Actually, I had a better time on the hole that precedes this one (my dad plugged his caddie in the chest out of Scholar's bunker, and I got to play one from the footpath), but this was pretty fun too.

It was a public course in Grand Rapids and I swear I thought she was older than 15.

Just kidding....I knew she was 16.

Joe

JohnP:

In my opinion, Crystal has a few short par 4s that have an amazing potential for balance or equilibrium of aggressive vs conservative options off the tee, and putting more fairway over to the right of #5 I think would produce a better balance of aggressiveness vs conservatism off that tee than I've seen that hole have as long as I've known it.

#15 is probably the tops out there for a real balance of aggressive vs conservative choice off the tee. In that way that hole is truly magnificent, in my opinion. Next is probably #17 which is sort of mind-bendingly complex in that vein. I think fairway to the right on #5 would make it third on the course for aggressive vs conservative balance off the tee, and last is #7. #7 is a wonderful one due to the green but I've always wished it had a little something more on it that would induce more aggressiveness off the tee than it always has. With a bit more balance of aggressive vs conservative choice off the tee on both #5 and #7 would probably put Crystal Downs at the top of the world of architecture for that kind of fascinating decision making on short par 4 holes. And the neat thing about it is those four holes are so different from one another even if they all sort of induce the same basic club choice dilemmas from the tee.

The most fun I have had on a golf course was playing The Road Hole at about midnight.  I expect most people who have taken on a bit too much red ale have attempted this.  

Four of us teed up in dickie bows and florsheim shoes.  We eventually made it to the green after many lost balls in the direction of the hotel.  Just after my mate Pedro made his umpteenth attempt to get out of the famed nasty bunker, the police appeared.  Apparently we were too noisy and there had been complaints.  Two of us saw the policemen ambling along and decided to ditch our sticks under a car.  That would surely convince the cops of our innocence.  

The police were straight onto us.  Addressing Dougie while pointing a boot toward the underside of the car the police officer said "I expect sir will need these in the morning".  By this time I have lost my fear of arrest and begin doubling over with laughter.  

Pedro then shows up and a few quick, but courteous remarks later all is sorted.  Just when all is well, young James Rone appears from god knows where with loud apologies.  Dougie and Pedro tried to convince Ronie that everything was sorted.  This went on for a few seconds until a sprinkler switched on and James began jumping about until he eventually fell, still in the reach of the sprinkler.

The Police had seen enough and carried on ambling safe in the knowledge that we would be well gone before their return.  

Ciao

Sean

Any hole in any year on the old Dornoch Struie during the annual "Dad's and Lad's" Invitational Foursomes which ran from 1981 to 1989.  A few of us alumni hope to resurrect this gala event in mid-July 2006.  To be invited you have to be a father, mother, son or daughter and show up on the tee.

Yes, John, I will never forget that heaven wood hooded under the trees flying low and faster than a scalded cat and then slamming into the face of one of those pansy Mackenzie bunkers popping up landing and rolling gently down to near the hole.

I also remember winning 10 for us before your mini-birdie blitz.  How did we lose to those suckers?  Could it have been that I sucked on the other 17 holes?

Your pajo

PS--thanks for immediately modifying your post to remove all references to Pastiempo.  Makes my responsive post look like I have Alzheimers.......

One of the most unforgettable shots I ever witnessed was on #5 at Crystal. One of my opponents pushed one over the right side of the tree headed right down the driveway just as a van turned in. Watching the ball flying right at the van, landing in front of it and one hopping over it and disappearing out the gate. All four guys were on the ground laughing.

Tom,

My partner didn't show up for the front nine..Its was me and the brain against you and the big guy.  All I remember was losing despite a world class chip on 18.  There used to be a nice collection of pics from that day...

It is a better man than me that remembers the shots of others when I only recall my own..

For me it was the 18th at Caledonia the 2nd time I played it.
After the first time we played the course we encouraged a bunch of our other friends to join us the next year. . .

Hitting into that green, towards 8 of your buddies sitting on that porch is a really good time. That hole is very special to me. The thought of returning to that golf course, especially the 18th, has gotten my friends and I through many of the long cold winter months during the past few years. We all look forward to the Myrtle trip and I think a big reason for that is because we play Caledonia last every year. The 18th always leaves us with something great to talk about leading up to the next trip.

-Ted

Cruden Bay has quite a few fun holes.  Eleanor's Teeth at Apawamis is a great candidate.  #6 at Creek.  

Watching some of you first time visitors putt on our 10th at AC made it the funnest hole for me this year.    You know who you are...

Cheers!

JT