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Mike Sweeney

What are your Earmarks ?
« on: March 04, 2009, 08:17:18 PM »
Obama needs your vote, but in order to get it, he has to give you money for a pet GCA.com project.

This project is 100% at your discretion. You are King for a Day, no members, no politics, no environmentalist. Just you.

What is your project?

Mine is Yale #16. It originally had a green short and left of the current green near the maintenance shed. I would move it back and right and create a punch-bowlish green against the hill on two side. Also add some 2nd shot landing area bunkers.



Senator, what is your GCA Earmark?


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Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2009, 08:39:43 PM »
Had the absolute pleasure of playing Yale last summer. The 16th to me was by far the worst hole, simply mundane.  Having only played it once I do not have suggestions for improvement, but it was the only hole on the course that I thought could be on any mediocore course in the northeast and fit right in.  It simply did not fit with the rest of Yale.
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Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2009, 08:40:33 PM »
I'll take this chunk of land on the California Coast to be officially designated and rezoned as land fit for golf courses only!!!

All other prior rulings, tree-hugging designations, etc, etc are now null and void.

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Mike Sweeney

Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2009, 08:44:13 PM »
Kalen,

You are a closet Democrat! Even Obama can't afford that!  ;)
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Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2009, 08:45:25 PM »
Quote from: Mike Sweeney on March 04, 2009, 08:44:13 PM
Kalen,

You are a closet Democrat! Even Obama can't afford that!  ;)

Hey Mike,

If you only got one day, and only one earmark....then by damn make it a good one right?   ;D
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PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2009, 08:50:35 PM »
I would combine South Shore and Jackson Park golf courses on the south side of Chicago, which are both either on or close to the lake, as well as essentially next to each other, and create one big time golf course, which you could easily do. Call it Whistling Straights south...call Pete Dye!

Also, nothing in the golf world would have a greater backing from Mr. President, a local resident.
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H.P.S.

Steve Salmen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2009, 08:56:22 PM »
It's been about five years since I played Yale.  I remember having a great time and thoroughly enjoying the course until I got to the 18th tee.  I don't remember all the details, except I was told not to hit driver, and I had no idea where I was supposed to hit the ball.  With federal money, I suppose I'd make the elevation change of the fairway less severe and make up for it with some bunkers.  The approach shot is pretty cool.

That being said, could somebody please confirm or deny a story I heard about Yale.  I understand they ran out of money during the completion of the 18th hole and left it as it is.  Supposedly the hole was to be more level.   I don't recall CBM making mention of this in Golf:Scotland's Gift.   At the time it cost about $400,000 which made it one of the most expensive courses ever built.
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Mike_Cirba

Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2009, 09:15:37 PM »
This is a no-brainer for me.

I'd restore Hugh Wilson's original 1912 design of Merion before he got all fancy with it and let that guy Flynn convince him to change it by 1924.  ;)

No, seriously, this is a no-brainer to me.

A complete restoration of Cobb's Creek replete with turning the Karakung course into the "Charlie Sifford Tribute" course, and creating a museum/sports dome on today's driving range that permitted all-year recreational activities, and which simultaneously paid tribute to the golfers of "Uneven Fairways", the history of Public Golf in this country, and the Philadelphia School of Architecture, who were responsible for the wonderful golf course.

I figure about 2-3 million ought to do it, and if we have anything left over we'll give it to CITIBank.
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Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2009, 09:40:36 PM »
The USGA museum had a great display on golf in the 1930's.

We buit a lot of municipal golf courses in that decade.  It produced some GREAT golf like Bethpage but it was mostly cheap, simple, and fun golf.

This would keep our architects in business, introduce the game to a lot of folks who could play for under $30, and provide "green"  open space.

I know how important cheap municipal golf is, having grown up playing town courses in Tonawanda NY for $60 per year (under 18) and $150 after my 19th birthday.  This was back around 1980, but those were GREAT times.

I still remember playing with my neighbor (my age).  His kid brother was behind us and they loved to rile each other.  Little brother decides to hit into us on the 3rd tee.  So my friend Bill gets his brother's ball and proceeds to tee it up and launch it directly at his head, about 200 yards away.  Nobody was hurt, and I still laugh about it. What makes it even better is that Bill is now a general in the US Air Force!
« Last Edit: March 04, 2009, 09:44:17 PM by Dan Herrmann »
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Michael Dugger

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2009, 09:50:14 PM »
Sandpines in Florence, Oregon.

Not sure if you'd have to just blow the whole thing up and start over or if you could massage what is already there.

But if this piece of dunesland had some dignity slapped into it everyone travelling to Bandon would make sure and swing through to play it.

As it is they try it once, and never again.

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What does it matter if the poor player can putt all the way from tee to green, provided that he has to zigzag so frequently that he takes six or seven putts to reach it?     --Alistair Mackenzie--

Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2009, 09:53:32 PM »
Michael, 
Amen to that.   You know that Sanndpines won the Golf Digest "best new" back in '92 or '93?  Must have been a really bad year ;)
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Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2009, 10:32:39 PM »
I'd have to give the check to Mike C.  -- The man is on a mission.

That is a fantastic plan & vision Mike.

I sincerely hope you get your wish with Cobb's Creek.

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Mike_Cirba

Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2009, 10:44:51 PM »
Eric,

Thanks..

Lord knows we need to save CITIBank.  ;D

Seriously...I appreciate the kind words.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2009, 10:48:52 PM by MikeCirba »
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PThomas

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2009, 10:52:32 PM »
turn Evergreen Golf Club, discussed in the Ravisloe thread, into a quality public course and / or a First Tee -type facility
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199 played, only Augusta National left to play!

Jeff_Brauer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2009, 11:29:22 PM »
By now, I am sure most of you have heard the opinion poll that says Americans are just glad if Obama uses the Oval Office to work on the stimulus package rather than having his package stimulated...... ;D
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Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Jon Spaulding

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #15 on: March 04, 2009, 11:32:29 PM »
I'm ripping up my home club and building the "Cougar Club". Designed by Gil Hanse with player consultant Pamela Anderson.

First foursome = me, Duran, Sweeney, 4th spot for sale. Bidders on the 4th spot include: Mayhugh, Benham, Naccarato, Huckaby, Getka, Lavalee

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You'd make a fine little helper. What's your name?

Doug Ralston

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2009, 07:41:33 AM »
Ran?

Ran?


Doug
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Where is everybody? Where is Tommy N? Where is John K? Where is Jay F? What has happened here? Has my absence caused this chaos? I'm sorry. All my rowdy friends have settled down ......... somewhere else!

Roger Wolfe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2009, 10:12:45 AM »
I would love to see Kris Spence work his magic on Southern Pines Country Club... or at
least regrass the fairways, roughs and tees!  Its my favorite Ross course I've ever played
(including Pine Needles).

The improvements over the last few years are wonderful... but a full renovation would
be unbelievable.
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Craig Van Egmond

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2009, 10:24:23 AM »

I call mine the Perry Maxwell memorial earmark and it starts with the restoration of Dornick Hills.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opionionclouser2.html

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Lester George

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2009, 10:28:57 AM »
My stimulus package:

Ban Donald Trump from golf...

Require every municipality over 250,000 people develop a twenty dollar golf course for it's local use....

Fix all military golf courses so the soldiers have a decent place to play...


Lester
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Roger Wolfe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2009, 10:53:33 AM »
Quote from: Lester George on March 05, 2009, 10:28:57 AM
My stimulus package:

Ban Donald Trump from golf...

Require every municipality over 250,000 people develop a twenty dollar golf course for it's local use....

Fix all military golf courses so the soldiers have a decent place to play...


Lester

I pity the members at Lowes Island...
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Chris Garrett

Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2009, 12:38:22 PM »
My earmark would be vouchers which cut in half the greens fees at municipal golf courses here in NJ. 

I would also give several million to this Chris Garrett fellow so that he can build his dream golf course. 
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Ken McGlynn

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #22 on: March 05, 2009, 12:40:24 PM »
I'm marching right into the West Wing and pleading for earmark money to build Rush Limbaugh his dream golf course. The pressures of being the voice of reason for all that is good and just must be overwhelming. You try saving the Republic sometime and see how difficult it is! Now our boy Rushbo is a golfer, albeit not a very keen one, but a golfer nonetheless. He needs a place to call his own, away from the stresses of saving the USA from oncoming socialism.

I've located a property, not near his Palm Beach homebase, but still easily accessible via the EIB Gulfstream. Mr. President think of the good will you will create worldwide when you build Somalia's first championship golf course! Located in the thriving city of Mogadishu, and hard by the Indian Ocean, we will contract with Mr. Pete Dye to build the mother of all faux links golf course's. We'll name it Whistling Africa, Kohler 3rd World, or my personal favorite, OxyContin Dunes. Local caddies will be recruited from the band of ever-enterprising, gun-toting pirates, who'll keep Rush safe and sound.

President Obama, let the earth moving begin!!
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cary lichtenstein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2009, 04:08:15 PM »
Mike, sorry, please don't take this comment personally,  but I find this subject offensive.

We don't need earmarks, we need intelligent financial planning and spending.

The financial meltdown worldwide is an extremely serious situation.

« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 04:11:24 PM by cary lichtenstein »
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Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: What are your Earmarks ?
« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2009, 04:28:24 PM »
Using the best of environmental practices, build the Obama Links here

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"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne
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