I consider myself very lucky. I get to work at arguably the best golf resort in the world. The golf courses I’m exposed to on a daily basis are of such high quality that people might assume that either I’m spoiled and take it for granted or that I wouldn’t enjoy playing courses of lesser stature. Not true.
We play golf on Christmas Eve. Some years my family’ll play (like this year), and some years it is just my brothers, a couple of buddies and me because my Mom won’t come out in the December Oregon Coast weather. (This year we had glorious weather. My pictures’ll prove that.)
We usually play at Alderbrook, the course in Tillamook. Even after a new owner has injected some money into the course the last three years it would be dishonest to call it anything other then a goat track (a lot of the locals will tell you the changes have made it worse). It is golf at its most rudimentary and in the winter the turf conditions are less then ideal (i.e. soggy and wet). And yet it is always my favorite round of the year.
My question for you guys is this: When (or if) you guys play golf courses that you wouldn’t (for a lack of a better term) brag about on GCA.com do you enjoy them?
We also played the day after Christmas this year up at Manzanita. Another Oregon Coast Gem.
#7 is positively heavenly
As I get older I’m starting to realize what is important. Friends and family are clearly at the top of that list for me. So I’m sure that who I play with is so much more important to me then where I play. Although my folks have played at Bandon several times with me and my brother I can’t say that those rounds are anymore enjoyable then the annual rounds over Christmas.
There is no question that my appreciation for good golf courses and good golf course architecture allows me to enjoy ANY golf more. I think a lot of the problems facing golf these days (dwindling participation numbers, high cost and the time it takes to play) could be helped if more golfers would realize that it is okay to play and enjoy the courses in their neck of the woods that might not quite warrant a fancy bag tag and wouldn’t be on a top 500 list if one existed.
Happy 2012.
I’d have to agree. Playing with friends or family makes any round both enjoyable and memorable. However, playing great courses like those at Bandon Dunes leave an even bigger impression. I’ll be up there in 2 weeks for 7 rounds and can’t wait to add to the memories I already have made while at Bandon! Happy New Years.
I think you are right about the importance of the people you are playing with. It is very easy to enjoy any round of golf if the people you are playing with is somebody you care about. Having said that, the layout and design + surroundings of a course is still able to enhance the experience.
Robb Rigg of The Walking Golfer has written an excellent article debating the issue (and a few others that will enhance your enjoyment of golf) regardless of the track you are playing.
http://bit.ly/jVnTNv