The Sports Illustrated, GCA Article and Pictures

[Paul Richards]

Ran:

I have a friend that is interested in setting up a trip to Australia.  Then he said, a friend of a friend told him he needs to talk to "Ran Morrisett", do I know him?  I asked if he saw the SI article on GCA and he said he had just read it.  I told him that handsome fellow at the computer is Ran!  He about
fell over!!

Anyways, I'll be putting him in contact with you very soon.

Keep up the good work!

[Tommy_Naccarato]

My cousin Joe on GCA? I never dreamt in a million years that GCA would have this much impact on my family. I just hope my Mother doesn't become a registered GCA member. Now that would be embarrassing.

Joe, let everyone know your thoughts on the Riviera restoration!  Also,I might add that while we were at Astoria G & CC for the first time, I was busy looking at the 2nd green when Joe says to me while overlooking the 3rd hole, "You aren't going to believe this......"

Love you Cous!

[Jamie_Duffner]

That is an excellent article and really captures the site well, as well as the incredible devotion of Ran.  Like so many others, this site is really a part of my day, whether it's to post or just read and read and read!  Thanks Ran.

Now Tommy - I get first dibs on being your agent!  

I noticed the reference to the "other site", that's where it all began for me with golfweb and then Mike Golden's bravenet site, and now GCA.  Good stuff.

[ARLI$$]

Tony, Tommy, what ever, shot me an e-mail, we'd like to have you on our show. AM$$

[Cousin Joe]

Hmmm, let’s see, my opinion on the restoration of Riviera huh? Is reserving my judgement until I play it one more time an option?

:0)

Actually I think they should bulldoze the whole darn course under and start over from scratch. That way they could add those uniformly shaped mounds along the fairway. You know the mounds I am talking about right. The ones that tend to kick all but the most errant shots back into play. Yeah those ones, they help speed up play. Heck, while we are on the subject of speeding up play, maybe they can add those shallow, round, cookie cutter style bunkers that are so much easier to get out of then say those nasty looking, scraggly, sod faced buggers. Besides, the cookie cutters are so much cheaper to maintain. Nice bright, white sand though and not to close to landing areas it has to be showy, but not too penal. More of a visual aid for us routing challenged hacks. That would be nice. Heaven forbid that we should be presented with options, why confuse the issue after all. And how about water hazards? That course really needs to have more water hazards, as well as a framed, signature hole for the score card – definitely!

I also think that they should modernize the Mona Lisa while they are at it. I mean lets be honest that babe is tired.  She could really stand to have her hair redone to look like Jennifer Aston. Maybe some blonde streaks would be nice. Yeah! And would it hurt to add a smile for crying out loud. I am sure they could get some graphics art student from the Art Institute of America to redo the old hag. Maybe even using a computer to do the “upgrade”. Hey, the feather in the cap of the person awarded a modernization project of this magnitude would look darn good on their resume if nothing else. They might even do it for very cheap just for the publicity? Who knows?

I am being facetious of course. Tom you know that was a loaded question. I have gone on record many times stating that my favorite courses are those that were built in the 1920’s. All I can wish for is a damning of the souls to hell, playing the nondescript goat tracks of their own design, for an eternity if they dare change the classic courses to conform to the super balls of today that are being trampolined off the face the flavor of the month Driver. The way I see it, it is all a matter of priorities. What is more important the flavor of the month club and the super ball that are both guaranteed to be obsolete tomorrow or the course that is historical treasure and a timeless classic?

Alas, yet another loaded question for thee to ponder – and with that I shall get off my stump for my tee time at The Eastmoreland Golf Club awaits me…

FORE!!!

[Mike_Cirba]

Cousin Joe;

Obviously, it runs in the family!

GREAT post!

[Clemson_Tiger]

Every week, as soon as my SI comes in the mail, I turn to the Golf Plus section.  Imagine my surprise when I saw the picture of Tony, instead of Tiger Woods (whom it seems is often given that spot).  Anyway, this was the first article that I read, and I knew that I had to come onto the site and register.  I am excited about finding this site, and look forward to reading the discussion board.  Great site; congratulations Ran.

[Ed_Morrissett]

Betty and I are very proud of our son Ran for all he has done and our son John who helped get GCA off the ground.  The only place I ever expected to see a Morrissett posted was in the post office.

[BK]

Like Chris Mann I am new to the site because of the SI article and because the guys pictures remind me of the folks I play with, except the regulars I hit with are happier looking, mostly because they just took my money.

[alw1924]

Aanother new devotee, thanks to the article in SI ---the golf edition being the only reason I still subscribe.  Already spent two hours this morning exploring the site, and I hope to be able to add to some of the lively discussions in the future.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ed Morrissett,

Be careful what you say, there's still plenty of time left !  

[Tom_Egan]

Tony N. --

Thanks for the article and pictures.  Your cover shot is already framed and has found a place of honor on my den wall.

PS: In view of your obvious grip problem, I suggest you try the inter-lock.  Look what it did for Jack and Tiger, two other SI Golf Plus pretty boys.

Ran --

Nice photo.  With your new found fame, and wealth to come, possibly you could find a better source of drugs in the future.  You've obviously had your hands on some SERIOUSLY bad stuff!

Tom

Also -- well deserved recognition for some REALLY great work you've done!  Thanks for one of life's little pleasures -- you make a lot of people happy, and that's a rare accomplishment.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Chris Mann,  Imagine my surprise also when I saw the picture of "Tony." (In truth, if most people mistake my name, it is usually "Tony" In fact, I have had people at work calling me as such all week.)

Thanks for the kind words Tom Egan. I owe it all to Dr. Katz's wonderfully superb prescription of Zoloff, Valium and Prozac to help me get through each and every offering. Unfortunately, the grip is terminal.

Mike, every once in a while Cousin Joe gets a reprieve from those Oregonian rains, and we untie him and let him run free from the backyard. Yes, it takes about five hours to find him and usually the first place he runs to is Eastmoreland, into the arms of some of the best H. Chandler Egan money can buy. Yes, Cousin Joe has been infected by all of those years of drivel ozing from my mouth, and I rely on him to empty my drool cup. Speaking of which, cousin, it is about that time.

PS, Cousin Joe is soon to become a full time member of the newly formed Rustic Canyon Golfing Society. (Thanks to David Kelly and Lynn Shackelford)

[Cousin Joe]

I must apologize for the misinformation that Tom is spreading in regard to the (extremely) brief reprieves from the rain here in Oregon. Unfortunately, for those of us that are terminally golf addicted here in the Northwest – the rainy season starts around the middle of October and does not let up until the middle of July. However bad that this may sound to those of you who are fortunate enough to live in the warmer climates, there are some major benefits to golfing in 45-degree weather with two plus inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Number one: You have the course to yourself. Well, except for maybe a couple of other hopeless sufferers of a little known side affect from the addiction to golf. A loss of the basic human instinct to get out of the flippin’ rain. Two: The breaks in the greens are so much easier read when sheets of water are running down them. Last, but not least, every cup is its very own little ball washer.

As for being a member of the Rustic Canyon Golfing Society, I would truly be honored by my inclusion into that circle. However, I must tell you that, well, um, the word RUST has me just a little nervous. Do you maybe have something in a Sun Canyon Golfing Society, or a Really Warm, Dry Canyon Golfing Society we could join?

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Well Joe, there is always Hidden Valley!:)

(site of the recent prostitution bust)

[SL_Solow]

We always talk about funding the site.  The days of contributions are over.  A GCA line of apparel with Tony (er Tommy) as our lead endorser is a can't miss.  Seriously, great article about a great place to learn, have fun and make friends.

[Evan Fleisher]

William,

I believe one of our own...George Pazin (if my memory serves me)...is a shirt designer/imprinter.  Maybe he can help us out?

[WilliamWang]

evan,
as you can see i deleted my previous post because i thought it was such a good idea that someone might suggest that i organize it...

indeed, george pazin might be the man.

of course, what would the logo be?

a swinging tommy n. or tommy n. at the completion of the back swing with the letter gca.com underneath??

will

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

In order to make it easier for me to "borrow" this SI issue out of one of my customers lobby, what is on the outside cover of this issue??

It is a sad state of affairs in my life when it has taken me this long to get online and read through all of this.

Again to repeat what many have said, thanks to all involved who have made this place as successful as it is.  It has been a long interesting journey from some of the old sites to this one.

As one of the old timers that doesn't seem to get online nearly like I used to as a young single guy who never needed any sleep.  I just want to say great story, great site!!!!


Daryl "The old married guy who needs lots of sleep" Boe


ps  "Tony" I am just glad that I knew you when.  Back before you were famous.  I'll bet now with your new fame we might even be able to drive your truck into the Quarry @ LaQuinta without the guy in the guard shack thinking we were a couple of construction workers looking for the "Construction entrance around the corner".  

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Daryl, I can see married life is taking its toll. None the less, I expect to hear of little Turboe's scurrying about the place soon playing to the same consistency as Dad.

Yes, I'm sure that the security shack at Quarry At La Quinta knows not only the license, but the color, as well as description of the two Laurel & Hardy-looking e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c-i-a-n-s that somehow missed the service entrance on their last visit.

The cover for the magazine is the one with Lance Armstrong and myself riding to the finish in one of the most hotly contested Tour de France's of all time. He just barely nipped me!:) (the cover is in fact Lance Armstrong, and to let you know, I'm living proof that the Sports Illustrated jinx is for real. I haven't hit a single decent shot since the issue came out!)

[Craig_Rokke]

I bet the logo at the top of this page would be embroiderable, and look quite snazzy to boot. White hat...contrasting green brim....where can I sign up?