SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Argh at Blacklake Golf CourseWednesday, August 31, 2005After barely playing for the past 2 months, my return to playing golf last week at Cypress Ridge Golf Course went well. However, today my lack of play and practice caught up to me. I played Blacklake's Canyon and Oaks courses today - shooting poorly on both nines, especially on the Oaks where I shot a 12-over 47. I shot a 21-over 92 overall!Somehow, I managed 7 pars, but only 5 greens and 4 fairways in regulation. I'm not sure I've ever shot more double and triple bogies in one round, even a quadruple bogie - thanks to a few lost balls and out of bounds! Argh!!  I got off to a decent start with a long putt on Canyon's first hole to save bogie, a great drive on two, a perfect fairway iron on three, and good fairway wood and wedge on four. But on five, a short par 3, I played through a threesome by placing my 6-iron out of bounds. I continued on six with an errant tee shot that went out of bounds into the eucs on the right. I recovered my composure on the last 3 holes on Canyon with 2 pars and a bogie. I enjoyed a nice fairway iron shot into six with 2 putts for par, and a strong 8-iron off the tee on seven to setup another par. I got off to a bad start on Canyon's 9th, a par 4 dogleg right, where I left my tee shot short of the dogleg on the right, leaving the ball behind a very tall pine tree. I tried to clear the tree with an 8-iron, but managed to hit the top of the tree. Luckily, the ball bounced left into the fairway, 110-yards out. I had the satisfaction of ending Canyon by placing that 110-yard shot just 1 foot from the pin to save par!  Oaks can be a bit challenging for such a short course. It has many narrow fairways, and as its name implies, it presents many troublesome oaks. Again, playing through a threesome, my drive on Oaks first hole leaked right and went into the oaks. I never found that ball. I recovered on two with a par, but "barely" put another ball out of bounds on three with a fairway iron. I totally blew up on four where I put two drives into the homes left of the lake I was trying to hit over! I somehow managed to finish okay with a par on five and six, a bogie on seven, and a par on eight, but double bogied nine. Oaks 6th hole represents well the challenge of Blacklake's Oaks course. This par 5 is a narrow dogleg right with oaks everywhere! If you hit driver off the tee, you have to cut the dogleg a bit to avoid hitting past the corner into the trees - which I do often. Today, I hit a perfect drive into the fairway, clearing the trees on the right, and followed the tee shot with by a strong 3-wood, leaving a 50 yard wedge to the green.  Oaks 8th is another tough hole due to an abundance of oaks. Again, on this par 4 dogleg right, I try to clear the oaks lining the right side of the dogleg, but often fail. Today I left my tee shot on the fairway, just 60 yards from the green! A good wedge shot and putt nearly gave me a birdie on this hole. Unfortunatly, I finished poorly on nine. The Oaks 9th is decievingly difficult. Yet another dogleg right, it's very easy to hit a wood off the tee past the corner into the eucs and oaks, and cutting the corner is too risky. I choose a 4-iron off the tee today to play it safe and lay up, but managed to even hit it beyond the fairway - luckily, short of the trees. I put my next shot into the sand left of the green and managed to place the shot out of the sand over the green. I finally finished with a double bogie - ending a round I really didn't enjoy. Well, I'm hoping today's round was an anomoly and that I get back in the low 80's quickly! This round was the end of a 12 game streak under 90. The last time I shot over 90 was 3 1/2 months ago at Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Consistency in golf is certainly elusive! Time to practice... Better rounds ahead! Sneak Peak at Monarch DunesSaturday, August 27, 2005 As we've reported before, a 45-hole Golf Resort named Monarch Dunes, is currently under construction at The Woodlands in Nipomo. The Woodlands includes an 1,100 property resort-lifestyle community being developed by Trilogy Central Coast - a division of Shea Homes, 2 top-notch 18-hole golf courses along with a 9-hole executive course, a shopping center, business park and 500-room full-service resort including a day spa - it's simply massive in size, with quality to match. The Woodlands is located just southwest of Blacklake Golf Course off Willow Rd. Monarch Dunes promises to present fun and challenge. Course designer Damian Pascuzzo is known for weaving strategy into hole design using natural land forms to accomplish this design goal . There will be a lot of variety on the course, including changes in elevation, and subtle movements in the terrain.  We drove out to the development today, and drove in far enough to capture a few "Sneak Peak" photos! See the links below for photos and additional information about The Woodlands in Nipomo and Monarch Dunes Golf Resort. Monarch Dunes Photos Golf is Bustin' Out in SLO County The Woodlands on Nipomo Mesa Visit The Woodlands new website at: www.woodlandscentralcoast.com 5 Straight Pars at Cypress Ridge Golf CourseThursday, August 25, 2005 Since spraining my hand over 2 months ago at Chalk Mountain Golf Course, I've only played golf three times. And even though my hand has been fine now for 3-4 weeks, work, vacations, and just getting out of the habit of playing regularly have kept me away from the course - even from practicing. I've only played once and practiced once in the past 7 weeks! Today, I decided to break the ice and get back out and play. I drove over to Cypress Ridge Golf Course - the nearest course to my home in Arroyo Grande - not sure whether I'd just hit some balls and practice chipping and putting or play a round. Since a tournament had just started a little before I showed up, I decided to give them time to get out ahead of me by taking time at the range with a small bucket of balls, then do some chipping and putting. There was only one other golfer at the range - a friend I know from hockey who also works at Cypress Ridge as a Marshall on Sundays. Both of our sons played roller hockey for Arroyo Grande High School - which I coached. I also played with our sons in the adult league. I've only played golf with this friend once before... great guy! We decided to join up and play 9 or more holes since we were getting a late start. We started off on the back nine to bypass the tournament. Playing with a marshall has it's privileges! We both prefer walking, and did so. I played an average round on the front (back) nine, starting off with a double bogie due to 3-putting, but managed 3 pars and 5 bogies to end with a 7-over 43. We only played 5 holes on the back (front) nine - 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 - where I pared every hole! I was striking the ball well and improved my short game on those final holes. I even had 2 good birdie opportunities. Overall, I was very pleased with my results after so little recent play, but most importantly enjoyed the company and incredibly great weather - sunny, but cool, and NO wind! Even better - we didn't have anyone in front of us or behind us for the entire round. I sure love the opportunity I have to play golf during the week! I certainly got the bug to get back in the habit of playing every week... so more posts coming soon! Report Your Hole in One in SLO CountyTuesday, August 23, 2005 Golf Talk Radio tracks all of San Luis Obispo County's "Ace Holes". This year, over 20 hole-in-ones have already been reported! To report your ace or view this years "Ace Holes", go to www.golftalkradio.com/aceholes/.Every week on Golf Talk Radio, Mike and Billy present the "Ace Hole of the Week! All Ace Holes mentioned live on Golf Talk Radio automatically qualify for the "Ace Hole of the Year" Grand Prize! "Ace Hole of the Week" is sponsored by Titleist and Footjoy the #1 ball, shoe and glove in golf! Last year, the Golf Talk Radio "Ace Hole of the Year" was Joe Illig who was playing the Laguna Lake Golf Course in San Luis Obispo and aced the 7th hole for his first ace ever and then proceeded to ace hole number 9 during the same round! Sept. 17-18 - San Luis Obispo Men's City AmatuerSunday, August 21, 2005The 2005 San Luis Obispo Men's City Amatuer will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18 at Dairy Creek Golf Course. Entry fees are $35 per person which includes Prize Purse and Tee Prize. Green Fees and Golf Cart rentals are not included. Format is 36-Stroke Play. For more information, contact Dairy Creek Head Professional, Kent Lauble (805) 782-8060.Sept. 11 - Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament at Cypress Ridge Golf CourseFriday, August 19, 2005 Don't miss the fun at the Hit & Giggle Women's Golf Tournament at Cypress Ridge Golf Course on September 11, 2005 in support of Partnership for the Children of San Luis Obispo County.Contests and Prizes, Chance to win BMW Z4, full set of golf clubs, round trip tickets and more! Fun and frolic at every hole with food and spirits provided by local restaurants, wineries and distributers. The tournament will culminate with a cocktail reception to socialize, share the day's adventures, and award the prizes. Women for Community, a new women's group in San Luis Obispo County focuses on giving back through volunteerism. They recognize that the strength and well being of a community depends on what each individual is willing to invest. The founders of Women for Community feel fortunate to live in San Luis Obispo and to mobilize resources for the aid of others. In This effort, we are organizing a Women’s Golf Tournament for the benefit of the Partnership for the Children program. This program provides dental care for underserved infants and adolescents in San Luis Obispo County. They have served over 8,000 children in less than two years; providing preventive, restorative, operative and emergency treatment as well as oral health services including education and outreach. Our goal from this event is to net over $20,000 to aid in furthering this worthy cause. Women for Community is hosting the Hit & Giggle Women's Golf Tournament at Cypress Ridge Golf Course to provide a day of fun & sun and not-very-serious golfing for women from all walks of life. Local vendors will provide food or spirits at each hole. The tournament will be fully sponsored by businesses and individuals to maximize the fund raising results and deliver a meaningful amount of money to Partnership for the Children. Visit www.hitandgiggle.net to Sign UP or to obtain additional information. SLO Rated #1 in California GolfThursday, August 18, 2005 Golf Digest ranked all of America's cities and San Luis Obispo County was rated #1 in California for golf!San Luis Obispo County ranked #58 overall (#9 for weather and #55 for quality), and was the only city in California that made the top 100. San Luis Obispo County proves that it provides California's best golf. For the third time since 1998, Golf Digest has ranked golf in America's largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas, consisting of 330 towns and cities with populations over 50,000, and found that the best places to live and golf are increasingly shifting to small towns and suburbs - mostly in the South. Most of the worst golf cities are in the Northeast and Midwest. Cities were ranked by each of four criteria: access to golf, weather, value of golf, and quality of golf. Using these weightings, Golf Digest determined the average overall ranking for all 330 cities. The research was conducted by The Longitudes Group, utlizing the U.S. Census, National Golf Foundation, Golf Digest's Database of Golf in America and Best Places to Play Guide. Access to golf (45%) was rated as a blend of four factors: the number of golf holes in an area compared to its population; number of golf holes compared to the number of avid golfers; percentage of public versus private courses; and a measure of the number of rounds played compared to capacity. Weather (25%) was rated by creating a "Golf Comfort Index" to determine the number of "playable golf days" in a year, which factors not only temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation, but also the comfort levels of golfers based on biometeorologic research. Value and Quality of golf (15% each) was based on average green fee in each area and average star ratings by Golf Digest readers in the sixth edition of Golf Digest's Best Places to Play Guidebook. America's Best Golf Cities Golf Digest, August 2005, Mike Stachura Complete Listing of City Rankings (PDF) 1st Annual Channel Counties Golf Tournament at Cypress Ridge GCTuesday, August 16, 2005 CITIPAC, League of California Cities is hosting their 1st Annual Channel Counties Golf Tournament on August 26, 2005 in San Luis Obispo County at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande. Cypress Ridge is A Peter Jacobsen Signature Design Golf Course, ranked 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play". The tournament is a "Texas Scramble" format - The best tee-shot is used on each hole. Each team must use 3 tee shots from every player in the group. The second best shot is then chosen, then the group hits from that spot, and so on until the ball is holed. All men play from the White tees, women play from the Red Tees. The Mayor of Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, Grover Beach, Atascadero, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo are planning to attend the event. CITIPAC was founded on the principles of local control and cooperation, the League of California Cities has grown to include the membership of all 477 California cities. Today, the League and the thousands of city officials who comprise its membership are working hard to strengthen the effectiveness of their advocacy efforts -- reflected in its mission statement: "To restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians." Send all tournament sponsorship and registration fees to: The League of California Cities c/o The Cypress Ridge Golf Course 950 Cypress Ridge Parkway Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Tel: 805-489-2781 ext. 1 Email: starscope@sbcglobal.net The following information is required by law: Name, Occupation & employer, Address, Phone numbers, e-mail, Team names (individuals will be automatically placed into teams). Click HERE For Itinerary of Events and Tournament Sponsorship information (PDF). The First Tee of the Central CoastMonday, August 15, 2005 The First Tee - More than a game. The latest chapter of The First Tee has been established right here in San Luis Obispo County at Avila Beach and Blacklake Golf Resorts. The First Tee of the Central Coast offers convenient, comprehensive and affordable access for any child to experience the game of golf, no matter what their life situation. The First Tee organization provides affordable access to golf and strives to instill in young people life enhancing values such as honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, courtesy, confidence and respect. The Life Skills curriculum allows members to participate at their level of experience as they work their way through the program's PAR, BIRDIE and EAGLE levels. The certification process for each level includes knowledge about both golf skills and life skills that are important at home, school and in the community. The First Tee Central Coast provides juniors access to privileges and benefits through their participation, including 44 weeks of programs, approximately 132 hours of instruction, FREE The First Tee t-shirt, 44 free rounds of golf, Weekly prizes, Special activities & field trips, 18 Life Skill lessons, and 9 Core Values (honesty, integrity, responsibility, respect, sportsmanship, perseverance, judgment, courtesy and confidence). THE FIRST TEE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL JUNIORS 17 & UNDER. Fee: Voluntary Donation of $60.00 - Scholarships Available. Instructors: includes PGA Professionals, Billy Gibbs, Rudi Fann, Kenny Miller & Marcus Fox. Contact: PGA Director of Instruction, Billy Gibbs (805) 595-4000 ext. 502 billy@avilabeachresort.com Website: www.thefirstteecentralcoast.org Calendar: The First Tee Central Coast Calendar. Article: The First Tee Open Gives Junior Golfers Chance of Their Lifetime. Labor Day Weekend Savings at Hunter Ranch Golf CourseSaturday, August 13, 2005 Labor Day Weekend, September 3-5 - Enjoy Great Golf, Beat the Pro Contest, Drink Specials and Fun at Hunter Ranch Golf Course! Come out to Hunter Ranch this Labor Day Weekend for great golf, a barbecue lunch and drink specials. You can enjoy a barbecue lunch and drink specials throughout the holiday weekend. Beat the Pro at his Own Game! Play before noon on Saturday, September 3rd and compete against the Head Golf Professional. You will simply need to wage a minimum of $5 and post a net score that day. If your net score beats the Pro your wager is doubled in golf shop credit!! Make your advance tee times now for this holiday weekend. This popular weekend's times are sure to fill up quick, so don't delay! You've worked hard this year, so come play some golf. You've earned it! Last Minute Tee Time DealsFriday, August 12, 2005Looking for discounts on greens fees? We've found some San Luis Obispo County Golf Courses offering discounts online for last minute tee times that may otherwise go unbooked.Avila Beach and Blacklake Golf Resorts offer "Hot Times" on a daily basis, usually for twosomes in the late afternoon at $10 per round per person. View daily "Hot Times" Here. Hunter Ranch Golf Course offers "Last Minute Tee Times" to those who register. Contact Hunter Ranch Golf Course for more information. Poipu Bay Golf ResortTuesday, August 09, 2005 Poipu Bay Golf Resort - Kauai Originally uploaded by golfslo. I'm back from Kauai where my son and I played golf at Poipu Bay Golf Resort. I highly recommend you play this course if you're in Kauai... just be prepared for lots of headwind! SLO Among Best Places to Live in AmericaMonday, August 01, 2005San Luis Obispo was recently selected as the 3rd Best Place to Live, as presented in the book, "Cities Ranked and Rated," by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander, and published by John Wiley. The authors analyzed over 300 metro areas, which are home to 85% of the U.S. population, in 50 different categories and chose the best ten."These ten places are each special in their own way," said Bert Sperling. "The only downside may be that it's hard to keep a secret, so most of them have seen considerable increases in home prices over the last couple of years." Sperling advises that there are still bargains available, but you may need to start your search in neighborhoods that are being reclaimed from urban decay, or smaller cities or towns on the outskirts of the metro area. Here's their description of San Luis Obispo and its surrounding communities. This quiet group of towns on the central California coast could easily qualify as paradise. The climate is among the country's most pleasant, with 285 mostly sunny days per year and temperatures rarely above 90 degrees or below freezing. The presence of academic heavyweight Cal Poly helps anchor the local economy—the unemployment rate is well below the national average. It's fortunate that local jobs are plentiful, since it's too far to commute to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Considering further its low crime and unemployment rates, the San Luis Obispo area seems to have it all. But home prices here have risen steadily in the last few years, so that the median is now $536,300. While this isn't unreasonable by California standards, it can be out of reach for many of us thinking of moving from other parts of the country. Sperling's BestPlaces |
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