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Tom Huckaby

The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« on: July 12, 2007, 06:06:07 PM »
As published in the San Jose Mercury today.....

http://www.mercurynewsphoto.com/golf/

See some familiar names in the brief hole descriptions?

Interesting list also... as you'll see, he limited it to one hole per course, and the idea wasn't so much the "best" as just an interesting "course."  So no reason to get up in arms about ommissions... although some inclusions are head-scratchers too.  But of course the author is so wise in his choice of contributors he is beyond reproach.

 ;D
« Last Edit: July 13, 2007, 01:12:20 PM by Tom Huckaby »
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Kevin_Reilly

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2007, 07:10:26 PM »
6th at Crystal Springs could be an intermediate ski run?  My the hyperbole was in full force on that one.
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Evan_Green

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2007, 08:26:19 PM »
Quote from: W.Vostinak on July 12, 2007, 08:11:19 PM
No holes from the Cal Club (2, 4, 9, 10 ??) and #16 is the best they can do from the O?

May have something to do with the fact that Cal Club is currently under renovation and is currently only dirt?
« Last Edit: July 12, 2007, 08:26:51 PM by Evan_Green »
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Kalen Braley

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2007, 08:31:58 PM »
The 18th at Lake Chabot was an interesting inclusion.  While it is unique, its very true, just getting a 6 on that hole with the steep fairway is a challenge...
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Tom Zeni

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2007, 09:57:02 PM »
Go figure, instead of using Tiger to review a hole from Stanford, they find some guy named Huckaby.

Regardless, it was a good overview of the hole by Sir Thomas. I'm sure Tiger couldn't have done any better.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2007, 09:57:43 PM by Tom Zeni »
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Jon Spaulding

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2007, 12:33:04 AM »
Huckaby
Benham
Miller
Michael Scott

Where's the rest of the gang from Dunder Mifflin?

The author must have a good sense of humor putting #18 at Lake Chabot on this list. I had forgotten about the cart path traversing the fairway on most of the hole. :P
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John Kirk

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2007, 12:43:59 AM »
Looked to me like they picked the hardest holes, not the best ones.

San Francisco Golf Club #9 is so cool.  I know #7 is famous and all, but....
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Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2007, 09:49:44 AM »
My first thought is really that I'd like to try playing them all in one day, as the author did.  I have to believe I could get around more efficiently.  I'm a little into golf and golf courses; efficent avoidance of traffic is my life.   ;D

As for the holes chosen, well... there are some curious ones.  Just remember his rules - he was trying to create a viable golf course, only one from each course, and no Monterey.  So for example the choice of hole at OClub abd SFGC is more likely because he needed a par 5 and a par 3 more than anything else.  And then obviously 18 Lake Chabot is chosen because it's a par 6.

Now #12 Stanford is on there just because the commenter is so wordly and wise he simply could not possibly omit it.

 ;D
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Dan Kelly

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2007, 12:15:19 PM »
Does anyone ever play to the right fairway on that last hole?
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"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2007, 12:20:20 PM »
Dan:

Let's just say it's as narrow in real life as it looks in the diagram, if not more so.  In so doing you also bring OB right very much into play.  On the other hand, going left requires a carry of some sort over the central creek - but still, left is the normal play for most people, I'd have to say.

That's a very tough golf hole, as you can plainly see.  The commenter there also must play VERY short tees or be HUGE off the tee if it's a normal 6 or 7 iron in for him... Good lord I've hit fairway woods into that hole.

TH
« Last Edit: July 13, 2007, 12:26:54 PM by Tom Huckaby »
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Tiger_Bernhardt

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2007, 12:35:24 PM »
I am pleased to see a few of our own get positive press but I am not sure if I think 16 is one of the 4 best holes at Olympic much less the only hole from there in the best 18 in the Bay Area. I feel the strength of Olympic Lake is the strong par 4's which anyone of 4 to 7 of which could be picked. 2,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,14 are all solid holes. I personally like 2,4,5**6,14. I would think Pasa, Oly Lake and SFGC should represent about 6 to 8 of the best 18 if done base on hole merit. Those courses are head and shoulders the best of the area.
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Dan Kelly

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2007, 01:03:06 PM »
See http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6355772.

The guy lost 10 BALLS while playing his "dream 18." Sounds more like a nightmare to me.
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2007, 01:03:21 PM »
Tiger - when I submitted my list to the author, it was surely dominated with holes from Pasa, Oly Lake and SFGC.  And I concur that 16 at Lake wouldn't be at the top of the holes from that course let alone the best in the area... But again, the guy really isn't trying to define the best holes, but rather some OF the best that make for a coherent "golf course."  So we can cut him some slack.... especially since he's so wise in choice of commentors.

 ;D
« Last Edit: July 13, 2007, 01:09:18 PM by Tom Huckaby »
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Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2007, 01:07:18 PM »
Quote from: Dan Kelly™ on July 13, 2007, 01:03:06 PM
See http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6355772.

The guy lost 10 BALLS while playing his "dream 18." Sounds more like a nightmare to me.

Well... from what I can tell, the author is not a highly-skilled player.  Reviewing the course, I'd say it's difficult but not crazily so.  
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mark chalfant

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2007, 01:08:16 PM »
I was wondering if something from Orinda, Green Hills  or Claremont  would fit the bill...
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Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #15 on: July 13, 2007, 01:12:05 PM »
Quote from: mark chalfant on July 13, 2007, 01:08:16 PM
I was wondering if something from Orinda, Green Hills  or Claremont  would fit the bill...

Certainly.  I'm pretty sure I nominated holes from each of Orinda and Claremont.  But odds are are those private courses didn't want to be included in his odyssey.... remember, the guy went and actually PLAYED each hole during one very long day.

I believe I need to change the Topic title....
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Bill_McBride

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #16 on: July 13, 2007, 01:19:59 PM »
Quote from: Kevin_Reilly on July 12, 2007, 07:10:26 PM
6th at Crystal Springs could be an intermediate ski run?  My the hyperbole was in full force on that one.

Only if it snowed!  ;)
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Dan Kelly

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #17 on: July 13, 2007, 01:21:29 PM »
Quote from: Tom Huckaby on July 13, 2007, 01:12:05 PM
I believe I need to change the Topic title....

How about: "Sportswriter's Sly Gimmick"?
« Last Edit: July 13, 2007, 01:21:54 PM by Dan Kelly™ »
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"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Kevin_Reilly

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #18 on: July 13, 2007, 02:18:19 PM »
Quote from: Bill_McBride on July 13, 2007, 01:19:59 PM
Quote from: Kevin_Reilly on July 12, 2007, 07:10:26 PM
6th at Crystal Springs could be an intermediate ski run?  My the hyperbole was in full force on that one.

Only if it snowed!  ;)

It's not that steep...or maybe Benham is only experienced with bunny slopes.   Playing #1 at Tilden in reverse I could see as a blue run.

:)
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re:The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #19 on: July 13, 2007, 03:23:48 PM »
The map location for San Juan Oaks is isn't even close to it's real location (in Hollister).

The 18th hole at Wente Vineyards looks VERY much like #16 at Colorado Golf Club (from above).  Did C&C copy it?    :o::) ;D
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Mike Benham

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Re:The Bay Area's Best 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #20 on: July 13, 2007, 04:06:02 PM »
Quote from: Kevin_Reilly on July 13, 2007, 02:18:19 PM

It's not that steep...or maybe Benham is only experienced with bunny slopes.   Playing #1 at Tilden in reverse I could see as a blue run.

:)


When the writer wants to list the Best 18 Holes Played in Reverse, you are welcome to use my description ;)
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Mark Bourgeois

Re:The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #21 on: July 13, 2007, 04:09:22 PM »
Which hole is the replica of CPC 15?  The one with the fountain in the lake you had to hit over?
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Kalen Braley

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Re:The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #22 on: July 13, 2007, 04:10:04 PM »
Quote from: Mark Bourgeois on July 13, 2007, 04:09:22 PM
Which hole is the replica of CPC 15?  The one with the fountain in the lake you had to hit over?

Sorry Mark,

That one didn't make it...and I was bummed too..   ;D
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Tom Yost

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Re:The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #23 on: July 13, 2007, 04:37:25 PM »
The list includes #17 at Lincoln Park in SF.

Isn't that one of the courses that was suggested to be turned into soccer fields/tai chi space ??


Tom
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Tom Huckaby

Re:The Bay Area's "Best" 18 Golf Holes
« Reply #24 on: July 13, 2007, 04:43:51 PM »
Tom - yep, Lincoln Park was mentioned in that "plan."  It will surely be sad for golfers if that really does happen.  But it is all talk for now... and they do a LOT of wild talking in that city.

TH
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