Arg's Travel Log

[mci711]

I know you aren't in LA any more but this is an interesting read about the tee time situation in the area. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/brokers-buying-precious-tee-times-194748130.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABNyHUdgfeAK8tXuJr_Jc1kO_vS28RiIuSZH3_aifoOyzfcaOJivQjGhJ3bQeGA-3JMyTonp8wduuBDX4a6ZoWAC9Jw9j-6aPm9UCtWmmkJ_4CYxId_apMvO-yqdX3yBxIFd3zMmsXZIs04FO6NmNrmPuTZH0yjgKlCMtuOlAgbc&guccounter=2 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, mci711 said:

I know you aren't in LA any more but this is an interesting read about the tee time situation in the area. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/brokers-buying-precious-tee-times-194748130.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABNyHUdgfeAK8tXuJr_Jc1kO_vS28RiIuSZH3_aifoOyzfcaOJivQjGhJ3bQeGA-3JMyTonp8wduuBDX4a6ZoWAC9Jw9j-6aPm9UCtWmmkJ_4CYxId_apMvO-yqdX3yBxIFd3zMmsXZIs04FO6NmNrmPuTZH0yjgKlCMtuOlAgbc&guccounter=2 

 

Yeah, I saw that in the California travel subforum. Tee times selling out in seconds. 'Hope they clamp down on it. Simple solution is to require an ID when checking in to confirm that the person playing is the one who made the tee time. 

 

[Argonne69]

Short walk on the beach adjacent to the RV park today. 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Had to run to the hardware store to pick up a nylon tie down strap for Bessie's Roadmaster towbar, as the old one has deteriorated from UV exposure. Luckily Apogee Brewing Company is a couple of blocks away. Go figure. Lol. 

 

Enjoying their Space Cadet Belgian Strong Golden Ale. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Enjoyable morning. Again. Lol. Almost hot today with brilliant sunshine and temps in the 60s. Morro Bay today. The course is located inside Morro Bay State Park, but I believe it's operated by the county Lovely piece of property overlooking Morrow Bay. The parkland course is basically carved on the side of a hill with the front nine being on the higher part, and the back playing down towards the bay. Most of the holes play perpendicular to the slope, so plenty of sidehill lies. No water in play on the course. Fairway bunkering was almost nonexistent. Greenside was very light. Two gentle sweepers and one dogleg were the limit of left/right movement. 

 

With no fairway bunkers it was easy off the tee. Only consideration was the side slopes. Definitely needed to work the ball into the slopes to avoid running down into the rough. Minor misses were playable, but the rough was high enough to extract some penalty. Big misses could generally be found and played from the trees or adjacent fairways. Approaches were straightforward with decent sized greens with little danger in front. Greens had very little contouring, but a ton of slope (towards the ocean minus the 15th green). You did not want to be putting perpendicular to the slope. Oy. Up and downs were straightforward as long as you factored in the slope. The 12th was a treat. With the pin in the back right I had to pitch to the front right fringe and allow the ball to work it's way down. Good stuff. 

 

Par 3s were meh. Not much to look at. Two were long, but little trouble. The three 5s were also benign. The short, uphill 14th could be reached in two with a very good drive, but not much danger. Plenty of short 4s, but little trouble. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways were actually getting some rollout after the morning few burned off. Rough was thick, but a good height. Bunkers had plenty of sand. Greens looked fine, and probably rolling 9. However, I don't think there was a level putt put there. Upslope they felt like 8. Downslope they felt like 10 to 11. 

 

Played a Black/Blue combo at 6225 yds on the par 71 layout (70.4/121). Solid day driving the ball, but irons were poor coming off the numerous uneven lies. Couldn't buy a putt on the tricky greens. Eight bogies. Highlight of the day was my two playing partners, a grandfather and his college aged granddaughter. Both solid players, and great company. 

 

Going with 4 cows. Lovely piece of property that needs plenty of tweaks. Bunkering and risk/reward holes to start. I enjoyed the tricky greens, but they could use some contouring. The $45 senior walking rate was about right. Not a must play, and a little disappointing, but worth a visit if you're in the area. 

 

[Argonne69]

Morro Bay GC, Morro Bay, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol. Looking at these photos it appears that I was drunk when I took them, but that's the slope of the course. 

 

 

Full photo set: https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t2dgwkz246ftyseekiylw/h?rlkey=9zgdl8es8eqxbse7d8ukrndbv&dl=0

 

Edited March 18 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Three Stacks and a Rock Brewing Company. Weird name, but when you stand outside looking at the ocean you get it. Lol. A dozen taps with a so-so mix. The A Beer Named Floyd American Strong Ale is a wee bit hoppy for an ale. 

 

 

 

[eboettne]

31 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Morro Bay GC, Morro Bay, CA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol. Looking at these photos it appears that I was drunk when I took them, but that's the slope of the course. 

 

 

Full photo set: https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t2dgwkz246ftyseekiylw/h?rlkey=9zgdl8es8eqxbse7d8ukrndbv&dl=0

 

 

This is why you're better at this than I would be Arg.  I see those views and I'm giving it a minimum 6 cows, even if it's a dog track. Of course not hitting a golf ball since October doesn't help much either. 

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, eboettne said:

 

This is why you're better at this than I would be Arg.  I see those views and I'm giving it a minimum 6 cows, even if it's a dog track. Of course not hitting a golf ball since October doesn't help much either. 

 

The beauty of the course and surrounding views is definitely a part of the rating, but at the end of the day the design has to be challenging and force one to make strategic decisions or pull off tricky shots. Pounding driver or hitting approaches with zero risk gets boring quickly. Plenty of courses with great views that also have interesting and/or tough holes, so it's not an either/or proposition. 

 

[Argonne69]

OK, Californians. What is considered the border between northern and southern California? I noticed a placard at Morro Bay GC this morning that had "NCGA" (Northern California Golf Association) on it. I would consider Morro Bay to be SoCal, as it's 30 miles closer to LA than SF. 

 

I guess central California is the better option. 

 

Edited March 18 by Argonne69

[StoutKing]

16 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

OK, Californians. What is considered the border between northern and southern California? I noticed a placard at Morro Bay GC this morning that had "NCGA" (Northern California Golf Association) on it. I would consider Morro Bay to be SoCal, as it's 30 miles closer to LA than SF. 

 

I guess central California is the better option. 

 

Some people even consider Ventura County central Cal not soCal.  You're definitely in the central area.  As for where Norcal begins?  Seems like Santa Cruz and above to me, but I'm not a native.

Edited March 18 by StoutKing

[I3erto]

1 hour ago, StoutKing said:

Some people even consider Ventura County central Cal not soCal.  You're definitely in the central area.  As for where Norcal begins?  Seems like Santa Cruz and above to me, but I'm not a native.

Morro bay is definately central CA if you ask a californian..  basically mexico to Santa Barbara is southern..  Santa Barbara to big sur is central..  Monterrey on up is norcal..  although if you divide the state in 3 SF would be central..  but were californian we dont operate on logic..  we operate on feel hahahah

 

 

and then there is the 909..  oh the dreaded IE

Edited March 19 by I3erto

[tad950]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

OK, Californians. What is considered the border between northern and southern California? I noticed a placard at Morro Bay GC this morning that had "NCGA" (Northern California Golf Association) on it. I would consider Morro Bay to be SoCal, as it's 30 miles closer to LA than SF. 

 

I guess central California is the better option. 

 

 I’m pretty sure NCGA covers north of San Luis Obispo. Then again I’ve always considered San Luis Obispo Central Coast. And maybe in the Central Valley, Fresno or Visalia is the cutoff point. But I wouldn’t bet on it. 😄  
 

And NCGA headquarters is at Poppy Hills.

Edited March 19 by tad950

[trilinkrealty]

Morro Bay is the southernmost NCGA course.   At Sea Pines you get a SCGA handicap

[nickster135]

Fellow IT worker living in downtown Chicago (printers row area). Love the journey you are on, safe travels!!

[Argonne69]

9 hours ago, nickster135 said:

Fellow IT worker living in downtown Chicago (printers row area). Love the journey you are on, safe travels!!

 

Thanks. I lived in Dearborn Park, a block south of Printers Row, for 13 years before moving to Wicker Park, and then River North. Used to frequent several of the restaurants and bars in the area, including Blackie's, SRO, Amarit Thai, Edwardo's, and Kasey's. 'Looks like a few of the old places have closed.

 

[Mullenboy]

13 hours ago, trilinkrealty said:

Morro Bay is the southernmost NCGA course.   At Sea Pines you get a SCGA handicap

I was a volunteer rater for the NCGA for 20 years.  That is exactly right - for how golf handicaps are determined.  That is, that is the divide between NCGA and SCGA.  It gets weirder near Nevada but... you didn't ask about that.  🙂

 

As for what is considered "NorCal" (and yes that "r" is correct) and what is considered "SoCal"... in terms of culture and how places are identified...there is no clear answer.  Depends on who you ask.  There really is no clear dividing line. nor does each state really claim half.  Arg for now just consider yourself on the "central coast" and you will be just fine.

Edited March 19 by Mullenboy

[Mullenboy]

13 hours ago, I3erto said:

Morro bay is definately central CA if you ask a californian..  basically mexico to Santa Barbara is southern..  Santa Barbara to big sur is central..  Monterrey on up is norcal..  although if you divide the state in 3 SF would be central..  but were californian we dont operate on logic..  we operate on feel hahahah

 

 

and then there is the 909..  oh the dreaded IE

This nails it!  Far north is a separate region also... not sure there's a good name for it.  

[I3erto]

16 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

This nails it!  Far north is a separate region also... not sure there's a good name for it.  

haha oh theres a name for it..  its the Emerald Triangle and the home of sasquatch

[Double Mocha Man]

25 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

This nails it!  Far north is a separate region also... not sure there's a good name for it.  

 

That would be Oregon.

[slocalifglfr]

The southern most NCGA course is San Luis Obispo County Club, about 15 miles down Highway 1 from Morro Bay. S.L.O.C.C. used to be SCGA but when the members realized the NCGA tournaments were held at Spyglass and Pebble (later Poppy Hills NCGA discounts sweetened the deal) they switched. 

 

Interestingly the Women's Club at Morro Bay is SCGA. 

[Mullenboy]

1 hour ago, slocalifglfr said:

The southern most NCGA course is San Luis Obispo County Club, about 15 miles down Highway 1 from Morro Bay. S.L.O.C.C. used to be SCGA but when the members realized the NCGA tournaments were held at Spyglass and Pebble (later Poppy Hills NCGA discounts sweetened the deal) they switched. 

 

Interestingly the Women's Club at Morro Bay is SCGA. 

Yep that's correct.  I didn't remember that SLO CC is a little south from Morro Bay.  

 

Check out how it works in Nevada near Tahoe... some courses clearly in the state of NV are NCGA.. by choice... or at least used to be.

Edited March 19 by Mullenboy

[Argonne69]

Another enjoyable morning. Thick marine layer on the early morning drive to the course, but luckily the course was fog free. Cypress Ridge today, a parkland layout on rolling terrain that routes through a housing development. The homes were set back far enough and there were enough trees to block most of them, so it didn't feel overly intrusive. Pretty looking course with plenty of native areas to lose balls. Water in play on just one hole, though. Not much left/right movement. The driveable par 4 16th was a dogleg, but there was a clear line of sight from the tee to the elevated green. Bunkering was decent. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee. There wasn't a lot of danger out there, but the combination of mature trees and fairly narrow fairways gave one pause. Not a lot of room off the fairways, so minor misses could bring trouble. Big misses would generally be lost in the junk or OB, but a few holes on the front had adjacent fairways if one got lucky. Approaches were also moderately tough with decent greenside bunkering and a few elevated greens. That said, there were a few holes with practically no trouble near the greens. Greens had very little contouring, but they did have some slope. Not nearly as severe as Morro Bay, though. Putting was fairly straightforward. Plenty of uneven lies around the greens, so up and downs were trickier than average. 

 

Par 3s were OK. Good mix of lengths. The short uphill 13th was tough with solid bunkering. Three of the four par 5s were benign. The 9th was a very good risk reward with the green tucked left behind a pond. A good drive could be a green light special, but short or left was a no-no. They really should flip the 9s, as it would make a much better finishing hole than the current 18th. Short 4s were mixed. The three on the front were meh. The pair on the back were much better. The 16th was driveable, but could be much better with the addition of bunkering near the green. 

 

Conditions were good. Fairways weren't perfect, but better than average. Rough was thick and cut to a good height. Bunkers had just enough wet sand to be playable. Greens looked fine, but were slow. Probably 9. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6240 yds (70.3/126). They had an official combo, but I felt it was too short at 6140 yds, so I moved back to the Blues on a handful of holes. Driver didn't do me any favors today. The low left miss was back. Irons were OK, but too many long approaches. Couldn't putt on the sluggish greens. Seven bogies and a double. Highlight of the day was simply having the course to myself after playing through two groups early in the round. 

 

Going with 5 cows here. Nice looking parkland course, especially for one tucked in a housing development. Could use another risk/reward par 5, and some bunkering on the short par 4 16th. The $60 senior walking rate was fine. Drinking water on the course would have been nice. Can't say it's a must play, but it's worth a visit. 

 

Edited March 19 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Cypress Ridge GC, Arroyo Grande, CA 

 

 

 

 

Go or no-go on the par 5 9th 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/e7je7kn8zyq01cwf5a6fu/h?rlkey=uxolicz87xcjbpx6j2stf9nn6&dl=0

 

Edited March 19 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

A slightly different schedule today. I stopped at Blast 825 Brewery in Arroyo Grande for a beer, but they were unexpectedly closed for a couple of days. 

 

So, I headed over to a smog testing facility. Lol. Illinois requires periodic emissions testing, and the Honda is due. Without a test, I can't renew the plates. Since the vehicle is no longer in state, I can apply for a waiver. However, if the vehicle is located in a state that requires testing, then one must submit a certificate of testing. Grrr. I'll be in Nevada next month, but the state also has emissions testing, so I got it out of the way here. 

 

Got a scare last night. I was watching TV and was distracted/annoyed that a light was flashing to my left. I initially thought that my neighbor was using a flashlight, and the light was coming through the living room window. It was occurring regularly. I walked out of Bessie's door on the opposite side of my neighbor, and I continued to see the light flashes in my left eye. Uh oh. I've had floaters in my eyes before, and the occasional flash that I chalked up to stray cosmic rays smacking my retina or optic nerve, but this flash was more than just a random thing. It was occurring several times a minute. PWoke up this morning and the flashes were still occurring. They're more noticeable in the dark than in daylight. I also have a sense of pressure in my left eye that isn't painful, but is noticeable. After getting back to the RV park and waking up from a nice nap, the flashes were back. Now, I know I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, but this has me spooked. If the flashes are still around tomorrow I'm going to head to an immediate care facility for a CT scan. My paranoia has me thinking that there's something pressing on my optic nerve. Probably aged related changes to the eye, but can't be casual about it. 

 

Edited March 20 by Argonne69

[StoutKing]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

A slightly different schedule today. I stopped at Blast 825 Brewery in Arroyo Grande for a beer, but they were unexpectedly closed for a couple of days. 

 

So, I headed over to a smog testing facility. Lol. Illinois requires periodic emissions testing, and the Honda is due. Without a test, I can't renew the plates. Since the vehicle is no longer in state, I can apply for a waiver. However, if the vehicle is located in a state that requires testing, then one must submit a certificate of testing. Grrr. I'll be in Nevada next month, but the state also has emissions testing, so I got it out of the way here. 

 

Got a scare last night. I was watching TV and was distracted/annoyed that a light was flashing to my left. I initially thought that my neighbor was using a flashlight, and the light was coming through the living room window. It was occurring regularly. I walked out of Bessie's door on the opposite side of my neighbor, and I continued to see the light flashes in my left eye. Uh oh. I've had floaters in my eyes before, and the occasional flash that I chalked up to stray cosmic rays smacking my retina or optic nerve, but this flash was more than just a random thing. It was occurring several times a minute. PWoke up this morning and the flashes were still occurring. They're more noticeable in the dark than in daylight. I also have a sense of pressure in my left eye that isn't painful, but is noticeable. After getting back to the RV park and waking up from a nice nap, the flashes were back. Now, I know I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, but this has me spooked. If the flashes are still around tomorrow I'm going to head to an immediate care facility for a CT scan. My paranoia has me thinking that there's something pressing on my optic nerve. Probably aged related changes to the eye, but can't be casual about it. 

 

Defintely get it checked out.  Take care

[slocalifglfr]

7 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Another enjoyable morning. Thick marine layer on the early morning drive to the course, but luckily the course was fog free. Cypress Ridge today, a parkland layout on rolling terrain that routes through a housing development. The homes were set back far enough and there were enough trees to block most of them, so it didn't feel overly intrusive. Pretty looking course with plenty of native areas to lose balls. Water in play on just one hole, though. Not much left/right movement. The driveable par 4 16th was a dogleg, but there was a clear line of sight from the tee to the elevated green. Bunkering was decent. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee. There wasn't a lot of danger out there, but the combination of mature trees and fairly narrow fairways gave one pause. Not a lot of room off the fairways, so minor misses could bring trouble. Big misses would generally be lost in the junk or OB, but a few holes on the front had adjacent fairways if one got lucky. Approaches were also moderately tough with decent greenside bunkering and a few elevated greens. That said, there were a few holes with practically no trouble near the greens. Greens had very little contouring, but they did have some slope. Not nearly as severe as Morro Bay, though. Putting was fairly straightforward. Plenty of uneven lies around the greens, so up and downs were trickier than average. 

 

Par 3s were OK. Good mix of lengths. The short uphill 13th was tough with solid bunkering. Three of the four par 5s were benign. The 9th was a very good risk reward with the green tucked left behind a pond. A good drive could be a green light special, but short or left was a no-no. They really should flip the 9s, as it would make a much better finishing hole than the current 18th. Short 4s were mixed. The three on the front were meh. The pair on the back were much better. The 16th was driveable, but could be much better with the addition of bunkering near the green. 

 

Conditions were good. Fairways weren't perfect, but better than average. Rough was thick and cut to a good height. Bunkers had just enough wet sand to be playable. Greens looked fine, but were slow. Probably 9. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6240 yds (70.3/126). They had an official combo, but I felt it was too short at 6140 yds, so I moved back to the Blues on a handful of holes. Driver didn't do me any favors today. The low left miss was back. Irons were OK, but too many long approaches. Couldn't putt on the sluggish greens. Seven bogies and a double. Highlight of the day was simply having the course to myself after playing through two groups early in the round. 

 

Going with 5 cows here. Nice looking parkland course, especially for one tucked in a housing development. Could use another risk/reward par 5, and some bunkering on the short par 4 16th. The $60 senior walking rate was fine. Drinking water on the course would have been nice. Can't say it's a must play, but it's worth a visit. 

 

Originally the 9th hole was the 18th. The two nines were flipped a couple of years ago. Not sure why. 

 

Here's hoping your vision troubles aren't serious.

 

 

[sunbeltgolfer]

12 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

A slightly different schedule today. I stopped at Blast 825 Brewery in Arroyo Grande for a beer, but they were unexpectedly closed for a couple of days. 

 

So, I headed over to a smog testing facility. Lol. Illinois requires periodic emissions testing, and the Honda is due. Without a test, I can't renew the plates. Since the vehicle is no longer in state, I can apply for a waiver. However, if the vehicle is located in a state that requires testing, then one must submit a certificate of testing. Grrr. I'll be in Nevada next month, but the state also has emissions testing, so I got it out of the way here. 

 

Got a scare last night. I was watching TV and was distracted/annoyed that a light was flashing to my left. I initially thought that my neighbor was using a flashlight, and the light was coming through the living room window. It was occurring regularly. I walked out of Bessie's door on the opposite side of my neighbor, and I continued to see the light flashes in my left eye. Uh oh. I've had floaters in my eyes before, and the occasional flash that I chalked up to stray cosmic rays smacking my retina or optic nerve, but this flash was more than just a random thing. It was occurring several times a minute. PWoke up this morning and the flashes were still occurring. They're more noticeable in the dark than in daylight. I also have a sense of pressure in my left eye that isn't painful, but is noticeable. After getting back to the RV park and waking up from a nice nap, the flashes were back. Now, I know I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, but this has me spooked. If the flashes are still around tomorrow I'm going to head to an immediate care facility for a CT scan. My paranoia has me thinking that there's something pressing on my optic nerve. Probably aged related changes to the eye, but can't be casual about it. 

 

You may want to be checked for a detached retina, if for no other reason than to rule it out. Your symptoms would warrant it.

[vernon]

2 hours ago, sunbeltgolfer said:

You may want to be checked for a detached retina, if for no other reason than to rule it out. Your symptoms would warrant it.

I had the exact same thing a few years ago in my left eye that seemed to get worse if I looked to my left.

 

Called the eye doctor and their only real concern was a possible detached retina.

 

Once that checked out OK they said the flashes were pretty common in "older" folks and would probably go away in a couple of days and they did.

 

While I was there they informed me that I had cataracts so I ended up getting that taken care of over the course of the next year.

 

The flashes have never returned and I don't miss them.

[Argonne69]

I'll stop at the Urgent Care center after my round. Hopefully they can determine if it's a detached retina. Otherwise I'll be spending the day looking for an eye doctor. The white streaks are still there, but not as frequent there's no pain, but there is some pressure behind the eye. 

 

Standing on the 10th tee waiting to head out on the back nine at Monarch Dunes. They have a strict policy that doesn't allow play on the back until 9:15 am. I was the first one out earlier, so I'm forced to wait 20 minutes. First world problems. Lol. 

 

 

Edited March 20 by Argonne69