FOH: A Week In Pictures.

[HDGSN]

GO VOLS

[SigmundChurchill]

What an incredible 2 days to start the week! Golf at 2 epic courses.

Sebonack on Monday, and Maidstone on Tuesday.

[HDGSN]

Wow! Maidstone is on my very short list for US wish list.

[SigmundChurchill]

5 hours ago, HDGSN said:

Wow! Maidstone is on my very short list for US wish list.

Maidstone is located in between my beach house and town, so over the last 25 years I have driven through it 1000 times. And I drooled over it each and every time. It took me 25 years to get an invitation.

BTW, it is even more amazing than what it looks like from the street. There's a whole universe back there in the dunes and marshes that you don't see from the road. The most beautiful course I have ever played.

[HDGSN]

On 10/2/2024 at 1:03 PM, SigmundChurchill said:

Maidstone is located in between my beach house and town, so over the last 25 years I have driven through it 1000 times. And I drooled over it each and every time. It took me 25 years to get an invitation.

BTW, it is even more amazing than what it looks like from the street. There's a whole universe back there in the dunes and marshes that you don't see from the road. The most beautiful course I have ever played.

I was listening to yesterday’s Shotgun Start podcast and Tron from NLU mentioned a story from Maidstone where a guy in their club championship couldn’t find his ball after an approach, dropped a ball and told his opponent that he found his ball and his opponent said then why is there a ball in the cup. The opponent turned him in and the guy lost his membership.

[SigmundChurchill]

8 hours ago, HDGSN said:

I was listening to yesterday’s Shotgun Start podcast and Tron from NLU mentioned a story from Maidstone where a guy in their club championship couldn’t find his ball after an approach, dropped a ball and told his opponent that he found his ball and his opponent said then why is there a ball in the cup. The opponent turned him in and the guy lost his membership.

After being there, I have no doubt that story is true. Definitely the most "blue blood" club I have ever played. They are very much into tradition, rules, honor, etc. Hell, they have the nicest golf course and all the money in the world, but the inside of the clubhouse looks like it hasn't been renovated in over 100 years. All because it would break tradition.

[chasy]

Maidstone, Shinnecock, National are all a cut above. Sure, there are newer courses that are amazing, but they were primarily built because enough guys with money couldn’t get into the three above.

[SigmundChurchill]

17 hours ago, chasy said:

Maidstone, Shinnecock, National are all a cut above. Sure, there are newer courses that are amazing, but they were primarily built because enough guys with money couldn’t get into the three above.

A close relative of mine is a member of Sebonack, so I play it about once a year. Sebonack is wedged between Shinnecock  and National. They did a great job, as it is very difficult to distinguish one course from the other when you are on the border. Hell, there's even a hole on Sebonack that is right next to National's clubhouse.

You are 100% right. Anyone with the $1.5 Million initiation fee can join Sebonack, though I am told there is a wait list now. Whereas $10 Million wouldn't get you into those other clubs. The initiation fee is actually much lower for those clubs, but if you don't have the right "pedigree", all the money in the world won't get you in.

I do have to say that, knowing those other clubs, I think Maidstone stands alone. Just the fact that it is on the ocean instead of the bay makes the wind factor much more authentic for a links-style course. Plus, being in the dunes adds so much to the course, which you don't have on the bay side courses. They are top notch, some of the best in the world, but Maidstone was really special.

Some dune shots...

On this hole, my buddy overshot this green into the dunes. The beach/ocean are literally right behind him.

This hole is not in the dunes, but I really liked it. Especially those trees in the background. Made me feel like I was in the Serengeti or something. 

[chasy]

Maidstone is great and far more family friendly with the beach club, etc. Glad you had a blast!

[HDGSN]

@SigmundChurchill I’ve looked at the course a lot on Google satellite. Looks like those photos are of the par 3s…8, 14 and 4. Is that right? Appreciate the on the ground shots.

[SigmundChurchill]

5 hours ago, HDGSN said:

@SigmundChurchill I’ve looked at the course a lot on Google satellite. Looks like those photos are of the par 3s…8, 14 and 4. Is that right? Appreciate the on the ground shots.

Exactly.

I don't know if you noticed, but hole 15 has a pretty narrow opening to the fairway, because there is a beautiful home to the right. Apparently, the owner/creator of Activision owns the house, according to our caddy. It's crazy how close it is, because anyone who hits a slice off that tee box is going to hit that house..

I figure anyone that can afford the house can afford the repairs, I guess.  🤷‍♂️

[Chitmo]

[Chibearsv]

4 hours ago, SigmundChurchill said:

I figure anyone that can afford the house can afford the repairs, I guess.  🤷‍♂️

Our subdivision borders a little 9 hole course where the worst golfers in the area play. One of our neighbors has been hit multiple times. His house has been too 😁. He put up a 20 ft tall net but it only helps a little. We could have bought his house but held out for a home that’s not on the course. Glad we did. As a golfer, is not too tough to figure which houses are gonna get pummelled. 

[Wookie]

Never buy a house on the golfer’s right of fairway in the driver landing zone! 

[Boss Hog]

Outside having a smoke and could not help but notice the eerie cloud formation.

[99call]

1 hour ago, Boss Hog said:

Outside having a smoke and could not help but notice the eerie cloud formation.

Great image.

[riderpride]

 

What a week.

My daughter's journey to a second straight World Karate/Kickboxing Championships was killed a few months back as our (now former) dojo pulled coaching support, so we pivoted from Greece to a family vacay in Florida.

The first item on the docket was UCF Knights at the Florida Gators in The Swamp. Our first college football game and definitely not the last. The Gators are far removed from greatness, but the Swamp put on a good show. It was the 3rd annual Tom Petty day to celebrate a late great musician who was a Gator fan and Gainesville native.

Next up was the Magic Kingdom, then Universal Studios for my son's birthday before pulling an all-night drive after the official Milton alert on Monday and arriving in Atlanta at ~6am. There were a few moments of insanity, but people were well behaved for the most part.

From there it was a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and the Coke Museum before boarding our flight a little early and now departing from Atl instead of Orlando as originally planned. 

We're happy and safe, so our hearts go out to all of those that couldn't make it out in time. 

Maybe I'll relax on the next trip 😆 

Cheers!

[JohnS]

Congratulations @riderpride. Very happy news for you and your family!

[hrs1]

[HDGSN]

[bayala]

Caught at the Port of Brisbane on Sunday morning. New pb squire/snapper measured in at 50cm

[chasy]

Wait! @bayala you must be part of the First Family?!?!?

[KCCubano]

5 hours ago, bayala said:

Caught at the Port of Brisbane on Sunday morning. New pb squire/snapper measured in at 50cm

Using live bait? Nice looking fish

[bayala]

1 hour ago, KCCubano said:

Using live bait? Nice looking fish

Thanks! Yep that one was on a small live bait

[Chibearsv]

19 hours ago, bayala said:

Caught at the Port of Brisbane on Sunday morning. New pb squire/snapper measured in at 50cm

I'll bet that was tasty. Nice catch!