dins and derron... you're on the clock

[Ken]

Time is now running short... if flights go as planned and such, I will be in Portland by 10:00 PM this Monday. I will be taking a 'personal day' on Friday (one week from today). I will NOT be playing golf on that day. Can't stand the game. However, if for some reason I get the urge to drive somewhere and play a round, it would be nice to have a recommendation or two ready.

Yes, the two of you have made a couple recommendations in the past, but I don't feel like archiving, but rather come into this here thread making my life more simple.

Again, not that golf will be remotely close to the top of the list of things I'll want to do on my personal day, but it might be nice to know of a couple places east of Portland if the urge strikes. I wouldn't mind driving a bit to get there (1.5 hrs. max each way). Thursday night, I will be staying near to the I-205/I-84 clusterfuck. So, I'm damn near I-84 to head east in the morn.

Here's to hoping I don't capitalize on your suggestions.

[Felix]

easy........

http://www.pumpkinridge.com/

thank me later.......

[Ken]

I believe I said east of the city.
Pumpkin Ridge is the obvious choice (or one of them) in the Portland area, no doubt, but...

1. I'm not rich
2. It's west of Portland... I believe I said east of the city, didn't I.

[Felix]

I believe I said east of the city.
Pumpkin Ridge is the obvious choice (or one of them) in the Portland area, no doubt, but...

1. I'm not rich
2. It's west of Portland... I believe I said east of the city, didn't I.

I wouldn't mind driving a bit to get there (1.5 hrs. max each way).

that's what threw me.........other than Pumpkin Ridge I don't know any of the courses in the Portland area....

sorry I fucked up your "I'm not going to play, but in case I do" thread.......

[indyfrisco]

sorry I fucked up your "I'm not going to play, but in case I do" thread.......

I thought it was more of a "I'd like to have a beer with you U&L guys, but I don't want to sound gay by asking so I will ask about golf courses and make it obvious I really don't want to play golf" thread.

[Ken]

sorry I fucked up your "I'm not going to play, but in case I do" thread.......

I thought it was more of a "I'd like to have a beer with you U&L guys, but I don't want to sound gay by asking so I will ask about golf courses and make it obvious I really don't want to play golf" thread.

Negatory on both counts. Apologies to you, Felix if I was coarse.

Indy, couldn't be further from the truth. Dins and derron have known for some time now that I'd be making my way up there and would be looking for suggestions other than what I've already played. Nice try though.

[indyfrisco]

Oh, you laughed. Admit it.

[Felix]

no problemo ken.....

Oh, you laughed. Admit it.

i did......

[Dinsdale]

We'll give you our suggestion...right as you're busting out that company card and ringing up 3 rounds as an "entertainment expense."

And 84/205 is a "clusterfuck?" I'm suddenly jealous of Pittsburg traffic. That ain't shit.


But here's suggestion #1 -- if you get done with your stuff early enough thursday, and are "out east" thursday evening, head out I-84 to Exit 16, and go play a round of chip-and-putt at Edgefield. Assuming there's no concert that night, anyway. The course is in disarray right now, and is only 17 holes, due to the construction of the amphitheater, but it's still a featured attraction at the COOLEST BAR IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. That'll get your short game dialed in for the round you're not going to play friday.

But for now, I'm just not familiar enough with the far-east courses to recommend one, if a visitor is only playing one. BUT -- I'm playing Vernonia* with some freaking DIEHARDS this sunday, and I'll take a poll. I have a hunch that within those parameters, they'll say Skamania Lodge, though.

* - sup, Derron? One of the guys I'm playing with has a freaking membership at Pumpkin(which I believe is about $100 for the public side, give or take a few), yet he always wants to drag everyone out to Vernonia(then again, he knows most of his bestest golfing buds are usually broke). Dude shot low round at the Pumpkin Members Championship on "hard course day," or whatever they call it, yet I don't think dude has ever come close to breaking par at Vernowhere. That place always finds a way to break your heart and your scorecard.

[Ken]

We'll give you our suggestion...right as you're busting out that company card and ringing up 3 rounds as an "entertainment expense."

And 84/205 is a "clusterfuck?" I'm suddenly jealous of Pittsburg traffic. That ain't shit.


But here's suggestion #1 -- if you get done with your stuff early enough thursday, and are "out east" thursday evening, head out I-84 to Exit 16, and go play a round of chip-and-putt at Edgefield. Assuming there's no concert that night, anyway. The course is in disarray right now, and is only 17 holes, due to the construction of the amphitheater, but it's still a featured attraction at the COOLEST BAR IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. That'll get your short game dialed in for the round you're not going to play friday.

But for now, I'm just not familiar enough with the far-east courses to recommend one, if a visitor is only playing one. BUT -- I'm playing Vernonia* with some freaking DIEHARDS this sunday, and I'll take a poll. I have a hunch that within those parameters, they'll say Skamania Lodge, though.

* - sup, Derron? One of the guys I'm playing with has a freaking membership at Pumpkin(which I believe is about $100 for the public side, give or take a few), yet he always wants to drag everyone out to Vernonia(then again, he knows most of his bestest golfing buds are usually broke). Dude shot low round at the Pumpkin Members Championship on "hard course day," or whatever they call it, yet I don't think dude has ever come close to breaking par at Vernowhere. That place always finds a way to break your heart and your scorecard.

If you must know, the word 'interchange' completely escaped me :embarrased: So, clusterfuck was the only thing I could think of, albeit inaccurate.

Doesn't look like it will be on the company's tab any longer. Plans fell through w/the customer. While I thoroughly enjoy playing w/this customer (he used to play professionally and is a joy to watch), I very much enjoy playing by myself anyways.

I will possibly take your suggestion for Thurs. eve. We'll see what time I finish up. BTW, I think Pumpkins a good $135/round... too rich for me to slip by the wife w/out her knowing.

[Dinsdale]

I will possibly take your suggestion for Thurs. eve.

That would be wise.

And I asked people on your behalf. With your criteria in mind, giving weight to the scenery of the drive and whatnot, and to the east, the suggestions were...

Skamania Lodge, Indian Creek, and a dark-horse nod to the Resort At The Mountain. KahNeeTa was given props for awsome scenery on the drive(going from rainforest to desert in a very short drive), but the course itself kinda sucks.

BTW, I think Pumpkins a good $135/round

Peak season, I guess you're right...for you. For me, the Witch Hollow side(sup Women's Open and US Am Championship) is $50...not that I've ever made it out there or anything...but if I did, it would be 50 bones.

Dude shot low round at the Pumpkin Members Championship on "hard course day," or whatever they call it, yet I don't think dude has ever come close to breaking par at Vernowhere.

Until he pulled off a 72 yesterday. In a group that outclassed me by a ways, I managed to control the leaderboard for about the first third of the round or so.


Right up until I cracked that first beer in the blistering sun...as my playing partners began to warm up and start knocking down birds, I decided to be original, and go the other way with the score....to the point where I started teeing multiple balls and saying "I know I'm laying 5 already...but I KNOW I can make this shot." I think I rung up damn-near 60 on the back while Tin Cupping it up. I think I was +1 after 6 or something, and that was because I walked up to 1 stone-cold, and whiffed my PW coming in. About #7...something went very wrong...I think it was my blood-alcohol level.

[Dinsdale]

Oh, and this link mighht be of interest to you, Ken. Probably won't have Friday deals up yet, but within a couple of days or so, they will.


http://www.oregongolf.com/tee_time_spec ... ourses.htm

[Dinsdale]

And if you do decide on The Resort, MAKE SURE you stop and check out the Streamwatch thingy in Brightwood, just down the mountain...very cool deal.

If you've never been through The Gorge before(Skamanaia and Indian Creek), buy a coffee mug when you stop at Multnomah Falls. Our economy depends on it.

[Ken]

Awesome suggestions, thanks much. You've set the bar perhaps too high for derron to reach. We'll see.

Re: Pumpkin Ridge
I may actually try to get out there tomorrow eve for the twilight... depending on what time I finish up for the day. Hmmmmm... lemmee see what the twilight rate is.

[Ken]

... nevermind.

Ghost Creek is $90 bones for the twilight right now. Ouch. I'm finishing up in Cornelius... Quail Hollow or Red Tail or something like that is out there, right?

[Dinsdale]

You've set the bar perhaps too high for derron to reach.

Actually, if we set the smack aside, I think Derron has forgotten more about Oregon courses than I've ever known.

I'm finishing up in Cornelius

My deepest, deepest condolences...ese. Only white-minority city in the entire state, officially. English as the second language. A true shithole, right here in the beautiful Tualatin Valley...yikes.

Quail Hollow or Red Tail or something like that is out there, right?

I've never played Quail Valley. It's in Banks, probably almost 15 miles west of Cornholius(nice drive out through Gales Creek, though. Just keep heading west on Hwy8 to the junction of Hwy6. It's just off to the right/north.). I know people who say it's OK, but some of my bestest golfing buds have also said that they've never been treated so rudely at any business, much less a golf course...one of the resons I've never been. Something about "treat one customer poorly, you lose ten more."

Redtail is in Beaverton. Matter of fact, they say when Beaverton gets done annexing all of the unincorporated area around it, it will be a city of 300,000. 300,000 people, and ONE freaking golf course in the whole town(or one 18 holer that's even worth playing). With all due respect to Peter Jacobsen, whose office is across the street(kinda), and who helped design and "dial-in" the renovation project there...I don't like it. One of my best golfing buddies used to live next door to the clubhouse...and we STILL never played there...if that tells you anything. The only redeeming quality there, imo, is the convenient location for Beavertonians.

What the Cornelius/Hillsboro area has going for it is excellent cheapy/hacker courses, really. If one is on a budget(I realize that in your situation, as a visitor, that's not your priority), the McKay Creek/Killarney West forms the "Hillsboro 18." Good fun. If you do end up short of time after finishing work in Cornelius, Killarney would do. Right off TV Highway between Hillsboro and Cornelius, and if you get ther by 6:30-7:00, you'll have time. Nothing special, cheesey little hacker nine-holer, but it's actually pretty "technical." Lots and lots of short irons, definitely rewards the smart player(sup not Dins). Plus, they only charge you $8. Can't beat that with a stick. Nice atmosphere, too...but remember, it's just a little 9 hole hackfest. (Beers only $1.50-btw...bonus).


BUT...if you want good golf, without breaking the bank, in the Greater Hillsboro/Cornelius/Forest Grove area, you need to head south on...I believe it's 10th St in Cornelius(crosses TV Hwy/whatever they call hwy 8 through there), and it will become Golf Course Road(if my memory is working right), and will come to a "T" at Tongue Lane.

Park there. Walk across the street. Enjoy Forest Hills. That would be my best advice for value-for-the-dollar in that area.

I think they'll charge you about $40-45 on a weekday(not sure, but in that ballpark...might even have a twighlight). Nice freaking course. Neat area in the foothills of the Coast Range, south of Cornelius there. Probably my best recommendation for "nice golf" in that area.

http://www.oregongolf.com/foresthills/

Whatever you do, avoid Merriwether National like the plague. Don't let anyone tell you it's cool, either -- they'd be lying. Conveniently located, shitty golf, even shittier staff.


You know, I might just have to see about booking a twighlighter at Eastmoreland for friday or saturday evening. If I book early enough in the week, I might get in on the 5:00 times. That gives enough, or nearly enough time for all 18, and paying $10 to play the "27th nicest public course in the country" or whatever the hell it is, doesn't suck.

[Ken]

Very timely, dins. Just getting some lunch now in Hillsboro, and decided to check up on this thread. 2:00 PM appointment somewhere here in Hillsboro. Hertz Neverlost, don't let me down.

Called Forest Hills to make sure there was no tourney going off this afternoon. No prob. Looking forward to it.

[Dinsdale]

Called Forest Hills to make sure there was no tourney going off this afternoon. No prob. Looking forward to it.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.


Haven't played there for a while, for myself.

Might have to do it soon. Nice staff. And if you're hungry, or might get hungry, bring a celly, and you can call them a couple of holes in advance, and they'll have food ready for you when you make the turn...there's that, too.


You'll dig it. Not really an easy course, but it won't destroy your golf ego, either. Especially from the whites.

Vernonia would be a nice little jaunt for you, should you get done early one day in Hillsboro. Up in the Coast Range, probably 30-40 minutes from Hillsburrito. Nothing fancy by any means, but for a place that charges $22 on weekdays, it's pretty darn nice. I'm probably only bringing this up because my golfing crew seems addicted to the place lately. But damn, that's one tough SOB. Backside tore me up sunday, after I got off to a great start. As mentioned, my "pro-caliber" buddy throws up lower scores on Witch Hollow at Pumpkin(where he pretty much plays scratch) from the tips than he does at Vernowhere. That course is a hoot, but it might be tough to get to in your situation. Awesome value-for-the-dollar, though.


Have fun at Forest Hills. Wish I was going today. I might be able to finish up some stuff todays and get out and hack a few somewhere...might have to be the east side, though...maybe not. I'm jealous.

[Dinsdale]

Just getting some lunch now in Hillsboro

Oh, and I'm sorry dude...I probably didn't catch you in time...


When in Hillsboro, if the dining establishment in question has a Hispanic name, DO NOT EAT THERE!!!!

I hope this sincere warning isn't too late to save you.

[Dinsdale]

Oh, and is you're in Hillsboro, don't go the way I said earlier. From Hillsboro, take First Avenue south, which is where the courthouse and police station and all the county seat stuff is ...there's a MCdonald's on one corner, I think it's a KFC on the other(crosses Hwy8, which is Baseline westbound, I believe it's Oak eastbound). First become Hwy 219 as soon as you get south of downtown Hillsboro. Take 219 south...you'll go through an S-curve(don't speed)...after that, it goes down a long starightaway through Jackson Bottom Wetlands(the other side of that wildlife viewing area, that you don't see, is a massive landfill-btw)...after Jackson Bottom(you'll know it...it's a massive swamp), there's another set of curves, which lead to another long starightaway. The first right you will see on this second straightaway is Tongue Lane(only goes right, has a "golf course" sign). Go down there a mile or so, and you can't miss Forest Hills. Much easier than going through Cornelius.

If you're staying in Tigard/LO(I think you mentioned that in the past), when you leave Forest Hills and go back out to 219, instead of turning back north towards Hillsboro(assuming you're heading to Tigard/LO), take a right and go south instead. When you get to the end of 219, take a left on 210(I think it says Progress/Portland). 210 is Scolls Ferry Road, and that will take you to Hwy217, near the I-5 interchange. Taking that route, you ewill see the glory of the Tualatin Valley ag lands, and get a great example of why our nazi-esque groth boundaries are a good idea.


My corner of the planet rules-btw.

[Ken]

Just getting some lunch now in Hillsboro

Oh, and I'm sorry dude...I probably didn't catch you in time...


When in Hillsboro, if the dining establishment in question has a Hispanic name, DO NOT EAT THERE!!!!

I hope this sincere warning isn't too late to save you.

:Bwha:
To be honest, I DID eat at a messican joint in Hillsburrito, which by the way was the exact same name the local I played w/today called Hillsboro. It's now... what ... 10:05 PM and if something happens to me from this point forward, I'm guessing I slid by and it was more likely the Thai food I had for dinner in Hillsburrito. I'm also guessing that Hillsburrito ain't exactly the Thai food capital of the world.

Anyways, Forest Hills made for a nice round. I was a bit disappointed in the conditioning. Don't get me wrong, it ain't Pumpkin or Reserve... I don't expect that. But it seems to me that their irrigation needs some work. Quite dry in spots and sopping in others. At least one spot per hole had some sort of 'swampy' area in the fairway or around the green. Even the two locals I played with today mentioned that the conditioning was subpar. One said the greens were straight outta Beirut... does no one fix their ball marks there?

Nonetheless... good recommendation. You're right, the people are nice there as are the golfers themselves, it seems. I liked the layout and course itself, save the lack of yardage markers on the Par 3's. Oh... and I wasn't too happy 'bout them sticking a foursome between I and the 4-some in front of me when I went to get my jacket out of my car at the turn. As mentioned, at that point, joined up with a couple locals who were just playing 9. Nice people.

I'd take you up on your recommendation for tomorrow, but I will be east of the city and probably won't have time in the late afternoon or eve to golf. Thursday morning, I play Camas Meadows with a group of friend/industry associates. Looking forward to that. I understand it's a nice place.

[Dinsdale]

I'd take you up on your recommendation for tomorrow

For the Edgefield?

Good call, if you're out east.

I've actually heard talk about going out there with friends tomorrow evening, but I doubt I'll get done with stuff early enough. I try to make it out there a bunch, which does wonders for the short game. Plus, there's all kinds of pussy hanging around the place, so I might get a little sticky after a round...which is nice.

I play Camas Meadows with a group of friend/industry associates. Looking forward to that. I understand it's a nice place.

Never played it. I've heard very mixed reviews. The local golf-show host on the radio is the pro there. But...it's in Camas...that's a big strike against.

[Dinsdale]

Oh, and based upon your post -- I'll scratch Forest Hills of my list of near-future destinations, until the weather gets a little more conducive to better greens. It's been so hot and dry, it causes some problems for the hilly courses -- they have to dump a lot of water, and it tends to collect in the low spots.

Funny thing is, some of the super-cheapy hacker joints are play are in very nice shape right now.

Paid the $25 weekend rate at Vernowhere, and it was in pretty sweet shape...very nice greens(although they have a couple that are basically on hillsides...can you say "four-outt?" Thought you could. ALTHOUGH, I one-putted #3, by far the toughest on the course...I just aimed it about 5 feet high, and swung a leap-of-faith...BINGO! Was pretty happy with that one).

The weather has been pretty brutal for the groundskeepers. We're pushing about two months without any meaningful rain. Been pretty hot, more often than not. Then again, despite popular "opinion," it rarely rains here in the summer...very rare.

From Camas, you might see a bunch of haze from the fires, depending on the breeze and whatnot.

[Ken]

From Camas, you might see a bunch of haze from the fires, depending on the breeze and whatnot.

Sooooo, this pervasive, low-altitude, fuzzy white blanket 'thingy' in the sky is actually smoke, eh? I guess I shoulda known given your meteorological 'bode on the rest of the country. Couldn't be clouds.

Regarding your suggestion which I will not be able to capitalize on, I was talking 'bout Vernowhere. Too far on the other side of the city to make it worthwhile getting there... that is unless I enjoy playing at night. Right now, I'm in Milwaukie and hope to finish up in time to fit in 9 at Stone Creek. Played there last year and enjoyed it. Well actually, I'm in a Starbucks in Milwaukie doing 'work'. My midday appointment fell through (I love ALL my customers ) and I'm stuck with 3 hours to kill until my 3:30.

I do plan on getting out to Edgefield tomorrow eve. We'll see if that pans out.

I must admit, I'm itching to get back home and am seriously considering changing my flight itinerary for a Friday departure thus precluding a trip out a bit east for golf. Had a family emergency w/our 5 yr. old daughter over the weekend where she actually got to hear the sound of ambulance sirens from INSIDE an ambulance. She's fine now, but it's amazing how something like this can make you long for home more so than one usually does. At any rate, this all depends on flight availabilities and my ability to fend off the want to go home. If I stick around, I've pegged Indian Creek as my course of choice on Friday.

For the record, at Forest Hills, shot an 84. I'll take it, I guess. Given the course's length and layout, it seemed like I SHOULD have scored better. Not sure where I went awry. Wouldn't have anyting to do w/the '7' on the front. Other than that, I was Mr. Consistency.. too bad consistently good at scoring bogeys. It was like clockwork, I tell ya. I coulda called my bogies at each tee. Quick anectdote...

Hole #9, uphill, dogleg left par 4... you know the one (#1 handicap, I believe?)
Anyways, one of the locals I played with pulls out his driver and proceeds to... well, 'push' the ball ain't even the right word, but for lack of better terms I'll use it... and proceeds to fucking push the ball like I've never seen anyone do before to the right. If you recall, there's a pond over there. He easily carried it but was just off the cart path of the adjacent hole w/an uphill lie, ball way above his feet, 'bout 260 or something out. So, what's he do? He pulls his driver out again ('sup dins?). Now, make no mistake... seeing how this guy played the previous 8 holes, he had NO biz pulling his driver here. Anyways, he did... and I was mistaken... and he NAILED it through trees, over trees, around trees to the center of the fairway about 15 yards short of the green. Still not sure how he did it. Pulls his SW and chips to five feet... drops the par putt. So, his 'caddie card' read Hole #9, Dr, Dr, SW, one putt. We all laughed pretty good over it.

[Dinsdale]

Sooooo, this pervasive, low-altitude, fuzzy white blanket 'thingy' in the sky is actually smoke, eh?

No, dumbass -- that would be the "marine layer." Been quite thick off-and-on the last couple of weeks. Onshore flow = weatherbode in summer. Almost threatened to rain today...but it won't...probably not until October, the way things are going. BURN BABY, BURN!!!

If you go to Indian Creek up in Hood River, and it's not cloudy(other side of the mountain doesn't get much marine layer), you'll see smoke...bet'cha money. Since you'll be right next to some pretty healthy fires. BTW -- don't try and take the scenic route over Hood, down 35 to Hood River -- it's closed...again. Fire, flood, you name it, the highway's been shut down for it in the last few months. Not that you'd take 35 from the northeastern reaches or anything. Straight out 84, through the Gorge(stop at Multnomah Falls and take a peek, if you've never been there before. It's the showpiece of the area that has the highest concentration of waterfalls per acre on the planet-btw).



Sounds like you need to say fuck work and golf, and get your ass home...best wishes there.


Don't know whereabouts in Milwaukie you are(props on the spelling-btw), but if you're hungry, go check out Super Burrito Express on 42nd and King. The best Mexi joints in the area seem to be where there's few Mexicans...ponderous. Avoid the chicken.


You're hanging around all my stomping grounds this week, dude.

[Dinsdale]

He pulls his driver out again ('sup dins?).

And for the record -- once I leave the tee, the biggest thing I ever hit is a 4I...sorry to disappoint. Don't carry a 2 or 3, and me and my fairway woods got a divorce. They work good off the tee, but for some reason, some coordination malfunction has rendered them near-useless from the grass as of late. Although recently during a "disaster round," I choked one off the tee, and broke out a 3W in anger, and flushed it pretty good...might have saved par, after dribbling one past the reds...you know, those tees YOU play from. Probably bogied, though...I was just thrilled that my 3 stayed on the same fairway I hit it from.

[Ken]

The Marine Layer I know burns off by ohhh, say... 10-11:00 AM. Look up, dins. Mind you, it's now almost 2:30 PM. Marine Layer Scmarine layer... they're clouds.... and they're about to take a half hour or so off my golfing time tonight.

Changed my flight. Taking the red-eye on Friday night... gets me home early Saturday thus giving me another day at home AND allowing me to play some golf on Friday.

[Dinsdale]

The Marine Layer I know burns off by ohhh, say... 10-11:00 AM.

The marine layer I know...the one you're talking about...burns off at a different time every day it comes in.

In winter, it can take days. In summer, it's rare that it hangs around past about 9AM.

If it's not an organized front, the clouds are called "marine layer moisture." Not that common to see a heavy layer like we've seen lately this time of year. In winter, if it's not storming, and there isn't an offshore flow, it's often an all-day/all-week thing.

Look up, dins. Mind you, it's now almost 2:30 PM. Marine Layer Scmarine layer... they're clouds....

Yes, "clouds" are often a result of heavy marine layer moisture...very good.

Closer to the Gorge (sup Camas and Troutdale), it's usually not nearly an issue. Much easier to see a golf ball when there's a little cloud cover, anyway.


Today's clouds are from a "low-pressure trough." Different condition, same result.

Shiiiit....it's the U&L, we have 8000 different names for clouds and drizzle.

and they're about to take a half hour or so off my golfing time tonight.

Changed my flight. Taking the red-eye on Friday night... gets me home early Saturday thus giving me another day at home AND allowing me to play some golf on Friday.[/quote]

[Ken]

Update...
Last night played 9 at Stone Creek, Oregon City. If you're unfamiliar w/it (highly unlikely), you need to introduce yourself. Very reasonably priced, nice layout, good peeps. It is fairly well-maintained too.. somehting I think is the norm rather than the exception given that when I played it last year, it was also quite nice. Scored a 39... I'll happily take it.

This morn, played 18 at Camas Meadows. So, they gots this early morning special, ala bizarro twilight rate. $39 w/cart for 18 (regularly $52). Excellent deal as the course is quite nice and I don't mind waking up early for golf. Very nice mixture of holes.. no redundancy here. I read a few online reviews which peple said they didn't like the homes abutting the holes. No big deal to me:

1. Only on the back 9 was this evident, and even then, only on 6 or so of the holes.
2. The homes are damned schweeeeeeeeet. I love the homes up here in the Pac. NW. The styles and color schemes seem to be localized to this region. I very much enjoyed envying these homes as I played here this morn. The landscaping around some was spectacular. I say the people who bitch about this are simply doing just that... bitching... most likely because they'll never see the day when they can afford a 500K- $1 Mill home.

My only gripe w/Camas was that the fairways were a bit more saturated than I woulda liked. Kinda squishy here and there.

Here's a couple pics (I can never remember hole #'s):

# 12 or something? Par five. I really ahve nothing exciting to say about this hole other than that I liked the pic, so I took it. I think I bogeyed this one... after a great drive, dammit.



Par three, 150 yds. or so. This hole fucked with each one of us in our foursome. We ALL underclubbed, but couldn't understand why. There was no wind, not uphill, blah, blah, blah. I landed in the waste area, got really pissed, and took a drop... this after feeling like I struck it well. I'm still puzzled.



'Nother par three. I was pin high, to left of the hole about 5-6 feet... whereupon I proceeded to miss the birdie putt. Oh fucking well.



#18, par five. Short par five that demands accuracy rather than length (no, I don't write for golf course websites on the side). I actually hit my 3W from the tee. Dogleg left w/a layup shot that must be to the left side or you're blocked to the pin. Me? I played a perfect dirve, then hung my layup out to the right thus blocking my approach. Did I ever mention I don't play on the tour... or any tour for that matter? Anyways, I was blocked and about 100 yards out, so I tried to REEEEALY open up the clubface and hit it REEEEALY high over the trees that were, well.. blocking me.

I bladed it... UNDER the trees.... and through the green to the top of that swale directly behing the pin. 'Swat you get for trying to be too fancy rather than playing safely to the right edge of the green. I survived though. Chipped it back on to within 5 feet and made the par putt.


Two more notes:
1. I didnt' see anything wrong w/the town of Camas. Maybe I was just in the right parts... but it looked like a growing community to me.

2. I hate scoring using handicaps. When betting... this much is true: The better you are, the less $$$ you win. I scored 7 strokes better than the nearest competitor. My take home pay? $0.

Okay... 3 notes:
3. Play Camas... you won't be disappointed, especially if you capitalize on the early morning rates.

[Ken]

Did not have time to make it out to Eastland this eve.

Tomorrow morn, Indian Creek, 8:30 tee time, then business in the late afternoon back in Portland, then fly home in the eve. Will report w/pics... on the golf, not the biz or flying.

[Dinsdale]

Stone Creek, Oregon City. If you're unfamiliar w/it (highly unlikely)

Believe it or not, I've never played that one. I've heard nothing but glowing reviews from my golf buds, though, although they all say it just needs more time. Probably why I've never played it -- it's fairly new. Peter Jacobsen's baby(one of them. He's an absolute stud, as far as the Portland golf scene goes). I know they also run some outrageous specials on an occasion.

The styles and color schemes seem to be localized to this region.

If by "region," you mean "Los Angeles North"...then sure.

after a great drive, dammit.

What...you got 245?

I didnt' see anything wrong w/the town of Camas. Maybe I was just in the right parts... but it looked like a growing community to me.

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!


BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

A matter of perspective, I guess -- to us, it's the fucking armpit of the Portland Metro area. Yeah, I guess being on the fancy golf course is being in the "nice parts." There's very few people in Camass that aren't married to a family member.

And that pulp mill...yeah, there's an attraction. The wind must have been in your favor -- more often than not, Camass is the most putrid smelling place known to man. But hey, after all these years, they finally put some regulations on the mill(only real business in Camas...I believe Hewlitt-Packard is just "over the border" in Vantucky), and now they must carefully time the "purge discharge" deal...since in the Old Days, they always seemed to do it on a schedule that made all of their nasty vapors blow right into a nearby elementary school, rendering most of the children in the school incapacitated for days(which they denied had anything to do with them...even though it only happened when they purged their shit)...and making that shithole the laughingstock of the area. There's a big movement to get that abomination (that is apparently not that profitable these days, rumor has it) closed down -- they day of the paper mill in populated areas is coming to a close.


Plus, it's in Washington -- all the reason you need to avoid it, right there. Although, as you probably noticed, there's really no place to build high end housing on or near the Creek on the Portland side, so there is that allure for Camas and points east on the Vantucky side.

scoring using handicaps.

Agreed -- my swing is handicap enough.

[Ken]

As far as I'm concerned, Stone Creek does not require more time to mature. Not sure what your golf buds' line of thinking is. The fairways are fine, the greens are fine. It's already cut through mature trees, so no need there. It's fine. Go play it.

Indian Creek: Enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't be my first choice if I were to head out that way again. That wasn't my thought after hole 1 though. Don't remember the yardage, but a gentle dogleg par four, 'bout 390 yds(?) with Mt. Hood behind the green. I couldn't wait to find what else the course had to offer after #1:



Went downhill after that though. #2 is an abomination, imo. Blind approaches suck. If it's an elevated greeen, that's one thing. But a blind approach to a small green that is so far below the fairway that you can't see a damned thing. After that... too many 300-320 yd par fours. Got a little sick of pulling out my 5W on par four after par four. Then there was the par 5, dogleg right who's fairway width in the layup area is extremely thin (hole 4 or 5 maybe?). Frankly, from 300 in, the fairway is nearly impossible to hit. Guess I got lucky.

How's 'bout this for a putt?



Yes, it's a goofy golf green with the trough down the middle (which isn't nearly as evident as it really is in person). I had a suck-ass approach and my ball was right at the feet of this camera allthefuckingwayattheotherendofthegreen. Big bender to the right, down into the trough, then back up the other side of the trough to a plateau... again, w/a big bend. Musta been 25 yards, I swear. I sunk it. I was floored. Probably my best putt ever. There was no doubt about it, perfect speed, right into the cup.

Here's the approach to 18. Nice pic, so I took it. Was on in 2 and three effing putted.



Anyways, thanks for the suggestions, dins. Forest Hills is a go for next year when I'm in Cornelius again. Indian Creek, not so much so I'm afraid. Btw, GREAT people there though. Extremely friendly and a nice 19th hole. Had great lunch with a Mirror Pond to top it off. Nice scenery on the way there and back too. Hey, I was on a golf course... I can't complain too much.

[Dinsdale]

Musta been 25 yards, I swear. I sunk it.

Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh, buddy.

Made a sicksick putt myself last weekend...downhill after that.

Hood River is a pretty sweet part of the world...in spring/summer/fall. The Windsurfing Capital of the World, you know.


So, I guess the recommendations I relied on other people for weren't all that, but my personal ones were deece?

Sorry about that. Your parameters threw me. Ask about stuff on the west side, and I'll tell you all you need to know. Way out east certainly isn't outside my boundaries, but not my forte, either. Might be gonna check out the Resort(never played there, been by it a million times) in the next couple of weeks or so.


I've never really ever heard anyone bitch much about Forest Hills.

[Ken]

No worries 'bout the recommendations. Like I said, I was on a golf course... should I REALLY complain? Like I said, Forest Hills I liked (one of your personal suggestions). Although, it was a bit shorter than I would have liked, but not nearly as short as Indian Creek.

I passed by the signs for Skamania Lodge on the way to IC, so that'll probably be one I try next year.

[Dinsdale]

it was a bit shorter than I would have liked, but not nearly as short as Indian Creek.

Dude who spent a bunch of posts telling us that courses were "meant to be played from the whites" sayswhat?


See those tees with the blue markers, Ken? You know, the ones quite a ways behind the white ones?

Believe it or not, they don't charge you any extra to tee it up from there.


I'll tell you what -- after watching the Tradition, Imma gonna get me some of the Reserve. Funny thing is, when I was a small child, I lived up the street from there, and as an adult, I lived very close to there, too. Yet I've never played it. Cool thing about it, it's a semi-private, with a public side and a private side. But unlike Pumpkin, they alternate sides. Two distinctly different styles of courses, too -- the North is something of a British-style, almost traditional links. The South is a classic Northwest style course, with bends/doglegs around huge stands of trees, lots of water, and elevated, up-sloped greens(most Northwest courses have highly elevated greens, that slope back towards the fairway, so they drain and can be played in winter). Place was immaculate, too(bigshocker for a Major Tourney). Then again, judging from all the green dye tinting one of the man-made closed-loop streams, I'd have to say they cheated a little to get it that way. Very very cool course, though.

[Derron]

Like I said, I was on a golf course... should I REALLY complain?

In one of my former lives, I was a sales /service rep of a major equipment manufactuer. As a result, I got paid to play golf with and hang out with potential buyers.

At one tournament, it was a beautiful spring day in late March. Pretty much the first real nice day of spring. We were playing at a private CC in the Eugene area. In my 4 some was this dude who took his golf wayyyyy to seriously. The course was wet and muddy, but hey... I was getting paid to play golf, so that makes me a professional right ???


This ADD dude is already bogey when he chips on and then proceed sto 3 putt. he takes his fucking putter over his head and
" motherfucker's" real loud and heaves putter to the side where it hits a mature cherry tree and the head snaps off.

Next hole due is still twisted, bogey in the fiarway, 4 putts with his 3 iron, "mother fucker and throws it, and it bounces into the pond to be gone.

So I look at him and sya " Dude, we all are getting paid to play golf, drink some beer and smoke cigars. Now what the fuck possibly could piss you off that bad ??"

Dude glared at me, told me to go fuck myself, picks his clubs up, and leaves in his sled at high speed. Probably going to beat his wife I am sure.