Anyone looking to try and play Encanto tomorrow afternoon?
@Waffles in but my non-Refuge buddy backed out so still have two spots open.
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How maryvale these days? Refuse to call it GCU… will have time for one round next Monday thinking of making it there for old times sake.
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I never played it prior to the renovation so I cannot compare to the old days, but I really enjoy it as it plays now. I think there are quite a few good holes and it’s usually is good shape. Absolutely worth the trip, especially if you have memories there.
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Played a lot of highschool matches there and always loved that course. Glad they’re keeping it up!
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Maryvale was pretty rough. Plain holes, incredibly over-treed, poorly conditioned (probably partly because of being so over-treed). 30-40 years ago when the trees were reasonable, it was probably a fine muni option. Fought said they took out something like 60% of the trees and it’s wild to think about because it is still very much a tree-lined course.
The first time I played Maryvale, #9 (what is now 18) had a cool U-shaped bunker that wrapped all around the front of the green, made going for a short par 5 interesting. But they’d abandoned that even before the renovation.
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Played it yesterday and it’s in great condition. What time were you thinking of playing Monday? I may be able to join you if you have an extra spot.
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I do agree it was standard muni condition at the time but I did enjoy the excess trees as I was a young less cultured man and playing in the big tree lined fairways was a change of pace. Found it more interesting than cave creek and encanto for sure. The junior pass they used to have made playing all of the munis a no brainer so that’s where I lived
Pending wife’s approval I was hoping to get the first time but it looks like there’s a twosome already booked
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Ah gotcha. I’ll still have kid dropoff duty, so wouldn’t be available until 8:30ish
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Let me do some work on it. I love the first time as I play as a single most often and like not being out for 4.5 hrs. It helps to be quick when it comes to get permission for another round lol
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I left GCU yesterday with even more respect for the layout. Made a couple bad decisions, missed a few shots and paid the price. I love Encanto but it only punishes the awful shots whereas GCU is a nice middle ground.
Might have to call an audible due to family plans that Monday and guarantee I can get a first time and hopefully go off as a single. Anyone have any recommendations for a decent low traffic not complete dumpster fire of a course on a Monday morning? Want to call ahead and hopefully make sure singles are welcome and hopefully I can be sent off first if the tee sheet is open. Will be staying in Goodyear but open to a reasonable 30 min or so drive. Biggest request is I don’t like playing through neighborhoods.
I know it’s a big ask but I’d love to get a round in and it’s been 10 years or better since I’ve lived in AZ and things have changed a little. (Just tried to look at times at Vistal….)
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Tres Rios? Close to Goodyear, not through a neighborhood, tee sheet looks open. I’ve never played it so have no idea if it’s a dumpster fire.
Echoing the GCU takes in here. I played it a lot growing up in JGAA events pre-reno. Now I have the Brewers practically across the street & I would squeeze nine in to let the traffic die for my daily Gilbert-Maryvale round trip in spring training.
Don’t overthink it, I they did a good job. A few of the par 4s blend but it’s a muni on a tiny plot of land. One of my favorite “non-desert” courses in Phoenix.
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The blending on the back is even cool if you love short par 4s!
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Well I quit overthinking it and took the second time at GCU. It’ll be fine, my flights at 4. I regretted not fitting it into the rotation last visit.
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I also can no longer make it. I have been informed that I have somewhere to be at 3.
Ah shoot. No worries.
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I’m possibly down. I think I could swing taking off that morning at work. Can’t commit yet if you’re okay with a wishy washy yes.