Last week

Had a pretty eventful week last week. I took Monday-Thursday off work to hang out with Julien, who didn't have any kind of summer program going on. Monday we Basically played with birthday stuff - lots of Legos, and a tin can robot. Tuesday we went to the water park and got sunburned despite slathering with sunscreen. Wednesday we hit some golf balls at the driving range and putted for awhile,

and Thursday we saw a movie (Space Chimps - Julien seemed to like it, but I wasn't so impressed. Spoiled by Pixar and Dreamworks for the animated movies these days...) Thurday night Julien slept over at some friends house, and went up to Lake Tahoe on Friday with them. So, yeah - pretty busy week for the Jooge.


Eventful day yesterday, too - Saturday morning errands included buying a new TV, since our 6-year old model decided to die last week. Ended up with a 37" LCD that sure makes DVDs and the Wii look awesome. Of course, our antennae reception is still pretty bad, but we don't really watch network TV too much. Just golf on weekends...

Midday took us to Sid's first birthday party - wonderful food, as always at the Tiar's house. Sid enjoyed a cupcake, and Lola and Sofia had some cake, too...





In the late afternoon, we spontaneously decided to head up for a hike at Tahoe Meadows. Seperate post about that...

Downhill Lie

I'm not a Carl Hiaasen reader, generally (I think I've read one of his books) but when I say this come in as an advance reader copy, I thought I'd give it a shot. This is the story if the author taking up golf again, after not playing for thirty years. It's pretty fun - his self-deprecating humor is perfect for describing his golf game, and his stories of his rounds and friends are entertaining. Some of the golf equipment that he tries out, though, is pretty silly. I'd have to imagine that some of the stuff he bought is only purchased by people looking to pad out a golf book... Anyway, short and fun, this would be a great book to buy in an airport for a trip.

Book 16

Little Golfer

Julien had an "Early Release" day at school today, so I picked him up and, for a special treat, we went to a driving range to hit some golf balls. He had the little Nike club that he's been swinging at wiffle balls in the back yard, and finally got to hit some real balls with it. (I tried to find him a wood to go with his "mid-iron, but Target didn't have them anymore...) Anyway, here are some photos of him in action:


Setting up (Remember your grip, Julien...)


At the top. Pretty nice form, there.


Coming down. Feet got out of position there, somehow...


And the follow through. Also nice form.

He didn't really get any up in the air, and none very far (I think he rolled one out to about the 75 yard range.) But he seemed to enjoy it, and was getting the hang of it a little better toward the end. Might have to look around for a couple more clubs for him...

Seventh at St. Andrews

Yep, another golf book. Sorry to be predictable, but I like to keep up on "the literature." Anyway, I noticed The Seventh at St. Andrews on the shelf waiting to be cataloged, and put a hold on it.

Pretty good stuff. Similar to Dream Golf, which I reviewed earlier this year, in that it's a accessible book about the design and construction of a golf course. It also contained a few of the same characters - David McLay Kidd, who designed the first course at Bandon Dunes, was also picked to design and build the seventh course in St. Andrews. Anyway, this was a good read for someone interested in golf and golf courses, and maybe with a soft spot for links-style courses.

Book 77

OR Vacation - Golf

One of the things we made a point of doing on our recent vacation was get in a few rounds of golf. It was kind of cool the way it worked out; we started small and worked our way up.

The first place we played was the Pub Course at Edgefield, where we stayed Sunday night. It's a 17-hole pitch and putt course - the longest hole was 90 yards, but most were more like 60. All you need is a wedge, a putter, and a few balls. Here's the clubhouse:



Here's the view from the tee box on one of the holes on the back 9 - as you can see, you hit off the mats:



It was a pretty squelchy day, and wet grass is kind of a phobia of Mich's. I thought it was hilarious when her ball got stuck under this tree, and with every swing, she got sprinkled on. Nice guy, I know...



Anyway, we played OK, and had fun with it. Sure wish there was a short course like that here in Reno.

The next place we played was near McMinnville, at the Bayou Golf Club. It's an OK course, pretty cheap green fees, which we were happy for later in the week. Kind of winds through some swampy area, hence the name "Bayou" I think. Didn't get any pictures of it - we both played pretty bad, and didn't feel like taking any. I think I shot a 96 - it's been awhile since I haven't broken 95. I'm usually right around 90, hopefully just under.

The golf finale was in Sunriver, at the course where I worked for 7 summers in the 90's, the Woodlands. Course is the same, but it's changed a bit since I worked there - much more up-market. For one thing, when I worked there, the public green fee was $65 - Now it's $135. Sure, it's ten years later, but that seems quite a jump. That said, everything was much nicer - someone came out to clean your clubs, the range balls were free and waiting for you at the range, and the course was in REALLY good shape. New restrooms on the course as well. I guess I was inspired, because I shot a 40 on the front 9, and bogeyed 7,8 and 9 to do that. Best 9 I've played in a long time. Totally lost my rhythm on the back 9 and shot a 52. Mich did the opposite - improved by 12 strokes on the back 9. The only picture I took on the course was from the 6th tee:



Kind of a boring picture, but makes me proud - I cleared that bunker with my drive and had about 180 left on the par 5. Chuffed the approach shot, though, and ended up making par.

So we had some fun playing golf - wish we had more time to do it at home. Mich is pretty fun to play with; she has a good attitude about the game. Out for fun - not too serious, but enjoys hitting good shots.

Tales From Q School

I've read most, if not all of John Feinstein's golf books - A Good Walk Spoiled, The Majors, Open. Really enjoy his writing style - he gets into players heads and their lives, and give a well-rounded and in-depth picture of what he's writing about. This book is about Q School, the fall tournament that is the main entry point into the PGA Tour for most of the players who are headed there. It's a strange tournament in a lot of ways, most notably the pressure that players in it feel. Feinstein does a great job of chronicling it. This book, though, more than previous ones, feels like it is a series of magazine columns that was hammered into book form - there are strange repetitions of phrases and facts from chapter to chapter. Still enjoyed it very much, and can't wait to see what Feinstein does next in the golf world.

Book 46

Around the World in 18 Holes

Yeah, I know, another golf book. I read a lot of them, OK? This one is specifically a golf TRAVEL book, though, which appealed to me. Come to think of it, I really don't travel to golf, though, so I don't know why it would. I guess I pictured kind of a "Long Way Round" golf style, which this was, in a way.

Callahan and Kindred are sportswriter colleagues who decide, as their careers are winding down, to make a big statement and travel around the world playing golf. They'll pick one unique and challenging hole from specific courses around the world, and string into one "diabolical" 18. The visit Scotland, Iceland, France, India, Mauritius, Russia, Nepal, China, Taiwan and the U.S. The meet all sorts of fascinating people. They play some pretty miserable golf. Seriously, I'm glad they wrote more about the travel aspect than their games - it's no fun listening to a 14 handicapper (about my skill level, by the way) talk about his driver troubles. I think they were generous with the putts, too - they seemed to relate making a LOT of long ones.

These are guys from a different generation and cultural background from me, too - their writing was peppered with sports allusions that I was unfamiliar with, and cultural ones that I had just barely heard of. Still enjoyed reading about the travels, even if it seemed pretty selfish an endeavor in the end.

Book 47

The Edict

Bob Cupp is most well-known as a golf course architect, but here he's written a fun little book set in golf's prehistory. The story behind the title, The Edict, is this: The first written mention of golf is in an edict given by King James II and the Scottish Parliament in 1457 banning golf and football. This was meant to encourage archery practice, and make the Scots more effective militarily. What Cupp has done is imagine what golf was like in the years leading up to this ban, and craft a story around what might have been.

Book 32

FFA Golf

Bit of a busy weekend for the Beckers. First thing that Mich and I did was on Friday - we played on the GCS (Granite Construction Supply) team in a charity golf tournament for the FFA (Future Farmers of America. OK, enough with the TLAs. It was an afternoon shotgun scramble, so thanks to Nathan and Sarah for picking up the kids. We had a great time, ended up shooting a 7-under 65. Didn't come close to winning, but apparently we beat the other Granite teams, which got Mich bragging rights. That's Mich in the foreground, Joe on the left, and Brian in the middle.





And here's Mich getting ready to spank one right up the middle.

King of Swings

If you haven't noticed, I try to keep up on new golf books that are published. I think the only one I've read recently, though, was Dream Golf, about Bandon Dunes. Saw this one on the New Book shelf at the Downtown Reno Library last week: The King of Swings: Johnny Goodman, The Last Amateur To Beat the Pros at Their Own Game. Liked it so much that I went out and bought the paperback for my father-in-law. (I'm 100% certain that he doesn't read this blog, so no-one ruin my suprise, eh?) Anyway, it's a rags-to if not riches, then at least fleeting fame in the golf world story - a poor kid from Omaha, Nebraska who teaches himself the game while caddying, and goes on to beat some of the greats (Bobby Jones, Francis Ouimet.) Has a lot in common with another golf book I really enjoyed from a couple years ago, The Greatest Game Ever Played. (Really liked the book, but the movie had to include a Hollywood love story, which kind of detracted from the whole thing for me...)

Book 21

More golf

Got to play a round this morning - went back to Wolf Run, where I have a gift card to run down. Pretty cold to start, the first green was even a little icy-crunchy. None of the greens would hold; landed shots on the front and they bounced to the back or over. Drives ran forever, though - I probably averaged 280 yards. Didn't keep score too closely, but shot about 90. One birdie, one double, buncha pars and bogeys. Got to try a few things - carrying a stream with driver instead of laying up, etc. Had fun and got some exercise. Bet my back will be sore tomorrow.

Found one place on the course where you can see my library - from the 8th tee.

Wolf Run

Tried to go and hit some golf balls at the driving range of Wolf Run Golf Club this morning before work - Wolf Run is the University's course, and it's down at the south end of town pretty close to my library. Played it for the first time last year, and I think it's now my favorite course - walking friendly, and really interesting without being gimmicky. Might try to join the men's club there this summer and get my handicap set up. I didn't realize it, but their driving range is torn up, being rebuilt, so that was out. I just putted for a little while...

Dream Golf

Finally finished another book - Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes by Stephen Goodwin. It is about the concept behind, and building of three courses on the southern Oregon coast at Bandon which have pretty much unprecedentedly become some of the best in the country. I was working in golf up in Oregon (at Sunriver Resort) while they were being built, but have never had the opportunity to get down there and have a look. Two of the courses nestle up to the beach, and are as true links-style courses as it's possible to make here. I'm fascinated by the links courses of the British isles, although I've never had the opportunity to play them (and although I would imagine my game is not well-suited to them.) Reading about these courses in Oregon, only 4 or 5 hours away, gave me goosebumps. I'll have to get there to play someday - donations graciously accepted for Turi's golf outing. (High-season greens fees are $250 per course, a little less if you're staying at the on-site lodge or cabins.) Well written book; the story of Mike Keiser (co-founder of a greeting card company) who decided he wanted to build an enduring, classic golf course, and did it the right way. It was wonderful to read about someone who cares more about his dream and doing it right than the bottom line. Sorry to ramble; golf has that effect on me sometimes.

(Book 3)