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Keith OHalloran

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #775 on: November 30, 2015, 04:39:48 PM »
Age:  25
Currently Reside:  New York City
Hometown:  New Canaan, CT
Occupation:  Financial Services Consultant
Handicap: +1
Background: I grew up in Connecticut about an hour outside NYC and played at an old Willie Park Jr. layout, the Country Club of New Canaan. I started playing competitively in high school and ended up playing in college as well. I spent my freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley where I was lucky enough to play courses like Lake Merced, The Meadow Club, and San Francisco Golf Club on a regular basis. I ended up transferring back east and finished my last three seasons on the golf team at Georgetown University where we also played some solid courses; TPC Potomac, The Members Club at Four Streams, and on occasion Columbia CC, and Congressional. Certainly not a bad rota, especially when you factor in the annual winter trips to Seminole, and the summer trips to NGLA. We were clearly treated to some great golf and my only regret is that I didn't appreciate the nuances of architecture then as I do now.
 
While these days I’m more of a weekend warrior than a competitive player, I love the game more than ever. This growing passion is in part due to my appreciation of simply being on the course and not at a desk, but primarily due to the acumen, insight, and curiosity I have developed through reading GCA. I’ve easily spent hundreds of hours reading GCA articles and photo tours. I’m excited to be a part of the community and contribute where I believe I can.

Well, you have the last name for it! ;)

Tim Gallant

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #776 on: December 01, 2015, 08:52:40 AM »
Age: 35
Hometown: Gaithersburg MD
Currently Reside: Tianjin, China
Occupation: Middle School and High School Choral Director
Family: married for 10 years with two boys ages 4 and 6
Background: Got my first set when I was 11. Got a job at the local muni (Needwood Gold Course) when I was in high school so I could afford to play regularly in the DC area. Continued to work at courses in Texas through College and Grad School. Even had a brief stint as an assistant pro. Now I just use my free time from teaching summers off and location to play golf all over China and hopefully Asia. I'm also looking to spend some time in the summers getting to great courses when at home in the U.S.
Why am I here: I've enjoyed reading the content here for a couple years. Out of thanks I gave a donation and was contacted by Ran. He offered to let me be a part of the discussion group.
Handicap: 5
Favorite courses played: U.S.: Pinehurst #2. China: So far Lake Course at Spring City for Design. Stone Forest Leaders Peak for sheer craziness and spectacle.
Wish List: NGLA, Cypress, Pine Valley, Sand Hills, Crystal Down, Merion
Favorite Architects (courses seen in person): Ross, Curley, (soon mackenzie, Doak, Coore Crenshaw, after my epic oz trip in January)


Never thought I would meet a fellow Needwood Alum! What I wouldn't give to go back and see the executive 9 now that I am not 14. Out of curiosity, what is your favourite course in the G-burg area?

Patrick Scanlan

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #777 on: February 02, 2016, 10:18:58 AM »
Age:29
Currently Reside:  NYC
Hometown:  Westfield, MA
Occupation:  Financial PR
Handicap: 2

Background: The summer before ninth grade I was dropped off daily at a real dog track of a course in western Mass. and, resigned to know my mother or my friend's mother wasn't coming back for four hours, begrudgingly learned the game. It took longer than it should have for us to realize we could try and beat one another, but thus started what I anticipate being a lifelong passion for golf.


I didn't have much of an interest in golf course architecture till I started playing more varied courses in college, and then in the metro New York area. Home course through high school and college was The Ranch, in Southwick, MA (my dad ponied up for the new membership there when it opened quite literally across the street from the old track), which is a modern kind of rambling thing but retains a soft spot in my heart. I'd played a fair bit of decently Ross-ian Ross courses, who through college was probably the only designer I could name, much less speak to (Springfield CC, Longmeadow CC, The Orchards).


My parents now live in Old Saybrook, CT, which aside from a charming but otherwise deficient 9-holer, appears nearly bereft of quality golf. I spend some weekends in the summer on Cape Cod, which has a wealth of fun, cheap public courses all filled with decent folk with a passion for golf; it's an enjoyable thing.


Because I'm fairly well-groomed, polite, and able to put most of my full shots in the air, I've been able to play a number of golf courses well out of reach of my own personal socioeconomic standing. On the luck-out list are: NGLA, Fishers, Camargo, Baltusrol, and a professional acquaintance with a Pine Valley member who will surely fall victim to my charms this calendar year.

I'm eager to participate more actively on this forum because I find that my own golf course criticism lacks the sort of sophistication necessary to share with others. I'm more often than not instinctual in my assessments, armed with only the most basic language of template holes and design elements (redan, alps, bunker, etc.). I often fail to properly appreciate the strategic merits of certain holes unless I sit Indian-style in the fairway and think about them. That said, last year I took a Streamsong trip with a friend and nearly fell over - completely gobsmacked by every hole - and better understood that a hallmark of conscious and good design has something to do with presenting a specific question to the player at the tee box. So, with that, I'm looking forward to GCA.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 12:12:00 PM by Patrick Scanlan »

Sam Krume

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #778 on: February 02, 2016, 05:23:10 PM »
Age: 45[
Currently Reside: Epsom, Surrey
hometown: Brighton
Occupation: Media sales
Handicap: Me......4.6
Background: first picked up a 7 iron and putter with my grandad at my local par 3 course in Abington park, Northampton, I think I must have been 9 or 10. Loved it from the first time, I really did. I remember the joy of seeing that little ball fly up into the blue sky...going into later teenager years, golf took a back seat to b & b (booze and birds!!). Really took up the game again 1993 and have played almost every week since. Very lucky that brother in law was travel editor for Golf World, so got too play quite a bit at some lovely tracks...RCD, Muirfield, Morfontaine, RSG, Valderrama... I also worked for Arnie, working on his official mag, Kingdom, so that was quite nice. Have played most of UK's top 50 so feel quite blessed but am looking to get out a couple of times to the US this year.  Became a wandering golfer as wanted to see as much variety as I could. I LOVE THIS GAME.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 05:25:09 PM by Sam Krume »

Tim Fitz

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #779 on: February 11, 2016, 06:30:17 PM »

New to the Board, so using this as a chance to introduce myself.

Age: 38
Reside:  Chicago
Occupation:  M&A attorney
Index:  ~16 (and hopefully headed in the right direction)
Family: My wife and I have two young sons, which means that at the moment I spend more time thinking about golf course architecture than playing golf.
Home Course:  North Shore Country Club (C.H. Alison)
Golf Affiliations:  Leadership Committee (aka Junior Board) of the WGA/ESF


I grew up on a great course in the Chicago area, but only played sporadically due to other interests and obligations.  After a business trip or two presented opportunities to see new and different golf course styles (Raynor, AWT, Ross, Doak, C&C), I came to appreciate that there was more to the game than just hitting the ball around with friends. I still don't get as much time to play as I would like (got to spend time with the kids while they still think I am cool), but now seek out opportunities to play somewhere that might teach me a thing or two about architecture.


I have been a lurker here for quite some time, but finally ready to stick my neck out in hopes that it teaches me a bit more.

Jason Way

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #780 on: February 11, 2016, 06:50:45 PM »
Welcome to the board Tim.  We can never have too many Chicago guys around here.
"Golf is a science, the study of a lifetime, in which you can exhaust yourself but never your subject." - David Forgan

Phil McDade

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #781 on: February 11, 2016, 10:38:03 PM »
Welcome to the board Tim.  We can never have too many Chicago guys around here.


Debateable....(says the Wisconsin poster...)

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #782 on: February 12, 2016, 10:12:19 AM »
Age: 45[
Currently Reside: Epsom, Surrey
hometown: Brighton
Occupation: Media sales
Handicap: Me......4.6
Background: first picked up a 7 iron and putter with my grandad at my local par 3 course in Abington park, Northampton, I think I must have been 9 or 10. Loved it from the first time, I really did. I remember the joy of seeing that little ball fly up into the blue sky...going into later teenager years, golf took a back seat to b & b (booze and birds!!). Really took up the game again 1993 and have played almost every week since. Very lucky that brother in law was travel editor for Golf World, so got too play quite a bit at some lovely tracks...RCD, Muirfield, Morfontaine, RSG, Valderrama... I also worked for Arnie, working on his official mag, Kingdom, so that was quite nice. Have played most of UK's top 50 so feel quite blessed but am looking to get out a couple of times to the US this year.  Became a wandering golfer as wanted to see as much variety as I could. I LOVE THIS GAME.

Welcome to the board, Sam. The NY thread, well I wish I could un-see that one, but as Faldo said to Norman on the 72nd green, don't let the bastards get you down.

Speaking of bastards, another GCAer and I will be in London first Saturday in July and although the golf is already sorted we're planning to take the tube into central London afterward and drink ourselves silly. Please advise... ;D

Joe Hellrung

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #783 on: February 12, 2016, 10:39:46 AM »
My info:[/size]Joe HellrungAge: 36Home: Alpharetta, GAOccupation: Corporate Attorney


I had the opportunity to play golf most of my life, but didn't fall in love with the game until my late 20's.  I grew up in upstate New York, and played some of the classics like Oak Hill, CCR, and Monroe without appreciating what they are.  By the time I fell for the game I was a married man with an infant and a mortgage.  I logged most of my rounds at Atlanta municipal courses, with my favorite being Brown's Mill in South Atlanta.  My father also treated me to the occasional round at his private course in North Atlanta. 


Starting in my young 30's, I developed an appreciation for golf architecture and desire to learn more through a close friend who is also a GCA poster.  My slow education in this area has enhanced my appreciate for the game, and added to my enjoyment of each round. 
[/color]

Jim Dales

Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #784 on: February 19, 2016, 11:07:10 AM »
 Jim Dales
Age: 57
Home: Northville MI
Family: Wife Jennifer & two boys, 15 & 13
Occupation: Small business owner-graphic arts supply dealer, and my wife has a bar/restaurant.
Cap: 4
 
Started in the game at 11 when I trash-picked a set of clubs from our neighbor, took rec department lessons with whiffle balls at a baseball field, and then started playing at a nearby par 60 course, Brooklane, that NLE. Caddied and played on Mondays at Meadowbrook CC, and then made the high school team which played every morning at Brae-Burn, a beat up Wilfred Reid course from the 20’s.  Looking back now, it was those greens that led to being on this site today. In college, I had a chance to play some classic New England courses- The Country Club, Yale, Taconic, Concord, the original Brae-Burn. I have continued to play and compete locally ever since.  I was a member at Detroit Golf Club for a dozen years and in 03 moved back to Northville where I now live on the third hole at Meadowbrook.  Our course is being renovated this year by Andy Staples and I am looking forward to viewing the project from a front row seat.
 

Joe Schackman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #785 on: April 06, 2016, 07:18:05 AM »
Joe Schackman
Age: 28
Home: NJ
Course: Shackamaxon

Been lurking here for a while so excited to be a part of it all.

Started playing when I was young, 6 or 7. Played in HS and college (Dickinson College in PA). Went to Bandon Dunes a few years ago and read Dream Golf and completely changed the way I looked at golf courses/architecture. Been trying to get up to speed ever since.

Mark Pearce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #786 on: April 06, 2016, 07:31:06 AM »
Age: 45[
Currently Reside: Epsom, Surrey
hometown: Brighton
Occupation: Media sales
Handicap: Me......4.6
Background: first picked up a 7 iron and putter with my grandad at my local par 3 course in Abington park, Northampton, I think I must have been 9 or 10. Loved it from the first time, I really did. I remember the joy of seeing that little ball fly up into the blue sky...going into later teenager years, golf took a back seat to b & b (booze and birds!!). Really took up the game again 1993 and have played almost every week since. Very lucky that brother in law was travel editor for Golf World, so got too play quite a bit at some lovely tracks...RCD, Muirfield, Morfontaine, RSG, Valderrama... I also worked for Arnie, working on his official mag, Kingdom, so that was quite nice. Have played most of UK's top 50 so feel quite blessed but am looking to get out a couple of times to the US this year.  Became a wandering golfer as wanted to see as much variety as I could. I LOVE THIS GAME.

Welcome to the board, Sam. The NY thread, well I wish I could un-see that one, but as Faldo said to Norman on the 72nd green, don't let the bastards get you down.

Speaking of bastards, another GCAer and I will be in London first Saturday in July and although the golf is already sorted we're planning to take the tube into central London afterward and drink ourselves silly. Please advise... ;D
I just saw this post.  Remembering the carnage that followed the Silloth beer festival I'm not sure this is a sensible plan!  Nonetheless, London has some fantastic pubs, what sort of establishment are you looking for, aside from ones that will let a reprobate like you in through the door?
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Eric Smith

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #787 on: April 06, 2016, 10:33:18 AM »

I just saw this post.  Remembering the carnage that followed the Silloth beer festival I'm not sure this is a sensible plan!  Nonetheless, London has some fantastic pubs, what sort of establishment are you looking for, aside from ones that will let a reprobate like you in through the door?


Those that don't serve cider of course! ;) ;D 


At the moment our plan is to meet my sister (who lives in London) and her husband and friends at the Shakespeares Head on Carnaby St. Had a good time there my last visit. If you're down that weekend please come join us! If not, the next week at Bamburgh Castle will do just fine I think.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2016, 10:48:09 AM by Eric Smith »

jvisser

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #788 on: April 06, 2016, 04:04:14 PM »
Jan Visser
Age: 43
Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Email: visserjan@hotmail.com
Occupation: Physicist
Homecourse: Noordwijk
Handicap: 4
Background: started golf in 1988 at a public course and have been fortunate live close to the Hoge Kleij
near Amersfoort where I became a member and there I began to appreciate the better courses more
and especially links courses. Moving to Amsterdam, I was lucky to be able to become a member at Noordwijk.


Last few years I made some really cool trips to the UK playing many good courses, which makes me want
to play more of them!


Favorite courses played: Royal St. Georges, courses at St. Andrews, courses at Bandon, Sunningdale, Prestwick, North Berwick


Wish list: 2016: Machrahanish in May and hopefully a return to Bandon in October.
              overall: play many more links courses and the sand belt courses in Australia




Greg Tallman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #789 on: April 06, 2016, 04:05:26 PM »
I thought I had posted to this, but I will post again...

Charlie Dusic
Born May 8, 1965
Hometown: Charleston, WV
Email: rcdusic@gmail.com
GCA Member since: 2000-2001

I am the Chief Financial Officer and partial owner of WV Media.  Our Company owns 8 television stations (3 CBS, 2 ABC, 2 FOX and 1 NBC), a weekly business publication and a digital company that covers West Virginia University sports. I have been playing golf my entire life.  I grew up playing at a private club in Charleston, WV designed by William Gordon called Berry Hills.  It is a narrow, hilly course with very small greens that really puts a premium on short game.  Ironically I got pretty good at trouble/recovery shots because of this but I tend to struggle with more straightforward short game shots.  I played competitively until I started my professional career and probably never achieved the level of golf that i ever should have.  My biggest accomplishment was probably playing in the US Junior at Crooked Stick when I was 17.  My lowest score is 64.  I am currently don't have an official handicap but probably still play to about a 4 or 5 handicap.

My favorite golfer was my father.  He passed away in 1997.  He was very passionate about the game and we played a lot of golf together.  One of my favorite memories is when I finally treated him to a golf trip to the Homestead less than a year prior to him passing away from throat cancer.  I am married and have two kids, none of them play golf.  My favorite place for anyone who has read any of my threads is Bandon but I also want to visit either Ireland or Scotland for my 50th birthday to see some of the courses there.
Charlie, Just read your profile above. I suppose you competed against Todd Satterfield in high school and junior events along with my older (not wiser) brother Paul. Played a WV Junior at Berry Hills way back in the day and my Director of Instruction, first cousin of GCAer Mark Greer, spent a couple years there recently before we brought him back to Cabo. While your 50th may have come and gone you'll have to get down to Cabo in the near future and play golf with a couple of WV boys here at Cabo del Sol. 

Mike Sweeney

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Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #790 on: April 07, 2016, 07:43:18 AM »
Michael Sweeney
Age: 39, married with 2 boys 4 and 6 years old
Home: New York City
Home Course: Yale Golf Club
Ireland "Home" Course: Enniscrone Golf Club, Co Sligo



Just add on 14 years to those ages and carry on!


The majority of the stupid is invincible and guaranteed for all time. The terror of their tyranny, however, is alleviated by their lack of consistency.Albert Einstein
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #791 on: April 07, 2016, 08:15:27 AM »
Jan Visser
Age: 43
Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Email: visserjan@hotmail.com
Occupation: Physicist
Homecourse: Noordwijk
Handicap: 4
Background: started golf in 1988 at a public course and have been fortunate live close to the Hoge Kleij
near Amersfoort where I became a member and there I began to appreciate the better courses more
and especially links courses. Moving to Amsterdam, I was lucky to be able to become a member at Noordwijk.


Last few years I made some really cool trips to the UK playing many good courses, which makes me want
to play more of them!


Favorite courses played: Royal St. Georges, courses at St. Andrews, courses at Bandon, Sunningdale, Prestwick, North Berwick


Wish list: 2016: Machrahanish in May and hopefully a return to Bandon in October.
              overall: play many more links courses and the sand belt courses in Australia

Welcome Jan, are you still refereeing on the European Tour?


Let's make GCA grate again!

jvisser

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #792 on: April 11, 2016, 12:49:51 PM »
Hi Tony,


Thanks! Always good to read things here, but often not enough time to really put some info back in.


Still every year the Dutch Open and a year and a half ago I did the World Match Play at
the London golf club. Mainly as a walking referee, which I really enjoyed!


Hope we meet again sometime. Invite to Noordwijk still stands!


Cheers,
 Jan

Gib_Papazian

Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #793 on: April 11, 2016, 11:39:16 PM »
I see Mike Sweeney - my much taller brother, hanging with the homies on America's eastern wall, has updated his bio. Thus, it is time I updated my resume - if only to own up the rumors and admit all of the stories are probably true - except the parts having to do with the unnatural embrace of farmyard animals. I will admit to a kernel of truth in the the Rees Jones stories - the rest were grossly embellished. Originally, I received a Guest Pass from the Great Bahto and Brains Goodale; Moriarty and my unqualified hero Pat Mucci was nice enough to wave me past the velvet ropes. I don't consider Tommy N. anything less than my Italian twin - in turn, I have made him an honorary Armenian. To this day I NEVER wear a hat indoors, fearful that Sir Bob will scold me for improper manners. No matter how hard I try, I cannot stay mad at Barny - despite the fact he is a penis with golf spikes. We all miss the Huckster, and I'm told Dr. Childs is a brilliant conversationalist; one day I'll hopefully be smart enough to understand what he does for a living - having no clue how to map DNA cancer cells. I still live in a little hamlet near the San Francisco Airport, Her Redness is still directing films, to which I am the humble D.P. - I peddle veggies by day and my daughter is following dad and starting USC in the Fall. My ex-wife still hates me, my mother still loves me and despite decades of effort to the contrary, I still play a block-push, with ball flight so low it would make a Scotsman proud. I'm 56, an aging member at Olympic of only 42 years and still believe Raynor routed Cypress Point. Aside from that, I love you guys and cannot express how much fun this completely irrelevant site for nerds and loons has brought to my life.           

Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #794 on: April 12, 2016, 05:58:43 AM »
I love you guys and cannot express how much fun this completely irrelevant site for nerds and loons has brought to my life.         

The feeling is entirely mutual.
Let's make GCA grate again!

Mike Sweeney

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #795 on: April 12, 2016, 06:48:41 AM »
my daughter is following dad and starting USC in the Fall.


I am feeling a good Fall of 2016 OT college football threads. Let's get Patrick back on here and teach those SEC guys a lesson. I have some new weaponry in my arsenal. :)
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Parker Page

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #796 on: July 14, 2016, 11:38:16 PM »
Hello all,
I believe I'm the newest member of the discussion board, so I thought I'd introduce myself.  Here's my info:


Parker Page
Age: 34
Reside: Nashville
Occupation: Teacher/School Administrator
Index: 5
Family: Very understanding wife of 12 years and two kids (5 and 2)
Home Course: vagabond – the various Nashville municipal tracks; I'm also a panelist with Golf Digest, so I get much of my play that way


I grew up playing golf and played competitively until college.  I always enjoyed golf courses, but I didn't pay much attention to architecture until after college.  It's been a slow learning process since then with this site playing a major role in my education.  I've been lurking on the site for some time, and I hope I don't foul anything up by joining the fray.  I hope I also get a chance to meet some of you as the opportunity presents itself.
Judge Smails: "How do you measure yourself against other golfers?"

Ty Webb: "...Height?"

Mark Pritchett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #797 on: July 15, 2016, 07:46:15 AM »
Welcome Parker.  Are you from the Nashville area originally?  Favorite courses played?




Parker Page

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #798 on: July 15, 2016, 03:12:19 PM »
Mark-
No, I'm from Atlanta originally. Are you from Nashville? If you mean favorite courses in Nashville, it's The Golf Club of Tennessee by a decent margin. Then Richland, then Westhaven. If you count Sewanee and Sweetens Cove as being in the Nashville area, then they both go ahead of Golf Club. Were you asking specifically about Nashville or more broadly?
Judge Smails: "How do you measure yourself against other golfers?"

Ty Webb: "...Height?"

Mark Pritchett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Who Are You Guys(revisited)?
« Reply #799 on: July 16, 2016, 05:22:50 PM »
Parker-Nashville and beyond.  The Sewanee/Sweetens combo is pretty good!

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