Let's Pay for This Puppy!

[Bill_Spellman]

:)On a previous post placed by Ran, I suggested that we have a benefit tournament(s) to help defray the expenses incurred by our gracious hosts, the Morrissetts. Personally knowing John and his Pop, (I think Ran and I have met), I can  recollect John's very serious approach to the game as a young man, and his Father's love of it. I got to know them while serving at Merion as an assistant to Bill Kittleman in the 70's. I was fortunate in many respects. First I worked at Merion; Second it was under Kittleman's tutleage and third I became aquainted with many fine and knowledgeable people.
It is time for me to pay dues for those opportunities.
 Here are some very raw ideas for a model that I need help with:

1. Golf Outing at a GCA Approved Course

    a. 11:30 Lunch (on your own)
    b. Shotgun start at 1:00
    c. any format T.B.D. Must however play your own ball
    d. Cocktail 1/2 hour from 5:45 to 6:15
    e. Dinner 6:15 to 7:15
    f. Guest speaker  7:30 to 9:00
    

 Reading the absolute wealth of knowledge and passion expressed on GCA, I believe that we don't need to go too far outside this site to secure an interesting speaker and topic.
Depending on the site and location of an event, Perhaps,(food for thought)  we could invite someone whose opinions or actions have been critiqued to participate as a panel speaker (ie: Wally U., Rees Jones, Tom Fazio).

I read,(and can almost hear) about the dissatisfaction of the games direction, and what can be done about it. I see the ads on tv by Titleist railing against "the old fogies in the blue plaid blazers". We can complain all we want to to ourselves, but those that influence the future of the game continue unchallenged. I believe that it is time to become a reputable force in helping shape that direction, and we can do so by education.

All of this can be done in a cost efficient way and at the same time, cover the costs of this site and influence the future by aiding  deserving agronomic and architectural students with their expenses.

WE NEED SITES, DATES, SPEAKERS

Having been a PGA member for 26 years, I am willing and able to lend my experience and time to helping organize an event of this kind, when and where available.

I NEED HELP! TALK TO ME    

[Mike_Cirba]

Bill,

I'm in.  Whatever might be agreeable to Ran & John I'm sure would get widespread support from this group.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

What ever happened with the Cuscowilla outing that we were bantering about a few weeks back?   Did that ever come to be a reality?  If so when and could this be a perfect opportunity to do this type of outing?

If not I would also say Pinehurst would be a great place.

Turboe

[George Pazin]

Ran indicated that the Cuscowilla outing was postponed following September's tradegy & will likely be rescheduled for Feb. or March.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Semantics, but Ran said March or April for Cuscowilla.

Bill,
    I thought you answered your own question about where the benefit outing would be, with all of your mention of Merion.  In fact, that's where I thought you were going with your post.  With your influence, not to mention Bill Kittleman, Gil Hanse, and Tom Paul (and the Mayor?), is that a possibility?  My checkbook is ready.

[THuckaby2]

A west coast event would do quite well also.. lots of GCA interest out here!

Oh yeah, I'm a newbie all right, BTW.  Finally gave in and registered through my home computer.  Maybe some day I'll get my password attached to this email address, the only one I ever really check....

TH

[JohnV]

I agree with Tom that a left coast event would also be great.

[Bill_Coggins]

I hate to pay for anything internet related - but this one is worth it.

Now someone has got to find Ran.  Is he out back washing dishes?

[Gib_Papazian]

My vote would be  to meet in San Diego. The weather is almost always perfect and everyone can get there cheaply. Barona would be a great meeting spot followed by evening cocktails on a veranda overlooking the ocean.

We really ought to chip in and support this site. Speaking for myself, it has become like an imbilical cord to fellow architecture nutbags  :)that I cannot live without.

[THuckaby2]

Concur with the Wise Armenian.  Could it be the long-discussed KING CUP might finally happen?  Mr. Naccarato???

Aw hell, screw it.  Pick a date and let's make this happen King Cup or no King Cup...

TH

[ed getka]

I am interested in participating in any event that would help support this site. I'm also out near SF, but if we wanted to do something around the time of the US Open I will be out that way next summer.

[Bill_Spellman]

 Gald to see the response so far. I am convinced that an event of this kind could be done in all 50 states. Someone in other areas will need to take the proverbial bull by the horns and set these up.( unless John and Ran want to put me on the payroll as "event Coordinator" I haven't heard from Ran or John yet, to get their input, so if you two are out there, let us hear from you. What do you think of the idea? My experience lies east of the Mississippi.

Let your mind wander and think of the possibilities of sites and speakers. It looks like you Californians have some great new ones opening up soon. Maybe you can get Tommy N. as your first speaker. I've never met him but some of the posts are mesmerizing. Let's keep working on this.

[Doug Wright]

Bill,

I'll be happy to serve as Rocky Mountain event coordinator. Of course, we don't really play golf up here at altitude, right BillV/Redanman?  

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

I am in, prefer the east coast, but I could make it west.

[Bill_McBride]

We need southerners too....John Bernhardt, John Conley, me, who else?  "Think regional, act local."

[Craig_Rokke]

I'd love to participate. Another vote for the East coast!

[Gene Greco]

Many from the left coast have come east to join me for a game. I would happily head west for such an event!

[kilfara]

Bill, I'm all in favor of the concept, but the shotgun start is anathema to appreciation of golf course architecture as I understand the term. Great golf courses should be designed to be experienced in order from hole 1 to hole 18; personally, I don't know many people who feel fully satisfied with any golfing experience that doesn't begin at 1 and end at 18. So I'd rather that the schedule be orchestrated in such a way as to let everyone tee off on the first tee, even if that means stretching out the program somewhat.

Who wants to come to Britain for one of these shindigs?

Cheers,
Darren

[A Clay Man]

While it may not be as easy to get to as San Diego, I think more $ can be raised if we play my new home course. Pinion Hills. With green fees at $20 and a solid 4 star course, most golfers will be saving the $70 to support this site. Plus it will give everyone a chance to see some of the other Ken Dye works such as Pa ko ridge near Sante Fe. Flights to Albequ. then a two hr + drive, is nothing for true addicts. Plus, when else will anybody get a chance to come to an area I like to call "the middle of nowhere"?

[Scott_Burroughs]

I thought you lived in the Coachella Valley.  That's dedication to your course to travel that far, though I guess Tommy N has the farthest to travel to get to his home course.

[Gib_Papazian]

Darren,
Could not agree more about shotgus starts, particularly because, inevitably, I end up beginning on the #1 handicap hole, a 460 yard par four requiring a cut drive and a moon-ball long-iron right-to-left approach to an elevated green over deep bunkers.

Plus, if we play the course the correct way, there is the opportunity for earlier foursomes to return to the course with cocktail in hand and heckle, harass and otherwise . . .  no wait! I mean to return to the course and discuss its' subtle nuances in a serious manner while quietly observing play.

Can Naccarato and me go off first? Please put Goodale and the Evil Leprechaun last . . . payback time.    

[THuckaby2]

I stand ready for the "advice".  

Damn this sounds fun.  So OK, what date are we talkin'?  The time to beg is now.

TH

[Gib_Papazian]

Darren,
Could not agree more about shotgus starts, particularly because, inevitably, I end up beginning on the #1 handicap hole, a 460 yard par four requiring a cut drive and a moon-ball long-iron right-to-left approach to an elevated green over deep bunkers.

Plus, if we play the course the correct way, there is the opportunity for earlier foursomes to return to the course with cocktail in hand and heckle, harass and otherwise . . .  no wait! I mean to return to the course and discuss its' subtle nuances in a serious manner while quietly observing play.

Can Naccarato and me go off first? Please put Goodale and the Evil Leprechaun last . . . payback time.    

[Rich_Goodale]

Gib

You can do anything you want to as long as you take charge!  With all due respect to the others who shall remain nameless but who have talked about such a gathering for ever since I have been on this site--You guys couldn't organize a piss up in a brewery--as they say in old Blighty.

So, Gibster, JUST DO IT!  Me and Huckaby will gladly anchor the field, as long as we get frequent visits from the beer babe.

I will promise to organize something similar, but perhaps even better, in the Highlands, once I have re-established myself in Caledonia next year  Golfers with suspect livers will participate only at their peril......

[THuckaby2]

Concur, agree, well said, here here re Friend Goodale.

And oh yes, we need solid leadership here.  Gib, just say yes.

TH