Arg's Travel Log

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

OMG. That's was some seriously good barbeque. Midwood Smokehouse in Charlotte. $33 for a four meat platter, but I'm taking home dinner for tomorrow. The ribs were excellent. Extremely meaty. You don't find many platters that give you a half slab. Usually it's 2 or 3 bones. Brisket was very good. Nice and fatty. Pulled pork was moist. Jalepeno cheese hot link was very juicy. Beans and Brunswick Stew were both very tasty. 

 

The mustard sauce was interesting. Best served on the pulled pork, as it overpowered everything else. The vinegar sauce was meh. Just didn't add much to anything. The habenero sauce was the best. Nice kick without overpowering. Midwood is definitely worth a visit. 

 

 

Nice spread there!

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

OMG. That's was some seriously good barbeque. Midwood Smokehouse in Charlotte. $33 for a four meat platter, but I'm taking home dinner for tomorrow.

 

 

Love Midwood! It's been our go to since we moved here in September. Hope you had fun in Charlotte! Can't wait for the Pinehurst reviews.

[Argonne69]

Packing up and heading to Pinehurst. I called the resort, and was able to get a mid morning tee time on #3 tomorrow. Hopefully there won't be an extended frost delay. I'm Also booked at Southern Pines on Friday. Should be a nice visit. 

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by Argonne69

[b_smith07]

Id love to play Southern Pines post-reno. Played it in 19 before the renovation and although it was a little rough around the edges, it had some really cool holes and sight lines....reminded me alot of the place in Augusta GA lol. 

[jcook10]

7 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Packing up and heading to Pinehurst. I called the resort, and was able to get a mid morning tee time on #3 tomorrow. Hopefully there won't be an extended frost delay. I'm Also booked at Southern Pines on Friday. Should be a nice visit. 

 

Excited for the Arg Southern Pines review. I'm heading there in 18 days but whose counting!!

Edited March 15, 2023 by jcook10

[CDM]

Whoooaaa had not been on this thread for some time and was a bit worried. 

 

I am very very happy to see this "BBQ and Beer" thread is still going strong...!!!!     

 

🤣

[toypor]

On 3/14/2023 at 8:53 AM, vallygolf said:

As an Arizona native, let me thank you all for your sauce Pizza wars.  We in neutral territory love them all, and benefit from your competition.

 

+1 

 

Not to mention we have Pizzeria Bianco which is as good as anything NY, New Haven, or Chicago has to offer : )

[jcook10]

Arg, 

 

Not sure if someone has asked this before but is there a dropbox link to all your course photos? Was hoping to see if you had previous photos from earlier Pinehurst, Mid-Pines, etc trips.

 

 

[bill.ig]

8 hours ago, b_smith07 said:

Id love to play Southern Pines post-reno. Played it in 19 before the renovation and although it was a little rough around the edges, it had some really cool holes and sight lines....reminded me alot of the place in Augusta GA lol. 

Played Southern Pines post reno last Summer. Thought it was made more difficult. Think it was hole number 2 the uphill downhill par 5 - pulled my drive short and left (but not too far left) and ended up with a lost ball in the long grass surrounding a fairway bunker. Remember thinking, “wow how did that happen?”

 

Arg, have fun Southern Pines is a gem.

 

[Argonne69]

15 hours ago, jcook10 said:

Arg, 

 

Not sure if someone has asked this before but is there a dropbox link to all your course photos? Was hoping to see if you had previous photos from earlier Pinehurst, Mid-Pines, etc trips.

 

 

Unfortunately not all my photos. I've gotten better at organizing them in Dropbox, but a number of earlier trips are scattered all over the place. I'll see if I can find a link that provides a good collection.

 

Here's a starting point. It's the main link for my golf course folder. I'll post additional links for my older golf trips as I find time. 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/roooqp4d8gqione/AAByC4agjz32Ys29Jp_hIjoJa?dl=0

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Woke up this morning and it was 26 degrees. It was 39 degrees in Chicago. Oy. I stopped at Tractor Supply yesterday to get propane, and of course it had to be the only TS I've ever visited that didn't have propane. So, last night I used my electric fireplace, and my two 1500 watt space heaters. It was 55 degrees in Bessie this morning. It should get into the 60s later today, and I think the worst of the cold is over.

 

I'm expecting a lengthy frost delay this morning, but I'm sure a number of players will pass on playing in the 30's, so hopefully my tee time will be close to its original time.

 

Edit: a little good new and bad news. The frost delay was only 30 minutes, and they shotgun the delayed groups, so my original tee time was fine. There was an open slot in the 4th position, and the starter asked me if I'd like to go out as a single trailing three threesomes. I was itching to go, so I'm out solo. Don't really want to play through three groups, so I'll just hang back and enjoy the day. There's no wind, and the sun is strong. It's going to be a very nice morning. 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Argonne69

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Sorry, missed a few days.

 

I used to eat at Lizard's Thicket all the time when I lived in Columbia. I learned what FRIED OKRA was!

 

Another fun course was LinRick GC. County owned, cheap, allowed to walk. Maybe you can play it next time!

 

 

[Argonne69]

29 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Sorry, missed a few days.

 

I used to eat at Lizard's Thicket all the time when I lived in Columbia. I learned what FRIED OKRA was!

 

Another fun course was LinRick GC. County owned, cheap, allowed to walk. Maybe you can play it next time!

 

 

I was planning to play Linrick, but that turned out to be a rain day. Hope to get back there some day. Columbia reminded me of Madison, Wisconsin. College town and small state capital. 

 

[Argonne69]

Gorgeous day. I sure made the right call heading out as a single. The threesomes in front of me were locals, and they each had their own own carts, and sailed around in three hours. When I walked on to the 12th tee I noticed the threesome that I was originally going to join hitting their approaches to the 5th. Bullet dodged. Lol. 

 

Pinehurst #3 today. Fun, short course, but it's certainly not #4. At 5155 yds from the tips, it's a lot of wedges and short irons. Certainly makes the Ross greens a little more receptive. Nice rolling terrain and tall pines, but I didn't care for the homes and villas lining most holes. Thought Pinehurst was know for the isolated courses. Bunkering was solid, including the many native sandy areas. Looked great. Not much water on the course. Most holes were straight, but a handful of sweepers kept it interesting. Best part of the course were the green complexes. False fronts, sides, and backs. Not as crazy as #2 or #4, or maybe it was just because I wasn't hitting mid and long irons into them all day. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee even with the short length. Bunkers, native areas, and slope have one pause. Misses could generally be found and played, but beware the plentiful OB. Approaches to were also moderately tough. If the course was 6000+ yds it would be very tough, but most holes allowed a wedge or short iron into the green. Still managed to roll off a handful. Lol. No surprise, up and downs were also tough. Between the steep green sides, and contours, there was the added fun of dealing with grain. Hit some beautiful chips that still managed to come up 12 feet short after deploying drag chutes. Oy. Putting was moderately challenging. Didn't have any goofy putts, but these certainly weren't your typical resort course greens. 

 

The six par 3s were very good. A couple of short ones that were lob wedges were meh, but the long ones were typical Ross. The two par 5s were both short and very reachable, but little risk. Most of them the par 4s were short, and the vast majority were solid. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways were still more gold than green, but playable. Not a lot of rough, and what little there was was cut short. Bunkers were very good. Greens were also very good. Speed was close to 10. 

 

Played the White tees on the par 68 layout at 5155 yds (66.1/123). Another excellent day off the tee, and a fairly decent day with the irons and wedges. One birdie, three bogies, and a double. Low-light of the day was watching several groups of msint workers laying down pine straw. What?! Lol. Turns out the pine trees don't shed enough needles to provide a nice blanket of the stuff under the trees, so the course "augments" the native areas. Shocked, I tell ya. Never going to look at a Pinehurst course the same way. 

 

I'll give #3 6 cows. Enjoyable course, but I wouldn't tee it up here again vs. the full length courses. $110 didn't break the bank, but for a resort that prides itself of promoting walking, I was disappointed that there's no walking rate. To add insult to injury, the receipt has a separate line item for the cart, even though it's not optional. Pfffttt. Fun greens, and a few tough driving holes, but I can't say it's a must play. 

 

[Argonne69]

Pinehurst No 3, Pinehurst, NC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4lev5qz367dkvul/AADAvJhhjC4eKFo2W5qevAhBa?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Took a short drive to Southern Pines Growler. 32 taps with a nice mix. The Brewery Bhavana Bloom Belgian Tripel is excellent. The Wilmington Brewing Company Double Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Blake's Breakfast Stout is soooo boozy. Heavenly. 

 

 

[Bonneville85308]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Gorgeous day. I sure made the right call heading out as a single. 

 

 

 

Were the fairways/rough all dormant bermuda? How do you compare hitting off that in NC to dormant bermuda you have played in AZ?

[Argonne69]

5 minutes ago, Bonneville85308 said:

 

Were the fairways/rough all dormant bermuda? How do you compare hitting off that in NC to dormant bermuda you have played in AZ?

 

Yes, all dormant Bermuda. The stuff in NC is very tight. The dormant turf in AZ, MO, and TX tends to be fluffier. Do they mow the fairways at the end of the season in the Carolinas? 

 

[Alex H]

love seeing the pictures of number 3. Spent my 30th birthday playing there with my wife. Wanted a shorter more laid back course when going out with her that day (i've played many of the others including #2 and #4), and the main draw of the day was drinking too many beverages while playing the Cradle. 

[Argonne69]

Here are a few more Dropbox folders with course pics. Most of the photos were included in my GolfWRX travel threads over the past years, including course descriptions. 

 

Ann Arbor 2017

 

Arcadia Bluffs

 

Bandon Dunes

 

SoCal 2017

 

Central Wisconsin 2018

 

Dallas 2016

 

Ft Myers 2016

 

Grand Rapids 2018

 

Eastern Iowa 2016

 

Orlando to Jacksonville 2015

 

Jacksonville 2018

 

Lafayette IN 2017

 

Lake Geneva WI 2014

 

Mesquite and St Georges 2017

 

Monterey 2017

 

Nebraska 2016

 

North Central Illinois 2016

 

Northern Michigan 2021

 

Northwest Florida 2017

 

Indy and Ohio 2015

 

Orlando 2017

 

Palm Springs 2013

 

Phoenix 2016

 

Phoenix 2017

 

Phoenix 2018 (TPC Scottsdale)

 

Puget Sound 2018

 

RTJ Golf Trail 2018

 

South Central Michigan 2015

 

South Central Wisconsin 2014

 

SoCal 2018

 

SoCal 2019

 

Southern Indiana 2018

 

Southern Mississippi 2015

 

Streamsong 2014

 

Toledo 2019

 

Whistling Straits 2011

 

[Dancin]

You've hit Utah and Nebraska but not Colorado?

[ArtMBgolf]

7 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Yes, all dormant Bermuda. The stuff in NC is very tight. The dormant turf in AZ, MO, and TX tends to be fluffier. Do they mow the fairways at the end of the season in the Carolinas? 

 

I am thinking places that don't overseed the fairways, might raise the blades on
the final cut.     Most resort courses overseed the fairways and tees.  Some overseed 
the greens also.   In Myrtle Beach, 98% of the courses overseed the fairways and tees,
to be ready for spring peak season.   TPC MB also overseeded the rough, to get ready 
for a big JR tournament.     You might find some overseeded fairways in Pinehurst.     

[Argonne69]

9 hours ago, Dancin said:

You've hit Utah and Nebraska but not Colorado?

 

I played one round in the Denver area at Riverdale Dunes. It was on the final day of my cross-Nebraska trip that started in Omaha. The plan is to be in Colorado in 2024. Looking forward to it.

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Be sure and eat the The Red Bowl in Southern Pines; if you enjoy Asian food, it's great! 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Southern Pines is what I picture in my head when I think about Carolina golf. The cloudy skies put a damper on the photos, but otherwise it was a fantastic morning. The Ross gem ranks #15 on GolfWeek's Best in State list. Bah. I'd put it above Pinehurst #4, Mid Pines, and Pine Needles. Wonderful rolling hills with numerous elevated tee shots, and elevated greens. Fantastic views of the other holes adds to the thrill. Only a couple of snoozer holes. Bunkering was excellent, both traditional and the native waste areas. Not much water in play. Green complexes were a blast. Plenty of opportunity to embarrass yourself. There are a few homes visible outside the property on the opening holes, but otherwise it's you and the course. Pretty sweet. 

 

I thought it was fairly generous off the tee. Bunkers do come into play, though. A couple of slopes seemed to funnel the ball to the sandy stuff. Not much rough on the course. Miss a fairway and you'll be in a sandy native area with a possibly dicey lie. Approaches were tough. Green sizes were surprisingly large for a Ross design, but when you subtract the false fronts, sides, and backs, they get smaller. Throw in the elevation changes and the best strategy for a first time visit is simply fire for the fat of the green. Greenside bunkers are brutal. Plenty of closely mown areas, so there are options around the greens. However, dealing with the contours requires precision. Actually thought putting was easier than getting up and down. 

 

Par 3s were excellent, and tough as nails. Typical Ross design with long 3s. The three ar 5s were OK, but only one was reachable. Nice risk/reward hole with a well guarded green. The three short 4s didn't have much danger off the tee, but the 18th had a tough elevated green with a huge false front. 

 

Conditions were good. Had a number of iffy lies in the fairway with thin turf in spots. Rough was basically nonexistent. Bunkers were nice and sandy. Greens were very good, rolling at least 10, and probably close to 11. 

 

Played the Blue tees at 6308 yds on the par 71 layout (72.0/135). Plenty of challenge. Same ol story with a good day off the tee, but off and on with the approaches. Four bogies and two doubles. Highlight was a nice 33' putt for par, but I had a number of nice up and downs that kept it reasonable. 

 

SP gets a solid 8 cows. Just an overall great experience. Would like to see a short par 3. No walking rate, but at $145 it's a steal. This is definitely a must play. 

 

Edited March 17, 2023 by Argonne69

[jcook10]

17 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Here are a few more Dropbox folders with course pics. Most of the photos were included in my GolfWRX travel threads over the past years, including course descriptions. 

 

Ann Arbor 2017

 

Arcadia Bluffs

 

Bandon Dunes

 

SoCal 2017

 

Central Wisconsin 2018

 

Dallas 2016

 

Ft Myers 2016

 

Grand Rapids 2018

 

Eastern Iowa 2016

 

Orlando to Jacksonville 2015

 

Jacksonville 2018

 

Lafayette IN 2017

 

Lake Geneva WI 2014

 

Mesquite and St Georges 2017

 

Monterey 2017

 

Nebraska 2016

 

North Central Illinois 2016

 

Northern Michigan 2021

 

Northwest Florida 2017

 

Indy and Ohio 2015

 

Orlando 2017

 

Palm Springs 2013

 

Phoenix 2016

 

Phoenix 2017

 

Phoenix 2018 (TPC Scottsdale)

 

Puget Sound 2018

 

RTJ Golf Trail 2018

 

South Central Michigan 2015

 

South Central Wisconsin 2014

 

SoCal 2018

 

SoCal 2019

 

Southern Indiana 2018

 

Southern Mississippi 2015

 

Streamsong 2014

 

Toledo 2019

 

Whistling Straits 2011

 

Holy Prairie Club Arg. That confirms my dreams that I need to get there. How were the logistics from Chicago? 12 hours with a stop in Omaha?

[Argonne69]

Southern Pines GC, Southern Pines, NC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jp0j7j0fz1o2s8u/AADXEzM2viNw14FR1qupcasra?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

20 hours ago, jcook10 said:

Holy Prairie Club Arg. That confirms my dreams that I need to get there. How were the logistics from Chicago? 12 hours with a stop in Omaha?

 

I flew into Omaha. It was a short flight from Chicago. I played a round near Omaha, and then headed west to Awarri Dunes and Wild Horse. After a night's stay it was only a few hours north to the Prairie Club. Played the Pines course on the day of arrival, and Dunes twice the next day. Short drive to Dismal River, and then the Doak and Nicklaus courses the following day. Drove a few hours, and then played Bay Point before heading to Denver for a final round and a flight home. 

 

I wanted to play Prairie Club for years, but it's like 5 hours from Omaha, and then 5 hours back. Figured I'd make a trip out of it, and knocked off a handful of other gems. Wild Horse is a must play. 

 

Edit: Here's my trip report: https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1314902-cross-nebraska-trip/

 

Edited March 18, 2023 by Argonne69

[mci711]

Arg, I know you've talked about settling down at some point in the future. Have you thought about the Pinehurst area? I've been trying to get my wife to move down there ever since the beginning of covid. Hard to beat the quality/quantity of golf anywhere in the country really. Would be amazing to select from these courses on a daily basis.  It gets chilly, but nothing like Chicago! 

[Argonne69]

Southern Pines Brewing Company. Second visit here, as I stopped in back in November 2021. 24 taps with the usual stuff. Enjoying a nice imperial stout and a bourbon barrel aged imperial porter. 

 

 

Couldn't be happier with my short visit to Pinehurst. A week ago I didn't have tee times, and the weather looked iffy. I wound up playing two fantastic courses that I pretty much had to myself. Off to Raleigh tomorrow. I have a round at Pine Hollow on Sunday, and I'll book another one for Monday. I was hoping to play NC State's home course, Lonnie Pool, but it looks extremely busy.