Conference 7.286::golf

>    The previous note calls for DEC golfers in the NH area to attend
>    a noters' tournament.  Anyone interested in a NorCal noters' event?

If you hold the event at Cypress Point, I'm sure you can count on a 
number of New England noters attending. Or maybe the Olympic Club, or 
S.F.C.C....    

    How about if we have it at Poppy Hills, in Pebble Beach?  This course
    isn't as famous as Cypress or Spyglass or Pebble, but it is a 
    tremendous golf course - they now hold the Spalding Invitational
    there, with contestants like Johnny Miller and George Archer - the
    course record is a relatively high 68.  And, of course, it is 
    incredibly beautiful.
    
    But, sorry, I don't think we'll be able to swing Cypress or the
    San Francisco Country Club.  Olympic Club is do-able but it costs
    $80 for a temporary membership card, plus $45 greens fees, plus
    $20 or so for a caddie....
    
    

     Jo, can you give me a little info on the steps required to get
    on Olympic ? Two of us are thinking about a trip West, and the course
    we probably have the weakest contacts at is Olympic. I assume S.F.C.C.
    is the usual - play with a member, but we may have a contact there,
    as well as at Cypress.
     Basically, who do we contact at Olympic, and how do we set the
    wheels in motion?
    
     Thanks for any help you might be able to give,
    
    Jack.

    re. -1
    
    jack,
    
    how do you get on all the courses that you have played? do you just
    call a member out of the blue, or is it a friend of a friend type of
    deal? i'm not being negitive but am just curious as to how someone goes
    about playing some nice courses. i've gone to a few private clubs with
    my wife and have had success getting on but sometimes we get shot down.
    
    thanks
    peter 

Joel,

	When you have a date can you post it please?  If it coincides with 
a business trip I'd like to make it...

Thanks,
Jeff

    Re: 720.4 - I've been building a "network" for 20 years or so.
    Everytime I meet somebody socially or on a course that belongs or
    has connections to a great course, I make a mental (later a written)
    note. I also have had pro's I know make calls, but unless they are
    personal friends, or your a club member whom they are sure wouldn't
    "goof" at another club (show up in jeans, not introduce yourself,
    be impatient, quibble over fees, regulations, etc.), forget it.
    Most pro's can't try too hard for every member, just some members.
    Also, your pro has to have pretty good credentials or be well known
    to get through the "vetting out process".
     I also always write the golf Committee or the Board of Directors
    after I play a "shrine", and I copy my pro, or whoever got me on.
    That way, they know you're not a fruit fly... It helps to spend
    some dough in the pro shop when you play the shrine, too (I collect
    bag tags and shirts.
     The WORST thing you can do is just walk in on some private club.
    Set things up well in advance, and give them a choice of days; be
    flexible on times, and DON'T expect to play on weekends. If you
    get shot down, be nice. Sometimes a letter to the Board can get
    you on; just give them an idea of where you belong, where you've
    played (drop some big names, Stow, Juniper and Pleasant Valley ain't
    big. Lie if you have to), and try to write in formal English. If
    you get on, be prepared for some big greens fees.
    
    --Jack (off, MAYBE to Oak Hill or Oakmont in Sept.,).

    RE. Mr. Varley
      If you make it to California and get on at Cypress PLEASE let
    me know. I have tried for years and the general feeling is that
    they only let people they know play there and they already know
    everyone they want to. It would be a tremendous coup to play a
    round there as I have walked the course during the At&t and it
    is incredible. Good luck and I hope you make it. I have resigned
    myself to only watching others play it.
    
    THE MAD HACKER

RE: Cypress Point

    The talk about getting on Cypress Point and knowing members at a
    private course reminds me of that old Bob Hope joke:

	Cypress Point is such an exclusive club last year when they
	had a membership drive ...

	They drove out 20 members. :-)

     It's so private that the member guest tournament is a member member...
    
    --Jack

    to .6
    
    Stow Acres has more of a national reputation than you think.
    It ain't Augusta but all the touring pros know it.
    I scored for Chick Evans at the DEC Classic and he raved about it.
    Arnold Palmer also knew about it and wanted to play North some
    day. He knew the previous owners and the present owners, plus
    the Club House pro. (Chuck).
    
                          my two cents,Angelo