Arg's Travel Log

[Double Mocha Man]

15 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Alpha Acid BBA Constrictor Vanilla Fudge Imperial Stout

 

Do you just remember those names or write them down?  Does this one win for longest name for a beer?  I've read Doctoral theses shorter than that name.

 

 

 

Edited April 8 by Double Mocha Man

[Argonne69]

32 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Do you just remember those names or write them down?  Does this one win for longest name for a beer?  I've read Doctoral theses shorter than that name.

 

 

Lol. I usually create the post when I'm sitting in the brewpub staring up at the taplist, or when I'm looking at their websites tap list. 

 

[Argonne69]

35 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

Glad you enjoyed Cinnabar!  It's been one of my home courses since before inception... yeah I used to go out there often to see it as it was being built.  I didn't want to be a homer and predict it, but 7 cows makes sense to me.  It is a gem - all three 9s.  Lake is great also.   A very smart architecture nerd I used to know (may he RIP) used to argue that it is superior to Pasatiempo, and I couldn't disagree.

 

I am a local and for a long time I DID play it pretty much weekly - they have great annual membership deals and outside of that one could nearly always get some sort of special.  Now I have joined a private club so I don't go there often.  It's been a joy to get reacquainted with it this spring as the team I coach plays it weekly.

 

Enjoy the trip east and south.  It's been very fun following you through the places I know.  I'll leave you alone now. 🙂

 

That being said.. I have played Madera.  And many courses in Vegas.  🙂

 

 

My playing partners are members. One told me that it's currently $7000 a year. If you play 3 days a week it comes out to $45 a round. That's a bargain, but not sure if want to get my head beat in three days a week. Lol. There's a cheaper membership that allows one to play at half off the rack rate. 

 

 

[Mullenboy]

5 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

My playing partners are members. One told me that it's currently $7000 a year. If you play 3 days a week it comes out to $45 a round. That's a bargain, but not sure if want to get my head beat in three days a week. Lol. There's a cheaper membership that allows one to play at half off the rack rate. 

 

 

Exactly.  Not sure that $7000 per year is worth doing (not for me anyway).. fighting the public for tee times would get old.  But the cheaper membership as you called it is a very good deal.  And the more one plays it the less it beats one up... at least I think.  One learns where to play cautiously, where to miss, etc.  Oh well.  It is a great place.

[aloha b.]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

It's Monday, so that means a salad and a sandwich back at Bessie. 😒

 

I'm a creature of habit, so it was back to The Running Shop and Hops for another pour of the Alpha Acid BBA Constrictor Vanilla Fudge Imp Stout. 

 

 

Off to Madera tomorrow. Not a lot of quality golf in the next 10 days, but I'll be in Vegas late next week, and it should be wonderful. 

 

It was great following you around the Monterey Peninsula and the South Bay.

Safe travels and I forgot are you teeing it up at Shadow Creek in Vegas?

[Argonne69]

13 minutes ago, aloha b. said:

It was great following you around the Monterey Peninsula and the South Bay.

Safe travels and I forgot are you teeing it up at Shadow Creek in Vegas?

 

I'm hoping to play Shadow Creek. Tee times are limited. Seems Friday through Sunday are reserved for high rollers. I'll give them a call, and if I can secure a tee time I'll book a night at one of the MGM properties as required. Fingers crossed. The course is the only public one in the top 20 that I haven't played. 

 

[Argonne69]

21 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

Exactly.  Not sure that $7000 per year is worth doing (not for me anyway).. fighting the public for tee times would get old.  But the cheaper membership as you called it is a very good deal.  And the more one plays it the less it beats one up... at least I think.  One learns where to play cautiously, where to miss, etc.  Oh well.  It is a great place.

 

Loved the course, but I'm not one to play the same course several times a week. I could see myself playing it once a week, or once every two weeks, but not enough to get enough value out of a full membership. The discounted rate package might work, but again, you tend to feel pressure to play regularly with those deals. Did it once, and I barely broke even. 

 

[vallygolf]

11 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Loved the course, but I'm not one to play the same course several times a week. I could see myself playing it once a week, or once every two weeks, but not enough to get enough value out of a full membership. The discounted rate package might work, but again, you tend to feel pressure to play regularly with those deals. Did it once, and I barely broke even. 

 

I think this may have been asked before Arg, but speaking to breaking even on a membership, or lifestyle in this case.  Do you think your RV lifestyle annually is more expensive or less expensive than it would be if you were still in Chicago and playing golf 4-5 times a week?

[Mullenboy]

21 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Loved the course, but I'm not one to play the same course several times a week. I could see myself playing it once a week, or once every two weeks, but not enough to get enough value out of a full membership. The discounted rate package might work, but again, you tend to feel pressure to play regularly with those deals. Did it once, and I barely broke even. 

 

A very very wise man once told me if you have to think about the cost of a private club membership, you should not do it.  The numbers will never add up.

 

For me it was never a consideration until a few years ago... private clubs around here are so crazily expensive, it was just out of my reality.  I do need to think about it.  🙂

 

THEN... I received an unsolicited email for Saratoga CC... and the initiation was in my reality... as is the monthly  We had a little of what I called extra money (my wife wasn't so sure) so we went for it. I play there at least 5 days per week (in free weeks).  I never tire of it.  The extreme add in convenience so outweighs the potential monotony, it's not even close.  And I never tire of the course - it is a crazy little b**** I can never conquer so I do love it so.  I have standing first group off every weekday.  I play with one or two buddies most days. As I said before, it's quite a pain to get tee times on public courses here.  Leaving that fight in the past has been a great joy.

 

But financially?  I keep telling myself the convenience is worth any price... even at the relatively low price I do pay.  🙂

 

In any case back when I played Cinnabar a lot if was rarely more than once per week.

 

And man if you can play Shadow Creek you must.  It's a bucket list type place.  I loved every minute of it.

 

 

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

I think this may have been asked before Arg, but speaking to breaking even on a membership, or lifestyle in this case.  Do you think your RV lifestyle annually is more expensive or less expensive than it would be if you were still in Chicago and playing golf 4-5 times a week?

 

The golf is more expensive because I'm playing 5 days a week instead of 4 days a week, and I'm playing a few more higher end courses. I used to play a couple of munis each week that were less than $50 a round. My average on this trip is closer to $75 a round. 

 

Housing expenses are cheaper. I traded a condo with a $1300 a month mortgage, $1100 a month assessment, and $500 a month property tax bill for a $140,000 RV that costs ~$2000 a month for the RV parks. Even if I took out a loan on the RV instead of paying cash it would still be cheaper. 

 

Food costs are the same, as I'm still eating out three days a week. 

 

Beer costs are certainly higher. Lol. Brewpubs 5 to 6 days a week aren't cheap. 

 

Transportation costs are much higher, as I'm now averaging 900 miles a month on both the RV and Honda. I averaged 600 miles a month on the Honda previously. 

 

[aloha b.]

53 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm hoping to play Shadow Creek. Tee times are limited. Seems Friday through Sunday are reserved for high rollers. I'll give them a call, and if I can secure a tee time I'll book a night at one of the MGM properties as required. Fingers crossed. The course is the only public one in the top 20 that I haven't played. 

 

You're correct about Friday-Sunday. If you want to stay on the least expensive side of MGM resorts look-up the MGM Grand Las Vegas or Excalibur Hotel & Casino as they can be the cheapest. If you’re a Senior they offer Senior rates. 

I hope that you can get a tee time at Shadow Creek as it would be an incredible experience for you.

 

[Argonne69]

Somewhat interesting drive east today to Chowchilla. The short drive through the low mountains just outside of Gilroy was fun. CA-152 near San Luis Reservoir was scenic. East is that it's flat farmland. Driving through the small town of Los Banos was irritating, as I pretty much hit ever red light in town. Lol. 

 

Another small RV park adjacent to Pheasant Run GC. I get a complimentary round of golf with my stay, so I'll be playing the course on Thursday. Small RV park, but it's all little nicer than the last two. Just enough room to park the Honda in front of Bessie. The concrete slab is nice, but it would be nicer if it was anywhere close to level. No reason they shouldn't be able to lay a patch of concrete relatively flat. Also, the area on the driver's side next to the slab is dirt. Hopefully there's no rain before I leave on Saturday, or it's going to be a mess dumping the black and grey tanks. A little gravel wouldn't hurt. 

 

 

Tried booking a 14 day stay in Las Vegas at the Thousand Trails RV park, but of course they only have 4 days available at the end of my stay, and a 3 night window mid-stay. TT is basically a time share with dozens of parks, and stays up to 14 days are "free" as well long as you're out of the system for a week after the 14 days. Now I have to find a park for the first 10 days unless I'm willing to pack up and move 3 times in order to get the addional three days. It would be nice to save 3 nights fees, but you pretty much lose a day when you have to move given that checkin at the next park isn't until noon or 1 pm. 

 

Dragonfly GC early tomorrow. It's a 40 minute drive south to the course, so it's going to be a very early start in the morning. 

 

Edited April 9 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

I was able to book a 10 night stay in Las Vegas 6 miles east of the Strip just off of Boulder Highway and Flamingo, in addition the 4 nights at Thousand Trails. Seems to be plenty of RV parks ranging from inexpensive, basic ones to large luxury resorts. Only $40 a night with tax with my Good Sam discount. Not bad. Definitely not worth picking up and moving twice mid-stay to save $120 at Thousand Trails. I'll check with TT next week to see if there's a cancelation that would allow me to prepend 10 nights, but if not I'll make the one move after ten nights. 

 

Edited April 9 by Argonne69

[DE-ILLINI]

I hope you are able to get on Shadow Creek.  It looks interesting in TV.  Seems like a bucket list course.  Would love to see your photos.  🤞

[Double Mocha Man]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Somewhat interesting drive east today to Chowchilla. The short drive through the low mountains just outside of Gilroy was fun. CA-152 near San Luis Reservoir was scenic. East is that it's flat farmland. Driving through the small town of Los Banos was irritating, as I pretty much hit ever red light in town. Lol. 

 

Another small RV park adjacent to Pheasant Run GC. I get a complimentary round of golf with my stay, so I'll be playing the course on Thursday. Small RV park, but it's all little nicer than the last two. Just enough room to park the Honda in front of Bessie. The concrete slab is nice, but it would be nicer if it was anywhere close to level. No reason they shouldn't be able to lay a patch of concrete relatively flat. Also, the area on the driver's side next to the slab is dirt. Hopefully there's no rain before I leave on Saturday, or it's going to be a mess dumping the black and grey tanks. A little gravel wouldn't hurt. 

 

 

Tried booking a 14 day stay in Las Vegas at the Thousand Trails RV park, but of course they only have 4 days available at the end of my stay, and a 3 night window mid-stay. TT is basically a time share with dozens of parks, and stays up to 14 days are "free" as well long as you're out of the system for a week after the 14 days. Now I have to find a park for the first 10 days unless I'm willing to pack up and move 3 times in order to get the addional three days. It would be nice to save 3 nights fees, but you pretty much lose a day when you have to move given that checkin at the next park isn't until noon or 1 pm. 

 

Dragonfly GC early tomorrow. It's a 40 minute drive south to the course, so it's going to be a very early start in the morning. 

 

 

Back when you had a mortgage you never had to re-park your house.  But I think you're still ahead of the game...

[Argonne69]

26 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Back when you had a mortgage you never had to re-park your house.  But I think you're still ahead of the game...

 

Lol. 

 

One thing to also keep in mind is that the condo was an appreciating asset. I held it for 10 years, and even though I had a mortgage payment, I sold it for a decent profit. 

 

An RV is a money sink. If I trade it in or sell it down the road, I'll have likely lost $1000 a month due to depreciation. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. 

 

One thing to also keep in mind is that the condo was an appreciating asset. I held it for 10 years, and even though I had a mortgage payment, I sold it for a decent profit. 

 

An RV is a money sink. If I trade it in or sell it down the road, I'll have likely lost $1000 a month due to depreciation. 

 

 

And there's no ROI on your rounds of golf... other than the sheer pleasure of having played them.  Money can't buy that.  Keep those Cows coming.

[jjr]

Shadow Creek is ranked #1 in the state, Clear Creek Tahoe #2, I haven't played Shadow but I have played Clear half a dozen times, it's a must play!

[trilinkrealty]

Dragonfly used to host an LPGA event when it was called Riverbend GC.  Should be an awesome round tomorrow.  

 

Others I would recommend while in area are Eagle Springs(I wouldn't walk it but great foothill course), Riverside (Old muni), and Ridge Creek (A little bit of a drive but really fun fake Links course).

[Argonne69]

15 minutes ago, jjr said:

Shadow Creek is ranked #1 in the state, Clear Creek Tahoe #2, I haven't played Shadow but I have played Clear half a dozen times, it's a must play!

 

I'll be in Tahoe this fall. Hopefully we don't get an early winter. 

 

 

[imkirby34]

Your mentioning San Luis Reservoir makes me shiver because I'm remembering the innumerable times our family went to that area to fish for striped bass in the cold, dark early morning hours.  I was so glad when my dad switched to surf perch fishing near Santa Cruz.  That was so much more enjoyable.

[Kurtis4K]

1 hour ago, jjr said:

Shadow Creek is ranked #1 in the state, Clear Creek Tahoe #2, I haven't played Shadow but I have played Clear half a dozen times, it's a must play!

Is Clear Creek public?

[tad950]

21 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

Your mentioning San Luis Reservoir makes me shiver because I'm remembering the innumerable times our family went to that area to fish for striped bass in the cold, dark early morning hours.  I was so glad when my dad switched to surf perch fishing near Santa Cruz.  That was so much more enjoyable.

We used to night fish/party on the fore bay. Gutting fish when the sun was coming up.  What were we thinking. 

Edited April 10 by tad950

[carrera]

3 hours ago, Kurtis4K said:

Is Clear Creek public?

No.

[Argonne69]

4 hours ago, carrera said:

No.

 

At this point I have Edgewood Tahoe, and Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood) on my list for the area. I'm sure I'll be adding more.

 

[eboettne]

Played my first round since October at my home course in North Dakota yesterday. Standing on the 3rd tee looking at a brown, dried out course recovering for winter my first thought was "10 cows". Feels good to be swinging the clubs again!

[Mullenboy]

10 hours ago, Kurtis4K said:

Is Clear Creek public?

No sir, it is quite private.  But methinks if Arg wants to play it, we shall find a way.  I have played it many times.  One of my best friends is a member.  Oh my would he get a kick out of Arg.  And he'd enjoy a fellow walker... the course is very hilly but it's not unwalkable.... just a couple large hills really.  No one wants to walk with my friend so he nearly always rides.

 

It is a great great course btw.  It is very arguable that Shadow Creek is better.  Man they are both incredible.

 

And Arg... oh my.. the 152.... I have driven it easily 100 times.  That's the main route from San Jose to LA.  And too bad you didn't stop in Los Banos... I recall some darn fine Q there.  🙂

 

Travel well!  Dragonfly is fun.  Others near there are also.  It's not a golf wasteland at all.

[Mullenboy]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

At this point I have Edgewood Tahoe, and Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood) on my list for the area. I'm sure I'll be adding more.

 

Both worth playing.  There are several others.  Let me know as the time gets closer if you want to play Clear Creek.

[Kurtis4K]

1 hour ago, Mullenboy said:

No sir, it is quite private.  But methinks if Arg wants to play it, we shall find a way.  I have played it many times.  One of my best friends is a member.  Oh my would he get a kick out of Arg.  And he'd enjoy a fellow walker... the course is very hilly but it's not unwalkable.... just a couple large hills really.  No one wants to walk with my friend so he nearly always rides.

 

It is a great great course btw.  It is very arguable that Shadow Creek is better.  Man they are both incredible.

 

And Arg... oh my.. the 152.... I have driven it easily 100 times.  That's the main route from San Jose to LA.  And too bad you didn't stop in Los Banos... I recall some darn fine Q there.  🙂

 

Travel well!  Dragonfly is fun.  Others near there are also.  It's not a golf wasteland at all.

That is what I thought. Getting married up there this summer and would have had to make an audible to the weeks schedule if it was public. 
 

walking in that altitude can be a challenge. That awesome that your friend enjoys that. Golf is meant to be walked!

[Argonne69]

Gorgeous morning. First time in ages that I didn't have to wear a wind vest on the opening holes. Unfortunately the course was meh. Dragonfly GC today. While there are trees in play on a few holes, it's more a prairie style layout than parkland. Very flat with minimal mounding. I guess the course's claim to fame is that it's the longest course in California at 7798 yds from the "Way-Back" tees. I laughed every time I walked by them with their "W B" logo on the tee marker as it reminded me of Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine, and Jack Brickhouse, the old hall of fame announcer for the Chicago Cubs, who would yell, "Way back, back, back, home run! Hey! Hey!" whenever the Cubs would hit one out of Wrigley Field. 

 

Anyway, if you like long courses then you'll enjoy it, otherwise I thought it was bland. Highlight of the day was enjoying the views of the snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains off in the distance. Fairway bunkering was decent on a few holes, but generally light. Greenside wasn't a lot better. Water in play on six holes. Eight holes with left/right movement, but with few trees positioning wasn't all that important. 

 

Very easy off the tee with very generous fairways. There's really no rough on the course, so even "minor misses" would still be in the short grass. Big misses would have to be huge to find the native areas. Approaches were easy, as greens were lightly guarded and moderate in size. Most were at fairway height, so one could easily run a ball up. Greens were fairly boring with gentle contouring and slope. Putting was only made difficult because the greens were dog slow and bumpy, having been aerated 10 days ago. Up and downs were straightforward given that there was no rough around the greens. The collars were in horrible shape, so I was forced to chip most of the time instead of using a Texas wedge. 

 

Par 3s were meh. The 16th was the best of the bunch with a forced carry over a pond. The five par 5s were mixed. The 6th and short 13th were very good risk/reward holes with plenty of trouble near the green. The 13th was fronted by a pond. The 18th was reachable, but not a lot of risk. Short 4s were meh. 

 

Conditions were mixed. Fairways had a few iffy patches, but were generally good. Bunkers had plenty of compacted sand and a few too many rocks. Needed a proper grooming. Greens were barely playable. Bumpy and rolling 8 at best. Maybe 7. 

 

Played the Way-Back tees at 7798 yds on the par 73 layout (76.9/140). Lol. Just kidding. White tees at 6202 yds (69.9/120) was more up my alley. With fairways that are nearly impossible to miss, I'd say I had a good day driving the ball. Irons and wedges were solid. Had numerous good looks at birdie, but it was like putting on gravel. One birdie and four bogies. 

 

I'll be nice and go with 4 cows, but only because the course had two risk/reward 5s. Otherwise it was a real snoozer. I bet it's got teeth if the wind is blowing with nothing to block it. Definitely enjoyed looking out at the mountains. A little too early in the season to hike them, though. No walking rate, but the $65 weekday senior rate was fine. Could use drinking water on the course. Can't really recommend this one. Playable, and certainly not a goat track, but little to get excited about.