The older I get, it seems more important who I play with becomes. I've known this for a long time: regular retail golfers are more concerned about who they play with than where they. No course grows old with good mates. For awhile I made an effort to play some good courses, enjoyable for the pleasure of being able to experience wonderful design, but sometimes as a single without a game. I probably "saw" the course better and learned more on my own, but in almost every case the experience was better when shared with friends, new and old. My journey to play the best was a selfish pleasure to understand my passion, to learn what is great and why, as one would skip the party for a good book. A better, more concentrated use of time, but personal and not social. I would think that the gathering of members at a great course would be ideal: appreciating the venue with like minded folks. Sounds ideal to me and something I'd never tire of. A self-selecting choice to associate with your people, your tribe, and have some fun. However, most golfers know nothing of these great courses and I find it impossible to explain why friends should experience great courses together. Great course, great friends, what could be better? Yet since most golfers don't have any experience playing great courses, friends is what it is all about. And that's fine with me. If my friends want to go someplace cool, they know that I know how to make it happen and get the chance to explain why. If not, we'll just go play golf and have some fun. Pretty much like all of us understand how to enjoy the game. Yikes!, I've become a retail golfer.