Anyone have the scoop on Monterey Peninsula CC?

[David Ober]

Qualified today at the SCGA course and will be playing there in the State Am in mid-June. Read the awesome review here on the Dunes course, but what about the Shore course?

Can't wait to play 'em both. As most of you probably know, the California State Amateur has moved from Pebble for good, and will now be alternating between top sites in NorCal and SoCal. Looks like this from what I'm hearing:

2007 Monterey Peninsula
2008 Lakeside and (possibly Oakmont)
2009 Olympic (tentative)
2010 Los Angeles CC (this is more wishful thinking than anything, but have heard that LACC is actually receptive to the idea. What a treat that would be!)

In my opinion, this is a great thing for California golf. Pebble treated us like crap, and we got NOTHING when we went up there. Monterey Peninsula is rolling out the red carpet for us and we get a practice round and breakfast/lunch each day and free range balls!! (Pebble charged us).

If anyone knows the courses really well, I'll be looking for a caddie for my Sunday practice round at the minimum... :-)

[Mike Benham]

That makes 3 GCAers who have now qualified, 2 from the North and 1 from the South.  Perhaps we can have this count as the competition for the King's Putter !!!  (Tommy - just a little humor !!!)

[Mike Sweeney]

http://tinyurl.com/3az36k

[Rich Goodale]

There is a grizzled ex-Rhodesian commando caddy at MPCC called Fauntleroy, or Huntley, or Wolfman, or something like that, whom I would highly recommend.  However, you will probably have to hire him a cart or carry your own clubs.

[Brent Hutto]

Never played the Dunes but the Shore is fun, fun, fun. As firm and fast a course as you'd ever want to play. We played it in a strong wind and it's ideally oriented to take advantage of the ocean-front breezes. Spectacularly beautiful, too.

Not sure how it would play for a good player in a stroke-play tournament but I'd rather play there than Pasatiempo and I really love Pasatiempo. Of the courses in the area I played I'd say Spyglass is a notch above MPCC Shore in quality but the Shore was more fun.

[Tom Huckaby]

LOL
Think we've discussed MPCC on here a few times?  Know of any real experts on each of the courses there?

Rich - love it - audible yuks of the day for your post.

David - I'd suggest you click on the tiny url Mike Sweeney posted.  Yes, we do discuss MPCC here from time to time.

 

[Scott_Burroughs]

And another:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=19555

[David Ober]

Great stuff, guys. Thanks for the links to previous discussion. Much appreciated. :-)

[Mike Nuzzo]

here is the new version....

     live

[Bob_Huntley]

Qualified today at the SCGA course and will be playing there in the State Am in mid-June. Read the awesome review here on the Dunes course, but what about the Shore course?

Can't wait to play 'em both. As most of you probably know, the California State Amateur has moved from Pebble for good, and will now be alternating between top sites in NorCal and SoCal. Looks like this from what I'm hearing:

2007 Monterey Peninsula
2008 Lakeside and (possibly Oakmont)
2009 Olympic (tentative)
2010 Los Angeles CC (this is more wishful thinking than anything, but have heard that LACC is actually receptive to the idea. What a treat that would be!)

In my opinion, this is a great thing for California golf. Pebble treated us like crap, and we got NOTHING when we went up there. Monterey Peninsula is rolling out the red carpet for us and we get a practice round and breakfast/lunch each day and free range balls!! (Pebble charged us).

If anyone knows the courses really well, I'll be looking for a caddie for my Sunday practice round at the minimum... :-)

David,

 I am delighted that you get the chance to compete in the State Am. this year and having the use of the courses, free balls on the range etc., but when it comes to providing free breakfasts and lunches to the contestants, I wonder how much my dues will increase this year when our F&B budget is again under water.

Bob

[K. Krahenbuhl]

here is the new version....

     live

Looking up and down the coast line here it is easy to see why this area is where I would spend my 30 days playing golf if given the chance.  It looks beautiful.

[Tom Huckaby]

Kyle:

What's on the ground makes the aerials look like kid's stuff.  It is a rather nice area.

 

David:  let's just keep in mind that you got free green fees at a course most would kill to play.  Other than that you may have gotten crap.  But that's a pretty huge "other than that."


TH

[Tim Pitner]

here is the new version....

     live

Looking up and down the coast line here it is easy to see why this area is where I would spend my 30 days playing golf if given the chance.  It looks beautiful.

It's pretty nice for a housing development.  

(Alright, I'm a smart-ass, so shoot me).  

[Marty Bonnar]

Driving out from Pacific Grove that first time is equalled only by the first time you approach the Auld Grey Toun.

Laid out ahead is quite simply THE most ideal landscape for golf. Cruising past wonderful golfing territory with 'nirvana' on the horizon as your ultimate destination. It's utterly intoxicating.

The company is pretty good too...

FBD.

[JohnV]

Qualified today at the SCGA course and will be playing there in the State Am in mid-June. Read the awesome review here on the Dunes course, but what about the Shore course?

Can't wait to play 'em both. As most of you probably know, the California State Amateur has moved from Pebble for good, and will now be alternating between top sites in NorCal and SoCal. Looks like this from what I'm hearing:

2007 Monterey Peninsula
2008 Lakeside and (possibly Oakmont)
2009 Olympic (tentative)
2010 Los Angeles CC (this is more wishful thinking than anything, but have heard that LACC is actually receptive to the idea. What a treat that would be!)

In my opinion, this is a great thing for California golf. Pebble treated us like crap, and we got NOTHING when we went up there. Monterey Peninsula is rolling out the red carpet for us and we get a practice round and breakfast/lunch each day and free range balls!! (Pebble charged us).

If anyone knows the courses really well, I'll be looking for a caddie for my Sunday practice round at the minimum... :-)

David,

 I am delighted that you get the chance to compete in the State Am. this year and having the use of the courses, free balls on the range etc., but when it comes to providing free breakfasts and lunches to the contestants, I wonder how much my dues will increase this year when our F&B budget is again under water.

Bob

Are you sure the club doesn't get paid from the entry fees?  I know we pay for all that stuff at our events.  The only thing we expect the club to provide is the course for no green fees.  Most associations pay for things like food, carts (if allowed) and range balls.  Some even play green fees, although at a lower rate than usual.

[Brian_Sleeman]

The thread I posted after my honeymoon last year no longer includes the photos, but here's a link to my photobucket folder with the MPCC photos:

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/bsleeman/MPCC/

It's a beautiful place that sets up a million heroic-looking shots, and you can score well there if that kind of thing inspires you.  Mike Strantz was certainly a master of that craft, and there's no shortage of it at MPCC.

[Bill_McBride]

Qualified today at the SCGA course and will be playing there in the State Am in mid-June. Read the awesome review here on the Dunes course, but what about the Shore course?

Can't wait to play 'em both. As most of you probably know, the California State Amateur has moved from Pebble for good, and will now be alternating between top sites in NorCal and SoCal. Looks like this from what I'm hearing:

2007 Monterey Peninsula
2008 Lakeside and (possibly Oakmont)
2009 Olympic (tentative)
2010 Los Angeles CC (this is more wishful thinking than anything, but have heard that LACC is actually receptive to the idea. What a treat that would be!)

In my opinion, this is a great thing for California golf. Pebble treated us like crap, and we got NOTHING when we went up there. Monterey Peninsula is rolling out the red carpet for us and we get a practice round and breakfast/lunch each day and free range balls!! (Pebble charged us).

If anyone knows the courses really well, I'll be looking for a caddie for my Sunday practice round at the minimum... :-)

David,

 I am delighted that you get the chance to compete in the State Am. this year and having the use of the courses, free balls on the range etc., but when it comes to providing free breakfasts and lunches to the contestants, I wonder how much my dues will increase this year when our F&B budget is again under water.

Bob

Senor Bob, I think it's the same as when buying a yacht, right?

[paul cowley]

I'd put PB, MPCC Shore and Cypress at the top.....the new top three.

[David Ober]

Qualified today at the SCGA course and will be playing there in the State Am in mid-June. Read the awesome review here on the Dunes course, but what about the Shore course?

Can't wait to play 'em both. As most of you probably know, the California State Amateur has moved from Pebble for good, and will now be alternating between top sites in NorCal and SoCal. Looks like this from what I'm hearing:

2007 Monterey Peninsula
2008 Lakeside and (possibly Oakmont)
2009 Olympic (tentative)
2010 Los Angeles CC (this is more wishful thinking than anything, but have heard that LACC is actually receptive to the idea. What a treat that would be!)

In my opinion, this is a great thing for California golf. Pebble treated us like crap, and we got NOTHING when we went up there. Monterey Peninsula is rolling out the red carpet for us and we get a practice round and breakfast/lunch each day and free range balls!! (Pebble charged us).

If anyone knows the courses really well, I'll be looking for a caddie for my Sunday practice round at the minimum... :-)

David,

 I am delighted that you get the chance to compete in the State Am. this year and having the use of the courses, free balls on the range etc., but when it comes to providing free breakfasts and lunches to the contestants, I wonder how much my dues will increase this year when our F&B budget is again under water.

Bob

I'm pretty sure that the SCGA and NCGA are picking up the tab for the breakfast and lunch! :lol:

At Pebble, they couldn't afford to feed us because they had to pay so much for us to even play there.

And thank you very, very much for opening your club to us. It is truly appreciated by the players. :-)

[David Ober]

Kyle:

What's on the ground makes the aerials look like kid's stuff.  It is a rather nice area.

 

David:  let's just keep in mind that you got free green fees at a course most would kill to play.  Other than that you may have gotten crap.  But that's a pretty huge "other than that."


TH

Of course it was nice to play Pebble, but you only got to play there if you made match play (top 32), and they literally treated us like crap. It's almost like the staff was instructed to be intentionally rude and dismissive it was so bad.

The golf course was designed to host the California Amateur for crying out loud. I won't miss it, and am greatly looking forward to Monterey Peninsula CC this year. More so even than Poppy/Pebble.

[Tom Huckaby]

David:  my apologies, I thought all qualifiers played at least one stroke play round at Pebble Beach.  That's how it was in year's prior.  Did you really only get to play Poppy?  I thought you guys got to play Spyglass, which is of course another great course that most golfers would kill for a gratis round on.  Poppy is no great thrill, and if that's all you got, and you were also treated rudely at Pebble, well I can understand the complaints better.

Best of luck at MPCC!  

Here's hoping the treatment lives up to your expectations.  I have no doubt it will, given the class that place exudes.  Just do be careful taking things for granted, OK?  I say that as a word of friendly advice.

TH

[David Ober]

David:  my apologies, I thought all qualifiers played at least one stroke play round at Pebble Beach.  That's how it was in year's prior.  Did you really only get to play Poppy?  I thought you guys got to play Spyglass, which is of course another great course that most golfers would kill for a gratis round on.  Poppy is no great thrill, and if that's all you got, and you were also treated rudely at Pebble, well I can understand the complaints better.

Best of luck at MPCC!  

Here's hoping the treatment lives up to your expectations.  I have no doubt it will, given the class that place exudes.  Just do be careful taking things for granted, OK?  I say that as a word of friendly advice.

TH

Tom,

If I came across as taking anything for granted, then I apologize. I am beyond thrilled to be able to play the kind of courses that I get to play in these top-level tournaments. Courses like Pauma Valley, Lakeside, Monterey Peninsula, Brentwood, Wilshire, et al.

Pebble, though, was a different story. The simply didn't want us there, and haven't wanted us there for at least the last five or ten years -- and it was obvious to everyone. They were contractually obligated, though, so what could they do? Also, no one got to play the course gratis. All qualifiers have to pay $200 additional to cover the cost of playing at Pebble for the 32 who do make it there for match play. Of course, $200 is nothing if you play two rounds at Poppy and then get to Pebble, but the vast majority of the field doesn't get that far.

I've played Pebble twice now, and paid full pop both times, and it's the best, most awe-inspiring golf course I've ever played. I certainly don't take it for granted and can't wait to play there again. In fact, I'll probably see if I can book a time for the Saturday before the State Am.

I just wish the atmosphere there for the State Am had been a bit more special, like it has been in the vast majority of other top level tournaments I've played in California. That's all. :-)

And thanks for the advice -- I certainly don't want to come across as taking anything for granted. If you knew me, you would know that I don't. I love this game with all my heart and soul, and enjoy myself immensely whether I'm at the local muni or one one of the greatest golf courses in the world.

Respectfully,

David

[Tom Huckaby]

David:

Very cool.  I figured all of this must be the case, thus I also figured it couldn't hurt to gently gibe, with the hope of a correction.  Your first post didn't come off all that well (or maybe it's just me).  This last one portrays you as a Golfer, and that capital G is intended and I can't give a higher compliment.

Cheers and again, best of luck at MPCC.  Both courses are very cool - somewhat tough, but nothing you can't handle.  Go get 'em!

TH

[Bob_Huntley]

David,

My dues are not going up, CGA is paying for your grubstakes.

If you are coming up earlier than the official practice round let me know.

Bob

[AndrewB]

Of course it was nice to play Pebble, but you only got to play there if you made match play (top 32), and they literally treated us like crap. It's almost like the staff was instructed to be intentionally rude and dismissive it was so bad.

That's not quite true.  All qualifiers for the CGA Amateur Championship last year played two rounds at Poppy Hills; I believe the starting field was 156, but I'm not sure.  The low 60 players qualified to play one additional stroke play round at Pebble Beach.  After these three rounds of stroke play, the low 32 advanced to match play, all of which was contested at Pebble Beach.

As for how the players were treated, I'll refer to my previous comments about this.  I didn't feel as if I was treated badly and the staff I interacted with were very nice, but the other aspects I cited in those comments weren't quite what I expected at a State Amateur.  That said, it was still a thrill to be there (both the course and the event).  I'm sorry to hear you had a different experience, David.