Mid-Atlantic Outing (April 9, 10 2016)

[jsgolfer]

42 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

@RandallT, that's pretty cool.  You're right, Google Earth makes things look a lot flatter, and minimizes the trees.  You're also right on both 8 and 9.  #8 plays downhill, though, and usually downwind, so its probably not as tough as it looks.  On #9, the tee shot will need to be around 200 to 220 yards before turning hard left.  The tough ones that you missed are #2, 80 feet or more uphill from tee to green with a severely contoured green, and #12, again uphill all the way.  We'll have a good time!

8 is a tough hole (The drive is tough and then a shot to an elevated green) and 9 has a 90 degree dog leg, can't hit it too far or too short or you have no shot at the green.

Number #2 is straight up the hill.  And the 12th hole is a bear, the second shot to the elevated green (at least two clubs difference) is interesting to say the least, along with the rock walls everywhere throughout the course.  

No severe elevation changes at Springfield.  Both courses though will be a good challenge and fun for all.  Looking forward to it.

[GolfLug]

12 minutes ago, RandallT said:

Ah, I see that re: elevation change now. The site I used to create the flyover is provisualizer.com. That link takes you to a profile of Stoneleigh based on the points I plotted (tee, green, and any targets). You might get an error if Google Earth isn't installed, but it does have a cool elevation map I just noticed:

 

Definitely outside the city. I'm west of DC by 15 miles, and I think the course is at least another 15 or 20 miles further west (as crow flies). It'll be nice to get outside the "rat race" circle of DC.

That's great. Kind hard for me to picture DC courses as non-urban courses. Pleasantly surprised.

On the flip side you would think Virginia Beach with it's widespread land and comparatively sparse population density would have plenty of development free courses. Hardly. Most of the good courses in Virginia Beach area wind through neighborhood. The one course (VB National, formerly TPC VB) which stood proud and naked for a long is starting to get invaded. The development is an apartment complex next to 10th and 11th hole cutting real close. I don't get it. The placement and planning looks so out of place. There is plenty of land just a couple of miles away they could develop on. I am sure it's sheer economics.

Anyway, I haven't played any northern VA courses and thrilled at the opportunity.  

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, GolfLug said:

Seems like the course is outside the city with not too many houses (I see couple of small clumps) adjacent.  

Round Hill is a "town" with less than 1000 people within the Town limits.  The area is an far outer bedroom community feeding the general Washington DC area. Houses are replacing farmland, but local zoning laws limit the development.  In the Stoneleigh community, lot sizes are at least one acre, and some are up to 5 acres, so almost all of the houses sit well back from the OB lines.  The golf course was once home to apple orchards (front nine) and dairy farming (back nine).  One thing that doesn't show up well on the overhead maps are the old stone walls that were kept and/or renovated during construction of the golf course.  There's a wall about 4 or 5 feet high supporting  the second green, makes for an interesting pitch if your approach comes up short.

 

[GolfLug]

26 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

Round Hill is a "town" with less than 1000 people within the Town limits.  The area is an far outer bedroom community feeding the general Washington DC area. Houses are replacing farmland, but local zoning laws limit the development.  In the Stoneleigh community, lot sizes are at least one acre, and some are up to 5 acres, so almost all of the houses sit well back from the OB lines.  The golf course was once home to apple orchards (front nine) and dairy farming (back nine).  One thing that doesn't show up well on the overhead maps are the old stone walls that were kept and/or renovated during construction of the golf course.  There's a wall about 4 or 5 feet high supporting  the second green, makes for an interesting pitch if your approach comes up short.

 

Hmm, I will bring my 90 deg LW.. ha ha..

[jsgolfer]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Round Hill is a "town" with less than 1000 people within the Town limits.  The area is an far outer bedroom community feeding the general Washington DC area. Houses are replacing farmland, but local zoning laws limit the development.  In the Stoneleigh community, lot sizes are at least one acre, and some are up to 5 acres, so almost all of the houses sit well back from the OB lines.  The golf course was once home to apple orchards (front nine) and dairy farming (back nine).  One thing that doesn't show up well on the overhead maps are the old stone walls that were kept and/or renovated during construction of the golf course.  There's a wall about 4 or 5 feet high supporting  the second green, makes for an interesting pitch if your approach comes up short.

 

And the green is crazy tiered on Number 2.  In fact, I think if the pin is on the front of the green and you are on the back of the green, not sure you can keep the ball on the green after your first putt.

[DaveP043]

Just now, jsgolfer said:

And the green is crazy tiered on Number 2.  In fact, I think if the pin is on the front of the green and you are on the back of the green, not sure you can keep the ball on the green after your first putt.

We'll see how fast the green is in April, usually its not too scary until late May or June.  Even at the green's fastest, you can keep it on, but you may not be able to play toward the hole.  

[DaveP043]

Besides, are you trying to scare these guys away??  I prefer to keep these little tidbits of information to surprise first-time guests.  Its always fun to see someone finally get up to the green, thinking the hard work is over, and then watch their face when the see the green contours.   

As a separate thing, I want to thank the mod who pinned this thread to the top of the list, it'll sure make it easier to find.

Edited February 29, 2016 by DaveP043

[davechen]

Yeesh.  I normally play the MoCo munis.  Am I going to get my butt kicked? :)

[DaveP043]

8 minutes ago, davechen said:

Yeesh.  I normally play the MoCo munis.  Am I going to get my butt kicked? :)

You might have some problems, but we'll all have a good time.  I know lots of members who are a similar level as you, and they survive just fine.  It might be a good idea to arrange to have you in my group, and I can help you manage your way around.  @jsgolfer has played at Stoneleigh a few times, and he'll be able to guide his group around some too, it makes sense that he and I are in separate groups.  

[dsc123]

Hey guys.  I fell off the map for a bit there as work got exceptionally busy. If you've got room for one more on either day I'm in.  Can't do both.   No problem if you're already full.

[GolfLug]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Besides, are you trying to scare these guys away??  I prefer to keep these little tidbits of information to surprise first-time guests.  Its always fun to see someone finally get up to the green, thinking the hard work is over, and then watch their face when the see the green contours.   

As a separate thing, I want to thank the mod who pinned this thread to the top of the list, it'll sure make it easier to find.

I see how you get off....and here I was thinking that you don't have mean bone in your body .

[RandallT]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

 Its always fun to see someone finally get up to the green, thinking the hard work is over, and then watch their face when the see the green contours.   

Ok, now I'm scared! I'm a muni guy too, so I like my greens slow and without any break. I don't take my score too seriously though, as the players at the last outing will attest! I'll just do my best and have a blast.

57 minutes ago, dsc123 said:

Hey guys.  I fell off the map for a bit there as work got exceptionally busy. If you've got room for one more on either day I'm in.  Can't do both.   No problem if you're already full.

Excellent! Hoping there's room to squeeze you in, Dan.

[jsgolfer]

5 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Besides, are you trying to scare these guys away??  I prefer to keep these little tidbits of information to surprise first-time guests.  Its always fun to see someone finally get up to the green, thinking the hard work is over, and then watch their face when the see the green contours.   

As a separate thing, I want to thank the mod who pinned this thread to the top of the list, it'll sure make it easier to find.

[DaveP043]

4 hours ago, dsc123 said:

Hey guys.  I fell off the map for a bit there as work got exceptionally busy. If you've got room for one more on either day I'm in.  Can't do both.   No problem if you're already full.

Good news!  If I can read my own notes correctly, there's definitely room for at least one day.  As I remember, we had 7 for sure on Saturday, 6 on Sunday.  @k-troop wants to play one day, and you want to play one day.  We could even play with 9 on Saturday, 3 3-somes.  Maybe the best thing would be to ask you and @k-troop to get together and figure out what works best for each of you.  No matter how it all works out, it'll be a treat to meet all of you guys.

[k-troop]

The 3x threesomes on Sat sounds pretty good. Honestly I don't care which day. I'm in Montgomery Village so not sure which would be closer; looks like about an hour drive either place. 

[jsgolfer]

Looks like everything is rounding into shape.

15 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

You might have some problems, but we'll all have a good time.  I know lots of members who are a similar level as you, and they survive just fine.  It might be a good idea to arrange to have you in my group, and I can help you manage your way around.  @jsgolfer has played at Stoneleigh a few times, and he'll be able to guide his group around some too, it makes sense that he and I are in separate groups.  

I've played the course, 5 or 6 times.  I host my Company scramble here, as well as one of my co-workers is a member and I've played with him a couple of times.

10 hours ago, k-troop said:

The 3x threesomes on Sat sounds pretty good. Honestly I don't care which day. I'm in Montgomery Village so not sure which would be closer; looks like about an hour drive either place. 

If we do three threesomes at Stoneleigh, @DaveP043  might have to make a how to play the course handout, for the group without him or I in it. Having a little course knowledge is pretty key for playing several of the holes for the first time.

Springfield might be a little bit closer but not by much.  

[DaveP043]

2 hours ago, jsgolfer said:

If we do three threesomes at Stoneleigh, @DaveP043  might have to make a how to play the course handout, for the group without him or I in it. Having a little course knowledge is pretty key for playing several of the holes for the first time.

Springfield might be a little bit closer but not by much.  

I'll make sure to print a few copies of my personal yardage guide, and make some notes to help everyone.

And from Montgomery Village, Springfield will definitely be a shorter drive, I'm seeing an hour to Stoneleigh, and 40 minutes to Springfield.  Stoneleigh might be closer, as the crow flies,  but there's that pesky river in the way.  Of course you could always take White's Ferry, its not faster, but its kind of enjoyable once in a while.

[jsgolfer]

7 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I'll make sure to print a few copies of my personal yardage guide, and make some notes to help everyone.

And from Montgomery Village, Springfield will definitely be a shorter drive, I'm seeing an hour to Stoneleigh, and 40 minutes to Springfield.  Stoneleigh might be closer, as the crow flies,  but there's that pesky river in the way.  Of course you could always take White's Ferry, its not faster, but its kind of enjoyable once in a while.

It's worth taking Whites Ferry once (Especially if you want to play Raspberry Falls), but definitely makes the drive longer.