Bend's 2022-2024 Golf Log

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

After my round at Skyway I jumped back in the car and drove 5 hours to my hotel in Clarion, PA. I drove 1.5 hours out of my way and met a friend to play Erie Golf Club. Erie is a 1921 A.W. Tillinghast (BP Black...) design. It's owned by the township and it's for sale at $1.1 million. If they can't sell it, they'll probably just let it return to Mother nature. In that case, it will be gone forever. The deed states it can only be a golf course or green space. Conditions were great, $38 with cart. Hilly, some smaller greens, greens are just a little slow, but they sloped downhill to dowhill holes so they had to be to hold the ball. Worth playing if passing somewhat nearby. You could tell they were cutting  some corners and some of the traps were ignored and not maintained. I love courses with quirky holes, this one had some. This was course number 599 for me. 

Edited June 13, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Here is how I ranked the 6 courses that I played on this quick trip:

 

1. The Bridge

2. Montauk Downs

3. Totteridge

4. Erie GC

5. Skyway

6. Ferry Point Links

 

Next up, Utah. 

[me05501]

On 10/18/2023 at 6:00 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

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

 

 

 

 

 

Have you considered North Georgia/SE Tennessee? 

 

I know one of your goals is to be close to an army base, so that might be a deal breaker for you, but this is an easy part of the world to live in and Tennessee has no state income tax. I'm in Chattanooga. We dip down into Georgia (Dalton, Calhoun, Adairsville, Canton and Acworth) for more public golf options. 

[4PUTT- AD]

great stuff Bend, you may have stated but are the top 5 courses you have played and why - doesnt need to be best ranked but best according to you - thanks

[Chanceman]

On 6/10/2024 at 11:00 AM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Today I played Montauk Downs GC on the far Eastern tip of Long Island. It's closer to Rhode Island than it is to the Big Apple. Front nine I played in a downpour w a slight fever (wife got me sick before I left and I have felt like crap all day). Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course from 1927. It's super fun golf course, glad that I was finally able to cross it off my list. Conditions good for a state owned course. They rape non-New Yorkers, $111 greens fee and another $23 for the cart. Residents pay half that! I could play here every day  and be happy. Course number 595.

Thanks for that. Montauk has always been on my bucket list so good to hear you rated it highly. Would you compare it to other courses you have played? I love the tree lined links look which I guess protects it from the sea breezes.

[buckI]

On 4/30/2024 at 11:17 AM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I am pretty excited about the next 6 months. Lots of great golf coming down the pike. I have some more to add to this list soon.

 

June:

Totteridge GC (PA)

The Bridge Club (NY)

Montauk Downs (NY)

Ferry Point Links (NY)

Skyway GC (NJ)

Erie GC (PA)

Ledges (UT)

Coral Canyon (UT)

Sand Hollow (UT)

Red Dixie Hills (UT)

Wolf Creek  (NV)

Conestoga (NV)

 

July:

Sand Valley (WI)

Mammoth Dunes (WI)

Sedge Valley (WI)

The Lido (WI)

Sandbox (WI)

Ravisloe CC (WI)

Calumet CC (WI)p

Crystal Downs (MI)

Diamond Springs (MI)

 

 

Just played Crystal Downs a couple weeks ago.    You better put the ball on the right parts of the greens or it could either be long day on the greens or you will be laughing at trying to not putt off greens or keeping a second putt within 10 feet.   
 

It easily became a favorite of mine and I have had the good fortune to play a lot of great courses.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 6/17/2024 at 9:05 PM, 4PUTT- AD said:

great stuff Bend, you may have stated but are the top 5 courses you have played and why - doesnt need to be best ranked but best according to you - thanks

Crystal Downs CC (MI) The Bridge (NY), Yale (CT) Arcadia Bluffs (MI) Hackensack (NJ),  Keney Park (CT), Culver Academy (IN), Holston Hills CC (TN), and Hawktree (ND).......These were all awesome. 

Edited July 13, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 6/17/2024 at 9:44 AM, me05501 said:

 

 

Have you considered North Georgia/SE Tennessee? 

 

I know one of your goals is to be close to an army base, so that might be a deal breaker for you, but this is an easy part of the world to live in and Tennessee has no state income tax. I'm in Chattanooga. We dip down into Georgia (Dalton, Calhoun, Adairsville, Canton and Acworth) for more public golf options. 

 

I love Chattanooga, but the wife will NOT live in Tennessee. Luckily for me I changed her mind about Florida, which I hate. It's just not far enough South I guess. 

 

It will end up around Augusta or Aiken, SC. GA does not tax the first $65K of retirement starting at age 65. 

Edited June 19, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 6/17/2024 at 9:51 PM, Chanceman said:

Thanks for that. Montauk has always been on my bucket list so good to hear you rated it highly. Would you compare it to other courses you have played? I love the tree lined links look which I guess protects it from the sea breezes.

 

It's in my top 50 out of 600. I played in the rain and with a fever so I could have enjoyed it even more. It's a pretty solid layout!!! It's still windy on the course!

 

Absolutely NOTHING compares to The Bridge. 

Edited June 19, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

We stayed in Cheyenne, Wyoming last night and low and behold our hotel (Little America) had a golf course! It was routed around the outide of the hotel's property. Three par fours and six par threes. The par fours were all good. This place was a pleasant surprise. I teed off at 7am (48 degrees!) and I was finished by 8am, and that included a nice chat with the super for 10 minutes. Course was in great shape, great place to stay as well! This was my 600th golf course!!!!!

Edited June 19, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Yesterday I teed off at 7:20am at Copper Rock GC about 25 miles from St. George, Utah. Decent enough golf course, but the people I played (got stuck) with refused to play ready golf and just played too SLOW. Front nine is mostly flat, back nine uses some hillier terrain. Excellent greens. Was about 70-75 degrees when I teed off and at least 100+ when I finished up. Serious heat wave out here right now. This afternoon we are playing Sand Hollow (it will be at least 100 when we tee off!) and then Tuesday morning I am playing Wolf Creek in Nevada. Should have used Budget's car insurance as the rock chips on the windshield number 3 already in less than a week! Glad my glass deductible is only $100. If I have the time, I'll also attempt to get up early and play the Dixie Red Hills nine hole course as it is only 4 miles from our hotel.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Well, it was just too hot to play Wolf Creek and Sand Hollow. I'll have to get those courses in later. In fact, it's so hot, we changed our flight to go home a few days earlier. 111 degrees, not much to do but hang out at the pool. 

 

I was able to play Lakota Links Golf Club in New Castle, Colorado today on the way to Denver. What a great golf course! Designed by Jim Engh, and supposedly in top 10 courses (#8) in Colorado. Awesome conditions, and fast greens. No good for walking however. Very scenic. Everyone working here was super friendly and welcoming as well.

 

Lakota Links is about 3 hours West of Denver and 1 hour East of Grand Junction. Super close to Interstate 70 as well. 

Edited July 5, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Well, it was just too hot to play Wolf Creek and Sand Hollow. I'll have to get those courses in later. In fact, it's so hot, we changed our flight to go home a few days earlier. 111 degrees, not much to do but hang out at the pool. 

 

I was able to play Lakota Links Golf Club in New Castle, Colorado today on the way to Denver. What a great golf course! Designed by Jim Engh, and supposedly in top 10 courses (#8) in Colorado. Awesome conditions, and fast greens. No good for walking however. Very scenic. Everyone working here was super friendly and welcoming as well.

 

Lakota Links is about 3 hours West of Denver and 1 hour East of Grand Junction. Super close to Interstate 70 as well. 

 

C'mon, it's a dry heat. Lol.

 

[imkirby34]

I don't blame you for passing on Wolf Creek when it's 111, especially if your round is likely to be 5-5.5 hours long.  Oof!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Gonna try and get down to Kentucky to play Perry Park Golf Resort. I pretty much have to drive no less than 1.5+ hours to play anything, public or private, that I have not played before. 

 

Next week is a quick trip to Michigan to play Crystal Downs, Diamond Springs, and maybe even Harbor Shores. The Loop may also be an option as well. 

 

Four more weeks until Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Lido and Sedge Valley.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I drove down to Kentucky today and played at the Perry Park Golf Resort. They have 27 holes of stay and play here, with hotel, pool and restaurant.  I played the Buckskin and Antler nines. Was $35 with cart. I blew through the first 9 holes in 45-50 minutes, and then played through one foursome, no one else would wave me through, the last six holes were slow! 

 

Next up for next week:

 

Diamond Springs (MI)

Stotin Brae (maybe) (MI)

Crystal Downs (MI)

Eldorado (MI)

 

 

 

 

Edited July 4, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[Chanceman]

Crystal Downs??? Good pickup! 

[buckI]

Did you play Crystal yet?  Those greens are incredible.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Made it up to Michigan. Love it up here. 

 

Yesterday I played Diamond Springs GC. Excellent, minimalist golf course. Liked it a lot! Definitey play it. Awesome staff everywhere! Designed by Mike DeVries. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Today was the special day! Crystal Downs CC was awesome. Just an awesome golf course. The weather was perfect, partly-cloudy, 69 degrees. This course is currently ranked as the 14th best golf course in the USA. Awesome, tricky greens here. Course only tips out at ~6500, but it plays longer. I tried to play Eldorado GC on my way to my hotel, but it was pouring down rain when I got there, oh well. Maybe next time. Tomorrow is Stoatin Brae. 

Edited July 13, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[JNewsted]

20 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Today was the special day! Crystal Downs CC was awesome. Just an awesome golf course. The weather was perfect, partly-cloudy, 69 degrees. This course is currently ranked as the 14th best golf course in the USA. Awesome, tricky greens here. Course only tips out at ~6500, but it plays longer. I tried to play Eldorago GC on my way to my hotel, but it was pouring when I got there, oh well. Tomorrow is Stotin Brae. 

So jealous!  How'd you get on?

 

You must owe somebody BIG TIME 😛

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On my way back to Cincinnati I stopped and played Stoatin Brae GC near Kalamazoo, Michigan. It's one of the Gull Lake Golf Resort courses. Front nine was mostly flat and was, IMO, somewhat boring. The back nine was routed over better topography and was much more interesting. Played through four groups, finished in a little less than two hours. Paid $66 with cart and a logo ball. This was my 606th course played. 

Edited July 11, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

In two weeks I'll be playing these:

 

Sand Valley (WI)

Mammoth Dunes (WI)

Sedge Valley (WI)

Lido (WI)

Sandbox (WI)

Flossmoor CC (maybe)

Ravisloe CC (IL)

 

..... maybe 1-2 more in Illinois on my way home.

 

This coming Saturday I will most likely take a drive down into the hollers of Kentucky to play Wasioto Winds GC and Middlesboro CC.

 

 

[Chanceman]

Are we supposed to be envious over you having the connections to play both Crystal Downs and the The Lido??

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

10 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Are we supposed to be envious over you having the connections to play both Crystal Downs and the The Lido??

ANnone can play The Lido, it's at Sand Valley Golf Resort. Might be tough to get a tee time however. My buddy Jon, he got the CD hook up! Man, I could play Crystal Downs  forever and never play anywhere again. Well, maybe, I still need to get over to Ireland and Scotland.

[Chanceman]

7 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

ANnone can play The Lido, it's at Sand Valley Golf Resort. Might be tough to get a tee time however. My buddy Jon, he got the CD hook up! Man, I could play Crystal Downs  forever and never play anywhere again. Well, maybe, I still need to get over to Ireland and Scotland.

Nah, just envious. You did well. Now for Sand Hills?

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

First course of my mini trip to Illinois and Wisconsin was Ravisloe CC. A 1901 Donald Ross design on the South end of Chicago area. Fun golf course with great bunkering that could stand some tree removal for the health of the course, but the guy who owns it wants to plant even MORE trees. I like to play Donald Ross courses and it was great to get this one crossed off my list. Pace of play was about 4.5 hours. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

After Ravisloe CC I drove an hour North to Northbrook, IL to play Willow Hill GC before checking into my hotel a few miles away. Willow Hill is a super fun, and busy 9 hole golf course situated on top of a landfill. Lots of wind and some views of downtown Chicago from a few of the higher tee boxes. 

Edited August 1, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Met up with a couple of Chicago guys and played (poorly) at Thunderhawk GC before heading up to the Sand Valley Resort. So EASY to lose golf balls here. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and routed through a wetlands area. Pure target golf that requires precise shots; which, I don't have. Hated this place, but it is a nice golf course. I hope to never play here again, lol. I lost 10 balls causing me to shoot a 103. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

After suffering through my morning round, next up was a 3.5 hour drive to Sand Valley and a short walk on the 17 hole Sand Box course. Longest hole was 129 yards that day, but don't think this is an easy pitch and putt; it's NOT. Diabolical greens and the sand here is tough to hit out of. Lots of people playing barefoot, but not me. I did make a birdie, which was nice. Course record on the Sandbox is -8!!! Weather wise, the humidity here was uncharacteristically UNBEARABLE for being this far North. It didn't get any better for the days we were here either.

Edited August 1, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC