Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Steele Canyon GC, Jamul, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/966qpo0f54j2lbwrtoltl/h?rlkey=fff2gaadxtialdg276xakidsy&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Burning Beard Brewing Company. Yeah, they have a dozen IPAs, but whoa, a Belgian Single, Dubbel, Tripel, and three Russian imperial stouts? Count me in. Enjoyed a sampler of the three Belgians, but the three Postmodern Prometheus Russian imperials are heavenly. One is stock, one is aged in cognac barrels, and the third is aged in sweet vermouth barrels. Sweet. 

 

 

The Dirty smashburger alone is worth a visit. Wow. 

 

 

Edited January 26 by Argonne69

[tad950]

We played Steele Canyon years (decades?) ago. No clubhouse or houses, just a trailer. Two days after Thanksgiving. All I remember is that the wind was howling. And cold. I saw a woman player walking around with ski gloves (?). She must have been a local that lived along the coast. And there were some very elevated tee boxes. I remember driving inland for a fair bit. Kind of arid. I thought it was nice. But not a destination course. Just a course to add to my logo ball collection.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Steele Canyon GC, Jamul, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/966qpo0f54j2lbwrtoltl/h?rlkey=fff2gaadxtialdg276xakidsy&dl=0

 

For $165 you would think conditions would be better.

[Argonne69]

28 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

For $165 you would think conditions would be better.

 

The flooding earlier this week really took a toll on the local courses. When I called Coronado yesterday, they were still closed three days after the record rains. 

 

That said, you'd think that maybe, just maybe, courses would adjust their pricey to reflect the poor conditions. 

 

 

Edited January 26 by Argonne69

[hammergolf]

39 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

The flooding earlier this week really took a toll on the local courses. When I called Coronado yesterday, they were still closed three days after the record rains. 

 

That said, you'd think that maybe, just maybe, courses would adjust their pricey to reflect the poor conditions. 

 

 

I understand the lack of drainage, but they should be able to grow grass. Some of those tee boxes looked like a cheap muni.

[Golf Pig]

Page 200 and I get the feeling your journey is only beginning. It’s been fun reading about your adventures.

[Argonne69]

 

 

Edited January 27 by Argonne69

[Bonneville85308]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 Steele Canyon GC today.

 

 

I played Steele Canyon back in December 2019. I recall the rack rates were pretty high even then pre-covid ($125?), but I had found a golfnow hotdeal for $75 or so. Cold drizzly Saturday afternoon and the course was pretty much empty. I finished Canyon/Ranch in less than 3 hours and asked to play Vineyard, they let me play it for $25. 

 

I thought Canyon/Ranch was a challenging course on a scenic property, and I played alright, but just didn't leave with a feeling of "wow, I'd like to play this again."

 

If I remember correctly, there was a hole that played alongside an adjacent lower-end course called Cottonwood that I was going to try also but couldn't get a tee time at. Ended up playing Riverwalk instead.

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, Bonneville85308 said:

 

 

I played Steele Canyon back in December 2019. I recall the rack rates were pretty high even then pre-covid ($125?), but I had found a golfnow hotdeal for $75 or so. Cold drizzly Saturday afternoon and the course was pretty much empty. I finished Canyon/Ranch in less than 3 hours and asked to play Vineyard, they let me play it for $25. 

 

I thought Canyon/Ranch was a challenging course on a scenic property, and I played alright, but just didn't leave with a feeling of "wow, I'd like to play this again."

 

If I remember correctly, there was a hole that played alongside an adjacent lower-end course called Cottonwood that I was going to try also but couldn't get a tee time at. Ended up playing Riverwalk instead.

 

 

 

 

I drove by Cottonwood a few times this week. Looks pretty mediocre. 

 

[Argonne69]

A very enjoyable day to conclude my stay in San Diego. Gorgeous sunshine, light winds, and pleasant views of the bay. Coronado GC today. I'm very glad I got a chance to play the course after Tuesday's washout. This is what I pictured for Balboa Park, a flat bayside course with palm trees. Lol. Not much elevation change, but plenty of sweepers and doglegs. Several of the holes have internal OB to prevent cutting the corners through the adjacent holes. The final three holes are fairly tame, but they play along the bay with nice views. Fairway bunkering was light. Greenside was pretty decent. Greens were fairly large for a muni, so I can't really classify it as old school. Other than the bay to the right of the final three holes, only one other hole with water in play, the par 3 9th. 

 

Pretty easy off the tee if you can work the ball. Otherwise there's ample opportunities to run through the fairways. Minor misses were playable, but you couldn't be dealing with trees. Just enough of them to reward staying in the short grass. Big misses on the front could generally be played from adjacent fairways. With the internal OB on the back, not so much much. Approaches were moderately difficult. Greens were large for a muni, but fairly well guarded on many holes. That said, I was able to run up a few fairway woods. Greens were fairly benign, but certainly not pushovers. Little contouring, but more slope than the eye could see. Up and downs were moderately difficult because the rough was fairly juicy around the greens. Can't imagine it's been cut since before the flooding. 

 

Par 3s were meh. Not much to look at. Could use a long one, as the longest was only 167 yds from the White tees. 5s were also snoozers. The 2nd and 18th could be reached in two with good drives, but little risk. The closing hole had a large tree partially blocking the green, so a well positioned 2nd was needed if laying up. Short 4s were boring. 

 

Conditions were much better than I expected after being closed for several days after Monday's record rains. Soft, but very playable. Rough was rather juicy. Bunkers were mostly washed out, but there were a handful that appear to have been salvaged. Greens were soft and very receptive. Even with a blanket of dew early they were still rolling 10. Probably 11 late in the round. Only complaint was the number of unrepaired ballmarks left by nitwits. How do you not fix a ballmark 4 feet from the cup? 

 

Played the White tees at 6278 yds (70.5/118). Very surprised by that rating. One of my better rounds as of late. Driver wasn't pretty, but it wasn't getting me in trouble. Irons and fairway wood were spot on. Had several makeable birdies late in the round that barely missed. Two birdies and five bogies. Highlight of the day was the blind squirrel special on the 14th, a 45' birdie that had no business going in. Playing a Saturday morning round in 3:45 was also pretty sweet. 

 

Tough call here. I'll be nice and go with 5 cows. From a design standpoint, it's probably a four. Nice parkland muni that's nearly impossible to get on. $59 was about right. Plenty of design changes could really improve it, but it is what it is. Worth a visit, but you're not missing a lot if you can't get to play it. Pales in comparison to Balboa Park. 

 

Edited January 27 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Coronado GC, Coronado, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1tuuaqhqg87xg4lnus7lq/h?rlkey=y85fqazoo36qct87plw48wth3&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Coronado Brewing Company. 25 taps, but currently only pouring eighteen. Their Black Diamond American stout isn't bad, but could use a year in a bourbon barrel. Lol. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Scoped out Serrano's Coronado for some quality mole, but showed up and they were closed for renovation. Bah. 

 

Wound up at Casa Don Diego in Chula Vista. Local place, but decent reviews. The mole wasn't bad. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Made it safely to Oceanside. Still fuming about the exit only lanes that pop up with little notice. A quarter mile is just not enough time to get over in heavy traffic. Yeah, there's heavy traffic on a Sunday morning. Lol. 

 

Nearly got myself into a bind getting gas. I'm pretty good at maneuvering Bessie, but 6 inches of clearance between her front bumper and the steel guard posts near the gas pumps is cutting it a bit too close. Can't back up with the Honda in tow, so it's always dicey. 

 

RV park is a bit dumpy. Certainly not the high end resort like I was staying at in San Diego. Spots are very tight, and there's barely enough room for the Honda. You can always tell when someone who doesn't own an RV designs an RV park. Angled spots should allow one to back in on the drivers side, not the blind, passenger side. Oy. 

 

 

Early morning tee time at San Clemente. I was hoping to play with a friend of a WRXer, but I couldn't find a twosome slot open. Single slots we're nearly impossible. 

 

I had a late morning tee time at San Juan Hills on Wednesday, but I moved it to early Tuesday, and shifted my Tuesday round at Goat Hill to Wednesday. 

 

I was planning to camp out at Torrey Pines on Thursday, but it's looking like a rainy day. I'll monitor the forecast and adjust accordingly. 

 

I managed to find an RV park east of LA in San Dimas for mid-February. Should provide reasonable drives to rounds at Industry Hills, Alhambra, and Santa Anita. 

 

It's sunny and 72 degrees currently. Might hop in the Honda and find a brewpub. 

 

Edited January 28 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Bagby Beer Company in Oceanside. Had to stop here today because it looks like today is their final day. After 10 years they're closing their doors. I stopped by years ago on one of my trips to town. Over 40 taps, but unfortunately they'll be tapped out tomorrow. Enjoying a tasty Golden Girl Belgian Golden. 

 

 

Edited January 28 by Argonne69

[cityandthrone]

Hey Arg, long time follower here. I’m not a local but Ben Brown’s golf course @ The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a nice little 9-holer if you have time while you’re in the Laguna/Newport Beach area. 

[Argonne69]

Enjoyable morning. Fantastic weather. San Clemente Municipal today. Very nice, inexpensive muni with views of the ocean in spots. The holes on the southern half of the property are fairly flat, but the ones north, including holes 13 through 16 that loop through housing, have some decent elevation change. Water on just one hole, a carry on the par 3 9th. Fairway bunkering was light. Greenside was decent, including a few deep ones fronting the greens. Only one sweeper on the layout, the right to left 16th. 

 

Very easy off the tee with generous fairways and light bunkering. The 16th had a moderate forced carry. Approaches were much tougher. The turf was very sticky, and with drives getting very little rollout, the small, well guarded greens were a challenge. Greens had minimal contouring, but still plenty of slope. Putting wasn't difficult, but certainly tricky. Up and downs were a mixed bag depending on the lie. Rough was a little spotty. Also, many greens were elevated with fairly steep dropoffs. Had a couple of pitches were I couldn't see the flag. 

 

Par 3s were OK. Good mix of lengths. The 15th with its elevated tee was probably the best of the bunch, with the 9th a close 2nd. 5s were meh. Three were reachable with good drives, but no real risk. Only one short 4 on the old layout, the uphill 14th. Tough with the elevated green, but zero risk off the tee. 

 

Conditions were generally good. Fairways had a few iffy spots, but were otherwise in great shape. Rough was generally good, with the ball sitting up nicely, but it had its share of iffy areas. Bunkers were very nice with plenty of sand. Greens were disappointing. Looked like a WWI no-man's land with untold numbers of poorly repaired ballmarks. Like putting on a cheese grater. Speed was decent at 10. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6255 yds (70.1/114). Decent round ball striking, but playing at sealevel with little rollout meant a few too many long approaches. Six bogies. 

 

Going with 5 cows here. I'd say it's a better layout than Coronado, but trails Balboa Park. Needs more risk off the tee, and a risk/reward par 5. Zero complaints about the $37 walking rate. I can see why tee times are so hard to come by, but at the same time I was shocked to see plenty of threesomes out there. Appears that no shows aren't dinged. The course is not going to wow you, but it's worth a play, especially at the bargain price. 

 

[Argonne69]

San Clemente GC, San Clemente, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qbttbw50j8ontg5vq6t5a/h?rlkey=vgyrq4al9eqsbibxnxl4eb81a&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Stone Brewing Taproom in Oceanside. Enjoying a Stone Liberty Station Anniversary (Vol X) whiskey aged strong ale (14%). Heck of a kick. 

 

 

[tad950]

If you don’t mind playing in the rain, there should be no problem getting a tee time. The forecast looks pretty ugly the next 7-8 days. Throughout the state. We are fair weather golfer in Nor Cal. Not sure how it is down where you’re at. 

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, tad950 said:

If you don’t mind playing in the rain, there should be no problem getting a tee time. The forecast looks pretty ugly the next 7-8 days. Throughout the state. We are fair weather golfer in Nor Cal. Not sure how it is down where you’re at. 

 

Yeah, the forecast looks lousy. Thursday and Friday will bring more heavy rain to an already saturated area. It might be light enough early on Thursday to get out. I assume Saturday will be crowded and cart path only everywhere. 

 

[Argonne69]

Another beautiful day. Better enjoy it while it lasts. San Juan Hills today. A few throw away holes, but overall very nice. Some flat holes, but most have some nice elevation changes. Definite parkland feel to it with enough trees to be penal if one's offline. Fairway bunkering was light, but greenside was quite protective. Water on five holes, including #1. Sigh. Don't understand why architects put forced carries on the opening hole so we can see everyone hit breakfast balls after dribbling one into the pond. Lol. A couple of actual doglegs, and a pair a sweepers felt right. The 5th hole was closed for renovation, so they chopped the short par 5 17th into a short par 4 with the addition of a temporary green (left), and a short par 3. With the 18th being a short par 3, it was an odd way to finish a round. 

 

I'd categorize this one as moderately difficult off the tee. While bunkering was light, the water and doglegs put up a bit of a defense. Minor misses were no problem with the generous rough. Big misses might get lucky in an adjacent fairway on a few holes, but otherwise were OB. Many holes played down in a low area with houses perched above, but the OB stakes were just off the rough down low. The slopes were covered with vegetation, so chances of finding and playing from the side hill lies was slim anyway. Approaches were tough. Plenty of well guarded, elevated greens. Greens were a good size, and had modest contouring, but some decent slope. Putting required some thought and a gentle touch when above the hole. Up and downs we're tough with the elevated greens' dropoffs. 

 

Par 3s were meh. Needed a long and short one. The 14th was the best of the bunch with water in play left. 5s were also disappointing. The 12th was reachable, but no real danger. Pinky one shirt 4, the 1st, and it was OK. Besides the short forced carry, the elevated green was a good two clubs up with the cold and the breeze. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways had a couple of stressed areas, but were otherwise very nice. Rough was a good height, and the ball sat up nicely. Bunkers were nicely groomed, but could have used a wee bit more sand. Greens were soft and very receptive, but unlike San Clemente, it seems players here know how to fix a ballmark. Speed was not quite 10. 

 

Played the Tournament tees at 6123 yds on the par 71 layout (70.0/124), but the temporary changes had it playing as a par 69 at 5772 yds (68.4/120). Not the best day ballstriking, but the short game kept it from being a train wreck. Two birdies and 10 bogies. Highlight of the day was finishing with back to back birdies on the closing par 3s. The Golf Gods definitely have a way of suckering you back in when they've beat you up all day. Lol. 

 

Going with another 5 cows here. Nice looking course but once again the par 3s and par 5s need a redo. The $98 greens fee with no walking rate was a bit of a headscratcher after yesterday's bargain round. Not crazy, but definitely not worth nearly triple San Clemente. Probably worth a play if you've hit all the top courses in the area, but it's not going to wow you. 

 

[Argonne69]

San Juan Hills GC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/kwht0o7fn6otgzih60tcw/h?rlkey=0vtkobklgkfosvxgw2turin6e&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Grrr. Stopped at Kilowatt Brewing in Oceanside to enjoy a couple of nice Belgian brews. After circling the block a couple of times to find parking, I find that they changed their hours. I guess the blame falls on Google Maps. Short drive to Stone Brewing (again), and their Gargoyle's Slumber Imperial Stout is hitting the spot. I'll hit Kilowatt on Friday. 

 

 

[MountainKing]

On 12/8/2023 at 1:49 PM, Argonne69 said:

Another gorgeous morning, and an enjoyable round. Could have been better if the clowns in front of us would have let us play through. Here's a tip. If you're the first group out, and the group behind is walking up to the teebox and you're still hitting, you're slow. If this happens on every hole on the front, you're slow. Lol. Maybe consider letting them play through? 

 

 

 

Stop being ridiculous, they're not playing slow, you're just playing speed golf.

[TomRUtah]

37 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Highlight of the day was finishing with back to back birdies on the closing par 3s. The Golf Gods definitely have a way of suckering you back in when they've beat you up all day. Lol. 

To me, this sums up golf perfectly. 🙂 

 

I'm curious if you're taking notes on a final retirement location that combines the best of golf, costs, housing, weather, etc.  Any areas that stand out now?  

[Argonne69]

27 minutes ago, TomRUtah said:

To me, this sums up golf perfectly. 🙂 

 

I'm curious if you're taking notes on a final retirement location that combines the best of golf, costs, housing, weather, etc.  Any areas that stand out now?  

 

Yeah, definitely taking notes on a retirement location. Nothing really stands out yet. The places with great weather are uber expensive, and the ones with inexpensive public golf don't have the best weather. 

 

I think I can rule out Florida. The culture of riding only really left a sour taste in my mouth. Didn't care to have to call 10 courses to find one that allowed walking. 

 

It's crazy, but I just might wind up back in Chicago. The area has 200+ public courses that don't break the bank, and are playable 8 months a year. The south sounds better, but summers are brutal, and I'd likely spend 3 months traveling in the north during the summer. If I'm going to wind up on the road for a quarter of the year, there are a lot moreover options than I originally considered. 

 

Edited January 30 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Best Pizza and Brew in Oceanside. Not a particularly interesting selection of brews, but the pizza was decent. The goat cheese was a nice change of pace. 

 

 

Edited January 30 by Argonne69

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Yeah, definitely taking notes on a retirement location. Nothing really stands out yet. The places with great weather are uber expensive, and the ones with inexpensive public golf don't have the best weather. 

 

 

Have you been through Oregon on past trips or is it on the "yet to be Argonned" list?