RJ,
   I'm sneaky short.    Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Cheers,
Brad

 

colorado folks ... y'all don't like texans do you, but then you do like us more than new yorkers!

Steve,

Ya got that right pardner!  

See you next month, right?

this is test

Just a note to those who play Black Mesa. The 1st hole there requires a carry over a hill that cuts into the 1st fairway (your line of sight) and it can be quite intimidating with the first blow of the day.

A media guy I know hates the holes because he thinks such an inclusion is sooooooooooo unafir. I think he's nuts because if you play the proper tee box the carry isn't that much of an issue provided you strike the shot correctrly. What amazes me is that people will say thinks like this about an American course but if such an inclusion were at a Irish or Scottish course you'd have people tripping over themselves saying how marvelous the hole plays with such an added element.

I usually play the hole from the tips with a 1-iron and then it's usually nothing more than a PW or hard SW. The green is quite good and if you get above the hole it can be quite tough for the two-putt.

The 1st at Black Mesa is just one of several mid-length par-4's that architect Baxter Spann has successfully created at the facility. The 1st is more eye-terror and if you in fact are intimidated then the architect has clearly achieved his ultimate goal.

Steve,

Pay no attention to what Matt Ward says. He plays a game with which few mortals are familiar.. And he HATES QUIRK!

All The BEst,

Steve:

Just keep this in mind my good buddy -- when you play the 10th hole at Black Mesa aim your tee shot directly over the directional bunker on the left. If you push the tee shot just a tad too far right you'll be on the hillside -- otherwise known as "DEADSVILLE!" The more you can fight the impulse to bail out right the better you'll be as there is a turbo boost on the left side after you clear the bunker. Plus -- all approaches have a better angle from that side of the fairway.

On the par-3 11th the hole keeps climbing uphill and from the tips it lists as only 172 yards! Trust me -- most people need two more clubs than they would normally hit.

One last thing for now -- the final hole at Black Mesa is very clever dog-leg right of roughly 430 yards. When you stand on the tee you think you can carry a good junk of it with your tee shot. Fight the impulse!!!

Hit nothing more than 240-250 yards to set a mid-iron to the green which is wondefully contoured (check out the most natural looking bunker on the left side of the green that's west of Sand Hills!). If you decide to play the Palmer role and try to cut too much off the dog-leg it will simply disappear in a trench designed specifically for golfers who want to play the role of hero. As Patton said -- there's only dead ones!

E-n-j-o-y!

Perhaps I should bring my skirts and play from the red tees.

Hey Brad, whatever you like, though I suspect you'll be playing alone...

What makes Black Mesa exciting is that Baxter Spann designed several strategic options for every hole. You don't have to go with the most daring play but if you opt out and decide to make a mor eprudent course you will be asked to "up the ante" with the next shot.

A very smart hole is the 12th at 403 yards. From the tips which are located on a tiny ledge way above the fairway you see the entire hole. The hole moves slightly to the left and you can attempt (if strong enough) to carry the deepest fairway bunker and leave nothing more than a flip wegde to the green. However --

If you should pull it left and land in the bunker you will need a good recovery. If you push it too far right you can go through the fairway and have an uneven lie to a green that's neatly protected on the right side. In fact -- the smart play is to simply hit it about 230-250 yards and leave yourself a short iron.

Even more strategy comes into play on the 14th -- plays 389 yards from the tips (see blackmesagolf.com for actual picture in teh golf course section). The hole is a dog-leg which features a natural mound that has sand in front of it and high grass that sweeps the top half. You can play aggressively and go right over this area (a carry of about 250 yards) or you can take the safe route and play short. If you play short you will left in most instances with a blind approach -- what's fair is fair!

If you should not make it over with the daring tee shot then the problems really start to mount as getting a lie in Black Mesa's version of "hell's half acre" is never ensured.

The green is also well protected and when the pin is pushed to the deep far left you must gauge the appropriate distance and have the loft calculated to land softly.

It's easy for architects to design long par-4's because the distance factor is always an issue for most golfers. Designing mid-length par-4's that have character no matter how many times you play them is a much more demanding exercise.

For the folks who playBlack Mesa I urge you to pay heed when playing these holes. Many might think they are easy prey for quick birdies -- the more likely result will be you the golfer will be preyed upon unless the right choices and exection are carried out.

The courtyard is the nicest in town(that ive seen) but there are plenty of alternatives at half the price. La Quinta Inn, Motels galore.

There is nothing officially planned for sunday. It was originally discussed that we'd leave Paa Ko and get to Farmington with enough daylight to see Riverview's Back. With 10 o'clock times at Paako(is that right?) I highly doubt we'll make it. My friend played there two saturdays ago and it was...it was ...hold your hat...Six hours twenty. And thats with the carts off the path. Yikes!  

Have a great time guys, I wish I could be there. Kudos to Mike Nuzzo for helping put this together for everyone.