Holiday Golf (Part 4 of 4) - Sandpiper

Saved the best for last. Sandpiper is currently my favorite course to play. The views are amazing, the course is tough with lightning fast greens (gotta be below the hole), and I can usually go off as a single. That's what I did over the holiday and played two balls and shot a 91 and 88. At times I was hitting 4 and 5 balls from 150 yards out because there was no one behind me.

The 13th hole (below) gets me every time. It's a 532 yard par five with cliffs on the right and junk on the left. A big straight drive is needed on this hole then it's decision time. Depending on the drive it's 215-250 to an elevated green (on the right, left green is easier but I've never played it) over junk with a nasty bunker in front. You could also lay up. My first drive wasn't that good and left me with 265 to reach the green. With the wind it was impossible so I lay up, but chunked it 75 yards in front. I had to go for it. My third shot was looking good, in the right direction and high enough to clear the bunker...but wasn't strong enough and bounced in-play then down the hill...OB. On the second ball my drive went right, but got lucky and stayed in. I was in the rough and had to lay up. After the first ball went into the junk I decided to go left and safe. If I pushed it right I would still be ok. I landed safely and ended with a 7 on the first ball and 6 on the second. I will par that hole one day!

Holiday Golf (Part 3 of 4) - Glen Annie

Not much to say about this course in the hills of Santa Barbara overlooking the ocean except some of the views were nice. Lots and blind shots and very slow. The course is well maintained. I'm glad I played it, but wouldn't go back.

Holiday Golf (Part 2 of 4) - Soule Park

Wednesday was time for Soule Park in Ojai. I had never played the course, but JDawg always said it was great. The big storm of '05 washed out most of the course and it re-opened in Q2 '06 with a slight redesign. Some holes were longer and others had hazards coming in play moreso than before. The first thing I can say is that it was inexpensive. $38 during the week is not a bad price considering my next two days were going to be pricey. This muni course is manicured like one with the course taking a beating from the weather. The fairways were tight and the greens did not hold at all. The bunkers did not have traditional lip; instead grass was growing over the sides to force you to get the ball up in the air or risk getting suck underneath. Luckily I was only in one trap and got out successfully. I shot a 94 which wasn't bad considering I didn't know the course. There were at least 3 or 4 strokes lost due to the lack of course knowledge. It was easier to get out of trouble than a course like National. If you were right or left on some holes you could get back on track with a smart shot to the middle of the fairway.

Holiday Golf (Part 1 of 4) - Angeles National

Christmas was a bit early this year so my brother, sister-in-law, and the best nephews in the world could enjoy Christmas morning in the Cipa. So the parents and I headed out to Angeles National on Christmas day. The round went ok, I shot a 91. Of course I got a few holiday balls. MJ rocked with a 95 with a birdie on a par 3 that was 6 inches from the hole, nice work!