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Matt Bielawa

  • Karma: +0/-0
Hello All
« on: November 26, 2013, 02:26:50 PM »
I've been reading this board for a while now, but at the suggestion of Nigel Islam, have finally taken the step of joining your ranks!

A little about me.  I live in the Detroit area and have played most of the great tracks in Southeast Michigan.  I'm originally from Western NY and have played most of that area's courses too.  However, recently I've branched out and set a goal to see the courses in the rest of the country.  I'm 33 years old, and want to play in all 50 states and canvas as much of the "Top 100" list as I can.  I've got plenty of work to do to reach my goals, but I'm off to a good start.  To see where I'm at, you can check out www.thegolfbucketlist.com  The site is a work in progress since I have a handful more courses on the public lists that I haven't done photo reviews on yet, but it's kept me busy outside of my day job.

I'm a member at Inverness Club in Ohio and play at Radrick Farms in Michigan a lot as well.  We're doing a huge renovation/restoration as we speak at Inverness, so I've learned a good amount about the architecture/agronomy side through learning about that project.  I'm trying to read some books as well about architecture and design to get more educated.

I'd love to get to know some of you guys through this board and maybe even in person down the line.  If anyone is going to be in the Detroit/Toledo area, feel free to give me a shout and we'll tee it up.
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Paul Gray

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2013, 02:51:25 PM »
A very warm welcome Matt from over here in Britain.

Look forward to hearing from you.
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In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

Dan Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2013, 02:57:17 PM »
As a much more famous newspaperman put it, way back when:

Go West, young man! There's lots of good golf to be had between Michigan and California.

You're welcome here in Minnesota any time the ground's not frozen.

Dan

P.S. Of course, none of the Minnesota GCAers is a member of a "Bucket List" (wretched expression!) course -- so if that's your Thing, as it appears it might be...

« Last Edit: November 26, 2013, 03:39:18 PM by Dan Kelly »
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2013, 03:00:57 PM »
Come down and visit your buddy Nigel and I will take you two out to Victoria National.  I know he is dying to meet me and I would like to meet him before I am dying.
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Matt Bielawa

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2013, 03:03:24 PM »
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on November 26, 2013, 03:00:57 PM
Come down and visit your buddy Nigel and I will take you two out to Victoria National.  I know he is dying to meet me and I would like to meet him before I am dying.

Would LOVE that!  We were talking about getting together sometime in April, so maybe we can make that happen!
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John Kavanaugh

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2013, 03:04:56 PM »
Guest fees are half price through December and it is cool enough that I have been walking.  Sooner better than later.
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Pete Lavallee

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2013, 03:25:45 PM »
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on November 26, 2013, 03:04:56 PM
it is cool enough that I have been walking.

Does this mean the fan shave been turned off?
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"...one inoculated with the virus must swing a golf-club or perish."  Robert Hunter

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2013, 03:55:38 PM »
Quote from: Pete Lavallee on November 26, 2013, 03:25:45 PM
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on November 26, 2013, 03:04:56 PM
it is cool enough that I have been walking.

Does this mean the fan shave been turned off?

The fans are removed from the course from approximately September to April.  For that I am very grateful.
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Nigel Islam

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2013, 04:06:25 PM »
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on November 26, 2013, 03:00:57 PM
Come down and visit your buddy Nigel and I will take you two out to Victoria National.  I know he is dying to meet me and I would like to meet him before I am dying.

Guilty as charged. As long as I don't mention raters or fans I think I should be ok :-X
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Joe Leenheer

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2013, 09:59:24 PM »
Matt,

Welcome! 

Lots of Buzz about the work at Inverness in Ohio. Looking forward to visiting in the fall of next year (I believe the Northern Ohio PGA will have it on the tournament schedule)

As far as your association with Nigel...you're in good company.

Feel free to DM me if you need anything while in the Akron area.
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Never let the quality of your game determine the quality of your time spent playing it.

BHoover

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2013, 10:16:12 PM »
Welcome, Matt. I've not yet played Inverness, but some of my friends swear that Inverness is maybe the best course they've played in Ohio. What sort of restoration work is being done to the course? I'm planning to make it up to Detroit next year for golf. I'd love to come play Inverness at some point too.

If you're ever down in the Columbus area, let me know and we can get out to play. There are several of us from GCA who live here in Columbus.
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PCCraig

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2013, 10:20:17 PM »
Welcome Matt!
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H.P.S.

Jason Thurman

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2013, 11:59:54 PM »
If Nigel says you're cool, then you're cool.

Matt, I took a glance at your website. I think we're in a similar boat as guys who are fairly new to the game of playing as many great courses as we can. Forgetting about the "lists" for a minute, what are your personal favorite courses that you've seen? Which ones are you most excited to see next?

Let me know if you get to Cincinnati. I'd be happy to get a round in with you, on or off the course. That should get basically the whole state of Ohio covered.
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"There will always be haters. That’s just the way it is. Hating dudes marry hating women and have hating ass kids." - Evan Turner

Some of y'all have never been called out in bold green font and it really shows.

Nigel Islam

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2013, 12:04:12 AM »
Matt, tell us a little about Radrick Farms. Seems like it is a pretty early Pete Dye from my 30 second research.
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Matt Bielawa

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #14 on: November 27, 2013, 08:15:18 AM »
Thanks a lot for the messages and offers guys.  I'll look forward to meeting many of you soon.  Would love to make trips to the rest of Ohio later in the year.  Still have a lot of great Ohio tracks to play.

To answer a couple of your questions, maybe I'll start a couple new threads to comment on Radrick Farms and Inverness to keep it cleaner and in case others are interested.
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Matt Bielawa

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #15 on: November 27, 2013, 08:21:25 AM »
Quote from: Jason Thurman on November 26, 2013, 11:59:54 PM
If Nigel says you're cool, then you're cool.

Matt, I took a glance at your website. I think we're in a similar boat as guys who are fairly new to the game of playing as many great courses as we can. Forgetting about the "lists" for a minute, what are your personal favorite courses that you've seen? Which ones are you most excited to see next?

Let me know if you get to Cincinnati. I'd be happy to get a round in with you, on or off the course. That should get basically the whole state of Ohio covered.

I'd say within the last few years, I've been "wowed" by a few.  I thought both courses at Streamsong were pretty amazing.  Peachtree was a really good track.  Pinehurst #2 is a classic.  I always enjoy Oakland Hills and Oak Hill when I can get out there, but wouldn't say either one is the greatest of architectural works and both have been tweaked a bunch from their original designs.

I love the University of Michigan course...one of my favorites.  Monroe and Country Club of Rochester are some of my favorites as well.  I'd also add Whistling Straits/Kiawah/Sawgrass were lots of fun and I do like most Dye courses for what they are.

On stuff I'm excited to see next:

I have a trip to Pinehurst coming up in a couple months and am planning to play #2, #8, Dormie, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, and Tobacco Road.  I've played #2 and Tobacco Road before, but the others will be new to me.  Might have a chance to play Valhalla and Victoria National next spring.  Finally, I have a couple friends working on Merion and Winged Foot, which would get me REALLY excited if it works out.
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Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2013, 09:33:02 AM »
Matt,

Welcome to Thunderdome.  Couple of suggestions:

1.  If I were still in my formative bedpost notching phase, I'd take a hard look at the Golfweek, Links, Planet Golf, Confidential Guide and Unofficial GCA ratings. If nothing else it'll make you stand out compared to the average golf social climber.

2.  Plan a trip to Bandon ASAP.

3.  Get your butt up to Crystal Downs, Kingsley and Belvedere next summer.

4.  What are your thoughts on the Barton Hills renovation and the best Pizza in Detroit?
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Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Matt Bielawa

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2013, 09:52:29 AM »
Quote from: Jud T on November 27, 2013, 09:33:02 AM
Matt,

Welcome to Thunderdome.  Couple of suggestions:

1.  If I were still in my formative bedpost notching phase, I'd take a hard look at the Golfweek, Links, Planet Golf, Confidential Guide and Unofficial GCA ratings. If nothing else it'll make you stand out compared to the average golf social climber.

2.  Plan a trip to Bandon ASAP.

3.  Get your butt up to Crystal Downs, Kingsley and Belvedere next summer.

4.  What are your thoughts on the Barton Hills renovation and the best Pizza in Detroit?


Thanks for the tips.

I definitely pay attention to the Golfweek rankings as well as the Links100.  They will both eventually be on my website as well (one thing at a time).  Haven't looked at the others, but I will.

Bandon is definitely in the near future.  I've read "Dream Golf" and I know I have to get out there.

I'll get out to Crystal Downs and the others you mentioned in Northern Michigan as soon as I have a way on!  I can be at Crystal Downs in under five hours.

Barton is probably the only club in the Detroit area worth playing that I haven't played yet, so I really can't comment on the re-do, but I've heard some good and some bad.

Best Pizza:

In Metro Detroit, Buddy's and Pizzapapalis
In Ann Arbor, Cottage Inn and NYPD
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Marc Huther

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Hello All
« Reply #18 on: December 02, 2013, 09:44:28 PM »
Welcome Matt! Nigel is a great friend of mine and also influenced me to this site..and I'm glad he did! Hopefully we can all play a round of golf together sometime!
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