As most of you know I stood at year-end with 59 courses left on my various current bucket lists. Nine of these were in Florida and SE Georgia...but detailed research revealed that this number would grow to 12. Three of these targets would require playing an extra 18 holes:
- I had one course left to finish the Golf Digest USA Top 100 EVER...Bonita Bay Club (Marsh), but the original 18 holes on their Marsh course was split up about 20 years ago and these holes are now holes 1-3 and 13-18 on Bay Island and holes 1-6 and 16-18 on Marsh; logistically with FL being packed this time of year, the only way to do it was to play the full Bay Island and Marsh courses;
- Different sources had different venues for the 1940 and 1941 Senior PGA Championships...some saying Bobby Jones Golf Course and some saying Sara Bay Country Club (both in Sarasota); as I was unable to get a definitive answer, only solution was to play both;
- Similar story regarding 1963 and 1974 Senior PGA played at Pt St. Lucie CC, which ceased to exist since 1974; the club had 36 holes known as the Saints 18 and Sinners 18, which are now split into a muni (Saints) and part of a Club Med franchise (Sinners). Sooo...who amongst you knew Club Med still existed?...not I. I have never been to a Club Med given the innocence of my 74 years...that may have to change! Please don't tell Pat!!
Twelve courses would have keep me away too long, so I cut it back to eight in four days, all in FL and commencing Sunday night January 6.
Dunedin Golf Club, January 7, 2019: I arrived at Tampa Airport around 10:30pm Sunday and the drive to Dunedin took some 30 minutes. The motel was fairly highly rated on Hotels.com and very cheap...when I arrived I immediately understood the cheap part. But it was late and it didn't look dangerous, so there I was and I survived. Dunedin was only 0.2 miles away so it was fairly convenient. Dunedin GC was formerly PGA National and hosted the Senior PGA from 1945-1962. Designed by Donald Ross it opened in 1927 and was re-grassed in 2006. Today it is a muni.
I teed off at 7:05am or 19 minutes before sunrise...so do not expect great descriptions of the first 2-3 holes. It plays to 6625 yards (par 72) from the tips and was in decent condition. I had a 41 - 40 = 81 and played in 2:05. Course has some mild elevation changes. Except for its place in history, not much to say about it.
Sara Bay Country Club, January 7, 2019: Arrived at Sara Bay around 10:15, well in advance of an afternoon shotgun that I was joining. I was greeted at the club by Assistant Pro Michael Brown...who had been an intern at CCNC last year! Michael had just arrived in the area and reported that so far all was good. I was able to have some breakfast (my Fiber One of course) and then met the head pro, Daren King. Daren brought me up to date regarding the very recent renovation (course reopened Oct. 6) lead by Kris Spence (who had renovated CCNC's Dogwood about 3 years ago). Previous resoration efforts were led by Brian Silva.
The club looked to be very active especially for a Monday. I played with Paul Barone, the club's GM, formerly its head pro, and for sure a wonderful guy, along with an old high school buddy of Paul's. I very much enjoyed the course. It was in very good condition, was fairly wide open with excellent angles/options, and fun to play. We started on the par 5 #7 and after my drive had to confront one of four "Principal Noses" (think fairway bunkers on hole #16 of The Old Course in St Andrews) in the right middle of the fairway. Kris had split a large bunker into two to create the Principal's Nose and I loved it:
The club looked to be very active especially for a Monday. I played with Paul Barone, the club's GM, formerly its head pro, and for sure a wonderful guy, along with an old high school buddy of Paul's. I very much enjoyed the course. It was in very good condition, was fairly wide open with excellent angles/options, and fun to play. We started on the par 5 #7 and after my drive had to confront one of four "Principal Noses" (think fairway bunkers on hole #16 of The Old Course in St Andrews) in the right middle of the fairway. Kris had split a large bunker into two to create the Principal's Nose and I loved it:
 |
| Sara Bay #7--Principal's Nose--pin over right bunker and I stuck 7 iron to 15' (missed birdie putt) |
I hit the ball well and had a 42 - 39 = 81. No question in my mind that this is one of the better courses along FL's west coast. Plays to 7062 yards from the back.
Never did get the full story of where the 1940 and 1941 Senior PGA's were played...but do know that playing Sara Bay and Bobby Jones (next day) would get these done. The club has a lot of history behind it. Originally known as Whitfield Estates CC (and for a while called Sarasota Bay CC), it opened in 1926 and was designed by Donald Ross (probably around the same time Ross did Dunedin). Mr. Robert "Bobby" Jones helped sell the real estate surrounding the club, and its first head pro was Tommy Armour (the "Silver Scot"). Joe Turnesa was resident teaching pro in the 1970's and 80's.
Put simply, clearly Sara Bay has been one of Florida's west coast's premier clubs...it is wonderful to see the results of a superb restoration bringing its golf course back to its glory days. If you are going to be near Sarasota, play it...this is a hidden gem!
Never did get the full story of where the 1940 and 1941 Senior PGA's were played...but do know that playing Sara Bay and Bobby Jones (next day) would get these done. The club has a lot of history behind it. Originally known as Whitfield Estates CC (and for a while called Sarasota Bay CC), it opened in 1926 and was designed by Donald Ross (probably around the same time Ross did Dunedin). Mr. Robert "Bobby" Jones helped sell the real estate surrounding the club, and its first head pro was Tommy Armour (the "Silver Scot"). Joe Turnesa was resident teaching pro in the 1970's and 80's.
Put simply, clearly Sara Bay has been one of Florida's west coast's premier clubs...it is wonderful to see the results of a superb restoration bringing its golf course back to its glory days. If you are going to be near Sarasota, play it...this is a hidden gem!
Bobby Jones Golf Club, January 8, 2019: Another Donald Ross creation in this part of Florida...this one opened in February 1927 and seems to have played a part in the 1940 or 1941 Senior PGA (or both). Since then it has expanded from its original Ross 18 to 45 holes...the American 18, the longer British 18, and a short executive 9 holes. Ross' original 18 is now comprised of the back nines on the British and American courses so that is what I played...hitting the 10th hole on American around 6:55 (again in almost pitch black) and then going over to British #10 after playing 10-18 on American. On the back nine, I was held up a little by some groups that has teed off earlier, but all let me through and I finished by 9:15.
Course was better than I expected (certainly better than there munis I played as a kid) but not really noteworthy. Like Dunedin and Sara Bay the Ross influence is noticeable in the raised greens sloping from back to front and the wonderful green contouring. It had been renovated in 2016 by Richard Mandell of Pinehurst and was in good condition.
My play was poor at best...after two nights without enough sleep and 36 yesterday. Now had a 90 minutes drive to Ft Myers and then another 18. Good news is that I should be able to get some decent sleep tonight.
Fort Myers Country Club, January 8, 2019: Another original Donald Ross, this one opened in 1916 and was renovated about five years ago under the guidance of Steve Smyers. Back 100 years ago the club was the FL club for Henry Ford and Thomas Edison...today a muni. Like the other on the first two days of this trip, Ross "fingerprints" are all over the greens. There is a water channel that runs through the property which affects play on about half the holes. Very much liked the par 5 11th hole.
This was a a round that I wanted to end quickly...but there was a foursome two groups ahead of us who had two full holes open ahead of them toward the end of the round. Our round took about 4:15 which always happens when you don't like a course!
Anyhow, after the round got to my hotel (this was one of those "new hotel each night" trips) and took pre dinner nap and got to sleep at a reasonable hour.
Bonita Bay Club, January 9, 2019: I had been sitting with just one course keeping me from finishing the Golf Digest USA Top 100 EVER list for almost seven months...that course was Bonita Bay-Marsh, which had been included in 1989 and 1991 (peaking at #60 in 1989). I finally found a member (Phil A.--a very good player from Westchester who has played a good number of times at Quaker Ridge) by looking though a panelist directory for GD, and we arranged a game for this date. We were joined by Phil's father, who is retired and also a member.
The original Marsh course was designed by Arthur Hills and Hills expanded the property shortly thereafter with 18 new holes merged with the original Marsh 18 to create Bay Island and the new Marsh. We played Bay Island first and then Marsh.
This is a very good club and tremendously active, but the courses I played certainly are not Top 100 material in today's world...and I also think the new 18 holes are better than the 18 from the original Marsh. I gather the members consider the two courses we played to be the two worst of the five...but for obvious reasons they are the ones I had to play.
Later, the club opened another campus about 5 miles east with two Tom Fazio courses which are generally considered to be the two best of the five. I did not play particularly well but did sink a 12' putt for par on 18 to close out this bucket list.
Phil and his father, Ken were delightful and I look forward to having them at Brookline this summer.
That evening I had dinner with Bob McCoy and his wife, Elaine. Bob is a wonderful guy and the one who played the World 100 20 years ago in a span of 100 days!! This was my first time meeting Elaine and she is simply delightful.
Then after dinner it was across Alligator Alley to my bride's hometown of Ft. Lauderdale. Had another 36 scheduled for Thursday and then a flight home.
Fort Lauderdale Country Club-North, January 10, 2019: A cold front and north winds arrived by the time I awoke on this morning. Temperature was about 50ยบ with winds approaching 20mph when I arrived at the course.
And it was back to the Senior PGA venues on this last day of the trip. Ft. Lauderdale CC was founded in 1926 and started with 18 holes. It was the old money course in Ft Lauderdale but this town has seen better days (after all it has been some 55 years since Pat lived there). Some 25 years later the North course was added and it hosted the Senior PGA in 1965 won by Sam Snead. The North was designed by Red Lawrence, a highly regarded architect from that period. The course was in absolutely perfect condition and played firm and fast. I thought the best holes were the short par 4 5th, as well as #13-15, especially #14.
I hit the ball OK and had a 41 - 41 = 82.
After the round, it was over to North Miami and Turnberry Isle...better known to me as Aventura.
Turnberry Isle--Soffer, January 10, 2019: I first visited this development 40 years ago in 1978. I had left Citibank the prior year to become CFO at Arlen Realty & Development Corp., a large real estate operator and developer and retailer (E. J. Korvettes). Arlen's largest single project was known as Aventura...a joint venture with Don Soffer. Arlen, however, was deeply troubled and we were forced to relinquish control of Aventura. The starter at the first tee told me he had been there since 1979...when I told him of my involvement, we traded stories about Arthur Levine, one of Arlen's two founders.
The Soffer course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and then renovated by Raymond Floyd in the 1990's. The course is frankly far from my favorite. It reminded me in some ways of Liberty National (and that is not meant as a compliment). Tons of water...it is the opposite of fun and interesting.
After the round I showered and headed to the airport. Might have been able to squeeze in another round but no thanks. Flight home was smooth and I arrived home by 12:05am. Got to sleep.
Bucket List Status:
Courses played: 1,118 (out of approximately 35,000)
States Played: 50 of 50
Bucket List Total NLE Net Avail Played Not Played Cum
World 100 Ever 348 348 346 2 2
USA 100 Ever 371 -2 369 367 2 3
GW 100+100 Ever 412 -1 411 385 26 27
Five Cups Ever 115 115 114 1 28
Men's Maj Ever 128 -3 125 125 28
Senior Maj Ever 86 86 81 5 33
Women's Maj Ever 91 -4 87 80 7 40
Amateur Maj Ever * 180 -2 178 172 7 47
Tour Important Ever** 44 44 38 6 53
Notes:
NLE-No Longer Exists
*US Am, US Mid-Am, US Senior Am, US 4-Ball, Amateur Championship ("British")
** Fed Exp Playoff sites, Players Championship sites, World Golf Championship sites
If I were to complete all of the above 53, the following additional "bucket lists" would remain outstanding:
US Junior's Championship (probably should be added to Amateur Maj Ever)...27 unplayed
Golf Digest 1966/67 200 Toughest...96 unplayed
Other Women's USGA Champ***...78 unplayed
Playing all the above 201 courses would complete all 14 current USGA Championships Ever. But frankly, at 74 years of age, 254 more courses (53+201) is too high a hill to climb!!
***US Women's Am, US Women's Mid-Am, US Sen Women's Am, US Girl's Jr, US Women's 4-Ball, US Senior Women's Open.
Course was better than I expected (certainly better than there munis I played as a kid) but not really noteworthy. Like Dunedin and Sara Bay the Ross influence is noticeable in the raised greens sloping from back to front and the wonderful green contouring. It had been renovated in 2016 by Richard Mandell of Pinehurst and was in good condition.
My play was poor at best...after two nights without enough sleep and 36 yesterday. Now had a 90 minutes drive to Ft Myers and then another 18. Good news is that I should be able to get some decent sleep tonight.
Fort Myers Country Club, January 8, 2019: Another original Donald Ross, this one opened in 1916 and was renovated about five years ago under the guidance of Steve Smyers. Back 100 years ago the club was the FL club for Henry Ford and Thomas Edison...today a muni. Like the other on the first two days of this trip, Ross "fingerprints" are all over the greens. There is a water channel that runs through the property which affects play on about half the holes. Very much liked the par 5 11th hole.
This was a a round that I wanted to end quickly...but there was a foursome two groups ahead of us who had two full holes open ahead of them toward the end of the round. Our round took about 4:15 which always happens when you don't like a course!
Anyhow, after the round got to my hotel (this was one of those "new hotel each night" trips) and took pre dinner nap and got to sleep at a reasonable hour.
Bonita Bay Club, January 9, 2019: I had been sitting with just one course keeping me from finishing the Golf Digest USA Top 100 EVER list for almost seven months...that course was Bonita Bay-Marsh, which had been included in 1989 and 1991 (peaking at #60 in 1989). I finally found a member (Phil A.--a very good player from Westchester who has played a good number of times at Quaker Ridge) by looking though a panelist directory for GD, and we arranged a game for this date. We were joined by Phil's father, who is retired and also a member.
The original Marsh course was designed by Arthur Hills and Hills expanded the property shortly thereafter with 18 new holes merged with the original Marsh 18 to create Bay Island and the new Marsh. We played Bay Island first and then Marsh.
This is a very good club and tremendously active, but the courses I played certainly are not Top 100 material in today's world...and I also think the new 18 holes are better than the 18 from the original Marsh. I gather the members consider the two courses we played to be the two worst of the five...but for obvious reasons they are the ones I had to play.
Later, the club opened another campus about 5 miles east with two Tom Fazio courses which are generally considered to be the two best of the five. I did not play particularly well but did sink a 12' putt for par on 18 to close out this bucket list.
Phil and his father, Ken were delightful and I look forward to having them at Brookline this summer.
That evening I had dinner with Bob McCoy and his wife, Elaine. Bob is a wonderful guy and the one who played the World 100 20 years ago in a span of 100 days!! This was my first time meeting Elaine and she is simply delightful.
Then after dinner it was across Alligator Alley to my bride's hometown of Ft. Lauderdale. Had another 36 scheduled for Thursday and then a flight home.
Fort Lauderdale Country Club-North, January 10, 2019: A cold front and north winds arrived by the time I awoke on this morning. Temperature was about 50ยบ with winds approaching 20mph when I arrived at the course.
And it was back to the Senior PGA venues on this last day of the trip. Ft. Lauderdale CC was founded in 1926 and started with 18 holes. It was the old money course in Ft Lauderdale but this town has seen better days (after all it has been some 55 years since Pat lived there). Some 25 years later the North course was added and it hosted the Senior PGA in 1965 won by Sam Snead. The North was designed by Red Lawrence, a highly regarded architect from that period. The course was in absolutely perfect condition and played firm and fast. I thought the best holes were the short par 4 5th, as well as #13-15, especially #14.
I hit the ball OK and had a 41 - 41 = 82.
After the round, it was over to North Miami and Turnberry Isle...better known to me as Aventura.
Turnberry Isle--Soffer, January 10, 2019: I first visited this development 40 years ago in 1978. I had left Citibank the prior year to become CFO at Arlen Realty & Development Corp., a large real estate operator and developer and retailer (E. J. Korvettes). Arlen's largest single project was known as Aventura...a joint venture with Don Soffer. Arlen, however, was deeply troubled and we were forced to relinquish control of Aventura. The starter at the first tee told me he had been there since 1979...when I told him of my involvement, we traded stories about Arthur Levine, one of Arlen's two founders.
The Soffer course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and then renovated by Raymond Floyd in the 1990's. The course is frankly far from my favorite. It reminded me in some ways of Liberty National (and that is not meant as a compliment). Tons of water...it is the opposite of fun and interesting.
After the round I showered and headed to the airport. Might have been able to squeeze in another round but no thanks. Flight home was smooth and I arrived home by 12:05am. Got to sleep.
Bucket List Status:
Courses played: 1,118 (out of approximately 35,000)
States Played: 50 of 50
Bucket List Total NLE Net Avail Played Not Played Cum
World 100 Ever 348 348 346 2 2
USA 100 Ever 371 -2 369 367 2 3
GW 100+100 Ever 412 -1 411 385 26 27
Five Cups Ever 115 115 114 1 28
Men's Maj Ever 128 -3 125 125 28
Senior Maj Ever 86 86 81 5 33
Women's Maj Ever 91 -4 87 80 7 40
Amateur Maj Ever * 180 -2 178 172 7 47
Tour Important Ever** 44 44 38 6 53
Notes:
NLE-No Longer Exists
*US Am, US Mid-Am, US Senior Am, US 4-Ball, Amateur Championship ("British")
** Fed Exp Playoff sites, Players Championship sites, World Golf Championship sites
If I were to complete all of the above 53, the following additional "bucket lists" would remain outstanding:
US Junior's Championship (probably should be added to Amateur Maj Ever)...27 unplayed
Golf Digest 1966/67 200 Toughest...96 unplayed
Other Women's USGA Champ***...78 unplayed
Playing all the above 201 courses would complete all 14 current USGA Championships Ever. But frankly, at 74 years of age, 254 more courses (53+201) is too high a hill to climb!!
***US Women's Am, US Women's Mid-Am, US Sen Women's Am, US Girl's Jr, US Women's 4-Ball, US Senior Women's Open.
