Hey, Centurions. That was an awesome cartoon.
I broke 100 at Hallettsville Golf Club on June 22. Even with a few blow-up holes (was choking like a dog) I managed to shoot 98. Look out, Medalist Golf Association.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Quail Valley
As many of you have heard by now, Quail Valley CC is now a municipal course. Missouri City declared eminent domain on the property after the whole Renaissance Golf debacle (Out With Inwood, pg. 18, March 2007; Missouri City Fights Back, pg. 16, April 2007). Two weeks ago a board of three country commissioners set the price of the property at $3.1 million. Renaissance had asked for more than $9 million. The city place the money in the county registry and assumed management of the club on July 3. All memberships were voided, and the club is now open to the public with a temporary green fee of $23. The city is currently deciding on special rates.
My uncle and I headed over to check it out last week. Clearly the place had been neglected. Quail Valley originally consisted of two 18-hole courses, a par 3 course, and an executive course. Renaissance closed all but the La Quinta 18. From the looks of things they were doing a good job of trying to close it, too. The bunkers were probably the worst I have ever seen. They were full of rocks and one was full of stagnant green water. No. 18 was a fiasco. The original hole was a par 4 with a creek crossing in front of the tee box and down the right hand side. Well the bridge crossing the creek to access the tee box, so Renaissance blocked it off and put the tee markers in the middle of the fairway, making the hole a par 3. I don't know whether the bridge collapse was the cause or effect of making the hole a par 3. In any case the hole is uphill, so when it rains the "tee box" is a mess.
But all in all I am pretty pleased. The greens are nice and Quail Valley could fill a much-needed niche for affordable golf in this part of town. I live off Hwy 6 in Sugar Land and play at Gus Wortham. I have to go to Stafford to even find a driving range.
My uncle and I headed over to check it out last week. Clearly the place had been neglected. Quail Valley originally consisted of two 18-hole courses, a par 3 course, and an executive course. Renaissance closed all but the La Quinta 18. From the looks of things they were doing a good job of trying to close it, too. The bunkers were probably the worst I have ever seen. They were full of rocks and one was full of stagnant green water. No. 18 was a fiasco. The original hole was a par 4 with a creek crossing in front of the tee box and down the right hand side. Well the bridge crossing the creek to access the tee box, so Renaissance blocked it off and put the tee markers in the middle of the fairway, making the hole a par 3. I don't know whether the bridge collapse was the cause or effect of making the hole a par 3. In any case the hole is uphill, so when it rains the "tee box" is a mess.
But all in all I am pretty pleased. The greens are nice and Quail Valley could fill a much-needed niche for affordable golf in this part of town. I live off Hwy 6 in Sugar Land and play at Gus Wortham. I have to go to Stafford to even find a driving range.
The Fall of Hermann
Hermann Park was Houston's first municipal course and as always been one of its more popular courses despite some controversial redesigns that have radically altered the classic John Bredemus routing.
I have never played Hermann, but I have heard some troubling news. Our main man Kenny Hand played it with a friend several weeks ago and was disgusted. There was trash and cigarette butts everywhere. Rumor is that the management company the CoH hired to run Hermann has basically mailed it in because their contract is about to run out. I was talking to a friend who played it last weekend. Here is a transcript of our chat:
Corey: "As far as herman goes, for the most part it was ok, except 3 holes had the greens closed and they were moved up into the fairway which sucked."
me: "You mean the tee boxes were closed. They didn't actually cut the holes in the fairway did they?"
Corey: "Yes. It was awful."
me: "Mother of God."
I have never played Hermann, but I have heard some troubling news. Our main man Kenny Hand played it with a friend several weeks ago and was disgusted. There was trash and cigarette butts everywhere. Rumor is that the management company the CoH hired to run Hermann has basically mailed it in because their contract is about to run out. I was talking to a friend who played it last weekend. Here is a transcript of our chat:
Corey: "As far as herman goes, for the most part it was ok, except 3 holes had the greens closed and they were moved up into the fairway which sucked."
me: "You mean the tee boxes were closed. They didn't actually cut the holes in the fairway did they?"
Corey: "Yes. It was awful."
me: "Mother of God."
Nez
I'm pumped to report that the USGA has informed me that Nex Muhleman is on the list for consideration for the Joe Dey Award!
Many of you know Nez from her work in area junior golf for the past 25 years. She's currently battling lung cancer for the second time, and kicking its ass I might add! The Joe Dey Award is basically the lifetime achievment Oscar for golf volunteers. Keep your fingers crossed for her!
NOTE: Rather than tell you that the U.S. Open was awesome a month after the fact, I encourage you to check out my column in the forthcoming August edition on Dad and I's experience!
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