Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[KBong]

> @tips09 said:

> > @mattdubya said:

> > Not gonna lie I like langara more than mcleery. A lot more actually

> +1 to that.

>

>

 

I love a challenge...IMO...from the blue tees....for difficulty...IMO...it's McCleery > Fraserview > Langara.....because of length...Fraserview plays more difficult from the yellows....not so much on the front 9....but definitely the yellow tee length on the back 9.

McCleery will often have some blue tees at the white markers...especially in the winter....McCleery is a really good challenge from the blue markers....on McCleery you have to drive the ball well...fade and draw to position your approach shots well....4 of 5 par 3's play long from the blues....some back pins are treacherous...e.g. holes 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 18....with large greens and the wind....it can easily add on another 150 yards of play.

BUT

Langara has it's fair share of tricky holes too....Langara's defense are its undulating and very difficult greens....some pin positions can be diabolical ....if they could find another 400 yards...Langara would be a really good challenge....I think most of Langara's criticism is its lack of length, lack of practice facilities and the worst conditioned Vanc muni in the winter.

[lhahn]

> @duffer987 said:

> > @lhahn said:

> > Where is the line drawn? Should we get rid of all baseball/softball fields? City run ice rinks?

>

> Drawn the other side of Langara. Seriously, how often do you play it? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?

> Surely it's the worst out of the 18 hole public courses in Burnaby/Vancouver and it's in a great location in the city to be repurposed to include more soccer pitches, baseball/softball fields, general use greenspace endeavours that more people can enjoy, that a strictly single use facility.

I don't disagree that there are possibly more "useful" things that could be done in that prime area but please, please, no low-income or social housing. And I know you were just throwing examples out there but as someone who plays other sports, we have plenty of soccer/baseball fields, etc and Vancouver doesn't need to create any more and then never maintain them. Kind of echoing what others have said but somehow Burnaby courses as well as public parks, baseball diamonds, etc are so well maintained and used but it is the complete opposite in Vancouver. When I play in Vancouver it's like I'm playing on some field from the Walking Dead.

 

Anywaaaayyyyy...Dal, are you still in Texas or back in Cali? I'm visiting my sister in Houston again over Xmas holidays if you wanna catch a round together.

[myspinonit]

> @lhahn said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > > @lhahn said:

> > > Where is the line drawn? Should we get rid of all baseball/softball fields? City run ice rinks?

> >

> > Drawn the other side of Langara. Seriously, how often do you play it? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?

> > Surely it's the worst out of the 18 hole public courses in Burnaby/Vancouver and it's in a great location in the city to be repurposed to include more soccer pitches, baseball/softball fields, general use greenspace endeavours that more people can enjoy, that a strictly single use facility.

> I don't disagree that there are possibly more "useful" things that could be done in that prime area but please, please, no low-income or social housing. And I know you were just throwing examples out there but as someone who plays other sports, we have plenty of soccer/baseball fields, etc and Vancouver doesn't need to create any more and then never maintain them. Kind of echoing what others have said but somehow Burnaby courses as well as public parks, baseball diamonds, etc are so well maintained and used but it is the complete opposite in Vancouver. When I play in Vancouver it's like I'm playing on some field from the Walking Dead.

>

> Anywaaaayyyyy...Dal, are you still in Texas or back in Cali? I'm visiting my sister in Houston again over Xmas holidays if you wanna catch a round together.

 

interesting about the condition of other Vancouver playing fields. I would strongly encourage you to write your observations on the state of course conditions and on other Vancouver playing field conditions as compared to Burnaby to the Parks Board, cc the Mayor. A letter to the Editor of the Sun would be a good idea too IMO. i.e. If they aren't even going to maintain what we got for fields now why the heck would they build more?

 

Plus, if they put in playing fields without redoing the drainage that should have been done in the 80's (when the Parks Board guy in charge of golf vetoed the architect's recommendations for drainage fill ( to save a couple hundred thousand or so I believe) they will be a helluva lot sloppier and quickly unusable if used for winter soccer or such than golf foursomes. Spend the dough, get the drainage done and Langara would be much more financially competative, including more oif a draw for corporate and charity tournaments from location and layout (including transit proximity). It's length but trickiness on the greens makes it playable for the casual golfer, including women, juniors and seniors, but can still be a scoring challenge to better golfers on the greens.

 

 

[mattdubya]

so uh...not lookin good for tomorrow huh guys? i had hazelmere booked for the morning but lookin dicey

[duffer987]

> @lhahn said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > > @lhahn said:

> > > Where is the line drawn? Should we get rid of all baseball/softball fields? City run ice rinks?

> >

> > Drawn the other side of Langara. Seriously, how often do you play it? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?

> > Surely it's the worst out of the 18 hole public courses in Burnaby/Vancouver and it's in a great location in the city to be repurposed to include more soccer pitches, baseball/softball fields, general use greenspace endeavours that more people can enjoy, that a strictly single use facility.

> I don't disagree that there are possibly more "useful" things that could be done in that prime area but please, please, no low-income or social housing. And I know you were just throwing examples out there but as someone who plays other sports, we have plenty of soccer/baseball fields, etc and Vancouver doesn't need to create any more and then never maintain them. Kind of echoing what others have said but somehow Burnaby courses as well as public parks, baseball diamonds, etc are so well maintained and used but it is the complete opposite in Vancouver. When I play in Vancouver it's like I'm playing on some field from the Walking Dead.

>

> Anywaaaayyyyy...Dal, are you still in Texas or back in Cali? I'm visiting my sister in Houston again over Xmas holidays if you wanna catch a round together.

 

Thankfully (as you know as you experience it, lol) my Texas sojourn is over and I'm back in Norcal fulltime!

Back in the day, I used to play flag/touch football on lots of those fields around Langara like Winona Park and the ones the back of the Pearson Centre... they were rough ankle sprainers to say the least. Everyone wore high-top cleats and you'd be hardpressed to make it a day without cutting up your knees if you weren't wearing pads. Would concur non Van parks fields were better - shame it still seems to be the case.

[IcemanYVR]

Anyone playing tomorrow (Sat) or need an extra. Still trying to figure out where to play.

[mattdubya]

> @IcemanYVR said:

> Anyone playing tomorrow (Sat) or need an extra. Still trying to figure out where to play.

 

I played hazelmere this morning by myself between groups and finished in like 3 hours.

 

There was standing water in bunkers and a little bit in some of the rough too. I booked as a single around 11:20 tomorrow and there is probably room for one more. I just book and play with whoever they put me with. I am a full on hacker but I can keep the pace.

 

Hopefully the sun and wind will dry it out a bit more. Fairways and greens were fine.

 

I haven’t looked today but I’m sure you could get on easily at pt Roberts. Place was a ghost town this week but again...really nice track.

 

Unsure what the border would be like this weekend though.

 

 

[Phireside]

Played Fraserview today. Greens gave me fits. They were hard as rocks and the ball was not holding, yet they putted slow as molasses for the most part. Golf is stooopid...

[Edward_Majorwin]

> @IcemanYVR said:

> Anyone playing tomorrow (Sat) or need an extra. Still trying to figure out where to play.

One spot open at Pagoda Ridge 7:56am, me and two other random dudes ;)

[Edward_Majorwin]

I played Pagoda Ridge today (42-41) and due to the recent heavy rains there's a new water hazard on the 5th hole which covers the right side of the fairway about 10 yards past the 150 marker - and it's not at all visible from the tee box! I'm back out there tomorrow so hopefully it will be somewhat smaller by then.

Some fairways a bit 'squishy' on the walk but balls not close to plugging. Greens are freaking beauty as usual.

[IcemanYVR]

> @TheShaun said:

> Played Fraserview today. Greens gave me fits. They were hard as rocks and the ball was not holding, yet they putted slow as molasses for the most part. Golf is stooopid...

 

That's where I wound up playing tomorrow. With the sun and wind the course is only going to be drier.

 

[Phireside]

> @IcemanYVR said:

> > @TheShaun said:

> > Played Fraserview today. Greens gave me fits. They were hard as rocks and the ball was not holding, yet they putted slow as molasses for the most part. Golf is stooopid...

>

> That's where I wound up playing tomorrow. With the sun and wind the course is only going to be drier.

>

 

I didn't find the course overly wet. Just greens that made no sense

[myspinonit]

> @TheShaun said:

> > @IcemanYVR said:

> > > @TheShaun said:

> > > Played Fraserview today. Greens gave me fits. They were hard as rocks and the ball was not holding, yet they putted slow as molasses for the most part. Golf is stooopid...

> >

> > That's where I wound up playing tomorrow. With the sun and wind the course is only going to be drier.

> >

>

> I didn't find the course overly wet. Just greens that made no sense

 

Good to know. Was able to just a time at FV for wifey and me early tomorrow afternoon just now. My last two scheduled games have been rained out and it doesn't look good for my Tuesday game so it will be good to get out. We're away for two weeks from next weekend so I want to get some of the rust off before that forced break from golf.

[The Beav]

I've been playing around these past few weeks and here are my thoughts on conditions:

Morgan Creek - Superb from tee to green. Greens need another week to smooth out completely after punching IMO - but then they'll be MINT.

Ridge - Fairways seemed to be a little shaggier than normal. Greens are smooth but slow. High spots are dry, low spots are wet.

Pagoda - A little squishy in spots, greens are perfect and fast. Some balls even bouncing in the fairway.

Fraserview - A few holes were really gross and wet (#1, #8, #18) but overall course was ok. Greens are firm, but slow...a vexing combination.

 

 

[jordan_mccomb]

> @KBong said:

> > @Golfnuck said:

> >1) If they are going to convert that prime piece of land to low income housing my belief is that this is wrong.

> > Sell it to a developer for big $$$$$$. Generate lots of $$$$ from DCC's for the developer to build on the land.

> > Take that humongous amount of money and build low income housing in the far eastern corners of Vancouver (but close to Skytrain) like Joyce street area.

> > You would be able to build at least double the amount of low income housing.

> > 2) My beef is why not be efficient with the public's money instead of proving a political socialist point that the rich and the poor should live in the same areas ..... real life should not work that way.

> > I would love to live in the West side of Vancouver. I don't because I cannot afford it. And I don't expect the government to make it so I can on the back of other tax payer.

> > I stop now.

> >

> This

> +100000000000000000000000000000000000000000

> 1) Yes....they could take the East Vancouver land at city owned Rupert Park pitch and putt to construct low income/affordable housing....but I will say... for a pitch and putt....Rupert Park is a really good and challenging layout for what it is.

> I think the Vanc pitch and putts don't breaking even (likely lose money) and are not staffed or maintained in the winter to reduce costs...but accessible to the public for free in the winter months.

>

> 2) Another yes. Why should the poor have the same privileges as the middle class and/or rich. The poor are 'takers'....often collecting from the 'system' (e.g. welfare) and other public services....while the middle class/rich have been 'givers' paying many $100,000's+ into the 'system' in taxes. The middle class/rich made the decisions, hard working and sacrifices to have some 'privileges'.

>

> I'll also stop now too.

>

>

Going to give a whole other perspective on this debate. As much as I love the game I certainly see the outsider perspective of it taking too long, costing too much, taking up too much land, etc. While I don’t think my vision is something that would happen in the foreseeable future, in my opinion it would be a chance to do something really unique and potentially grow the game.

I just got back from San Diego, and spent some time in the Liberty Station area. The area while quite large, is only 5 miles from downtown and has community fields, walking trails, office buildings, hotels, restaurants, craft breweries, a public market (similar to Granville Island), and a 9-hole par 3 course, The Loma Club. The putting green was right in the middle of it all and when I was there, there was a big group of people out on the putting green with beers in hand. There were also a number of groups on the course that I could see, and I was there probably around 6pm. Obviously the climate is different and golf is more popular in Southern California, but it was a concept that I had been thinking about for a while, and it was cool to see something similar in real life.

I envision a community with a 9-hole championship style course (Sweetens Cove/Winter Park inspired). Redo the drainage, make it more environmentally friendly, have a course architect build something fun to play and inclusive. While I think a TopGolf would be cool, the space would be limited, so a restaurant/lounge with some golf simulators may work better. Add in an area with some more restaurants and shops. You could even include a few nicer townhomes/condos and some office buildings or a hotel. Have a multi-purpose turf field, and some walking paths and I think it could be a game-changer.

I think with so many other public and private courses in greater Vancouver, many or all of which are better than Langara, you could really mix it up and maybe it’d gain more interest.

[Phireside]

Who's got what going on this weekend?

Range session for me on Sat and MC on Sun so far is the plan but I may try and squeeze a single in at Fraserview on Monday early if it rains. might the place to my self.

[tips09]

> @TheShaun said:

> Who's got what going on this weekend?

> Range session for me on Sat and MC on Sun so far is the plan but I may try and squeeze a single in at Fraserview on Monday early if it rains. might the place to my self.

Went and played both hazelmere and peace portal on Sunday. Hazelmere was in solid shape. I never really have much to complain about with this course besides the fact that it’s not that interesting to play but the conditions were solid. Peace portal on the other hand is the complete opposite. I love the actual course layout which keeps me mentally interested throughout the round. Unfortunately the conditions at this point in the year at peace portal are pathetic. Fairways haven’t been cut in quite some time and the greens were in terrible shape for the prices they are charging to play there. I really want to like this course but I’m having a hard time with that.

 

[Phireside]

I player MC on Saturday which was in typical MC condition and player Fraserview this morning before the weather got nasty. It was in fine shape.

[KBong]

> @tips09 said:

 

> Went and played both hazelmere and peace portal on Sunday. Hazelmere was in solid shape. I never really have much to complain about with this course besides the fact that it’s not that interesting to play but the conditions were solid. Peace portal on the other hand is the complete opposite. I love the actual course layout which keeps me mentally interested throughout the round. Unfortunately the conditions at this point in the year at peace portal are pathetic. Fairways haven’t been cut in quite some time and the greens were in terrible shape for the prices they are charging to play there. I really want to like this course but I’m having a hard time with that.

>

Ya....Hazelmere is boring IMO....holes #10 & 12 are good though.

Thanks for the update on Peace Portal...with our great weather for the past 3 months...there are no excuses why PP can't be in good shape....most other courses are in good shape.

 

 

[KBong]

> @TheShaun said:

> I player MC on Saturday which was in typical MC condition and player Fraserview this morning before the weather got nasty. It was in fine shape.

 

McCleery is in very good condition. Fraserview is in ok/good shape....but McCleery aerated 5 weeks ago...while Fraserview only 3 weeks ago....the rough is thick & brutal at Fraserview and there are some browned/dry patches at Fraserview that weren't as common at McCleery.

[Phireside]

Just to be clear, MC to me is Morgan Creek. In case anyone thought I may have been referencing Mccleery.

[KBong]

> @TheShaun said:

> Just to be clear, MC to me is Morgan Creek. In case anyone thought I may have been referencing Mccleery.

 

Ya...I knew you were talking about Morgan Creek....but yes....I think others may have thought MC to mean McCleery.

[mattdubya]

> @tips09 said:

> > @TheShaun said:

> > Who's got what going on this weekend?

> > Range session for me on Sat and MC on Sun so far is the plan but I may try and squeeze a single in at Fraserview on Monday early if it rains. might the place to my self.

> Went and played both hazelmere and peace portal on Sunday. Hazelmere was in solid shape. I never really have much to complain about with this course besides the fact that it’s not that interesting to play but the conditions were solid. Peace portal on the other hand is the complete opposite. I love the actual course layout which keeps me mentally interested throughout the round. Unfortunately the conditions at this point in the year at peace portal are pathetic. Fairways haven’t been cut in quite some time and the greens were in terrible shape for the prices they are charging to play there. I really want to like this course but I’m having a hard time with that.

>

 

this is sadly becoming the norm at peace portal. only worth playing in the dead of summer and even then its not always in the best shape. unsure what their deal is

[tips09]

> @mattdubya said:

> > @tips09 said:

> > > @TheShaun said:

> > > Who's got what going on this weekend?

> > > Range session for me on Sat and MC on Sun so far is the plan but I may try and squeeze a single in at Fraserview on Monday early if it rains. might the place to my self.

> > Went and played both hazelmere and peace portal on Sunday. Hazelmere was in solid shape. I never really have much to complain about with this course besides the fact that it’s not that interesting to play but the conditions were solid. Peace portal on the other hand is the complete opposite. I love the actual course layout which keeps me mentally interested throughout the round. Unfortunately the conditions at this point in the year at peace portal are pathetic. Fairways haven’t been cut in quite some time and the greens were in terrible shape for the prices they are charging to play there. I really want to like this course but I’m having a hard time with that.

> >

>

> this is sadly becoming the norm at peace portal. only worth playing in the dead of summer and even then its not always in the best shape. unsure what their deal is

Yes very unfortunate. I moved out to south surrey about 3 years ago and I have noticed the consistent drop in playing conditions with the green fees climbing higher and higher every year. Really hope they can figure out whatever it is they have going on.

 

 

[bb123]

Played Swaneset on the weekend, was in awesome shape.

[The Beav]

I played Tobiano last weekend (Saturday) and what a freaking treat that was. It rained heavy Friday so for the first time ever the course played relatively soft, and there was minimal wind as well. I was able to score very well and had so much fun.

Played Kings Links on Monday in the wind/rain and it was a blast as well.

 

[mattdubya]

> @"The Beav" said:

> I played Tobiano last weekend (Saturday) and what a freaking treat that was. It rained heavy Friday so for the first time ever the course played relatively soft, and there was minimal wind as well. I was able to score very well and had so much fun.

> Played Kings Links on Monday in the wind/rain and it was a blast as well.

>

 

i played tobiano 2x last thursday and boy did it chew me up. first time out there...what an amazing golf course. love to hit 300 yard drives downhill and then get an 8 haha.

 

[tips09]

> @mattdubya said:

> > @"The Beav" said:

> > I played Tobiano last weekend (Saturday) and what a freaking treat that was. It rained heavy Friday so for the first time ever the course played relatively soft, and there was minimal wind as well. I was able to score very well and had so much fun.

> > Played Kings Links on Monday in the wind/rain and it was a blast as well.

> >

>

> i played tobiano 2x last thursday and boy did it chew me up. first time out there...what an amazing golf course. love to hit 300 yard drives downhill and then get an 8 haha.

>

 

I’m off to tobiano and talking rock next weekend can’t wait.

[mattdubya]

> @tips09 said:

> > @mattdubya said:

> > > @"The Beav" said:

> > > I played Tobiano last weekend (Saturday) and what a freaking treat that was. It rained heavy Friday so for the first time ever the course played relatively soft, and there was minimal wind as well. I was able to score very well and had so much fun.

> > > Played Kings Links on Monday in the wind/rain and it was a blast as well.

> > >

> >

> > i played tobiano 2x last thursday and boy did it chew me up. first time out there...what an amazing golf course. love to hit 300 yard drives downhill and then get an 8 haha.

> >

>

> I’m off to tobiano and talking rock next weekend can’t wait.

 

man...talking rock is awesome too. just wasn't in the cards this trip but i love it

[tips09]

> @mattdubya said:

> > @tips09 said:

> > > @mattdubya said:

> > > > @"The Beav" said:

> > > > I played Tobiano last weekend (Saturday) and what a freaking treat that was. It rained heavy Friday so for the first time ever the course played relatively soft, and there was minimal wind as well. I was able to score very well and had so much fun.

> > > > Played Kings Links on Monday in the wind/rain and it was a blast as well.

> > > >

> > >

> > > i played tobiano 2x last thursday and boy did it chew me up. first time out there...what an amazing golf course. love to hit 300 yard drives downhill and then get an 8 haha.

> > >

> >

> > I’m off to tobiano and talking rock next weekend can’t wait.

>

> man...talking rock is awesome too. just wasn't in the cards this trip but i love it

 

Glad to hear. It’ll be my first time on both those courses so it should be a good weekend. Just got back from a Vegas golf trip a couple weeks ago so it has been a good month or so for golf for me.