Ed G: hey, that was a team win. I might have hit a few more good shots than you did, but given our handicaps I am supposed to do that. But thanks for the thoughts in any case - this was as well as I have played in a good long time and it was fun to see.
Re Stevinson, I do like the course a lot, but that has to be a surprise to no one. It is rather severe, and I sure could live without some of the floating grass traps like short right of the green on #5... but what the heck, all in all there is a lot of fun to be had there. Catch it in the summer with the tall grass cut back and it must be really fun.
Re next year's location, just keep in mind a few things:
a) Joel - this event has never been that big and 50 people is a LOT to expect. That might be able to be achieved if we put it in a central location and sold the hell out of it, but I don't see that as the purpose of TKP. This is a small fun event centered around CA; there are plenty of other events that get set up in other places and draw more people (like the VERY fun Dixie Cup). We don't need to change this from what it is, I think..... And as a matter of fact, I rather enjoyed having it be a bit smaller this year - 20 people. That way all matches matter, no one gets lost in the crowd, etc. But perhaps that is just me. Remember too the more people we have, the tougher it makes it to do 36 holes in a day with consecutive tee-times.
b) It is SoCal's turn to host. But as we saw this year, the event doesn't happen unless some INDIVIDUAL picks up the ball and does the legwork. I'm not at all trying to toot my own horn, but this one damn near did fall through the cracks... so what I am saying is someone just does have to do this, or the thing won't happen. David M. did it once already, so in fairness it ought not to have to be him... but who then is gonna step up?
c) Re exact venues, just do remember we're talking a pretty large group no matter how we do it. It's tough for me to believe that's gonna work well at the normal SoCal public courses like Brookside (home of the 7 hour round). While I am all for a tour de Billy Bell, well... logistics have to be kept in mind. We want to play 36 holes on a Saturday and have early tee-times on a Sunday.... hopefully be able to play at least somewhat fast... To me this tends to work only at remote locations.
d) So to that end, if it is gonna be in SoCal proper, I like the suggestion of courses out Ontario way... I am also all for doing this at courses with innovative, thought-provoking design, and there are plenty out that way that are worthwhile. It is remote so crowds shouldn't be as much of an issue, and we can likely work stay and play packages. Those who want to add on other golf to the trip can go to Palm Desert, or back into LA for the private clubs there and/or Rustic, without too much driving - equate it to what occurred at Stevinson (which I have zero problem with, btw - who cares if people play more golf in the days before or after this event - that's always been expected as I see it).
BTW, I stand ready to help with the logistics and/or handle the whole thing again if no one from SoCal steps up. Venue would remain southern, I'd just handle the legwork. I do this kind of thing all the time for many different groups so it's really no big deal for me. Just say the word.
TH