Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Just now, mci711 said:

 

Not sure.. Is 115 with no humidity really worse than 90-95 with 90% humidity? 

 

That's true. I recall being at the old Busch Stadium in St Louis in the summer with temps over 100 degrees and high humidity, and it was just brutal.

 

[tw422]

On 5/3/2024 at 12:19 PM, Argonne69 said:

Oasis GC, The Palmer, Mesquite, NV 

 

 

 

 

 

Another tough tee shot 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3ybgiv77xj17h5354mszu/APn-Zcb17WDgHU_rAAX82Zo?rlkey=jkl0g5ia3ysy5t9pnghgn5xow&dl=0

 

 

Will never understand why some random ranger at a muni feels the need to come up to someone who is doing nothing wrong  and threaten them with throwing them off the course.  For what?  For walking?  You paid for a cart so who cares. Your playing partner doesn't care so what is the big deal?  Just don't get it.  Aren't there bigger things to worry about?  You handled that a lot more diplomatically than me. 

[tw422]

6 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

Not sure.. Is 115 with no humidity really worse than 90-95 with 90% humidity? 

115 imo is like putting your head in an oven  🤣

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, tw422 said:

 

Will never understand why some random ranger at a muni feels the need to come up to someone who is doing nothing wrong  and threaten them with throwing them off the course.  For what?  For walking?  You paid for a cart so who cares. Your playing partner doesn't care so what is the big deal?  Just don't get it.  Aren't there bigger things to worry about?  You handled that a lot more diplomatically than me. 

 

I was chatting with the starter yesterday before my round, and I mentioned the incident on Friday. He laughed, and said, "Was that you?" Apparently there was a discussion with management later that day, and they said that as long as someone is keeping pace, walking is fine. Apparently the ranger is new at the course, and didn't get the memo. I told the Palmer starter on Friday that I was going to walk at times, and he said it was fine as long as I keep pace. 

 

I've said it a million times, if a player or group is in position, and not holding up anyone, it shouldn't matter how they get around the course. I've certainly seen plenty of players hit an approach and walk to the green while their playing partner drives the cart up. No big deal.

 

[Argonne69]

Simply gorgeous day. Sunny skies and slightly cooler temps. No wind early, and a nice gentle breeze to finish the round. So glad I passed on Palm GC and played Wolf Creek for the 2nd time. What a stunning course. I took a ridiculous number of photos, but it's hard not to look in any direction and not say, "Wow." it's like playing golf on Mars. Don't quite understand why some don't like it. Yes, it's tough, but it's not supposed to be your typical muni. Elevation changes galore, including teeboxes and greens. Took a hike to the tips on the 2nd, and you have a stunning view. Don't think there's a boring hole on the layout. Certainly not any cookie cutter holes. Water on 9 holes is definitely a factor. Five holes with left/right movement. Bunkering is solid, but could use a few more in the fairways. A few homes are visible off property, but the course itself has no homes. 

 

Tough course off the tee with several forced carries, and water awaiting. The par 4 2nd and par 5 5th stand out as difficult. The par 5 12th also has side slope that will funnel a good drive towards the left pond. Rough isn't particularly wide, so minor misses could be trouble. Big misses are big trouble. There just no room out in the desert, and very few adjacent holes. Approaches are also tough with plenty of uphill and downhill shots, and solid greenside bunkering. Greens are excellent with plenty of tiering, contours, and slope. Putting was tough. Above the hole was very dicey. Up and downs were very tricky with the tough greens, and plenty of uneven lies around them. Got hung up in the rough behind the green a couple of times, and it was extremely hard to chip/pitch it close. 

 

Par 3s are excellent. The short 15th is the weakest of the bunch. The long uphill 3rd is tough. The 11th's elevated tee provides a heck of a view. The 8th has a small creek surrounding the green with no room for error. Snapped a photo from the tips playing at 248 yds, and I have no idea how one could put a ball on the green. Par 5s are very good. The dogleg 5th has a long carry over a diagonal creek, and if you risk enough you can go for it. Finding the fairway on the 12th was a challenge. The 17th is a good risk/reward hole with an elevated tee. Poke one far enough out there and it's a green light, but the green's front is protected by a pond. Short 4s are very good. The dogleg 4th can be driven by cutting the corner, but it's a hidden green. A layup is no picnic with heavy bunkers. The short 7th has a shallow elevated green that's tough to hold if you run one down to the pond, as it leaves a partial wedge in. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways and rough were fine. Bunkers had plenty of sand. Greens were lightly sanded, and fairly grainy. Speed was probably 10 if you could find a flat spot. Downhill felt like 12. 

 

Played a Champions/Masters (Blue/White) combo at 6220 yds (70.8/141). Quite the round. Solid day off the tee. Decent iron play, but got lucky with a few iffy shots that still managed to find the green. Putting left a little to be desired. Two birdies and six bogies. Highlight of the round came early on the par 3 3rd. Blind teeshot that disappeared over the front of the green. Got up there and it was two feet from the cup. Played the par 3s in one under, so very happy with that. My playing partners were fun. The couple from Boise had solid games. 

 

Going with a solid 9 cows. I considered WC to be a personal top 10 favorite for years, and today reinforced that opinion. Sure, there's a ton of eye candy, but there are also plenty of fun and/or challenging holes. I'd like to see a few more fairway bunkers. The $260 rate wasn't cheap, but compared to a handful of the rounds in Vegas that cost $250, this one is a no brainer. Doesn't get much more must play than this. 

 

Edited May 6 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Wolf Creek GC, Mesquite, NV. Hard to pick out just a few photos. 

 

 

Looking out towards the 17th from the tips on #2 

 

 

#2 from the tips 

 

 

Par 3 3rd 

 

 

Par 5 5th 

 

 

 

Par 3 8th from the tips 

 

 

 

Par 3 11th 

 

 

Par 5 12th 

 

 

 

 

Par 5 17th from the tips 

 

 

One last look from above the 9th green 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/tpcrsijdwc0ggqldnfw0b/APTHYrr5S0d6GtDmPKYX_Jc?rlkey=mqd9qwl2n437m59pziee0hf1u&dl=0

 

[StoutKing]

15 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Wolf Creek GC, Mesquite, NV. Hard to pick out just a few photos. 

 

 

Looking out towards the 17th from the tips on #2 

 

 

#2 from the tips 

 

 

Par 3 3rd 

 

 

Par 5 5th 

 

 

 

Par 3 8th from the tips 

 

 

 

Par 3 11th 

 

 

Par 5 12th 

 

 

 

 

Par 5 17th from the tips 

 

 

One last look from above the 9th green 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/tpcrsijdwc0ggqldnfw0b/APTHYrr5S0d6GtDmPKYX_Jc?rlkey=mqd9qwl2n437m59pziee0hf1u&dl=0

 

Looks stunning.  Is it walkable?

[Argonne69]

5 minutes ago, StoutKing said:

Looks stunning.  Is it walkable?

 

They don't allow walking, but being part mountain goat I think I could manage. However, it would be a very tough walk, as there are plenty of hikes down from the elevated tees, and then up to the greens. There are probably three or four long hikes between holes of 200 to 300 yds. 

 

[Argonne69]

Lol. Ugh. After nearly 4 months in the Pacific time zone, I cross back into the Mountain time zone tomorrow as I journey into Utah. It's going to be a rough morning on Wednesday. Crazy how one hour can throw your body off. 

 

Exciting afternoon tomorrow as I was able to book a visit to a dentist for a teeth cleaning. Healthcare on the road is tough, and dental is no different. Called several dental offices, but most are booked out months in advance. Luckily I found one today that had a last minute cancelation. 

 

[postfold]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Going with a solid 9 cows. 

 

 

Wow!  The super-elusive 9 cow course!  That's like getting a third Michelin star.

[Argonne69]

7 minutes ago, postfold said:

 

Wow!  The super-elusive 9 cow course!  That's like getting a third Michelin star.

 

Lol. Only three awarded in nearly 600 courses played. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

52 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Lol. Ugh. After nearly 4 months in the Pacific time zone, I cross back into the Mountain time zone tomorrow as I journey into Utah. It's going to be a rough morning on Wednesday. Crazy how one hour can throw your body off. 

 

Exciting afternoon tomorrow as I was able to book a visit to a dentist for a teeth cleaning. Healthcare on the road is tough, and dental is no different. Called several dental offices, but most are booked out months in advance. Luckily I found one today that had a last minute cancelation. 

 

 

 

Your teeth will love you...

[StudentGolfer4]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. Only three awarded in nearly 600 courses played. 

 

I know you have created a list but forgive me for not going back to find it.
 

Kiawah, Wolf Creek and Pebble? 

[DrSchteeve]

On 5/5/2024 at 12:05 PM, mci711 said:

 

Not sure.. Is 115 with no humidity really worse than 90-95 with 90% humidity? 

 

Grew up in Florida, live in Arizona. I would take 115 degrees and 15% humidity over 90 degrees and 85% (numbers a little closer to what you might see) every time.

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I know you have created a list but forgive me for not going back to find it.
 

Kiawah, Wolf Creek and Pebble? 

 

Yes. 

[hammergolf]

8 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Simply gorgeous day. Sunny skies and slightly cooler temps. No wind early, and a nice gentle breeze to finish the round. So glad I passed on Palm GC and played Wolf Creek for the 2nd time. What a stunning course. I took a ridiculous number of photos, but it's hard not to look in any direction and not say, "Wow." it's like playing golf on Mars. Don't quite understand why some don't like it. Yes, it's tough, but it's not supposed to be your typical muni. Elevation changes galore, including teeboxes and greens. Took a hike to the tips on the 2nd, and you have a stunning view. Don't think there's a boring hole on the layout. Certainly not any cookie cutter holes. Water on 9 holes is definitely a factor. Five holes with left/right movement. Bunkering is solid, but could use a few more in the fairways. A few homes are visible off property, but the course itself has no homes. 

 

Tough course off the tee with several forced carries, and water awaiting. The par 4 2nd and par 5 5th stand out as difficult. The par 5 12th also has side slope that will funnel a good drive towards the left pond. Rough isn't particularly wide, so minor misses could be trouble. Big misses are big trouble. There just no room out in the desert, and very few adjacent holes. Approaches are also tough with plenty of uphill and downhill shots, and solid greenside bunkering. Greens are excellent with plenty of tiering, contours, and slope. Putting was tough. Above the hole was very dicey. Up and downs were very tricky with the tough greens, and plenty of uneven lies around them. Got hung up in the rough behind the green a couple of times, and it was extremely hard to chip/pitch it close. 

 

Par 3s are excellent. The short 15th is the weakest of the bunch. The long uphill 3rd is tough. The 11th's elevated tee provides a heck of a view. The 8th has a small creek surrounding the green with no room for error. Snapped a photo from the tips playing at 248 yds, and I have no idea how one could put a ball on the green. Par 5s are very good. The dogleg 5th has a long carry over a diagonal creek, and if you risk enough you can go for it. Finding the fairway on the 12th was a challenge. The 17th is a good risk/reward hole with an elevated tee. Poke one far enough out there and it's a green light, but the green's front is protected by a pond. Short 4s are very good. The dogleg 4th can be driven by cutting the corner, but it's a hidden green. A layup is no picnic with heavy bunkers. The short 7th has a shallow elevated green that's tough to hold if you run one down to the pond, as it leaves a partial wedge in. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways and rough were fine. Bunkers had plenty of sand. Greens were lightly sanded, and fairly grainy. Speed was probably 10 if you could find a flat spot. Downhill felt like 12. 

 

Played a Champions/Masters (Blue/White) combo at 6220 yds (70.8/141). Quite the round. Solid day off the tee. Decent iron play, but got lucky with a few iffy shots that still managed to find the green. Putting left a little to be desired. Two birdies and six bogies. Highlight of the round came early on the par 3 3rd. Blind teeshot that disappeared over the front of the green. Got up there and it was two feet from the cup. Played the par 3s in one under, so very happy with that. My playing partners were fun. The couple from Boise had solid games. 

 

Going with a solid 9 cows. I considered WC to be a personal top 10 favorite for years, and today reinforced that opinion. Sure, there's a ton of eye candy, but there are also plenty of fun and/or challenging holes. I'd like to see a few more fairway bunkers. The $260 rate wasn't cheap, but compared to a handful of the rounds in Vegas that cost $250, this one is a no brainer. Doesn't get much more must play than this. 

 

One of the tee shots that I still remember is #12. From the elevated tee the ball just stays in the air forever. Definitely one of the great layouts in the country.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Looks like I will be playing Wolf Creek next month! Are you playing Conestoga as well?

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Looks like I will be playing Wolf Creek next month! Are you playing Conestoga as well?

 

No, I played Conestoga on my last trip here in 2017. 'Heading to St George this morning.

 

Conestoga:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/k0u8aez3saxqxj608skgl/ADjVb3kt2YlA3FDw1XALY9c?rlkey=rceqxcbv6ril3fqsuxlgm6ia3&dl=0

 

Edited May 7 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Nice short drive to St George today. I-15 through Virgin River Canyon is very pretty. The grades weren't as dramatic as I remember from my last drive through the area. Settled into the RV park a few miles east of town. It's adjacent to the interstate, but the sound barrier along the highway is doing a decent job of keeping the road noise out. The gravel spaces are nice and big, and fairly level. 

 

Utah is my 45 state visited on the trip. Only Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii remain. Of course I won't be driving Bessie to AK or HI. Lol. 

 

Stopped to fill Bessie's gas tank on the way in St George. First time since Yuma in January that I paid less that $4 a gallon. 

 

 

 

Edited May 7 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Booked an RV park in Grand Junction for late May. I didn't realize that Lakota Links is 77 miles east of there near Glenwood Springs. Is the course worth the 75 minute drive? 

 

Battlement Mesa and Devil's Thumb are also quite a hike at 40 miles each. At least Redlands Mesa is close. 

 

[Dancin]

15 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Booked an RV park in Grand Junction for late May. I didn't realize that Lakota Links is 77 miles east of there near Glenwood Springs. Is the course worth the 75 minute drive? 

 

Battlement Mesa and Devil's Thumb are also quite a hike at 40 miles each. At least Redlands Mesa is close. 

 

I think Lakota Links is Jim Engh's best design and better than Redlands Mesa which is repetitive to me, but conditioning will probably be less than Redlands Mesa at this time of the year.  Regardless I think it is worth the drive especially since you like big elevation changes. The smart thing to do would be to play 36 holes in one day and combine that with Battlement Mesa, but I know you generally don't do 36 holes. Palisade is a nice little town on the way back from either of them and has a pretty good brewery there.

 

Also Battlement Mesa just punched the greens.

[Dancin]

Ahh missed the late May part. All the courses should be fine by then. I don't think the winter was especially tough so no reason I know of for them to have bad conditions. You will run into the singles not allowed to book a fully open tee time policy at Lakota Links, but their tee sheet should be pretty open at the end of May. if you want that first tee time in the morning you are going to need to be ready to book when the booking windows open though.

 

Both Lakota Links and Battlement Mesa do host a lot of tournaments that will shut down the course for half the day or more to the public, so you will want to plan ahead and check the course events calendars. Lakota has a shotgun event on Friday 5/31 that I would assume will close the course till dinner time

[Argonne69]

17 minutes ago, Dancin said:

Ahh missed the late May part. All the courses should be fine by then. I don't think the winter was especially tough so no reason I know of for them to have bad conditions. You will run into the singles not allowed to book a fully open tee time policy at Lakota Links, but their tee sheet should be pretty open at the end of May. if you want that first tee time in the morning you are going to need to be ready to book when the booking windows open though.

 

Both Lakota Links and Battlement Mesa do host a lot of tournaments that will shut down the course for half the day or more to the public, so you will want to plan ahead and check the course events calendars. Lakota has a shotgun event on Friday 5/31 that I would assume will close the course till dinner time

 

Thanks. I'll be there May 20th through the 24th. With over an hour drive, I probably won't be grabbing the first tee time. 

 

[Argonne69]

Ugh. It's going to be another long week on the brewery front here in St George. The area has one brewery, and it has a weak taplist. Looks like I'll be digging deeper into my stash. 

 

After a visit to the dentist, it's time for a tasty Belgian Golden Strong Ale. 

 

 

[tlknight]

I’m flying up to St George tomorrow to play some golf. First time to Utah, just hoping I can find a Miller Lite. 

[tw422]

15 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Ugh. It's going to be another long week on the brewery front here in St George. The area has one brewery, and it has a weak taplist. Looks like I'll be digging deeper into my stash. 

 

After a visit to the dentist, it's time for a tasty Belgian Golden Strong Ale. 

 

 

Utah liquor laws and visitor guide - Arg probably a good thing you have a nice stash.  You seem to like the higher ABV stuff and Utah does not like it.  Might be tough to find a decent brewery in Utah.  🫠

[Argonne69]

Semi-enjoyable morning. Is that even a word? Lol. After a few weeks of warm temps, I was not prepared for the cold today. Brilliant sunshine, but it was only 45 degrees when I pulled into the parking lot, and combined with a brisk 20 mph north wind it was somewhat unpleasant. Had to wear ear covers throughout the round on a course that's fully exposed to the elements. Cart path only certainly didn't help things. The course is hosting an Epson Tour tournament next week, so it's CPO for now. Other than a hike to the 1st tee from the temporary clubhouse, it's a very easy walk with little elevation change and tees close to greens. 

 

Copper Rock is a very nice layout with lovely views of the red cliffs to the east, and mountains to the north. While there is some nice mounding, and a few hills, it's generally pretty flat. There are new homes lining a couple of holes, but for now most of the course is out in the open. I expect that will change the over the next few years. Bunkering was very good, and extremely penal. You do not want to be anywhere near them, as the bushy eyebrows will eat balls. Water on six holes, but other than the pond that splits the adjacent 9th and 18th fairway fairways, and a small pond on the 6th, the water is in the form of small creeks. Six holes with left/right movement, but they were all gentle sweepers. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with the bunkers in play. Normally I wouldn't worry too much about them, but those eyebrows had me spooked. Rough was fairly generous, so minor misses weren't bad. Big misses might get lucky in the desert. Approaches were tough with some odd shaped greens that were well guarded. Greens had a decent amount of tiering, contours and slope. They weren't crazy, but provided a solid challenge. Plenty of closely mown areas around them, so missed greens allowed for options. 

 

Par 3s were lackluster. The 15th and 17th were both very short, but at least the 17th had a creek in play. The long 7th was halfway decent. 5s were disappointing. Nothing reachable, and not a lot of danger. The pair of short 4s were meh. 

 

Conditions were excellent. With a tournament next week they had an army of workers out there grooming the course. Fairways were lush. Rough was very thick, but cut to a good height. Bunkers needed grooming, but had plenty of sand. Greens were very firm, and looked fantastic, but the speed was only 9. They'll probably cut them later this week. 

 

Played a Black/Gold combo at 6325 yds (70.6/127). Good day ballstriking, but the upwind holes played tough. Couldn't putt on the slow greens. Six bogies and a double. Highlight of the round came on the 18th. I was between clubs, and I don't get to take advantage of backstops very often, so I went with the longer club, and sure enough the ball bounded over the back of the green, bounced off the grandstand, and made it's way back on to the putting surface. Lowlight was losing a ball in one of the bunker eyebrows, leading to the double. 

 

Going with 6 cows. Very nice looking course, but the design needs work. Green complexes are excellent, but the layout needs a good risk/reward par 5 and more trouble on the short 4s. The $200 weekday rate was probably double what it should cost, but it seems to be the norm these days. I'd say it's a must play in the area, but I wouldn't pay that again. 

 

[Argonne69]

Copper Rock GC, Hurricane, UT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short par 3 17th 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/op37hix91woeybr7zdh6j/ALRkQa3n4SS1EZdbg6kZRJI?rlkey=zv8e66cx7b2809ns1xkfm5u92&dl=0

 

[mci711]

Accurate to say, ranking wise, the golf the last few weeks may be the best stretch of the past two years for you? Seems that way. 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, mci711 said:

Accurate to say, ranking wise, the golf the last few weeks may be the best stretch of the past two years for you? Seems that way. 

 

Given the cost, I sure hope so. 🙃