[Jim Colton]

Had a great time w/ some GCA friends this past weekend.  We were treated to Jim Urbina holding court for a good 4 hours after dinner Saturday night.  On Sunday, we were treated to a 5-club wind (whippin out my coat) and greens running a 11 (I don't think anybody could've broken 80 under those conditions.)

Check out the pics below, hopefully others will add to this thread as well.

I've got A LOT of good video footage to sort through, and will add a link to that as well.

12th Green


18th Hole


From left-to-right: Tim Bert birdie putt, Jim Colton eagle putt and Matt Schulte eagle putt on 8.  Schulte was only one to convert


2nd Green


3rd Green at Sunset


4th Hole


7th Green from Behind


5th Hole


Adam Clayman perfectly on plane on 17


5th Green


6th Hole


Bert, David Mulle and Schulte climbing up the 6th


6th Green


Mulle on the 7th


8th Hole

[Jim Colton]

One other thing...while sitting in the airport yesterday reflecting on what was probably my last round of the year, I determined that I played golf with 22 different GCA guys over the span of 4 golf trips in 2009.  That may be an average month for John Mayhugh, but it struck me as a lot.  These 22 guys were from all walks of life: some w/ very little in common with me, some with freakishly too much in common with me (Tim Bert).  But to a man, everybody I've met has been kind, generous and fun to be around.  Over the last two years, I've gone through some dark times with respect to my golf game, and despite being at least 10 strokes worse than I was in 2007, 2009 was definitely the best golfing year of my life.  Thanks to Ran for this site that brings folks w/ a common bond together, and thanks to each and every one of the 22 for reminding me what makes this game so great.  And after drooling over pictures this morning of Old Mac and Lost Farm, I can't wait to discover what's on the horizon for 2010 and beyond.

[Rob Rigg]

Jim,

Great photos as always - BN is quite the photogenic location (an easy choice for a screensaver that is for sure) and the course is very drool inspiring.

Looks like another fun trip - it is really kind of you to bring so many GCA guys out there to see the place - chapeau for your efforts.

[John Mayhugh]

One other thing...while sitting in the airport yesterday reflecting on what was probably my last round of the year, I determined that I played golf with 22 different GCA guys over the span of 4 golf trips in 2009.  That may be an average month for John Mayhugh, but it struck me as a lot.  These 22 guys were from all walks of life: some w/ very little in common with me, some with freakishly too much in common with me (Tim Bert).  But to a man, everybody I've met has been kind, generous and fun to be around.  Over the last two years, I've gone through some dark times with respect to my golf game, and despite being at least 10 strokes worse than I was in 2007, 2009 was definitely the best golfing year of my life.  Thanks to Ran for this site that brings folks w/ a common bond together, and thanks to each and every one of the 22 for reminding me what makes this game so great.  And after drooling over pictures this morning of Old Mac and Lost Farm, I can't wait to discover what's on the horizon for 2010 and beyond.

22 is a bit much for a month, even for me.  But I know what you mean about the quality of the people I've met on the site.  Can't beat them.

[Richard Choi]

Jim, I would like to thank you for giving many of us here a chance to enjoy a little slice of heaven.

I can't honestly say I am not sure what is better, the course itself or the company. And that is saying a lot about the quality of folks you meet at GCA.

[Anthony Gray]

  Jim,

  I love threads like this. Thanks for the pics. Looks awesome.

  Adam,

  A white belt and white shoes would look great with that outfit.

  Anthony

[Mike Wagner]

Jim,

There's nothing like calling a guy about an invitation that's too good to pass up, not knowing anyone, driving into a place on a dirt road....then after 3 holes playing with a bunch of guys who you feel like you've been friends with for years!

Thanks again for all your efforts!  You too Schulte...

[RJ_Daley]

It is just gratifying to see the hearty intrepid golfers of GCA.com still gathering at such a venue and sharing the spirit of the game.  I'll bet Mike C., Bob H., and Melvyn would have loved this sort of golf, not for softies.  Thanks for posting the pics, with the spectacular lighting of fall, Jim. 

[Ben Sims]

Jim,

I wanted to publicly acknowledge what a great summer you provided for me and so many guys here on GCA.  The amount generosity and camaraderie found on this site is striking, really.  Like Michael Robin said to me recently, "It's the best internet dating service there is"--in reference to all the friendships forged based on the simple art of golf courses.  I hope we can share a few more trips like the ones we had this summer with the gang.

[Jim Colton]

Ben,

For the record, Jim Urbina said that the 15th at Ballyneal did not in any way, shape or form remind him of the Dell hole.

Jim

[Richard Choi]

LOL!!!!

BURN!

[Tim Bert]

Jim - first off thank you for organizing these outings this year.

As I sit in the Denver airport reflecting upon what might have been my final rounds of the year, I can come up with 21 names from GCA with whom I've shared a round or spent some time getting to know during a meal this year. Did you mention freakish similarities?

This weekend was a wonderful exclamation point on another great year of golf.  It was wonderful to see your transformation to celebrity status at the club and the course played as firm & fast as I have seen it which was a real treat. If only we could have had a bit more wind on Sunday!

Jim Urbina -  thanks for taking the time to lead an interesting conversation and to field all questions. As others have said before it is the involvement of those in the industry that make this site such a great place. I am so glad you came back to work on day 2 to try out that bulldozer!

[Eric Smith]

Jim,

To me the best part about reading these threads about your trips to Ballyneal is the first hand testaments from the gcaers themselves about the experience, usually within hours of getting home to a computer (or an airport like Tim up above).  That says it all imo.  Has anyone ever not enjoyed the experience?  I seriously doubt it from what I've heard and read. 

Is there anywhere else in the world where the entire golf experience is more like a weekend-long play date with your pals?  No Chuck-E-Cheese afterwards but I hear the mac-n-cheese is pretty good.

You guys have one of those bounce houses or maybe laser tag out there?

[Ben Sims]

Ben,

For the record, Jim Urbina said that the 15th at Ballyneal did not in any way, shape or form remind him of the Dell hole.

Jim

Well maybe he's just not as imaginative or creative as me.  I can build a model of a golf hole in the sand with my hands too you know. 

Did you play "I'm on a Doak" for him or Rupert?

[Jim Colton]

As promised...video montage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A899MJ6NXBA

[Adam Clayman]

Coltrain has not let his recent fame affect his demeanor. He is still that humble guy from Chitown.

Meeting everyone Sunday night, golfing Monday (first frost delay of the year) was a treat. Amazing how the course has adapted and changes throughout the year(s).

[Ash Towe]

Glad you guys had a great weekend.
Playing at Ballyneal with the company I had was one of the best golfing experiences ever.
Did Matt Schulte's swing stand up all weekend.

[Matthew Schulte]

Glad you guys had a great weekend.
Playing at Ballyneal with the company I had was one of the best golfing experiences ever.
Did Matt Schulte's swing stand up all weekend.

Ash:

Happy to report that, thanks to your lesson, 19 of 21 fairways were hit (I know they are wide...) on day one.  I can't, however, comment on how many greens I didn't hit!

[Ash Towe]

Matt,
Thats great news.  With the distance you can achieve and add to that control no course is safe.
I just need to see it again with my own eyes.

[Steve Lang]

  Jim, Matt, Tim, Dave, Adam,

Well, It's taken us a day to get back to normal from our Wild Horse-Ballyneal-Boulder experience last weekend.   Great playing and hanging out with gca'ers.. never anything but a treat! ... and spending special bonus time interacting with Jim Urbina, priceless!

Reality hit me hard yesterday afternoon when I had to go in to work for an hour after the am flight from Denver.. and then we had rain showers on way home and we couldn't play.. should have taken Dave's approach and taken the entire week off to play!

Sheila reported it took a while to recalibrate her pitching and chipping today.. but didn't miss seeing the 25 mph winds moving the ball on the greens and really putted well!  (maybe it was from not having the noise from pants or her hat flapping or having to lean into the wind!!?)

We echo the thoughts that gca.com'ers are pretty much seamless friends walking (and even riding) down a common path in appreciating this grand thing called golf and the places it can be played.   Everyone should try to foster the face-to-face golfing experience like Jim has, even if it can't be Ballyneal, its definitely worth it.. no matter where we gather.

Thanks again Jim!

[Tim Bert]

Ash

What Matt didn't mention was that he also had four eagle putts in those 27 holes. The distance was alive and well though I did out drive him on one hole where he used his bunt swing.

[Brad Fleischer]

Ben,

For the record, Jim Urbina said that the 15th at Ballyneal did not in any way, shape or form remind him of the Dell hole.

Jim

Well maybe he's just not as imaginative or creative as me.  I can build a model of a golf hole in the sand with my hands too you know. 




HAHAHA... YEA THAT'S IT !!  and we know you can it just won't look like the "dell" hole .

Jim,
I can't thank you enough for setting the record straight. If I was lucky enough to attend that would have been my first question!!!

Brad

[Ash Towe]

Tim,
Good to hear from you.  I trust you had a great weekend.
Matt sure has the potential to go low.

[Kevin Pallier]

Jim

Thanks for the insight to Ballyneal via these pics - I look forward to seeing it for the first time in 3 weeks...(yes I'm salivating)...

[Ron Csigo]

Jim,

Thanks again for extending such a generous offer to your fellow GCA members.  I walked away with a wonderful experience on a superb golf course.  But, most importantly, I enjoyed the camaraderie and the new friendships that I made.   

BTW, I'm honored to be in the new video montage of "I'm on a Doak"!

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