The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[touch]

9 hours ago, TiScape said:

The courses you play look beautiful t. The mountains and tress appeal to my eyes 😊

 

Man TS you have psychic powers. I didn't even post a photo of Tress and yet you knew she was a cutie. She is way appealing yes.   Impressive NorCal.  😅

 

[sunbeltgolfer]

18 minutes ago, Fellaheen51 said:

Peak orange barrel season around here.  Road repair and overhaul is everywhere.  The governor ran on a motto of "Fix the damn roads."  And that's what the state has been doing.  The state portion of the gas tax went up again In January to 28.6 cents.  We now pay a total of 68.6 cents per gallon in total taxes.  Although the price for a gallon of gas remains relatively reasonable.  Was $3.29 when I filled up yesterday.  Beginning to see a noticeable improvement in the quality of the road surfaces.  

 

Massive 10 year project taking place on I-75.  They aren't just resurfacing, but rebuilding the entire road surface.  Adding lanes, taking down bridges and reconstructing.  Reconstructing entire interchanges.  And doing it smart this time.  Engineered a thicker cement road surface based on the Autobahn model.  That significantly increases the life of the road.  At least that's what I've read. 

 

In a ~7 mile stretch, two sections of the nearby highway are under repair, down to one lane controlled by a traffic light.  Navigating them is a PITA and causes significant backups at certain times of the day.  Avoid the project by taking a dirt back road route around the entire work zone.  Unfortunately, I'm not the only one that's figure this out.  Lots of traffic on these rural back roads.  If one wants the damn roads fixed, this is what one must tolerate.  

 

FWIW.  Depending on the source, Michigan ranks first or second in states with the best drivers.  Sure, there's always the yahoo factor present.  Driver's doing stupid sizzle.  But my observation is by and large we know how to roll down the highway pretty good.  Quite noticeable by way of comparison when I've had to drive in other states over the years.  

 

 

We are already at or near the max State gas tax and have been for some time. Not sure where that money and our Highway Use Tax funds go as our roads are terrible. The HUT on my 2021 E63s when I bought it was almost $5000.00. The first renewal for a sticker a year later was $2000.00. I don't believe our poor conditions are due to a lack of taxes for the State of NC. 

[touch]

Connestee Falls 

Est. 1973

par 72

white tees 

5727 yards

68.4/121 

 

Yesterday I played fairly well but just couldn't get a birdie putt to drop. I had 4 looks from 15-20 but failed to drain a single one, so zero birdies. I did make a mess of one hole and took a double. For the day on a hilly course with smallish greens I made a good many useful pars and that was dandy enough. I shot a 7 over 79.

 

The afternoon was very special. I got to play in spectacular weather (for July), and got to play a very scenic golf course with my best golf buddies. After the round while we were having a pop in the clubhouse my friend Stan says to me, " that was one of the most fun rounds we have played this season." I couldn't have agreed more. I was all smiles out there on the lush green hills of Brevard, NC. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by touch

[braincramp52]

36 minutes ago, sunbeltgolfer said:

We are already at or near the max State gas tax and have been for some time. Not sure where that money and our Highway Use Tax funds go as our roads are terrible. The HUT on my 2021 E63s when I bought it was almost $5000.00. The first renewal for a sticker a year later was $2000.00. I don't believe our poor conditions are due to a lack of taxes for the State of NC. 

What's HUT?

[sunbeltgolfer]

1 minute ago, braincramp52 said:

What's HUT?

"Highway Use Tax" that is added in to all vehicle registration, on top of sales tax, and all the other fees.

[braincramp52]

4 minutes ago, sunbeltgolfer said:

"Highway Use Tax" that is added in to all vehicle registration, on top of sales tax, and all the other fees.

Holy Crap!!  I'm shocked that Illinois doesn't do the same thing. We love our taxes .

Edited July 11, 2023 by braincramp52

[DLeightonReid]

It's 2 4 2sday!

[touch]

16 minutes ago, braincramp52 said:

What's HUT?

 

I've never heard it called that BC, but I think what he is referring to is our annual payment for our license plate. Sort of like a vehicle property tax. Your annual fee is based on the assessed value of your vehicle that year . I drive a modest car so I pay in the hundreds, but those with the expensive rides pay quite a bit more. 

 

I am correct aren't I sunbelt? 

[touch]

Whoops, SB already answered.

😄

 

We had the same tax in Virginia when I lived in the DC area. 

 

 

[Fellaheen51]

My vehicle registration and tab renewal this year is $133.00.  That includes the $13.00 Recreational Passport for entrance into all state parks/recreation areas.  Based on what I'm reading, that's a deal.  

[braincramp52]

23 minutes ago, touch said:

 

I've never heard it called that BC, but I think what he is referring to is our annual payment for our license plate. Sort of like a vehicle property tax. Your annual fee is based on the assessed value of your vehicle that year . I drive a modest car so I pay in the hundreds, but those with the expensive rides pay quite a bit more. 

 

I am correct aren't I sunbelt? 

We pay a flat fee for license renewal of $150. It used to be $75 about 3 years ago. 

[touch]

18 minutes ago, Fellaheen51 said:

My vehicle registration and tab renewal this year is $133.00.  That includes the $13.00 Recreational Passport for entrance into all state parks/recreation areas.  Based on what I'm reading, that's a deal.  

 

Speaking of Michigan parks Fella, is Stony Creek still a nice place to spend an afternoon? I used to enjoy going there as a young kid. 

[DLeightonReid]

12 hours ago, touch said:

Dman             Rory               Lowry

NJBF             Min Lee          Aberg

chisag           Rory               Scheffler

IMK                Fitzpatrick     Hojgaard

Chef              JT                   Rickie

LP                 Spieth             Woodland

TS                 Xander            Hovland

aen               Rory                 Hovland

BSC              Rory                Scheffler

TL                 Rory                Rickie

DMM             Rory                Rahm 

 

 

Anyone else? 

Yes, please put me down for Hatton and Fleetwood.  Thanks.

[Fellaheen51]

4 minutes ago, touch said:

 

Speaking of Michigan parks Fella, is Stony Creek still a nice place to spend an afternoon? I used to enjoy going there as a young kid. 

 

Yes, absolutely.  Remains a very popular and well maintained multi-use park.  One of the 13 in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks System.  Haven't been there in years, no need really as we have parks/recreation areas nearby.  Have played the golf course a couple times.  The closer Indian Springs Metropark has a very nice golf course that we play regularly.  The geezer rate during the week is only $28 for 18 with cart.  

[touch]

 

Dman             Rory               Lowry

NJBF             Min Lee          Aberg

chisag           Rory               Scheffler

IMK                Fitzpatrick     Hojgaard

Chef              JT                   Rickie

LP                 Spieth             Woodland

TS                 Xander            Hovland

aen               Rory                 Hovland

BSC              Rory                Scheffler

TL                 Rory                Rickie

DMM             Rory                Rahm

P3P              Fitzpatrick       Fleetwood

DLR              Hatton             Fleetwood

 

[touch]

Mr. Big Fish, please remember to award IMK his 20 points for his win in the Women's US Open contest, and also please post the updated standings prior to the kickoff of the Scottish Open.

 

Thank you

 

 

[touch]

Last week I received a special invitation to play with a couple of guys that I haven't seen in quite a while. That invitation was for a round taking place this afternoon. I am very much looking forward to it. This one might just touch my heart. Details later this evening. 

 

 

[touch]

JT, Jordan, and Rickie with their wives at Wimbledon.

Looking good everybody. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

3 hours ago, braincramp52 said:

Holy Crap!!  I'm shocked that Illinois doesn't do the same thing. We love our taxes .

 

Perhaps they'll make an exception for you. 😁

[NCLancer]

[braincramp52]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Perhaps they'll make an exception for you. 😁

I'm sure they would. They make up for it with house taxes. 🤣

[TiScape]

5 hours ago, touch said:

Connestee Falls 

Est. 1973

par 72

white tees 

5727 yards

68.4/121 

 

Yesterday I played fairly well but just couldn't get a birdie putt to drop. I had 4 looks from 15-20 but failed to drain a single one, so zero birdies. I did make a mess of one hole and took a double. For the day on a hilly course with smallish greens I made a good many useful pars and that was dandy enough. I shot a 7 over 79.

 

The afternoon was very special. I got to play in spectacular weather (for July), and got to play a very scenic golf course with my best golf buddies. After the round while we were having a pop in the clubhouse my friend Stan says to me, " that was one of the most fun rounds we have played this season." I couldn't have agreed more. I was all smiles out there on the lush green hills of Brevard, NC. 

 

Lots of beautiful tresses on that course!
😜

[braincramp52]

14 minutes ago, braincramp52 said:

I'm sure they would. They make up for it with house taxes. 🤣

Hope this isn't considered a political post. I got a final warning the other day. 🙄

[TiScape]

16 minutes ago, braincramp52 said:

Hope this isn't considered a political post. I got a final warning the other day. 🙄

Welcome to my world! Well actually, CS owns the place…

🤣
 

*My general rule of thumb. If there is any doubt, don’t hit ‘submit’! A lot of my best material never sees the light of day. 😂

**but I realize that us just venting 
 

Edited July 11, 2023 by TiScape

[NCLancer]

 

Patrick Cantlay

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

Shane Lowry IRELAND

[touch]

We are underway.🙂

 

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by touch

[chisag]

21 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Glad you are getting to play. It has been raining on and off all day in fact raining now. But it has cooled down to like 85 or so but still have humidity between showers

 

 

... What a difference a few thousand miles can make:


 

Monsoon season in Phoenix has been on the calendar for almost a month, but the Valley hasn’t seen any rain or monsoon storms. Where has the rain gone, and when will it come back? According to Isaac Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix, measurable rain last fell in the area 110 days ago, on March 22. On that day, about 0.2 inches of rain fell across the Valley.

 

[TiScape]

2 hours ago, touch said:

JT, Jordan, and Rickie with their wives at Wimbledon.

Looking good everybody. 

 

Getting a major Anne Hathaway vibe from Rickie’s wife in this pic. 

Cool they all got a break and went! I enjoy Wimbledon myself 😊

[aenemated]

28 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Getting a major Anne Hathaway vibe from Rickie’s wife in this pic. 

Cool they all got a break and went! I enjoy Wimbledon myself 😊

 

Rick got himself an OG internet babe meme for a wife ...

 

 

That one made the rounds like a decade ago! 😂

[TiScape]

1 minute ago, aenemated said:

 

Rick got himself an OG internet babe meme for a wife ...

 

 

That one made the rounds like a decade ago! 😂

Preaching to the choir mí amigo! That image is burned permanently into my gray matter  🧠 I can only imagine how many times ‘pole vault chick’ was searched! 😜

 

🤣