that plays over the water on #5 that looks incredible. You can see it better from the #6 photos. I wish I would have walked back there.
I think that's actually the back tee box on 7. Or based on position of the single tee marker (typically behind a right handed player), more likely a back tee box on #1?
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First time "poster", long time fan...just want to say "Thank you" to EVERYONE. I greatly appreciate my mentor, V_Halyard's guidance and direction in all things golf, and his recommendation that I attend the 2021 Midwest Masie was a perfect introduction to this part of the World Wide Golf Web.
Thank you for accepting me into the fold. It was nice to be able to put faces to so many names I have known about for years.Thank you to everyone who took time to listen to our golf project story. As I mentioned to a few of you at the closing meal, this type of Brotherhood-bonding has been a missing piece in my life for quite some time. The golf was great, but the conversations were greater. Happy to be in the club!
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To all the organizers and our various hosts, add another heartfelt thank you. It was a great. All the courses, all the camaraderie, all the competition, all the talk. Just great.
The drive home was difficult but after stopping off for a slice of gas station pizza in Rock Falls i knew all was well. I even passed my covid rapid test when I got home.
Lads, see you next year.
On edit: the grounds staff and mother nature deserve a standing ovation. Each of my caddies were the highest standard and worth the money.
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Terrific pictures Peter. You capture a sense of the downhill nature of 7 and the uphill nature of the 15th appropriately titled “big hog.” That only happens to me by random chance.
As a regular at the Harvester when it was public, it was a pleasure to see it after a refresh.
I have a special fondness for holes like the 13th that ride a ridge(the last of Peter’s pictures). Short hole with a wide playing area but small optimal line off the tee.
The best part of the weekend was catching up with long time friends.
Thanks to Vaughn and Crew for making this happen.
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Another great Mashie weekend. Many thanks to Vaughn, Thurm and Criss for organizing.
Harvester is quite good. So firm and fast (some of the fastest greens I have ever putted, especially in the afternoon when they dry out). And the place is a really good combination of simple, but nice. Lots of really good stuff here.
And it was great to see everyone. Always a good crew and a good time.
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I'm getting a kick out of viewing Harvester on HistoricAerials.com. A few items of interest:
- The course saw some fairly significant changes from its original design through about 2011 when I first played it. While the routing and basic strategy of the holes has stayed intact throughout, some interesting tweaks happened in that first 10 years. The "burn" on 9 used to be a pretty huge inlet. 18 originally featured a true "island" layup fairway that had evolved to something much more similar to the current layout by 2011. And 16 saw several tweaks to its fairway mowing lines before the eventual move to fill in the ditch that cut across it.
- It's interesting to note that the land on which 18 sits is almost entirely engineered. On a course where the huge majority of holes follow the natural and "big" topography of the land, I continue to think the closer is a pretty elegant way to get back to the clubhouse when considering the options available. I like the hole quite a bit, although I certainly understand criticism that it's a little severe on layup width. And I'll mention that, after hitting two of my very best shots of the week on approaches from 200+ yards (sadly, both 4th shots...), and watching both get shoved off into the left side bunker after landing online with the flag, I do wonder if a little helping slope that pushes a ball toward the opening of the green might have been a little more of a fun touch.
- Vaughn mentioned the significant tree clearing that happened with the big renovation, and there were a lot of views that seemed more open than I remembered. A look at aerials from the public days reveals a lot of action on that front. It's not so much that the trees encroached on lines of play, but the views opened up across the huge property are really spectacular.
Just some interesting observations I noticed on a property that has a pretty detailed set of aerials going back over the last 40 years and particularly through the 20 years or so that the course has existed.
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First time "poster", long time fan...just want to say "Thank you" to EVERYONE. I greatly appreciate my mentor, V_Halyard's guidance and direction in all things golf, and his recommendation that I attend the 2021 Midwest Masie was a perfect introduction to this part of the World Wide Golf Web.
Thank you for accepting me into the fold. It was nice to be able to put faces to so many names I have known about for years.Thank you to everyone who took time to listen to my Tumblebrook Golf Course story. As I mentioned to a few of you at the closing meal, this type of Brotherhood-bonding has been a missing piece in my life for quite some time. The golf was great, but the conversations were greater. Happy to be in the club!
You have found "your people". Your people is us. ;)
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It was a great couple of days for this weary golfer.
Thanks and a big high five to Vaughn George Jason Criss and the folks at Harvester.
Cedar Rapids was super fun old school Ross with a huge assist from the derecho. It really shows how going all the way with tree removal impacts a golden age course designed before all the trees were planted.
I really enjoyed match play on Harvester. The width off the tee made it really fun to play even in Sunday’s winds. The greens were tough at 13.5 but fair. If I had any criticism it would be how 18 around the lake didn’t really fit with the esthetic of the rest of the course.
Speaking of filthy, Flory(4) and Calcutt(7) having 11 birdies against me and Brad Hill Saturday was a thing of golfing beauty.
[/size][size=78%]Great weekend, glad I dragged my tired self to Iowa. [/size]
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Another successful Mashie in the books!
As always, thank you to our gracious hosts: The Harvester Club, Davenport CC, and Cedar Rapids CC. Also big thanks to Vaughn, George, and Jason for their pre-event organization. And thanks to all the attendees while we worked through logistics with getting our groups organized with the caddy staff and off the tee(s). Next year, I'm bringing a laptop. The phone just doesn't cut it.
The Midwest Mashie IS my golf trip each year. Despite the many changes that have happened in my life in the past 12 months, I wasn't going to miss this for the world. That being said, there were times in 2021 where I wasn’t sure where golf fit in my life. A lot has changed in the 13 years since I joined GCA as one of the “youth movement”. Now, I'm part of the old guard. However, as I’ve also learned this year, golf, and golf course architecture, still have a very special place in my heart. Seeing fresh faces like Josh Woodward gleam about course architecture and attending his first Mashie was looking back at a mirror of myself from the 2014 Mashie at Canterbury. That made me smile.
I enjoyed seeing old friends, and also meeting new people; talking golf, architecture, and just general life. Equally, I miss those that I’ve met previously who couldn’t make it. I miss those who are no longer with us (Howard).
No sport, not even my precious soccer/football, gives me this feeling. Thurman calls my soccer coaching a “mid-life crisis”. Perhaps, and it definitely takes away from golf. But as the year’s gone on, I can say unequivocally that golf will never disappear from my life.
For most of you, you missed a truly epic Sunday afternoon round at Harvester. The wind was howling; much more so than the morning. I contemplated putting from 140 yards on the ridge hole 13, and I probably should have. When Thurman mentioned on Saturday it was the calmest he’d ever played Harvester, I wondered how much wind they actually can get. I found out exactly how much in that round.
Hope to see all of you next year, wherever we end up. And next year, the East is getting that damn Mashie out of Vaughn’s trunk.
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In response to Criss, Josh, Vaughn, and others noting the unique camaraderie of the Mashie.
Every late summer since 2012, I look up and realize the golf season is starting to dwindle. Days are getting shorter, the air gets just a little cooler, and a tinge of sadness creeps in knowing that winter is coming. But as that sadness arrives, the joy of knowing that the Mashie has finally drawn near arrives with it.
The one year I missed was 2017 - the previous visit to Iowa. I was really looking forward to that one, but life got busy. Work got exhausting. New home construction created a mountainous to-do list and tons of stress. I played two tournaments in July that year. I was playing well! After the second tournament, I put the clubs away. I didn't touch them again for months. I withdrew from the Mashie, and from golf, and thought seriously about selling the clubs and dumping the game altogether. Too much time, too much money.
I played sporadically in 2018, and waffled on whether I'd go to Minnesota or not. But I did. And I found something there. I found it in two pre-Mashie rounds at White Bear with Shelman and Matty B. I found it at Midland Hills Friday morning walking along with Dan Kelly and TK. I found it at Northland, rain or shine, freezing or blazing. It wasn't just about the golf. I was rusty and didn't play particularly well. But there was so much joy in the walk, in the competition of a friendly match, and around tables at dinner and in halfway houses where we sought shelter from the elements. I reconnected with old friends, and met new ones. I felt the brotherhood again.
When I got home, I realized what had been missing wasn't great architecture, or great play, but that unique social connection that golf fosters. I joined my home club. The three years since have been my favorite golfing years of my life.
When Josh talks about how he's spent a few years tackling life responsibilities, I relate to the discipline and trudgery of that journey. And when he talks about the joy of getting in a weekend with "the boys," I relate to that deeply too. In a real way, the Mashie has transformed my golfing life over and over. My wife used to call you guys "a bunch of dorks from the internet." She still does, but she also recognizes about a dozen names now, and I think she's almost forgotten that we ever didn't know each other personally.
When I tease Criss about his midlife crisis, it's partly because I like busting balls (which is why Mashie Saturday Night is one of my favorite annual evenings). But it's also because the form of his midlife crisis illustrates the guy that he really is. Some guys act out by heading for a (hypothetical) BYOB strip club and catching crabs from a dancer (literally) named Mickle in the Flying J bathroom. Criss thinks of ways he can be more involved with his daughters. As the guy his wife proclaimed to be the worst influence among his friends, I have to remind him that he should play more golf. But damn if I don't respect the priorities he actually holds.
Y'all are my people, and I'm honored to be yours. I literally hope to see all of you sooner than next year. Don't be strangers if you get near the Ohio Valley. And otherwise, I so look forward to meeting up again in 2022 and beyond.
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In response to Criss, Josh, Vaughn, and others noting the unique camaraderie of the Mashie.
.......
Y'all are my people, and I'm honored to be yours. I literally hope to see all of you sooner than next year. Don't be strangers if you get near the Ohio Valley. And otherwise, I so look forward to meeting up again in 2022 and beyond.
No doubt. I was chatting with GCA Newbie Josh Woodward some weeks ago about a project we are working on together. He was weighing his available time as a new Dad and other golf industry commitments including interning we set him up with the phenomenal Glen Murray.
Josh was contemplating doing R&D course visits and/or attending various golf industry events.
I of course weighed in with, you don't have that much extra time, your best investment would be a religious retreat known as the "Midwest Mashie."
The golf architecture geek camaraderie at a Mashie or a BUDA is unparalleled.
Plus, the bonus of late night conversation like the one betwixt Salman, Thurm, and Brad Hill regarding the pros and cons of... well... things... is unequaled.
Josh, Welcome to GCA. As Jason T, Criss T, Thurm and the others earlier in the thread have indicated, we are your people.
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Another terrific event. I really appreciate those that do the heavy lifting to make these happen. I especially marvel at Vaughn's ability to persuade private clubs to grant access to a large group of us, especially on a weekend!
Before the Mashie, I wondered if Ran's profile of Harvester was a little too glowing, but wow - that will be the firmest course I play this year (since no UK trip). Really enjoyed it and highly recommend match play there....
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Another terrific event. I really appreciate those that do the heavy lifting to make these happen. I especially marvel at Vaughn's ability to persuade private clubs to grant access to a large group of us, especially on a weekend!
Before the Mashie, I wondered if Ran's profile of Harvester was a little too glowing, but wow - that will be the firmest course I play this year (since no UK trip). Really enjoyed it and highly recommend match play there....
All I usually say:
"I can't make any promises but, Mayhugh has been known to show up at a Mashie or two"
#VIP