TST Takes on Sand Valley, WI (July 18-23, 2021)

[cipher]

11 hours ago, GolfLug said:

So our home course had the Eastern Virginia Amateur last weekend. The set up is heavy rough and fast greens (they stimp at 12 for the tourney) with most pin placement on all but three holes set up to punish . We played yesterday from the tips which is an annual tradition for the members to play the EVA final round set up. It was a handful even at 6,648 yards as the longest par 4s are 473, 461 and 445 yards long. Rung 18 with a tidy 93 with a 9 (no penalties) on the fourth hole. Yeah. 

Anyway, if yesterday's play is any indication, I am going to put on my survival hat on and aim to enjoy the courses regardless of scores. From the DM surviving heat and the 'arduous' trek might be the the real challenges anyway. Ima bring my sheik head-dress. Hah.

Yeah I think the temps, humidity and walking all day will be our biggest challenge. At least it will be for my current fitness level. 😄 I don't think I even kept a score the last time I played there.   

[billchao]

51 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

Isn't that what we're all planning on, enjoying friends and enjoying new courses?  Even though we're trying to shoot as low as possible, the scores really are secondary.

That was my plan. If I only went on trips looking to score well, I’d never go anywhere.

[DeadMan]

From what I read, we should be able to have good scores at Mammoth Dunes at least. 

I'm busting out my Mevo tonight to get distances when I'm not at altitude. Hopefully that saves me a day or so of adjusting to the altitude difference.

[iacas]

4 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Even though we're trying to shoot as low as possible, the scores really are secondary.

Speak for yourself. 🙂

[GolfLug]

4 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Isn't that what we're all planning on, enjoying friends and enjoying new courses?  Even though we're trying to shoot as low as possible, the scores really are secondary.  

Of course, my friend. That was a note to myself.. :-).

I do tend to get wrapped up in the play and scores even when away and then I miss out on the course experience and nuance some of you more experienced and present design geeks can appreciate only if I was bit more attentive.  Only when I am forced to make a stark choice that hits me in the face I tend to take notice of an intentional design feature. To be fair, playing recovery shots half the day makes it hard to appreciate what all the fuss is about. 😊 

Knowing the pedigree of the courses we will be playing and some of the design discussion on this thread is certainly peeking my interest much more than it usually does.      

Edited July 14, 2021 by GolfLug

[DaveP043]

Just found this at:

 

Quote

One amenity that is unique to The Sandbox is the free loan of a quiver bag.  There’s no reason to take your full arsenal to a course without a hole over 150 yards.  Throw a few sticks in a quiver and enjoy the walk.

So @billchaowon't need to hire his Ricksha first thing in the morning, and I won't need to try to fit my wife's pink Sunnday back  in my travel bag.

[DeadMan]

Too bad, we were all looking forward to wearing those I'm With Stupid Tee-Shirts seeing that pink bag.

It's also nice for me, because I was just going to carry a few clubs without a bag, and this will be way better.

Edited July 14, 2021 by DeadMan

[billchao]

45 minutes ago, DeadMan said:

Too bad, we were all looking forward to wearing those I'm With Stupid Tee-Shirts seeing that pink bag.

It's also nice for me, because I was just going to carry a few clubs without a bag, and this will be way better.

I fail to see how me getting a free loaner bag precludes you guys from wearing “I’m with stupid” shirts.

[DaveP043]

59 minutes ago, billchao said:

I fail to see how me getting a free loaner bag precludes you guys from wearing “I’m with stupid” shirts.

I'd need to borrow one, and I doubt the one Mary Anne wears would fit me.

[iacas]

I'm still bringing my Sunday bag. I already had/have one.

[DaveP043]

I'll throw this out there, when I've been overseas and hiring a trolley, they've usually been really bare-bones units.  I found that its a good idea to bring a bungee cord or two to strap your bag in.  The Ricksha-style units I see in the Sand Valley videos seem to be a higher quality, probably no bungee required, but it doesn't take up much space to throw one in your golf bag.  

[boogielicious]

I’m reading Tom Coyne’s book A Course Called America and he just visited Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes. I think you are all in for some fun. 

[Divot Master]

I hope all of you have a great time this week in Wisconsin. Wish I was there with you. Stay hydrated!

[iacas]

From the Sandbox…

• @iacas pays in $6.
• @Hardspoon pays in $22.
• @DeadMan pays in $8.
• @billchao pays in $27.
• @DaveP043 pays in $17.
• @GolfLug pays in $11.
• @saevel25 pays in $16.
• @cipher pays in $11.

Pot total is $118. Possible skins (birdies) are 11 (Dan), 12 (Dave), 15 (Erik).

Washed out skins are on 7, 14, 17.

Within the groups, KP totals were:

• Dan +$15.
• Erik +$3.
• John -$5.
• Bill -$13.

And…

• Dave $0
• Vishal $0
• Matt -$4
• Nate +$4

[DeadMan]

A few pictures I took today:

[iacas]

From the Sandbox on Day 2…

• @iacas pays in $7
• @Hardspoon pays in $18.
• @DeadMan pays in $14.
• @billchao pays in $13.
• @DaveP043 pays in $5.
• @GolfLug pays in $8.
• @saevel25 pays in $8.
• @cipher pays in $16.

Pot today was $89. Total pot is $207.

Skins washed out on 9 (Erik/Dave). New skins were 4 (Vishal), 5 (Dave), 13 (Nate), and 16 (Dave).

See below for more here.

Within the groups, KP totals were:

• Dan -$9.
• Erik -$5.
• Vishal +$7.
• Nate +$7.

And…

• Dave +$15.
• John +$3.
• Matt -$9.
• Bill -$9.

7 skins pays out about $30 each:

• @iacas $30.
• @GolfLug $30.
• @cipher $30.
• @DeadMan $30.
• @DaveP043 $87.

BUT… a hole in one tomorrow takes it all.

[iacas]

Current balance sheet, without skins paid out:

• @iacas owes $15 (+$15).
• @Hardspoon owes $42.
• @DeadMan owes $16 (+$14).
• @billchao owes $62.
• @DaveP043 owes $7 (+$80).
• @GolfLug owes $12 (+$18).
• @saevel25 owes $37.
• @cipher owes $16 (+$14).

That works out, though if anyone aces today they win the whole pot.

[DeadMan]

A few pictures from Lawsonia yesterday that don’t do the place any justice: