First off many thanks to Rich for organizing the Event and for Michael for doing the pairings. I doubt we have ever had a more varied and interesting venues in one Event! Of course we had the future US Open site, although difficult it is a fantastic match play venue; I suspect even David. Kelly could have overcome an unlikely lost ball to get back in the match. Fescue roughs are always seasonal, even in the UK and with spring conditions the roughs were a little thick in places, places you shouldn't have been in in the first place. Overall I doubt anyone can say they have played an easy US Open venue; but Chambers Bay embrasses the spirit of the game as imported from the UK, playing the ball along the ground and giving many options to get your ball in the hole before your opponent.
The Seattle area should be proud to have as many fine public course as it does. The Olympic course at Gold Mountain was far better than I imagined and as a 36 hole facility offers a great day out for a mere $75. The Home course is a fine example of turning lemons into lemonade, remediating a former gunpowder site into an interesting and enjoyable course that can plat tough as nails from the tips and be entertaining for the retail golfer from a little further up.
Many thanks also to the generous GCA'ers who hosted us at their home clubs. The Members Course at Aldarra in the bucolic setting of the Boeing family farm was proof positive that Fazio can produce a fun and challenging course; no trace so "anti strategy" here, just one solid golf hole after another. The highlight of the trip from me was having the chance to play Fircrest CC. A V Macan's work is stunning and I believe he is truly underrated in the eyes of architecture aficionados. The numerous slopes of the course have a fantastically natural feel, possibly the result of mules with drag pans, that seem totally harmonious with nature.
It was sad in one respect that we didn't have a better turn out from the GCA crowd. Perhaps a shift to earlier in the year would bring more people out of the winter dole drums? I welcome any suggestions for a format that would encourage greater participation and possible venues for next years Event.