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Great White North Golfing (Part 3) - No "Kidd"ing around

1/3/2020

Kananskis Golf Mt Kidd Picture

If you can't tell, I love puns. Thus, can there be anything better than playing a golf course called Kidd with your kid? I don't know if there is, but I can say that the 18 holes I played with my son, especially the front nine of this golf course (our back nine as we started on #10) was absolutely amazing. Not only did we play good golf in great weather, but we got to hang out with a big black bear on hole #3. If the prior post didn't entice you, having two options at Kananaskis should now make it clear that it's a great golfing option for those in Alberta. I hope you enjoy the review of the Mount Kidd course.

Lots of Golf, Lots of Activity, not lots of posting

12/31/2019

All...due to a primary residence move and a decent chunk of travel, my usual, timely blogging (at least once a month) has hit a slow-down. Look for updates come January 2020 as I still have not posted some rounds back all the way to September.

Great White North Golfing (Part 2) - the great delay

11/8/2019

Kananaskis Golf Review Picture

I am not sure of the longest break I've had between golf rounds at a course, but my delay at the Lorette Course at Kananaskis Country has to be in the running, with the first round happening in 2000 and the second round happening in 2019. To make it more stark in contrast, between the two years, the golf course I knew was mostly washed away by flash flooding and was completely rebuilt, with only a few of the holes being ones I could remember (but that might be more of a factor of the delay than actual changes). See updated review.

The one thing that stayed constant (I made sure of it) was my on-course beverage. When I played in 2000, it was May and it was very cold. The nice Canadian gentleman I played with offered me a "hard lemonade" beverage that, at the time, I had not heard of. He said it would warm me up and, weighing less at that time, it actually did. Now, that beverage is quite well-known and, although the weather was warmer, I brought along a couple as a salute to my previous round, bridging the 19 year gap.

The Great White North Golfing (part 1)

10/18/2019

It had been well over a decade since my last trip to Alberta, Canada, and the golf this time around was a blast. This first part of a multi-part entry features Stewart Creek Golf Course in Canmore, the town where we stayed for our vacation. It is located just outside of the eastern gate of Banff National Park and had a few golf courses in the town itself and several more just a drive a way.

Stewart Creek Golf Review Picture

Desert Dreams

9/28/2019

Top Vegas Golf Review Picture

For years, I've been wanting to go out and play Cascata, near Las Vegas, but it's been tough to find the time or cash to do so. That recently changed and I was able to play it on an ideal day in the summer, where temperatures stayed relatively low and the wind didn't show up for the first 16 holes. I must say, the service and golf course were both outstanding and that made for a experience that made me conclude that this golf course certainly deserves the accolades it receives.

A Dream (Partially) Deferred

8/18/2019

Streamsong Golf Course Review Picture

My personal best for golf holes played in one day is 54, at Saticoy Country Club as a MUCH younger man. When I took a family trip to Florida recently and escaped for one "alone day" of golf, I toyed with the idea of going to the Streamsong Resort and playing all three offerings, Black, Red, and Blue. It was tempting as I knew that I would be in a cart for all three rounds (walking in Florida in June is a fools errand). I also worked out the tee time situation and thought it would be possible as I was there on near the longest day of the year. A friend had told me the biggest problem would be any afternoon thunderstorms, which are prevalent in that area for much of the summer. So, after working the numbers (and my current age), I elected to take the more reasonable approach and play just the newer Streamsong Black course (pictured above), followed by the generally better thought of, although only slightly (red vs blue) Streamsong Red Course (pictured below).

Both courses were amazing in their own rights and quite a bit varied, which I enjoyed. I'd heartily recommend any serious golfers stop by or stay at this resort Also, as an aside, the thunderstorms predicted by my friend did not disappoint and I only ACTUALLY got in 34 holes before the rain sent me packing.

Top Florida Golf Review Picture

Reunion Squared

8/4/2019

Reunion Golf Review Picture

I recently journeyed with my family to have a theme park filled adventure in Orlando, Florida. This was our third time to the area and we elected to reunite with our favorite resort in the area, the Reunion resort (hence the Reunion squared...sad isn't it). I promise I'm not affiliated with them, but the condo unit we stayed in is one of our favorites and the on-site pools and water park are really fun. Of course, let's not beat around the bush too much. It doesn't hurt that there are three golf courses on site. I'd played the Independence (Tom Watson Design) and Legacy (Arnold Palmer design) on my last trip but was able to also play the Nicklaus Course this time around. All three have their reviews finalized as of the latest trip.

A couple of "Local" Updates

7/25/2019

Los Angeles County Golf Course Review Picture

Knowing that I golf, people often ask me where I play. They then regret the long answer I give as there really isn't a lot of feasible/convenient options nearby. The choice for the Los Angeles "basin" golfer is between 5.5 hour rounds at cheaper public options, a few high-priced options that might get you a 4.5 hour round (maybe) or country clubs usually are beyond the means of the average golfer.

So, heading "out" is the norm and I recently updated a couple of reviews: one in Ventura County for the Vineyard Course at River Ridge (about 75 minute drive north and west) and one for Black Gold (about 75 minute drive south and east). The former is from my old "home town" so I play it more often but the latter is having it's first update in about a decade.

Portrush (update for the Open...from afar)

7/14/2019

Although I could see only the routing of the new 7th and 8th holes at Royal Portrush Dunluce Links Course when I played in 2016 (they were still being formed, not ready for actual play), based on where they were on the property, I could tell they would be a welcome improvement to the docile 17th and 18th holes that I finished on. To be fair, the drive on the 17th did have to avoid one of the largest bunkers I've ever seen, but these new holes should signal a massive improvement for the Open Championship that is held there this upcoming week, and the former 16th hole, now the 18th hole, is a more appropriate, tough finish. I'm very excited to watch this week and I'm extraordinarily curious if anybody will hit a shot long and OB on the short, par four 5th hole, which would be a massive, and likely, championship ending error. The Open Championship 2019 Golf Course Review is updated to reflect the new routing, and scorecard.

Open Championship 2019 Golf Course Review Picture

I Almost Forgot...

7/2/2019

Arroyo Golf Club Review Picture

Although not a ringing endorsement, I almost forgot to post my review of the Arroyo Golf Club near Las Vegas, Nevada, which I played a couple of months back. The golf course was quite tough, and in good shape, with kind staff and nice amenities, but wasn't the most memorable golf course, which, given how this site works, means it's not my most thorough golf course review.