Agreed. I’m hoping to head up there in May
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We played the Tour Devries the week before the 2CGC v FCF event. Pilgrim’s Run is cool, the Mines is great, but Diamond Springs just is hit after hit. The one-length mow is incredible.
The clubhouse leaves a bit to be desired.
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All of you should make that trip at least once. GR is close enough to Chicago that you can leave after work Friday and not burn PTO. Do Mines/PR on Saturday and DS on Sunday on your drive home. Super affordable greens fees too. Twilight rate with cart at PR was $65 and we had no trouble finishing in the daylight.
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I’m planning on a return this summer.
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Seems like a good excuse to try the lake express ferry…
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Seeing a lot of highlights from the Brewers Cup. I think the Michigan Folks wouldn’t mind taking that bad boy! Someone please reach out to me if the Chicago group wants to get that on the schedule!
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I’ll jump in on this year in review trend. 2022 was my first full season back in golf after a long hiatus and I have to thank all the sickos here for tons of great rounds and moments.
New Course - Given almost 80% of the courses I played this year were new to me, there tons of great options to choose from. Elks, Sand Valley, Mammoth, Belvedere, OFCC, WP9, the previously hailed Diamond Springs. For me though, the one course that continues to live rent free in my head is Eagle Springs. From the awesome first, the volcano 2nd, the green on 4, the helix 6th, the backstop on 7. So many fun shots to hit and loop. Can’t wait to get back up there.
Favorite Round - Being one of the first groups off at Belvedere with some buddies on a TC trip. Playing fourball and my partner and I were vibing all day and shot a gross even par. Weather was perfect, the course was pure and it was a perfect day of golf.
Best Shot - The one shot that still stands out is my 2nd into the 17th at Mudness vs @kmcswain. My drive left me with over 200 out and I didn’t get far enough right and was partially blocked out by the tree. I of course took the sensible option and hit a towering 3 Wood over the tree. All I was able to see was that I cleared the tree but had no idea of the result. I start walking and ask if it ended up ok and @kmcswain turns and looks at me with his usual look of disdain and says “it’s five fucking feet”.
A fantastic year of golf and can’t wait for Mudness '23
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I’ve done an hour of work today, so it’s time to present my 2022 year in review.
Favorite New Course
This is an impossible choice after a road trip that stopped in Pinehurst. Mid Pines, Pine Needles, Southern Pines, and Tobacco Road were all uniquely incredible, but something about Pine Needles sticks with me a little longer than the others. I played in some rainy weather and had an hour-long lightning delay in the middle, but I had a smile on my face the entire time. Honestly, the tiebreaker may be the awesome clubhouse lounge with the sunken bar. Watching the women’s open later in the summer was a true delight after having experienced it myself.
Favorite Round
This is another tough one but I’ll go with my last proper round, the final one of the NIT. I went in with no expectations and just wanted to have a good time, which I certainly accomplished. Some windy conditions played into my favor and I was narrowly leading the flight of 12 heading into the third and final qualifying round. I was grouped with the other contenders which made the round so much fun. I don’t think the gap ever got to more than a shot/point, and I ended up having to par my last hole to win outright. It was the 13th, a mid-length par 3 that was playing dead into the wind and with water guarding the left. I hit about two extra clubs and flushed it, still ending up about 60 feet short. I lagged to five feet and totally misread the putt. We ended up with a three-way tie, which @leftysauce took in a scorecard tiebreaker. Despite the result, that experience really made me want to get into actual competitive golf in 2023.
Best Shot
During an annual friends trip to Sand Valley, I had about 220 into the 10th hole on SV, coming from the hay on the left. It was a completely blind shot over a large hill, and I hit a 5-iron that was good right off the face. I did a 3/4-speed Sergio run into the fairway so I could watch it and had about two feet for the eagle. Thankfully that was within my makeable range.
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Played the oak club a ton through junior golf and high school golf my dad was our golf coach and would take a van of us to the IJGA tourney each year. Was a great track until they renovated and ruined it
@djpie did you play HS golf for the cogs? My dad was great friends with coach Sterlin
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Alright guys -
Winter meetings at Rivers Casino and Sportsbook the night of December 29th. Time to talk events for ‘23, catch up, and lose on TNF and NHL night slate parlays. Like if you’re interested and I’ll get a message thread going.
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This warms my heart so much, cause I feel 1000% the same. Was lucky enough to play it twice this year and I hope to get back next year. Have you guys ever looked at their membership rates? It’s stupid! $2200 a year for all you can play golf and one range bucket (LOL) a day. Returning members get a 15% discount! Add another family member for $400!
https://www.diamondspringsgolf.com/memberships
Still thinking over my own answers while I enjoy reading everyone else’s. Way to get a great convo going @Pinehurts !!
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I’m probably in, wife asked another family to do Medieval Times on Wednesday or Thursday. Waiting to hear back on that.
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< Underground casino night at the MP Cart Barn
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I’m pretty new to the refuge/nest and I haven’t played with any of you yet, but I’m looking forward to getting out next year to some of the events. I played more this year than I have in a long time. Can’t wait for next season. I’m moving up to Evanston from the city, so I’ll be looking to #getinvolved up North especially.
Favorite new course:
Canal Shores: So narrow, but I hit a bunch of irons and kept it straight. I love the feel of this course. Chill golf is the best golf.
Best shot
Was with my father in law and brother in law on a non-descript course in Florida over Thanksgiving. The two of them were not having a good round and I was keeping it together but nothing special. Got stuck behind and under a tree in the left junk after trying to cut the corner of a dogleg left. I hit a low hooky 9 iron and ran it up onto the green. 2 putt for par while they finish out their doubles and look at me with complete disdain. Probably the most proper golf shot I’ve ever hit in my life.
Favorite Round
Sandbox at Sand Valley with 8 of my friends. First of all, that course is so much fun. We need well designed screw-around courses like that here in Chicago. We were playing snake and I hadn’t 3 putted the entire round. Last hole I hit my tee shot to the edge of the green but can’t get it close and leave myself with a 1 footer for my 3rd putt. So I was screwed. Everyone else putts out and one man has 18 inches left and somehow leaves it short and lets me off the hook and we all laugh our asses off at him while we eat burgers from the food truck.
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This. Could you imagine having a proper short course (or two) around here?
Sign. Me. Up.
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God I wish…
Unfortunately our President is happy with forking over ALL the free crap to the Reunion Club in Florida for free membership and a seat on the board.
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Nickol Knoll in Arlington Heights is a fun one. Would be cool to rent out one day and have a dart throwing competition. Added bonus would be them letting us set up our own tees on home holes for massive up/downhill shots.
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