The middle day of my most recent trip found me in San Jose. So far in my experience, this general area is home to some of the most challenging courses around. Last year, I played Cinnabar Hills and Eagle Ridge (in nearby Gilroy). Both courses were very beautiful, yet extremely difficult. The Valley Course at... Continue Reading →
Updated Course Review: Poppy Hills Golf Course
I’ve been looking for an excuse to come back and play the “new” version of Poppy Hills since it reopened from its major renovation in 2014. I made a point to play it not too long before it closed. You can read that review from the summer of 2012 here. Pictures were tough that day because... Continue Reading →
Course Review: Micke Grove Golf Links
I’ll just review this course by itself. It was the only round I played over the weekend while staying up in Modesto, with full golf days on Friday and Monday to bookend the trip. I had a chance to get out for a quick round on late Sunday afternoon. From Modesto, Micke Grove Golf Links... Continue Reading →
Central Valley Visit, Part 2: The Stockton Swing
After Thursday in Modesto, I headed a little further north into Stockton for my golf on Friday. As usual, I was at it as early as possible with another dawn patrol round… Swenson Park Golf Course • Stockton, CA • 3/18/16 There are a couple of sister muni courses in Stockton, with Van Buskirk Park... Continue Reading →
Central Valley Visit, Part 1: Mixing It Up in Modesto
I have a lot to get caught up on after playing 99 holes of golf the past two days up in the Central Valley. I’ll break it up into two big reviews. This first one will cover Thursday’s play in Modesto at Modesto Municipal Golf Course, Creekside Golf Course and St. Stanislaus Golf Course. I... Continue Reading →
Short Course Blitz: Along the Redwood Coast
On Saturday, I began making the long journey home to Southern California. Naturally, I stopped for plenty of golf along the way because the weather was looking pretty good in Northern California. Saturday turned out to be a “play it by ear” kind of day and eventually became a Short Course Blitz. My initial plan... Continue Reading →
Northwest Road Trip, Part 1: In the Shadows of Shasta
I’m up in the Portland/Vancouver area this week tending to some non-golf family obligations, but that won’t prevent me from getting in a few rounds when I can. I took advantage of the long drive up to visit one of my personal favorite courses. Since I haven’t played the Mount Shasta Resort course since starting... Continue Reading →
4th of July Road Trip, Day 3: Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
For the third and final day of my holiday weekend road trip up north, it was time to start working my way back south. Last time I was in this area over Memorial Day weekend, there were a few San Jose area tracks I didn’t get to play, so it made sense to come back... Continue Reading →
4th of July Road Trip, Day 2: A Rugged, Uphill Battle
For the second day of my extended holiday weekend golf trip, I headed due north of where I was staying in Livermore to the Brentwood/Antioch area for two rounds. With Friday being a day off for most people, but not the actual holiday, that meant a lot of golfers were out and ready to take... Continue Reading →
Silicon Valley Trip, Day 2: Quantity Over Quality
My main rounds of this trip took place on Saturday at San Juan Oaks and Eagle Ridge, but I wanted to make the most of my two days out of town and add a few more courses to the list. When it came to booking my golf on Sunday, I opted for affordability and convenience.... Continue Reading →
Bogeys Across America 