PNW Trip in August

[mallrat]

TAKE HIM UP ON TCC

 

TCC is known or rumored to have the best Poa greens anywhere including the tour courses played on Poa. I say rumored because I haven't played there but heard from many people that their greens are as good as it gets anywhere.

 

we have them running at a 14 right now......member-guest invitational this week

 

But from what i’ve heard, they are as true as anything out there, non Poa included. Hope you guys appreciate Joel and buy him something nice for X-mas. Also, from his twitter pictures the tree removal looks great

[leejohnkieh]

TAKE HIM UP ON TCC

 

TCC is known or rumored to have the best Poa greens anywhere including the tour courses played on Poa. I say rumored because I haven't played there but heard from many people that their greens are as good as it gets anywhere.

 

we have them running at a 14 right now......member-guest invitational this week

 

But from what i've heard, they are as true as anything out there, non Poa included. Hope you guys appreciate Joel and buy him something nice for X-mas. Also, from his twitter pictures the tree removal looks great

 

Yep, its been phenomenal so far this year. tree removals made a big improvement and they are cutting some of the greens to be bigger.

[duffer987]

Argonne did you make your CB time yet for the 12th?

 

No, not yet. I have to contact Hotel Murano to see if they have any CB/THC packages available. Given that I'll only be playing a single round on the 12th, my tee time is fairly flexible.

Just as an FYI - I made a 7:30am tee time at Chambers for Sat the 11th. Looks to be another opening in that group if you're looking for a morning round.

[Argonne69]

Oy. Ever try booking 9 rounds as a single? It's like juggling rabid cats.

 

I took a pass on the Hotel Murano package, as the prices are based on double occupancy.

 

I joined the WSGA, and booked a Sunday morning round at Chambers Bay. Saturday morning will likely be at The Home Course, but I can't book until next Friday at the earliest.

 

Washington National doesn't allow singles to book, but I'll likely be able to walk on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully.

 

I was hoping to make a linear trip from Tacoma to Kingston, but it's looking like I may have to backtrack once or twice. Salish Cliffs also doesn't allow singles to book, and a mid-week afternoon walk-on is probably my best shot.

 

I definitely would like to play Tacoma CC, but it's now looking like Wednesday afternoon would be the best case as I'm making my way back to SeaTac.

[kaschreiber]

Oy. Ever try booking 9 rounds as a single? It's like juggling rabid cats.

 

I took a pass on the Hotel Murano package, as the prices are based on double occupancy.

 

I joined the WSGA, and booked a Sunday morning round at Chambers Bay. Saturday morning will likely be at The Home Course, but I can't book until next Friday at the earliest.

 

Washington National doesn't allow singles to book, but I'll likely be able to walk on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully.

 

I was hoping to make a linear trip from Tacoma to Kingston, but it's looking like I may have to backtrack once or twice. Salish Cliffs also doesn't allow singles to book, and a mid-week afternoon walk-on is probably my best shot.

 

I definitely would like to play Tacoma CC, but it's now looking like Wednesday afternoon would be the best case as I'm making my way back to SeaTac.

 

Do these courses not allow to book singles online only? What about calling and explaining that you're coming from out of town? I've never had an issue skirting the singles issue/7 days in advance by actually calling pro shops to other courses in the area, so might be worth a shot, if you haven't done so already.

[Argonne69]

 

Do these courses not allow to book singles online only? What about calling and explaining that you're coming from out of town? I've never had an issue skirting the singles issue/7 days in advance by actually calling pro shops to other courses in the area, so might be worth a shot, if you haven't done so already.

 

 

They don't allow booking online or by phone. I called and explained that I'll be coming in from out of town, but to no avail. I've played over 460 courses, and less than 5% do not allow singles to book. It's ridiculous.

 

I booked Gold Mountain (Olympic) for Monday morning. Trophy Lake also doesn't allow singles to book, but I talked to the pro shop, and a Monday afternoon walk on is a good bet.

 

It appears that White Horse allows singles to book online with an existing 2-some or 3-some, so I should be able to get on fairly easily on Tuesday.

 

[CMCSGolf]

Courses in greater Seattle are awful for singles. I would guess less than 30% allow singles to book a time. None of the courses in the Oki family (Washington National and Trophy on your list) and none of the Premier facilities (which are 10 or so munis) allow singles to book, so right there that's about a quarter of the courses in the area. Chicago is much more friendly to singles and there are a lot more courses. I know it's a bigger city, but I think Chicago has more than 250 courses within 50 miles of downtown. Seattle might have 60. People are busy hiking in the mountains, understandably so.

[kaschreiber]

Thats absurd. Any harm in booking a twosome now, then given them 48 hour notice that "someone won't make it?" Morality aside, if they aren't willing to let you come out with that much advance, and considering you are coming from out of state, I don't have a lot of sympathy for them in that regard.

[duffer987]

Courses in greater Seattle are awful for singles. I would guess less than 30% allow singles to book a time. None of the courses in the Oki family (Washington National and Trophy on your list) and none of the Premier facilities (which are 10 or so munis) allow singles to book, so right there that's about a quarter of the courses in the area. Chicago is much more friendly to singles and there are a lot more courses. I know it's a bigger city, but I think Chicago has more than 250 courses within 50 miles of downtown. Seattle might have 60. People are busy hiking in the mountains, understandably so.

 

TBH as someone who does play as a single a fair bit, I understand why courses do it and fair enough if they do, I'll likely not play them then.

They don't want a bunch of johnny nomates leaving them with a bunch of threesome slots to fill.

Bay Area was very good for singles - because of the population I am sure they were pretty confident of filling their times, whereas I've found the much smaller Austin to be less accommodating. Although here all the munis allow it. If any courses should you would think it would be munis, unfortunate Seattle's don't.

[CMCSGolf]

Courses in greater Seattle are awful for singles. I would guess less than 30% allow singles to book a time. None of the courses in the Oki family (Washington National and Trophy on your list) and none of the Premier facilities (which are 10 or so munis) allow singles to book, so right there that's about a quarter of the courses in the area. Chicago is much more friendly to singles and there are a lot more courses. I know it's a bigger city, but I think Chicago has more than 250 courses within 50 miles of downtown. Seattle might have 60. People are busy hiking in the mountains, understandably so.

 

TBH as someone who does play as a single a fair bit, I understand why courses do it and fair enough if they do, I'll likely not play them then.

They don't want a bunch of johnny nomates leaving them with a bunch of threesome slots to fill.

Bay Area was very good for singles - because of the population I am sure they were pretty confident of filling their times, whereas I've found the much smaller Austin to be less accommodating. Although here all the munis allow it. If any courses should you would think it would be munis, unfortunate Seattle's don't.

 

Total agreement. I don't think a course should allow a single a single to book one spot in an open foursome. As a single player, I don't even want this. A single between foursomes is no fun. What blows my mind is that the courses in Seattle don't allow singles to add on to twosomes and threesomes. This is just throwing money away.

[duffer987]

^Agreed. Once a slot is 1/2 taken up and especially if it's within 24hrs, you're just as likely to fill it with a last minute single(s) as a twosome.

[Argonne69]

I understand if a course doesn't want a single to book in an open four-slot, but it doesn't make sense to not allow a single to book as a 3rd or 4th.

 

There are over 200 public courses in the Chicago area. Less than 10 will not take a tee time for a single no matter what. Approximately half will allow a single to book online with no restrictions, although I generally avoid booking in an open 4-slot to avoid going out as a single among full groups. Another 25% will allows a single to book as a 3rd or 4th.

 

I've never felt comfortable booking as a twosome. If a course doesn't want my business, I'll go elsewhere. I guess my money isn't green enough.

[duffer987]

Since we have an active thread here (apologies to Argonne for butting in) but if someone wanted an old school track to play, are any of the omni managed ones head and shoulders above the rest?

[leejohnkieh]

Since we have an active thread here (apologies to Argonne for butting in) but if someone wanted an old school track to play, are any of the omni managed ones head and shoulders above the rest?

 

Oki? I'd play Washington Nat'l/Redmond Ridge/Hawks Prairie. Don't like any of the other courses.

[duffer987]

Since we have an active thread here (apologies to Argonne for butting in) but if someone wanted an old school track to play, are any of the omni managed ones head and shoulders above the rest?

 

Oki? I'd play Washington Nat'l/Redmond Ridge/Hawks Prairie. Don't like any of the other courses.

Sorry I'm basically making up random names here eesh - I meant premier :-S which seem to run the older publics :)

Redmond Ridge doesn't look to bad and isn't too far off 405 for my way North.

[CMCSGolf]

I don't like Redmond. It's in good shape, but the course winds through houses (especially the back nine) so it feels a bit disjointed.

 

As for premier, Bellevue and West Seattle might be the best. I actually think my favorite of the Premier courses is one called Cedarcrest up in Marysville. It looks short on the card, but it is a really well routed course that plays around one big hill in the middle of the property. It won't know your socks off, but it's probably the best sub 6,000 yard course I've played in America (I haven't played that many). If you want to stick close to Seattle, go play West Seattle, it's so firm right now and the slopes are so severe (course is built 75 years ago) for modern green cuts, it will make you laugh at some spots. The 12th hole also has a nice view of downtown.

 

There really isn't much good public golf north of Tacoma. Starting with the Home course and wrapping around the sound to Bremerton is where all newer courses have been built.

[duffer987]

I don't like Redmond. It's in good shape, but the course winds through houses (especially the back nine) so it feels a bit disjointed.

 

As for premier, Bellevue and West Seattle might be the best. I actually think my favorite of the Premier courses is one called Cedarcrest up in Marysville. It looks short on the card, but it is a really well routed course that plays around one big hill in the middle of the property. It won't know your socks off, but it's probably the best sub 6,000 yard course I've played in America (I haven't played that many). If you want to stick close to Seattle, go play West Seattle, it's so firm right now and the slopes are so severe (course is built 75 years ago) for modern green cuts, it will make you laugh at some spots. The 12th hole also has a nice view of downtown.

 

There really isn't much good public golf north of Tacoma. Starting with the Home course and wrapping around the sound to Bremerton is where all newer courses have been built.

Ya that's the trouble, once you get the otherside of the sound it gets to a PITA to come back around. I like Chambers and the Home Course, didn't think much of Washington National and I just couldn't be arsed to get out to GS or WV.

Cedarcrest sure fits the bill for heading up I5 and with measured expectations it looks like a decent shout :)

[Argonne69]

I booked my early Saturday round at The Home Course. I was planning to play a 2nd round that day at Washington National, but I didn't realize that it's 36 miles away. Hawks Prairie is only 10 miles away. Is Hawks Prairie (Woodlands) on the same level as Washington National?

[leejohnkieh]

I booked my early Saturday round at The Home Course. I was planning to play a 2nd round that day at Washington National, but I didn't realize that it's 36 miles away. Hawks Prairie is only 10 miles away. Is Hawks Prairie (Woodlands) on the same level as Washington National?

 

They are fairly different. The woodlands (hence the name) has a lot of tree line fairways and is pretty narrow.

 

Washington National is more wide open, no trees to really content with and can get windy with the open layout.

 

I don't like the Woodlands and prefer to play the Links course.

[CMCSGolf]

I booked my early Saturday round at The Home Course. I was planning to play a 2nd round that day at Washington National, but I didn't realize that it's 36 miles away. Hawks Prairie is only 10 miles away. Is Hawks Prairie (Woodlands) on the same level as Washington National?

 

Washington National is definitely a better course, but it is still middle of the road. The quality of golf will be slightly lower at Hawks Prairie (regardless of course), but you probably won't remember any of them years from now. In that general area, I actually prefer The Classic to the ones you listed, but all are middle of the road once you get past Chambers and the Home course before heading to the peninsula.

[RobotDoctor]

I always liked Willows Run in Redmond. A good track and not too expensive. Of course I haven't played the courses in 18+ years.

[Manbearpig13]

I booked my early Saturday round at The Home Course. I was planning to play a 2nd round that day at Washington National, but I didn't realize that it's 36 miles away. Hawks Prairie is only 10 miles away. Is Hawks Prairie (Woodlands) on the same level as Washington National?

Washington National is worth the drive. It is a more interesting layout and generally in better shape than the courses at Hawks Prairie.

[Argonne69]

I booked my early Saturday round at The Home Course. I was planning to play a 2nd round that day at Washington National, but I didn't realize that it's 36 miles away. Hawks Prairie is only 10 miles away. Is Hawks Prairie (Woodlands) on the same level as Washington National?

Washington National is worth the drive. It is a more interesting layout and generally in better shape than the courses at Hawks Prairie.

 

I'll likely wind up playing both. Hawks Prairie is closest to The Home Course, so I'll try to play it on Saturday afternoon, and then I'll hit Washington National on Thursday morning before heading to SeaTac for my afternoon flight home.

[leejohnkieh]

If Argonne doesn't mind, 2 of you are more than welcome to join us Wednesday August 15th. 2pm-ish at TCGC. Guest fee is around $86 after tax (walking). They do have push carts as well if you need.

[duffer987]

If Argonne doesn't mind, 2 of you are more than welcome to join us Wednesday August 15th. 2pm-ish at TCGC. Guest fee is around $86 after tax (walking). They do have push carts as well if you need.

That's a very cool invite!

I'd love to impose and come along - but I do need to be an adult and work until Fri darnit. As another putt rolled 6' past, I'd get my comeuppance for question the speeds ;)

[leejohnkieh]

If Argonne doesn't mind, 2 of you are more than welcome to join us Wednesday August 15th. 2pm-ish at TCGC. Guest fee is around $86 after tax (walking). They do have push carts as well if you need.

That's a very cool invite!

I'd love to impose and come along - but I do need to be an adult and work until Fri darnit. As another putt rolled 6' past, I'd get my comeuppance for question the speeds ;)

 

Thats when you take an early day off work with a week of advanced notice.

[Argonne69]

No issues with a foursome on Wednesday afternoon. The more the merrier.

[leejohnkieh]

Update: Room for 1 more in our foursome next Wednesday Aug 15 around 2pm.

[Argonne69]

OK, it's looks like I'm as set as I'm going to be. I'm quite uncomfortable with the number of planned rounds without a tee time, but given that Washington National, Hawks Prairie, Trophy Lake, and Salish Cliffs won't give a tee time to a single, I'm going to have to chance it. I'm not too worried about the two after afternoon rounds, but the two morning rounds concern me. With tee times in the afternoon, I don't have a lot of time to be sitting around hoping to get on the course. I'm going to have to draw up contingency plans. I've taken over 50 golf trips over the past 10 years, and I've never encountered this level of difficulty locking in tee times. I hope it works out for the best.

 

The weather forecast looks nice. There a chance of scattered storms on two days, but otherwise it looks like sun and temps in the low 80's. Sunday looks very nice for my round at Chambers Bay.

 

How is the craft beer/brewpub scene south and west of the Sound?

[spud3]

Well, you can't swing a cat in the PNW without hitting a decent brew pub...

 

That, at least, you can count on for this trip.

 

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=breweries&find_loc=Tacoma%2C+WA