50th State Played!!

NEW WEBSITE now functional!! Please Go to: http://inpursuitof1000.com

The site is best seen and used on a LARGE SCREEN, not a smart phone. It will be a few months for me to catch up on all the photos I was unable to post starting at #850

Welcome to my Golf Course Photo Tours

Thank you for taking the time to check out my golf course blog. The main focus of this blog is for you to preview golf courses I have photographed since 2006.  I don't think you will find another website with more photographs of golf courses than this one. You will notice that initially I was snapping only a couple photos of a few holes at each course. It has now evolved into more than 125 pictures starting out with the club house facilities, historical photo's, and practice area. Next, I try to obtain a yardage guide and start out each hole with a photo of it followed by several shots of the hole from various angles. By clicking the SLIDESHOWS icon above and then clicking on a particular golf course you will hopefully get a nice feel for individual courses. The average slide show will last about 6 minutes, so there are many hours of viewing available if you have the time.

As of the end of 2022, I will have photographed 512 courses (foreign courses will be followed by asterisks*) and over 78,500 photos taken since I bought that first digital camera in 2006.  I am currently on my 5th camera and am using a Sony DSC-RX100M3, 20 Megapixels, with Carl Zeiss lens. Actually, I think my Iphone 11 takes better photo's.

Any new courses I photograph I will post ASAP. Check back often for new posts, recent courses photographed, and my bi-monthly words of wisdom and Golf Quote/Jokes. If you look under the CHRONOLOGICAL icon above you will see when I first played a course and how I rated it in my six color system (red=poor to black=excellent). Under the STATE/REGION, I have ranked the courses from the best on down in each area. Hopefully, if you are undecided about a course to play this will give you a better idea about the quality of that particular course.

The SCORECARD icon will explain how the color coded rating system works and a numerical breakdown. TRUE LINKS will take you to all the True Links Golf Courses, as determined by Top100Golf Courses.com and George Pepper's book, that I have played in the world. I hope you enjoy the photo tours and my progress towards 1000 courses played.

The ACTIVE SLIDESHOW running above are some of the better photos of courses I have played the past few years.(currently having technical problems with that function)

You can also follow Inpursuitof1000golfer on INSTAGRAM and  TWITTER  @inpursuitof1000 Check Twitter to see which new courses I have just played and for most recent course photos. The Instagram account will have the Top 10 photo's from that course available to view. I always look forward to and enjoy playing with the local members. Tweet me if you see I am in your area.

**NOTE** starting with #850 I have not been able to post any NEW pictures directly to the above Slideshow or True Links headers. You will need to copy the link manually (or go to my Twitter account, and click on the active link) to view the most recent photo's. Hope the NEW WEBSITE in early 2023 solves these problems.

COMING in 2023 a NEW WEBSITE (www.inpursuitof1000.com)

Hoping that in the near future there will be a new website up and running for the In Pursuit of 1000 Golfer, (www.inpursuitof1000.com}. It has been many months since the inception of this project to upgrade the old malfunctioning blog. The new site will showcase many of the best 80,000+ photos taken over the past 15+ years with a new interactive map feature. On this worldwide map you will be able to click on color coded pins of courses I have played by location and Zoom in on them. A Read More button will provide you with additional info and photos of that course linked to my Twitter account. There will be many other enhancements, some will take me a few months to restore all the material I was unable to upload over the past two years.

In the meantime you will still need to Copy and Paste the photo links for the past 50 courses or go to my Twitter account to view the albums.The older albums are still functional by clicking on the SLIDESHOW icon. I apologize for the many inconviences over the past two years. Once the new web site is up and running you will automatically be transferred over to it.

When I was young, I was a poor golfer. But after years of practice, I am no longer young.

"He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing."- Epicurus

"Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth."- W. Somerset Morgan

"You will hole a higher percentage of putts when you leave the flagstick in."- Dave Pelz

Pelz's "reasoning for this effect is that a significant amount of energy is lost from a putt's speed when the ball hits a fiberglass flagstick. The speed-loss enables gravity to pull the slower moving balldown into the hole more often."
DeChambeau states "It depends on the COR, the coefficient of restitution of the flagstick." When there are wood sticks used like in The US Open he will take it out. "When it's fiberglass, I'll leave it in and bounce that ball against the flagstick if I need to."
Yves C.Ton-That after 1000 made putts(500 in and out) said the findings were clear-cut. 1.If the pin is not leaning forward, leaving it in the hole always helps to hole the ball. 2.Balls that are not holed come to rest significantly nearer the hole if a pin is not removed. Personally, it helps me with my depth perception. 3.If ALL the players leave the flag in it saves 15-20 minutes per round.

"Risk something or forever sit with your dreams"- Herb Brooks

#904 Zellwood Station GC

Zellwood Station CC, was designed in 1974 by George Maddox in Zellwood, Florida. This is average conditioned, very interesting, challenging course, which has hilly terrain producing a few blind shots. A nice variety of holes, several doglegs with holes 12-16 on the edge of "Crater Junction" producing great risk/reward on #14 and #16. The ultimate card buster is the daunting par five #9 dubbed the "Trainwreck." Just about every hazard you could imagine except water, left off the tee or 2nd shot lands you in a deep gully, sharp dogleg left uphill approach to a green protected on the left by a deep bunker that ends in a severely sloped green. Just put whatever your stroke controlled number is on your card at the tee and stop counting! Exceeded my expectations with the exceptional elevation change holes, for Florida, and fun they produced. GOLD

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FNZaZ8dkr651BVj6A Please copy and paste.

"The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less."- Socrates

LIV GOLF Orlando 2023

The new kid on the professional golf block LIV GOLF came to Orange County National the end of March, so I took a first hand look on Friday. The PGA has been on full anti-LIV propoganda the past year with their paid mouthpieces Rory, Tiger, Justin, Freddie, etc. For those who aren't aware what the PGA PIP program is all about, there is a $60,000,000 fund which they now arbitrarily distribute at years end to those members who best promote the PGA. No surprise that top 2022 PIP money last year went to Tiger at $15 million, Rory at $12 million, and Justin at $7.5 million. You now see why these guys are constantly on attack against LIV??

For those old enough to remember the AFL (1960-1970) and the ABA (1967-1976) who also challanged the established leagues, I don't recall all the animosity and hate that I'm seeing now. Both of them went out and paid huge sums for star players like Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Dr. J, Spencer Haywood, Moses Malone, David Thompson and hundreds of others. The new teams were funded by many successful entrepreneurs who offered the current players a different way of doing business. If the PGA had listened to player concerns and made the changes that LIV offered there would be no controvery. One year later the PGA has now upped some of their payouts to $20 million, have limited field, no cut events, just like LIV.

The recent Masters event proved the PGA propoganda machine wrong again in their accusations that LIV players wouldn't be competitive because of their limited schedule, only playing 54 holes no cut events, and wearing shorts. At the end of Masters week LIV took 3 of the top 4 spots and The Big Three PIP mouthpieces were at home watching from their couches. Rory was so despondent from another Masters failure that he didn't even show up for the following weeks designated event at Hilton Head, which may cost him several $$million in fines. Unfortunately, until the LIV players are awarded world points for their own events you will see fewer of them playing head to head in the future majors. Hopefully, if the PGA comes to their senses we will see a new Ryder Cup type event between the two groups just like the NFL and AFL did with the early Super Bowls.

As you can see from the photo's I took below, you can really get up close and interact with all the players. Music provided all over the course with an overabundance of staff made for a most enjoyable day. I loved the shotgun start that took no longer than 5 hours for everyone to be finished. The $5 million team event really did add to the exciting finish won by Brooks Koepka. I really see the younger golfers being much more drawn to LIV than the stodgy PGA. If LIV comes near you surely give it a try.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ESnTFmB5bxFtXtUW6 Please paste and copy photos. Go to SLIDESHOWS to view the Crooked Cat Course.

#903 Baytowne GC

Baytowne GC is another one of the four courses at Sandestin Resort, which was designed by Tom Jackson in 1986 and renovated in 2005 by the orginal designer. Holes 13-15 you must pass underneath a tunnel to access them on the beachside of the property. Here you will find the only semblance of elevation changes at the resort and one of the more challenging stretches. Conditioning was above average with nice bunker design but this course was not nearly as difficult as Burnt Pine. Water does come into play on 12 holes. GOLD

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HwtGKPmNbayaN3QG9 Please copy and paste.

#902 Burnt Pine GC

Burnt Tree GC at Sandestin was designed in 1994 by Rees Jones and is located in Miramar Beach, Fl. Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort is an upscale destination that includes four golf courses and access to the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Burnt Tree is the top course, well conditioned and very challenging. As most Rees Jones courses are you will find a lot of eye candy in the bunkering, so along with an abundance of water it makes the flat terrain much more esthetic. One of the few disadvantages of living in Paradise is that most of the courses are pretty flat so it is rare to play one with any elevation. BLUE

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SjL2G9dLpDxFraDQ6 Please copy and paste to view.

#901 Capital City CC

Capital City CC founded in 1908, with the 18 hole course later designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1935, Chris Gray update in 2015. The greens are firm, fast and pure, along with the rolling terrain and variety of holes makes this a must play. My favorite holes are 1,2,5,6,7,9,19,11,15,16,17, what a nice group of 3's and 5's. Even better are the friendly staff led by Eric Neihaus, and a value priced fee of $50. My top choice of courses played on my Spring Panhandle trip. BLUE

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yXRYbQMR22w2Usgw8 Please copy and paste to view.

Spring Break 2023 Trip

Heading up to Destin on the panhandle of Florida this week for my first of hopefully many golf trips this year. First stop will be at the Capital City Country Club in Tallahasse. It was designed by A. W.Tillinghast back in 1935. Next is the Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort where I will sample two of their four top tracks, Burnt Pine GC a 1994 Rees Jones design and Baytowne GC a 1986 Tom Jackson design.

"It is Health that is real Wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."- Gandhi

"If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done."- Thomas Jefferson

"It does not require many words to speak the truth."- Chief Joseph

"I have no energy for hate. I either love you, wish you well, or hope you heal."

#900 Mickylee Pitch and Putt

Normally, I would try and reserve the century numbers for something special but its going to be a few months until I get to some really exceptionally designed courses. The Villages opened their third 18 hole pitch and putt yesterday so I went out today to sample it. I have now played all 747 holes available here and this latest P & P is middle of the road. The site is totally devoid of any trees so they have planted lots of young palm trees to hopefully provide some shade in the sweltering summer heat. This walking only course has no concrete cart paths, like the first one which makes for a more natural stroll. There really are no challenging holes here (60-112yds) as there are at Richmond. I did like the isolated feeling of the triangle of holes from #14-16. The overall conditioning is excellent with the greens contoured nicely. There are only a couple of holes you could drown your ball on but they have bunkers on 2/3 of the holes. Compared to Richmond P & P this is another pretty basic design from the Clifton Group, but worth the 2+ hrs if you can drop a few balls at each tee box to practice your short game. WHITE

"I ain't never seen a hearse with a luggage rack."- George Strait

What is on my 2023 Bucketlist?

Hopefully, 2023 is going to allow me to see a few more of golf's great destinations:

I have an 11 round trip to Nova Scotia and PEI scheduled for August which will put me over a 100 True Links played and add 3 more Top 100 courses.

Hawaii is the only state I have yet to play in. I am looking at late Spring to visit Maui.

Pinehurst is on my radar to play #4, the newly renovated Southern Pines and return to Tobacco Road.

Return to Sand Valley to play the Doak Lido and Sandtrap along with a couple other Wisconsin tracks.

Sandestin for a 3 day stay to play some golf

RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama

Plus a few other courses I encounter along my journey that will get me closer to 1000. Always look forward to playing with locals so let me know if I'm in your area.

#899 Green Valley CC

Green Valley CC in Clermont, Florida started out in 1966 as a 9 hole course, in 1989 Lloyd Clifton expanded it to 18. Living in The Villages, I have played more Clifton Group courses than any other architect. Of the almost 750 holes in The Villages, they have designed all but 45 holes. I once lived on a very playable Clifton course for 11 years prior to The Villages. Bunker design to me is the fingerprint of every architect. I would characterize their style as middle of the road resort. I have yet to play an exceptional Clifton course, even Tom Bendelow produced a few notable courses.

I was told that at one time Green Valley was the club to belong to in this region. As many courses often do they bring in a management company to operate the club and unfortunately some suck the blood right out of them. The story here was that about a year and a half ago, after the annual dues had been collected they skipped town. The members were left with a very poorly conditioned course and no chemicals on hand to revive it. Fortunately, members united and today the grass is growing again and filling in the bare spots. This site has something that most other Florida courses don't have- elevation change. The majority of holes here are interesting, I especially liked #7, #9, and the risk/reward short par 4 #10 that is all carry over the lake. Even though I birdied the 10th, the next time I'm driving directly at the green. GOLD

"Kids are hard--they drive you crazy and break your heart--whereas grandchildren make you feel great about life, and yourself, and your ability to love someone unconditionally"- Anne Lamott