[Paul_Daley]

This is a super thread full of passion  which would please my old footy coach no end.  

Regrettably, I have never played Pebble but sat boggle-eyed watching the last 4 US Opens held there. Tom Kite's final round was the finest round played in appalling conditions I can recall - really heroic in magnitude. PB certainly looks a great course and I can understand what all the fuss is about.

Even still, most GCA golf addicts jiggle around in their heads ... a list of 5-10 courses from around the world that they haven't played, but would simply love to tackle before "turning up their toes".

With me, I instantly conjure up thoughts of Shinnecock, The National Golf Links, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Pacific Dunes, Sand Hills, Bethpage Black, Riviera, and frequently, Pinehurst No.2. Strangely, I never think of Pebble Beach, and having checked with a few other Aussies, they too, rarely give it a thought. Given that Pebble is touted as one of the world's great courses, this attitude struck me as odd.

Is the location so sublime that PB - the course - can be downplayed by those who haven't sampled its obvious delights? If not, what else, other than plain old ignorance?

[BillV]

Matt Ward

Re-readiong this lengthy and convoluted thread I found something for which I have to take you to task. (And anyone else who believes this point.)

To put more stock in Jack Nicklaus opinion of Pebble Beach vs. Tom Doak is very suspect.  Nicklaus' objectivity for PBGnotL® is out the window based upon his personal experiences and the fact that his ego was even further inflated by being asked to build that terrible hole to replace the old #5 which was a neat hole (Great hole!  I've birdied it!   ahem.....back to task).

Nicklaus quote is not available to me at this second, but it indicates that he would like to play his final round or days at PBGnotL®.  Based upon his experiences, I don't blame him, If I we he, so would I.  Also, as slow as he plays, they wouldn't even need to close the course for him, he'd fit right in to the pace of play there.

Pebble Beach remains with ANGC® the most highly rated courses with overlooked flaws on the planet and it is due to the golf experience that people have there.  I'll be happy to play PBGnotL® with anyone and point out the flaws as long as they pay my ticket.  I won't pay to play there. So I must really be biased, huh!

What we need is for someone to come up with a downloadable topo map of certain courses and have re-routing exercises.  I think PBGnotL® can be improved.

[THuckaby2]

Paul Daley:  very interesting to me that the Aussies don't put Pebble in this reverent league... could it be the very fact that it CAN be played (ie one just needs money) whereas the others CAN'T

[THuckaby2]

sorry... premature post-ulation...

anyway...

the others CAN'T, absent some member connection?

I live quite near Pebble, always have (relatively) and I've always held it amongst my holy grails, no matter what.  Interesting.

And BillV, as for improving it, do we assume the Lodge is there or can we raze that?  Absent the Lodge, heck yeah I can imagine improvements.  Keeping the Lodge, hmmmm... I'm having a hard time.

TH

[Tim_Weiman]

Paul Daley:

I do spend some time thinking about the American courses you mentioned.

But, a Royal Melbourne makes it into my daydreams just as often.

BillV:

Your idea about downloadable topo maps is what I had in mind when Ran Morrisett questioned RTJ's routing plan for Spyglass.

Not that I have a clue about how to work with topos.  I don't.

But, it sure might be interesting to do an exercise like "how to improve the routing plan for (fill in the blank)".

Surely, people might oversimplify the process.  For example, one would also need to consider factors beyond topography like environmental issues, real estate restrictions, etc.

But, it might be fun nonetheless.

[Paul_Daley]

Tom:

You make a good point. Being reared in Australia where you can play all the top courses; either via Managers Introduction or with a member, or by graft and corruption ... perhaps the allure dies when Pebble Beach is so readily available. In many ways this is silly of us, especially if it does live up to its rating. That, I don't know. Regardless, living nearby as you do, is just cause for jeoulousy!

Over here, we are breastfed on tales of the near impossible task of taking a divot from
Augusta National, Cypress Point and a few others. I live in hope!

Tim:

When you play RMGC one day, and I sense it will be soon, I guarentee you won't be let down. Whatever they are, your expectations can only be exceeded. Cheers.

 

[THuckaby2]

Paul:  rest assured Royal Melbourne, and several others in the sand belt area, all have "holy grail" status to me perhaps even beyond my personal grails in the States in that it really seems unlikely to me I'll ever get to Australia period, let alone have access to courses like that.

Augusta and NGLA and Pine Valley and Cypress and the other "grails" I have in the States...well... they are a simple relatively short plane flight away at most if the miracle of gaining access is solved...

So it's all relative.

But I gotcha re Pebble.  The feeling exists here too, note Tim W's friends.  

Remember also that although Pebble is close, US$400 is a lot of money... so I can often look, but seldom play.

'Tis I who is envious!

TH

[Bob_Huntley]

Paul Daley:

Having been a member at Riviera and card -holder at Pebble Beach I think I can say that the latter is the better course. As for Aussie visitors not thinking much of Pebble I think we must travel in different circles. The chaps from Oz that come over here on a bi-annual trip just love the place.

By the way, Melbourne golf is as good as it gets.

[Tim_Weiman]

Paul Daley:

My expectation for RMGC are very high and I still expect them to be exceeded.

Don't know how soon I'll make it.  Need a few weeks to set aside before making the trip and I just may want to wait to see Greg Ramsay's project a bit further along.

I feel comfortable running over to Ireland on short notice (four trips this year), but Aussie is a long way.

Then, too, I'm a bit influenced by this Aussie fellow I met at Crysta Downs last year.  We played a very enjoyable round together and all seemed well until we left the 18th green and started walking up the hill to the clubhouse.

At that point I noticed this man was crying.

"Is everything okay?", I asked trying not to be too intrusive.

"Yes", he said, "but I know it is not very likely I'll make it back here and I can't help feeling sad".

From all I've heard Melbourne COULD be a once in a lifetime, but it is quite likely to stimulate the desire for a return visit.

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