Bend's 2022-2024 Golf Log

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Next weekend the wife and I plan on heading down to Athens, GA and Augusta, GA. One of those two spots are in the running to move to after our twins graduate high school in 2026. Since she is going I doubt that I will get three courses in. Might have to settle for two courses from these three. She does not like to play as much as I do. We will also look at Southern Coastal Georgia as well from Jekyll Island down to the Florida border.

 

Aiken GC

Foresthills GC

Univ. of Georgia GC

 

 

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Decided against heading down to the RTJ Golf trail this weekend. It's been almost a month since I played. My  plan for today was to play Noble Hawk Golf Links this morning, then the nine hole Donald Ross Golf Club afterwards. Donald Ross Golf Club looks to be closed for the season, too bad as the weather was really great today. Sunny, high 50's. Noble Hawk Links was $45 with cart. Decent course, all the par 3's were almost exactly the same. A few tight holes. Course was in great shape, greens looked like they had been punched 3 weeks ago or so, not totally healed but rolled great. Played 18 holes right at 3 hours. Course number 580 played. Augusta was post-poned until next weekend. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Played a Hamilton County Parks course today, Sharon Woods. Was invited by a friend and wanted to play golf even though I have never really cared for this golf course, maybe 6500 from the tips and a par 70. Very few easy holes here. There are two par fours that could easily be par fives. Slow play on the front, typical for this place as the first 3 holes take forever due to the design. Course was built by Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the depression. Bobby Jones hit the first (ceremonial) tee shot here while working for Spaulding. Most of the Hamilton County Park courses are decent. Gave me a free golf cart for veteran's day so that saved me $20. Paid $21 for 18 holes. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

We finally made it down to Augusta for a 4 day stay. The weather was awesome today, 76 and warm! Since they would not allow me to play Augusta National, I headed over to Forest Hills Golf Course, designed by Donald Ross in 1926. Awesome golf course. Pace of play was great, 3 hours and we waited on the last four tee boxes. Near perfect conditions and the course routing was excellent. Traded in my Ping G410's for G425's this week and I am not sure that I like the new ones, and I am sure it's more me than the clubs. 

Edited November 19, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Here are a few more pics.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Got up early and walked nine holes at "The Patch", Augusta Municipal Golf Course. I thought it would be flat with the course being near the airport, but it was rolling terrain. Great routing. I did not find the conditions to be terrible and I guess Augusta National has finally stepped up to help them improve the golf course. Greens were of the small, push up variety that were typical of 1920's courses. Land it short here!

Edited November 21, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

More pics of The Patch.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Today the wife and I spent most of the day looking at neighborhoods in and around Augusta as we're 90% sure this is where we would like to move to when our last two kids graduate high school in two years. After that we headed over to Fort Eisenhower, formerly known as Fort Gordon. They have a really nice 27 hole course that was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. I'll join here once we move here. It was super nice, not one rake in the traps and they were all maintained! Lots of room off the tee, which is always appreciated. 

Edited November 21, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

A few more.....

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Man, my images must be too large!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I retire (early) on 5/1/25. I am taking the whole month off to drive out to Bandon and back. I'll to get 30-35 courses in total. I have pretty much already mapped out the courses that I would like to play. I already made my Bandon reservations. Have not decided on my car, a rental car, or a smaller motorhome.

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I retire (early) on 5/1/25. I am taking the whole month off to drive out to Bandon and back. I'll to get 30-35 courses in total. I have pretty much already mapped out the courses that I would like to play. I already made my Bandon reservations. Have not decided on my car, a rental car, or a smaller motorhome.

 

A small class B motorhome would certainly give you more flexibility if your plans change along the way.

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 11/24/2023 at 8:31 AM, Argonne69 said:

 

A small class B motorhome would certainly give you more flexibility if your plans change along the way.

 

I wonder what that would cost to rent for 30 days?

[Argonne69]

26 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I wonder what that would cost to rent for 30 days?

 

They're not cheap.

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I just made some tee times for next week while I am in Florida. My son (has never played golf yet, just the driving range and Top Golf) is going to play a round with me at Arcadia Municipal. I also made a tee time at the newly renovated Bobby Jones municipal ($99 for a muni???) complex in Sarasota. I doubt that I will be able to get 3 rounds in however. 

 

I have confirmed my retirement date; 5/1/25 and the wife has given me permission to take a month off (before starting another job) to "go golfing". My plan is to drive from Ohio to California and back. My goal is to try and play 40+ courses in 30-35 days. I'll toss in some military courses and a few Donald Ross courses where I can for 9 hole rounds. I am finding that back to back 36 hole days can be tough for me now and 27 is much more doable. Obviously some days I will be playing 36 holes at the nicer courses. Bandon is already reserved! I picked these courses based on saving some driving time/driving routes, as this will be over 5,000 miles of driving! I have a lot of time to change this up, but this is where I plan on playing so far. I am open to your suggestions as well! 

 

Missouri:

Swope Memorial GC

Hillcrest GC (Donald Ross)

 

Kansas:

Trails West GC (Fort Leavenworth) Army

Colbert Hills GC 

 

Colorado:

Eisenhower East and West Air Force

Fort Carson GC Army

Common Ground GC

Wellshire GC Donald Ross

Arrowhead GC

Tiara Rado GC

 

Utah:

Soldier Hollow Silver and Gold

Red Dixie Hills GC

Sand Hollow GC
Coral Canyon

Ledges

Sky Mountain

Copper Rock

 

Idaho:

Quail Valley

 

Oregon:

Tetherow

Bar Run 

Bandon Trails

Pacific Dunes

Sheep Ranch

Old MacDonald

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Preserve/Shortys

Bandon Crossings

 

California:

Lincoln Park

Presidio

Bayonet

Black Horse

Sharp Park

Harding Park

Gleneagles (if it's still open)

Pacific Grove

Monterrey Pines (Navy)

Del Monte

Pasatiempo

 

I want to play Pebble Beach, but I think I'll wait and do that as a stand alone, separate trip with the wife.

 

Nevada:

Coyote Springs

Sunrise Vista GC (Air Force)

 

Nebraska:

Bayside

Awarii Dunes

Landmand

 

Iowa:

Waveland Municipal GC

 

Illinois:

TPC Deere Run

Weaver Ridge GC (maybe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 11/26/2023 at 5:10 PM, Argonne69 said:

 

They're not cheap.

 

Outdoorsy has some good deals, but I think I am going to do a combination of Air BnB's, Hotels and KOA cabins. 

[Argonne69]

5 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I just made some tee times for next week while I am in Florida. My son (has never played golf yet, just the driving range and Top Golf) is going to play a round with me at Arcadia Municipal. I also made a tee time at the newly renovated Bobby Jones municipal ($99 for a muni???) complex in Sarasota. I doubt that I will be able to get 3 rounds in however. 

 

I have confirmed my retirement date; 5/1/25 and the wife has given me permission to take a month off (before starting another job) to "go golfing". My plan is to drive from Ohio to California and back. My goal is to try and play 40+ courses in 30-35 days. I'll toss in some military courses and a few Donald Ross courses where I can for 9 hole rounds. I am finding that back to back 36 hole days can be tough for me now and 27 is much more doable. Obviously some days I will be playing 36 holes at the nicer courses. Bandon is already reserved! I picked these courses based on saving some driving time/driving routes, as this will be over 5,000 miles of driving! I have a lot of time to change this up, but this is where I plan on playing so far. I am open to your suggestions as well! 

 

Missouri:

Swope Memorial GC

Hillcrest GC (Donald Ross)

 

Kansas:

Trails West GC (Fort Leavenworth) Army

Colbert Hills GC 

 

Colorado:

Eisenhower East and West Air Force

Fort Carson GC Army

Common Ground GC

Wellshire GC Donald Ross

Arrowhead GC

Tiara Rado GC

 

Utah:

Soldier Hollow Silver and Gold

Red Dixie Hills GC

Sand Hollow GC
Coral Canyon

Ledges

Sky Mountain

Copper Rock

 

Idaho:

Quail Valley

 

Oregon:

Tetherow

Bar Run 

Bandon Trails

Pacific Dunes

Sheep Ranch

Old MacDonald

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Preserve/Shortys

Bandon Crossings

 

California:

Lincoln Park

Presidio

Bayonet

Black Horse

Sharp Park

Harding Park

Gleneagles (if it's still open)

Pacific Grove

Monterrey Pines (Navy)

Del Monte

Pasatiempo

 

I want to play Pebble Beach, but I think I'll wait and do that as a stand alone, separate trip with the wife.

 

Nevada:

Coyote Springs

Sunrise Vista GC (Air Force)

 

Nebraska:

Bayside

Awarii Dunes

Landmand

 

Iowa:

Waveland Municipal GC

 

Illinois:

TPC Deere Run

Weaver Ridge GC (maybe)

 

 

I didn't get a chance to play Common Ground, but try check out Rain National if you can. 

 

[vallygolf]

On 11/24/2023 at 6:31 AM, Argonne69 said:

 

A small class B motorhome would certainly give you more flexibility if your plans change along the way.

 

Bend,  The interweb is full of people offering opinions.  You never know who might recommend something bizzar.  I would make sure and vett anyone recommending motorhome travel and golf.  I mean at a minimum they should have at least a little experience before they make rash recommendations. 

[Argonne69]

23 minutes ago, vallygolf said:

Bend,  The interweb is full of people offering opinions.  You never know who might recommend something bizzar.  I would make sure and vett anyone recommending motorhome travel and golf.  I mean at a minimum they should have at least a little experience before they make rash recommendations. 

 

Lol. I've been on the road for over 2 years in a class A motorhome. I've played 480 courses in 43 states and 7 provinces. Might know a few things about the RV life. 

 

[vallygolf]

15 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. I've been on the road for over 2 years in a class A motorhome. I've played 480 courses in 43 states and 7 provinces. Might know a few things about the RV life. 

 

obviously my post was sarcasm.  I doubt there is anyone more qualified to give an opinion on the road and golf.

[Argonne69]

3 hours ago, vallygolf said:

obviously my post was sarcasm.  I doubt there is anyone more qualified to give an opinion on the road and golf.

 

Sorry, my sarcasm meter was on the fritz yesterday. 

 

[TKS]

On 12/19/2023 at 9:15 AM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I just made some tee times for next week while I am in Florida. My son (has never played golf yet, just the driving range and Top Golf) is going to play a round with me at Arcadia Municipal. I also made a tee time at the newly renovated Bobby Jones municipal ($99 for a muni???) complex in Sarasota. I doubt that I will be able to get 3 rounds in however. 

 

I have confirmed my retirement date; 5/1/25 and the wife has given me permission to take a month off (before starting another job) to "go golfing". My plan is to drive from Ohio to California and back. My goal is to try and play 40+ courses in 30-35 days. I'll toss in some military courses and a few Donald Ross courses where I can for 9 hole rounds. I am finding that back to back 36 hole days can be tough for me now and 27 is much more doable. Obviously some days I will be playing 36 holes at the nicer courses. Bandon is already reserved! I picked these courses based on saving some driving time/driving routes, as this will be over 5,000 miles of driving! I have a lot of time to change this up, but this is where I plan on playing so far. I am open to your suggestions as well! 

 

Missouri:

Swope Memorial GC

Hillcrest GC (Donald Ross)

 

Kansas:

Trails West GC (Fort Leavenworth) Army

Colbert Hills GC 

 

Colorado:

Eisenhower East and West Air Force

Fort Carson GC Army

Common Ground GC

Wellshire GC Donald Ross

Arrowhead GC

Tiara Rado GC

 

Utah:

Soldier Hollow Silver and Gold

Red Dixie Hills GC

Sand Hollow GC
Coral Canyon

Ledges

Sky Mountain

Copper Rock

 

Idaho:

Quail Valley

 

Oregon:

Tetherow

Bar Run 

Bandon Trails

Pacific Dunes

Sheep Ranch

Old MacDonald

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Preserve/Shortys

Bandon Crossings

 

California:

Lincoln Park

Presidio

Bayonet

Black Horse

Sharp Park

Harding Park

Gleneagles (if it's still open)

Pacific Grove

Monterrey Pines (Navy)

Del Monte

Pasatiempo

 

I want to play Pebble Beach, but I think I'll wait and do that as a stand alone, separate trip with the wife.

 

Nevada:

Coyote Springs

Sunrise Vista GC (Air Force)

 

Nebraska:

Bayside

Awarii Dunes

Landmand

 

Iowa:

Waveland Municipal GC

 

Illinois:

TPC Deere Run

Weaver Ridge GC (maybe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add Black Desert to Utah

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Down in Florida this week visiting the in-laws. Went and played Arcadia Municipal GC in Arcadia, FL. 7 of the original holes date back to 1927. Course was your typical, low budget muni. $16 to walk or $32 to ride on a weekend. Nothing special as far as the course was concerned, but the weather was in the mid 70's and quite windy. Course is on the Historic Florida Golf trail. Course number 584. For some odd reason, I can't enter the BB code to link the photos! I guess I cannot attach any more files either. Does WRX limit the amount you can post?

Edited December 25, 2023 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[caniac6]

On 11/20/2023 at 7:32 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Today the wife and I spent most of the day looking at neighborhoods in and around Augusta as we're 90% sure this is where we would like to move to when our last two kids graduate high school in two years. After that we headed over to Fort Eisenhower, formerly known as Fort Gordon. They have a really nice 27 hole course that was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. I'll join here once we move here. It was super nice, not one rake in the traps and they were all maintained! Lots of room off the tee, which is always appreciated. 

We are thinking about looking at Aiken, but we’re afraid the town might be too small. What was it about Augusta that you liked? 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 12/25/2023 at 1:49 PM, caniac6 said:

We are thinking about looking at Aiken, but we’re afraid the town might be too small. What was it about Augusta that you liked? 

Taxes are better in GA as compared to SC. I would like access to an Army base, either Fort Jackson or Fort Eisenhower. Augusta is on the smaller side but not too small. Larger as compared to Columbia, which was my second choice. I would look closer at Aiken if taxes were better.

[CDM]

On 12/19/2023 at 9:15 AM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I just made some tee times for next week while I am in Florida. My son (has never played golf yet, just the driving range and Top Golf) is going to play a round with me at Arcadia Municipal. I also made a tee time at the newly renovated Bobby Jones municipal ($99 for a muni???) complex in Sarasota. I doubt that I will be able to get 3 rounds in however. 

 

I have confirmed my retirement date; 5/1/25 and the wife has given me permission to take a month off (before starting another job) to "go golfing". My plan is to drive from Ohio to California and back. My goal is to try and play 40+ courses in 30-35 days. I'll toss in some military courses and a few Donald Ross courses where I can for 9 hole rounds. I am finding that back to back 36 hole days can be tough for me now and 27 is much more doable. Obviously some days I will be playing 36 holes at the nicer courses. Bandon is already reserved! I picked these courses based on saving some driving time/driving routes, as this will be over 5,000 miles of driving! I have a lot of time to change this up, but this is where I plan on playing so far. I am open to your suggestions as well! 

 

Missouri:

Swope Memorial GC

Hillcrest GC (Donald Ross)

 

Kansas:

Trails West GC (Fort Leavenworth) Army

Colbert Hills GC 

 

Colorado:

Eisenhower East and West Air Force

Fort Carson GC Army

Common Ground GC

Wellshire GC Donald Ross

Arrowhead GC

Tiara Rado GC

 

Utah:

Soldier Hollow Silver and Gold

Red Dixie Hills GC

Sand Hollow GC
Coral Canyon

Ledges

Sky Mountain

Copper Rock

 

Idaho:

Quail Valley

 

Oregon:

Tetherow

Bar Run 

Bandon Trails

Pacific Dunes

Sheep Ranch

Old MacDonald

Bandon Dunes

Bandon Preserve/Shortys

Bandon Crossings

 

California:

Lincoln Park

Presidio

Bayonet

Black Horse

Sharp Park

Harding Park

Gleneagles (if it's still open)

Pacific Grove

Monterrey Pines (Navy)

Del Monte

Pasatiempo

 

I want to play Pebble Beach, but I think I'll wait and do that as a stand alone, separate trip with the wife.

 

Nevada:

Coyote Springs

Sunrise Vista GC (Air Force)

 

Nebraska:

Bayside

Awarii Dunes

Landmand

 

Iowa:

Waveland Municipal GC

 

Illinois:

TPC Deere Run

Weaver Ridge GC (maybe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you hit up Colorado make sure you hit the the CO WRX thread.  Very active and lots of great input, plus some really good players.

[CDM]

On 12/25/2023 at 11:49 AM, caniac6 said:

We are thinking about looking at Aiken, but we’re afraid the town might be too small. What was it about Augusta that you liked? 

 

I thought they were only 15 mins apart?  Aiken would be a good spot it seems given all the new fantastic courses being built and not much of a drive to Augusta.  * My perspective might be skewed by living in a major city that takes 30-40 mins to just get half way across so 15 mins seems like deal LOL 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I think AIken is closer to 25-35 minutes from Augusta depending upon traffic. SC has "yearly" property tax on cars and they do not tax the first $12,000 of your retirement. Both states do not tax your SS, but I won't get SS, so there is that. GA does not tax the first $65,000 of your pension at age 65. Car property tax is only once, when you register a car for the first time in the state. After that plates are cheap, like $20 a year.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

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I was down in Florida for a week and the weather, for the first time in December for me, was crappy and quite rainy. Luckily, I was able to get two last rounds in down there. We played Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota which just re-opened after being returned to it's original Donald Ross 18 hole configuration. Forgiving and pretty open course, perfect for walking. Price was steep for out of towners, $99 with cart. They charged my 15 year old son $50. I think local get a deal on their greens fees. Still have a double wide for the pro shop/snack bar as they don't break ground on new clubhouse until this year sometime. They will also build a shorter course across the street as well. The front nine was painfully SLOW as they had "THe Amish Open", I guess there is a large Mennonite Community in Sarasota and they had a large scramble with the "English".

 

Anyone know why I cannot link pics from an free online hosting site? I don't have any room left to post pics on my WRX account!

 

 

Edited January 9 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Have not touched a golf club since a few days after Christmas. Have Spring Break coming up and I think I will take a drive down to NC and SC to play 5-6 rounds. There are not many golf courses that I still want to play around Myrtle Beach, with the exception of True Blue. That'll add another 6 hours of driving to the trip. I'll probably suck it up and cross it off my list of places to play in South Carolina.

 

I really enjoy older Donald Ross golf courses, so I have a few that I have wanted to play; but nothing high end. Still not ready to pony up the big bucks to play the Pinehurst Resort courses, maybe I will next year.

 

Pete Dye River Course (VA)

 

Asheboro GC (NC)

Pinewood CC (NC)

Cheraw CC (SC)maybe

Aiken GC (SC)

 

Fort Mill GC (SC)

 

True Blue GC ? (SC)

Edited March 12 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC