Wonderful work.
I will simply HAVE to return westwards to see Pasa again. Maybe won't be quite the same delugial precipitation next time.

I can't believe how goooooooood 16 looks. I loved it before. I could elope with it now.

Does my memory serve me correctly that the houses get close to left side of 17 green? and the fence used to run along it and around the back of the green?

15 is still a hound though

FBD.

Huck,

I looked at the 18th hole in the link you sent showing the original form, pre-restoration, and then restoration.

In the original form, that ravine of land in front of the tip tee box, looked like a moonscape of sorts.  Does it resemble that at all today or is it all grownover with vegetation.  That would be awesome if they could restore that part of the hole to go along with the green.

Huck,

Can you post your before and after Golf Digest ranking numbers.  I'd love to know how much you feel the course has improved (if any).

While my good friend Rob Babcock was slaving away at work this morning, I got out and played 18.  Pete, I'm not an expert on this stuff, but I do know that the new back of the 17th green was sodded with sod taken from our chipping practice green.  We haven't putted on the restored back half of the green, and I've never seen Shivas putt, so I can't shed any light on the odds that he'll 5 putt this new one....there is a ridge that runs through the area, but I think most golfers will just be grateful to be on this green.  The barranca is now in play for errant shots long and right, lots of woods and vegetation in there.  I hit a 7 iron from the left side of the fairway, it drifted to the right side of the green, landed on the green, and kicked off the green and down the slope...only the soft newly sodded slope to the right of the green saved me from the barranca...it was quite eye opening.  There are houses to the left of the fairway on 17 Martin, but there's plenty of room left of the green, and no fence behind or on either side of the green.  

And Martin, you're correct about Dean -- he's retiring and the club is in the process of finding a new superintendent.  Tough shoes to fill.  Fortunately Dean will still be a member of the club and will be around to help out, he's great.

On #18, you're right Kalen, there was originally one other bunker in front of the green, on the right.  Unfortunately, it couldn't be restored, the member you spoke with was correct -- the area is just too steep and erosion would have gotten it.  And while the #18 barranca was originally more barren and  moonscape like in appearance, there's more vegetation today, and that will likely remain to control erosion.  

Rob C.

Quote from: rchesnut on November 09, 2007, 04:10:33 PM

On #18, you're right Kalen, there was originally one other bunker in front of the green, on the right.  Unfortunately, it couldn't be restored, the member you spoke with was correct -- the area is just too steep and erosion would have gotten it.  And while the #18 barranca was originally more barren and  moonscape like in appearance, there's more vegetation today, and that will likely remain to control erosion.  

Rob C.

Rob - great stuff - thanks!  Only it wasn't Kalen who said the latter stuff but moi. Kalen asked the question, I reported on what occurred yesterday and what the member told us. No hassles.  

Ahh Huck, your such a gloryhound!!!  

The old pic of #18 is wicked cool from an aesthic point of view, but certainly understood how the "moonscape" needs to be turned into a garden of sorts to keep it and the tee box from sliding down the hill.

On a related note, I know its been brought up a time or two on this site.  But were those two front bunkers to the left of the original 18 basically unsustainable in the long run.  The restored green complex looks great, but in that original pic it looks like those bunkers were literally connected to the ravine....

There are houses to the left of the fairway on 17 Martin, but there's plenty of room left of the green, and no fence behind or on either side of the green.  

Rob,
many thanks for data!
It's always so much better for ACTUAL MEMBERS to discuss the minutiae of the courses we blather about.

My memory of 17 is definitely 'clouded' by the rather unseasonal monsoon we experienced. I vividly recall tip-toeing through running water between the green and the cart path to tend the flag for Dr V.

Having said that I do have the life-altering memory of us two grown men towelling down together stark bollock naked and not giving a fig cos we were so SOAKED and simultaneously discussing golf architecture. A rare gift indeed.

Nice clubhouse though! Nancy will happily vouch for the open fire and the lovely gin and club sodas...

FBD.

Dearest Cousin!
That post was in no way pointed at your good self. Why, on matters Californian, I depend on your, and my other good friends in the area, for unbiased, well-informed opinion upon which to base my appreciation of coursian relativity.

(I've been watching 'The Tudors' tonight and gone all greensleevesian on ya all asses...! )

bestest,
me.

I anticipate my kids looking at me quite strangely.

THEY are teenagers. You are a middle-aged man with 1500 imaginary Internet 'pals'. Strangely would be kind....

M.

Martin:

Well, one is a teenager and the other two aren't, but you're sure right about the first one.  I just stand there and she looks at me strangely.  

Kalen:  we need more Pasatiempo!!!!

TH

ps - those exact words as uttered by Walken were the ringtone for my cellphone for a long time.  

The tree removal was a welcome site on the 16th tee.  The left hand tree line was nearly coincident with the tall pine off in the distance


16th green photo.  I got to experince the depths of the right hand bunker.  It is indeed deep, and steep with very new sand.


Huck's 150+ foot putt on 16


18th Green and the new bunkers


And this is the only proof that is needed that camera's do indeed ruin your round!

Kevin,
   What are you using, dial-up? See you next weekend.

Tom,
    Until we hear from Andy, what did his general impression of Pasa seem to be? He should be on his way to a delightful day with Sir Bob about now.

Kevin,
   What are you using, dial-up? See you next weekend.

Old faithful 9600 baud modem.  Works great except for huge pics like Steve posted.  

Wow !!!!

What a nice surprise, nicely firm fairways, swirling winds and enlarged greens that allow for many more hole locations and bringing more contours into the greens. 

And the clearing of trees down the right side on #16, gives you a view of the corner of the green and makes you believe you can take your tee ball down the left edge of the fairway, which is obviously wrong.

And pity the day when the hole is on the back portion of 17 ...

Indeed.  Restoration is pretty darn incredible, huh?

I hear you had a great time.