Course: Ridge Top
Location: Tower Road off of Rt. 57 South of Medina Square
Directions: Easy access off Rt. 57, 42, I-76 and I-71 20 minutes from Akron, 30 from Cleveland
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 630AM
This week The Dewsweepers made the trek to Medina and played our first Sunday Morning round ever at the quaint, and old school Ridge Top. Ridge Top is a 6,000 yard par 71 traditional golf course, nestled wonderfully in the rolling hills of southern Medina County. We had no idea what to expect of this course, and all of us were really impressed as this course was very entertaining to play.
This course really has a lot of character. Tons of short par 4's, many heavy dog-legs, make is almost impossible to wail away with the driver all day long. Par 5's that are straight in front of you and score-able. And a very nice mix of par 3's, including the number one handicap on the course, the wonderful number 2, 160 yards way uphill to a small and slanted green. And the terrific number 18, 130 yards off the hill, over the mush-mash down in a ravine to a green you must hit! Really great!
This is a position golf course that I can't wait to go back and get another crack at it. On this Sunday conditions were very nice with sun, and the course was not overly wet, but we had 30 mph winds yet again, that changed how you had to play it. This has been a problem on many of our Sundays so far, less than great weather conditions.
But the story of Ridge Top are the incredible greens! They are remarkably well designed. There is hardly a 10 foot area on any green that is flat. Real competition greens that test you to the fullest. They were also fast on this day, with downhill putts really posing a huge challenge. It is best to stay below the hole. Most of the greens are raised and require an uphill approach shot, adding length to the hole, and requiring you to carefully select your clubs.
Beef took the week off with work, so Joe Reds son Bryan filled in and played a nice round checking in at 43/42 for a tidy 85. Including a gigantic drive on the number 2 handicap number 16, 380 yard par 4 over water which he drove over at about 315 yards! Sadly, a 3 putt gave him a bogey there, but what a drive!!!!
Joe Red has a lot on his mind these days with his other son getting married this week and a ton of traveling for work, struggled this week, but finished well parring the last few holes. Red had a tough time on the greens as putting was very difficult. He just needs to play more.
Tex had a rare day of having real problems with his short game, generally one of his strengths, and that really hurt his score. His new driver is getting the ball out there better, but this day his short game wasn't there, and it hurt his score. He also didn't make many putts, as did any of us. But better scores are ahead as the driver is coming around.
I got off to a very slow start again, and had to battle back in. I opened with 2 double bogeys on 1 and 2, and then got my feet under me finishing the front in 44. On the back I shot a 43 for 87 total. Could have been better as I was in good position lots of the time, but I too didn't make many putts I normally would, but it was great to take on the challenge.
Course highlights? We loved this whole course. Really hard not to love the contours and turns and trees. Not much water at all, some sand, but mostly it's dog-legs, and tough greens that were in AMAZING shape and rolled perfectly. You gotta play the bag at Ridge Top. Slam the driver all day long and you are going to get lit-up! Play it smart and you can score. Like us... next time with the wind died down, and more knowledge of this old-school track.
Next time, lots of irons, calm wind, and leave the ball below the hole. Fun place to play!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - After Earth
Let's start out by saying and remembering that Will Smith is a very talented star who has done great work in all kinds of movies for many years. No one denies that.
But can we just stop? Stop right now in the Smith family nepotism movies that are coming out seemingly far too often. The new After Earth is so incredibly bad, it barely merits any conversation at all. This is another movie where Smith stars with his now 14 year-old real life son, Jaden. Will and actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith are trying so hard to hand their kids a career by starring in, producing or writing movies and songs for them. Without piling on, Jaden is a mediocre childhood actor as far as they go. He certainly is no Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit, or Abigail Breslin, or dozens of others. He's simply, The Smiths kid. It is a box office mismatch to think that Jaden Smith can compete with Iron Man, Superman, Gatsby, Fast and Furious, all of the other summer blockbusters. It simply is not clear thinking.
This story was written by Will Smith, produced by he and wife Jada, and they hired M. Night Shyamalan to write the screenplay and direct this absolute mess. This is one of the worst Sci-Fi movies I have ever seen, or ever will see. There is not one, not one redeeming quality in this movie. The story is stupid, the sets are laughable, even the props are silly. The whole idea is ridiculous, and the writing and dialogue are putrid. And don't get me started on the costuming! Let alone the acting which is so embarrassingly bad, they ought to be ashamed. Seriously ashamed. If your version of a good time at the movies is watching a 14 year-old running through the jungle alone, than this is your movie., because that's what it is. I'm guessing it's not.
The story is basically this. It is a couple of thousand years in the future. Humans now cannot live on Earth, because we screwed it all up environmentally. So humans live off site on some planet somewhere. Will Smith plays some kind of "Military General" in some kind of star ship fleet. He and his military son played by Jaden go off on some kind of mission that goes wrong. They crash on Earth and are the only two to survive. All animal life form has evolved now to kill humans. Who don't live there. Who haven't been there in over a 1,000 years. So how would they evolve and even know humans or what they did? First of many and a major hole.
The General is badly injured, and he has to send his son out into the Earthly abyss and try to find some kind of beacon to summon help and be rescued. There, he must dodge tons of animals, and elements that are out to get him. My gut feeling is, he will be successful so the two can hug and be proud of each other at movies end. If not that scene, why make this movie? That is about all you need to know. There is no more.
This is horrible - period! Maybe now is the time to stop this practice of these Smith family movies since this one is going to lose about 100 million or so. Maybe that will shut off the spigot. The budget of about 130 million (all wasted) only brought in about 27 million opening weekend. This movie takes itself far too seriously, and never comes close to getting off the ground. This self-serving drivel in the long run may have the reverse of the desired effect. Jaden needs to be put in the hands of real pro's and see what they can do, if they feel there is anything there to work with. This is embarrassing for everyone, plain and simple.
Will Smith was so great in Ali, I am Legend, even Hitch and countless others with great versatility. But that is starting to seem so long ago, and that's a shame. And hiring Shyamalan, who also is staggering around in a movie making sense, gave this project no help. In fact, it may have been the final nail in its coffin. It's tough to convey just how bad this is. What an incredible waste of everything. Money, and everyone's time who made it, and all (the few) that will be suckered into seeing it. Quit this self absorbed family mission, and lets get back to making professional movies with professional people. Maybe 130 million dollars down the tubes will wake someone in charge up.
After Earth. Laughable.
But can we just stop? Stop right now in the Smith family nepotism movies that are coming out seemingly far too often. The new After Earth is so incredibly bad, it barely merits any conversation at all. This is another movie where Smith stars with his now 14 year-old real life son, Jaden. Will and actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith are trying so hard to hand their kids a career by starring in, producing or writing movies and songs for them. Without piling on, Jaden is a mediocre childhood actor as far as they go. He certainly is no Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit, or Abigail Breslin, or dozens of others. He's simply, The Smiths kid. It is a box office mismatch to think that Jaden Smith can compete with Iron Man, Superman, Gatsby, Fast and Furious, all of the other summer blockbusters. It simply is not clear thinking.
This story was written by Will Smith, produced by he and wife Jada, and they hired M. Night Shyamalan to write the screenplay and direct this absolute mess. This is one of the worst Sci-Fi movies I have ever seen, or ever will see. There is not one, not one redeeming quality in this movie. The story is stupid, the sets are laughable, even the props are silly. The whole idea is ridiculous, and the writing and dialogue are putrid. And don't get me started on the costuming! Let alone the acting which is so embarrassingly bad, they ought to be ashamed. Seriously ashamed. If your version of a good time at the movies is watching a 14 year-old running through the jungle alone, than this is your movie., because that's what it is. I'm guessing it's not.
The story is basically this. It is a couple of thousand years in the future. Humans now cannot live on Earth, because we screwed it all up environmentally. So humans live off site on some planet somewhere. Will Smith plays some kind of "Military General" in some kind of star ship fleet. He and his military son played by Jaden go off on some kind of mission that goes wrong. They crash on Earth and are the only two to survive. All animal life form has evolved now to kill humans. Who don't live there. Who haven't been there in over a 1,000 years. So how would they evolve and even know humans or what they did? First of many and a major hole.
The General is badly injured, and he has to send his son out into the Earthly abyss and try to find some kind of beacon to summon help and be rescued. There, he must dodge tons of animals, and elements that are out to get him. My gut feeling is, he will be successful so the two can hug and be proud of each other at movies end. If not that scene, why make this movie? That is about all you need to know. There is no more.
This is horrible - period! Maybe now is the time to stop this practice of these Smith family movies since this one is going to lose about 100 million or so. Maybe that will shut off the spigot. The budget of about 130 million (all wasted) only brought in about 27 million opening weekend. This movie takes itself far too seriously, and never comes close to getting off the ground. This self-serving drivel in the long run may have the reverse of the desired effect. Jaden needs to be put in the hands of real pro's and see what they can do, if they feel there is anything there to work with. This is embarrassing for everyone, plain and simple.
Will Smith was so great in Ali, I am Legend, even Hitch and countless others with great versatility. But that is starting to seem so long ago, and that's a shame. And hiring Shyamalan, who also is staggering around in a movie making sense, gave this project no help. In fact, it may have been the final nail in its coffin. It's tough to convey just how bad this is. What an incredible waste of everything. Money, and everyone's time who made it, and all (the few) that will be suckered into seeing it. Quit this self absorbed family mission, and lets get back to making professional movies with professional people. Maybe 130 million dollars down the tubes will wake someone in charge up.
After Earth. Laughable.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Now You See Me
A big cast is assembled for the new magical thriller, Now You See Me this weekend. And this is a real nice change for the summer at the movies.
I always give extra points to movies that find stories that you have not seen before, and this is certainly one of them. In short, it is the story of 4 relatively unknown, young magicians that are courted silently by a mystery person to pull off the largest allusions live and on stage. The trick though is, all of these allusions are real, and are designed to be some of the biggest financial crimes the world has ever seen. They become known as The Four Horsemen, as they become a huge sensation with their trace of Robin Hood blood in them, as they seemingly are robbing the rich and giving to the done-wrong. Can anyone get ahead of them? Can the FBI bring them in? And who is the mystery person anyway? That is NYSM.
This is a wildly entertaining movie that not only takes you inside the tricks they are pulling off, but takes you behind the tricks. It takes you behind some of the basic tricks that magicians pull off every day. A whole lot of this is very fun, and very compelling. The first half of this movie is very glitzy, and very show-bizy, and really fun and all encompassing.
The second half of this does become far more action-y, as the chase heats up and our Horsemen are on the run from the FBI, Interpol, and a former magician who is bent on exposing them for what they really are, criminals. This movie quickly develops really good and original characters that are fun to get to know. All different and interesting. There is just enough brain, mystery, and action to keep you guessing, and inside the movie.
Huge cast, take a look at this list. Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, and Michael Cane. Plus, a very nice supporting cast that really elevate this movie to more than just a throw away summer movie. This is filmed and edited wonderfully, weaving together with a nice mix of special effects and a slick and exciting musical soundtrack that make this a terrific audio and visual experience.
Now You See Me. Very good, and very fun! Well done.
I always give extra points to movies that find stories that you have not seen before, and this is certainly one of them. In short, it is the story of 4 relatively unknown, young magicians that are courted silently by a mystery person to pull off the largest allusions live and on stage. The trick though is, all of these allusions are real, and are designed to be some of the biggest financial crimes the world has ever seen. They become known as The Four Horsemen, as they become a huge sensation with their trace of Robin Hood blood in them, as they seemingly are robbing the rich and giving to the done-wrong. Can anyone get ahead of them? Can the FBI bring them in? And who is the mystery person anyway? That is NYSM.
This is a wildly entertaining movie that not only takes you inside the tricks they are pulling off, but takes you behind the tricks. It takes you behind some of the basic tricks that magicians pull off every day. A whole lot of this is very fun, and very compelling. The first half of this movie is very glitzy, and very show-bizy, and really fun and all encompassing.
The second half of this does become far more action-y, as the chase heats up and our Horsemen are on the run from the FBI, Interpol, and a former magician who is bent on exposing them for what they really are, criminals. This movie quickly develops really good and original characters that are fun to get to know. All different and interesting. There is just enough brain, mystery, and action to keep you guessing, and inside the movie.
Huge cast, take a look at this list. Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, and Michael Cane. Plus, a very nice supporting cast that really elevate this movie to more than just a throw away summer movie. This is filmed and edited wonderfully, weaving together with a nice mix of special effects and a slick and exciting musical soundtrack that make this a terrific audio and visual experience.
Now You See Me. Very good, and very fun! Well done.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Fast And Furious 6
I have a general rule of thumb that I have found out to be mostly true. The higher the number next to the movie title, the worse the movie. Here comes Fast And Furious 6. High enough?
But this time, I think we need to go down a slightly different path. Let's face facts together. These movies are...what they are. They are too long, with agonizingly long action sequences that defy any kind of believability. They develop characters that don't exist in the real world, and everyone generally walks away OK, no matter what the plot. So, that's been swallowed and digested.
I remember years ago when one of my friends 13 year-old son said to me, the original Fast And Furious (2001) was "The best movie of all-time!" Well of course, that is not true in any sense of the word, but it is the first step in making this now 6 movie set relevant. I think then, a whole lot of young boys felt that way, and now that they are mid twenties, they still feel the same to a degree. This series has grown with its audience and cultivated a new one along the way. They have benefited greatly from pay-per-view, and DVD's and new 14 year olds have caught up on the saga, and now can't wait to go to this one.
In that regard this is an amazing franchise. The opening Memorial Day weekend take was 130 million for this movie, and it is just getting started. This series almost died after the huge flop of Fast and Furious 3 Tokyo Drift. But they reloaded, and restarted it and now the past two, and this one are going to be wildly profitable. This had a budget of 140 million or so, and that will be paid back time and time again. Whether this is good movie making or not, you can't deny the success over now 13 years for this, and it is a cash cow.
This installment is has the same formula that the first few had. There are fast cars, endless chase scenes, lots of things blowing up, tempered violence, tons of action, and lots of women showing just enough skin, and skimp to keep these rated PG-13. There are portions of this that cross the line of being completely ridiculous, and eye-rolling, until you remember that it's not for you. It's for you at a younger time in life. Yes, these are way more violent than movies 25 years ago, but it's non-bloody, and inconsequential. Doesn't make it a role model for perfect teen viewing, but in today's world, kids see a lot worse.
The cast is back, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, The Rock, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris and the others. Here we also get to see the wonderful Gina Carano in an action role. This band of former street racers now is trying to save the world, and have their names cleared. Should be noted, Diesel doesn't look as young as he used too, but this is still his franchise. He is also blessed with the most original voice in Hollywood.
I have respect for this franchise. They somehow have been able to maintain a huge fan base, and make movies that these teen boys, and now young guys want to see. It's a guilty pleasure of sorts, that seems to be gaining momentum as the years go on, and not lose any. Not an easy feat. Is this great movie making? Well, no, not really. It's all action, noises, and special effects and they are pretty darn good and that's not lost on me. But this will not be picking up any hardware at years end. And it's not supposed to. But it's gigantic box office success, makes it possible for the studio to make movies that will. Oh, and stay and watch the cookies, there's going to be another one.
Fast And Furious 6. Still relevant.
But this time, I think we need to go down a slightly different path. Let's face facts together. These movies are...what they are. They are too long, with agonizingly long action sequences that defy any kind of believability. They develop characters that don't exist in the real world, and everyone generally walks away OK, no matter what the plot. So, that's been swallowed and digested.
I remember years ago when one of my friends 13 year-old son said to me, the original Fast And Furious (2001) was "The best movie of all-time!" Well of course, that is not true in any sense of the word, but it is the first step in making this now 6 movie set relevant. I think then, a whole lot of young boys felt that way, and now that they are mid twenties, they still feel the same to a degree. This series has grown with its audience and cultivated a new one along the way. They have benefited greatly from pay-per-view, and DVD's and new 14 year olds have caught up on the saga, and now can't wait to go to this one.
In that regard this is an amazing franchise. The opening Memorial Day weekend take was 130 million for this movie, and it is just getting started. This series almost died after the huge flop of Fast and Furious 3 Tokyo Drift. But they reloaded, and restarted it and now the past two, and this one are going to be wildly profitable. This had a budget of 140 million or so, and that will be paid back time and time again. Whether this is good movie making or not, you can't deny the success over now 13 years for this, and it is a cash cow.
This installment is has the same formula that the first few had. There are fast cars, endless chase scenes, lots of things blowing up, tempered violence, tons of action, and lots of women showing just enough skin, and skimp to keep these rated PG-13. There are portions of this that cross the line of being completely ridiculous, and eye-rolling, until you remember that it's not for you. It's for you at a younger time in life. Yes, these are way more violent than movies 25 years ago, but it's non-bloody, and inconsequential. Doesn't make it a role model for perfect teen viewing, but in today's world, kids see a lot worse.
The cast is back, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, The Rock, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris and the others. Here we also get to see the wonderful Gina Carano in an action role. This band of former street racers now is trying to save the world, and have their names cleared. Should be noted, Diesel doesn't look as young as he used too, but this is still his franchise. He is also blessed with the most original voice in Hollywood.
I have respect for this franchise. They somehow have been able to maintain a huge fan base, and make movies that these teen boys, and now young guys want to see. It's a guilty pleasure of sorts, that seems to be gaining momentum as the years go on, and not lose any. Not an easy feat. Is this great movie making? Well, no, not really. It's all action, noises, and special effects and they are pretty darn good and that's not lost on me. But this will not be picking up any hardware at years end. And it's not supposed to. But it's gigantic box office success, makes it possible for the studio to make movies that will. Oh, and stay and watch the cookies, there's going to be another one.
Fast And Furious 6. Still relevant.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - The Hangover 3
The first Hangover movie was an R-rated, guilty pleasure, adult comedy that gave us a bunch of big laughs. Mostly at ourselves as it put us right there in Vegas showing exaggerated versions of us, and our visions of a Vegas trip gone wrong.
I wasn't so sure the second movie was a good idea, and it wasn't. As it was the exact same movie almost right down the line, just not near as funny. Hangover 3, will be better received than 2, but it is laden with problems. Oh, there are some laughs here and there. But in the end, this is far darker, less innocent, and really lacking of any kind of movie making passion.
In this final installment, our four friends are back, but this time they are begin threatened by organized crime who is claiming that one of their acquaintances has made off with 21 million dollars worth of stolen gold. So they kidnap one of them, and give the other three, three days to go out and locate the guy, and bring his gold back to them, or they will kill their friend. The road trip then goes from California, to Arizona, to Tijuana, then back to Vegas. As we sit and watch all the hi jinx along the way.
The test audiences must has said that they want more Allen (Zach Galifianakis) in this movie, because much of this if focused on him, and his shtick. And being honest, Allen was far funnier when he was a side dish as opposed to a main course. Our other principles Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms) are really relegated to the background by and large in this movie. Also, Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) is back in a major role and is a main focus of this story. Much of what this movie looks like is Helms and Cooper standing round watching Allen and Mr. Chow make a movie. Much of this really looks badly mailed in. Can I have my check and my release, please?
But some of this is understandable. Helms has moved on beyond this series, and has been pretty darn good in some really funny and original Indy pics. And Cooper frankly, is Hollywood's new leading man, and has grown far, and I mean far beyond this franchise. He now looks like a huge star out of place in a slap-stick, R-rated comedy, when in essence now he is so much more. This is not 5 years ago, things have changed. This does have some real laughs in places, but really lacks the passion of the first one especially.
There are some new friends, John Goodman, and Melissa McCarthy make appearances in this movie, and some of the old cast is back for small goodbye roles. But all of that doesn't matter. This just lays there and doesn't move much. But as big of a hit as this will be, in the end, the final two installments will pale terribly in comparison to the original Hangover, which was very funny.
Helms and Cooper look done in this movie, and they more than likely will be. But the door is wide open for Allan (Galifianakis) and McCarthy to move on in some form and make more movies together in these characters, as projects may be more limited for them up the line. They end up together here, but you'll figure that out halfway through. Would not surprise me for them take an ill-advised movie making press-on in these characters.
The Hangover 3. It's here. It's more than likely a hit. And thankfully, it's over.
I wasn't so sure the second movie was a good idea, and it wasn't. As it was the exact same movie almost right down the line, just not near as funny. Hangover 3, will be better received than 2, but it is laden with problems. Oh, there are some laughs here and there. But in the end, this is far darker, less innocent, and really lacking of any kind of movie making passion.
In this final installment, our four friends are back, but this time they are begin threatened by organized crime who is claiming that one of their acquaintances has made off with 21 million dollars worth of stolen gold. So they kidnap one of them, and give the other three, three days to go out and locate the guy, and bring his gold back to them, or they will kill their friend. The road trip then goes from California, to Arizona, to Tijuana, then back to Vegas. As we sit and watch all the hi jinx along the way.
The test audiences must has said that they want more Allen (Zach Galifianakis) in this movie, because much of this if focused on him, and his shtick. And being honest, Allen was far funnier when he was a side dish as opposed to a main course. Our other principles Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms) are really relegated to the background by and large in this movie. Also, Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) is back in a major role and is a main focus of this story. Much of what this movie looks like is Helms and Cooper standing round watching Allen and Mr. Chow make a movie. Much of this really looks badly mailed in. Can I have my check and my release, please?
But some of this is understandable. Helms has moved on beyond this series, and has been pretty darn good in some really funny and original Indy pics. And Cooper frankly, is Hollywood's new leading man, and has grown far, and I mean far beyond this franchise. He now looks like a huge star out of place in a slap-stick, R-rated comedy, when in essence now he is so much more. This is not 5 years ago, things have changed. This does have some real laughs in places, but really lacks the passion of the first one especially.
There are some new friends, John Goodman, and Melissa McCarthy make appearances in this movie, and some of the old cast is back for small goodbye roles. But all of that doesn't matter. This just lays there and doesn't move much. But as big of a hit as this will be, in the end, the final two installments will pale terribly in comparison to the original Hangover, which was very funny.
Helms and Cooper look done in this movie, and they more than likely will be. But the door is wide open for Allan (Galifianakis) and McCarthy to move on in some form and make more movies together in these characters, as projects may be more limited for them up the line. They end up together here, but you'll figure that out halfway through. Would not surprise me for them take an ill-advised movie making press-on in these characters.
The Hangover 3. It's here. It's more than likely a hit. And thankfully, it's over.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Maplecrest
Location - Kent
Directions: Access right off I-76, and easy access off Rt.8
Dewsweeper Tee Time was: 630AM
Maplecrest Website
We have a tendency to like "shot makers" golf courses, and Maplecrest certainly is one. Maplecrest is a wonderful, old school golf course chiseled into rolling terrain nestled back in the trees of Kent. It is a par 71, very tight, very tree laden, and a very nice golf course that requires you to swing virtually every club in your bag. You must be able to hit the ball straight to score here. If you can, you are good to go, as it checks on at only 6,300 yards from the tips. There wasn't anything about this golf course we didn't like.
Blessed with short, tight par 4's, very long par 3's and average length par 5's, Maplecrest requires you hit is straight all day. All holes are tree lined with huge mighty oaks, and majestic maple trees. There are plenty of sand bunkers all at the greens, very little water, although there is a creek that weaves in and out of a few holes, primarily on the front 9. Toss in small, and nice greens, many of them raised, and you have a great track. And an historical one, as this has been there since 1928. Great place.
We teed off at 630, and it was a beautiful day. Beef was shaking off the rust of not playing in a couple weeks, and he had the typical problems you would have. Beef suffered from lack of "touch". struggling basically on the greens, with 3 3putts on the front. But hung in there for 45. On the back it was just inconsistent play, as is normal for having time off, and a couple bad breaks and it was a 91 on the day for Beef. But I think the higher than normal number was easy for Beef to set aside, as his son Derek was playing in the group behind us (JR. Dewsweepers), and recorded his first hole in one ever on the tough number 6 par 3, 185 yards uphill. Well done! Much pride for Beef!
Joe Red's son Bryan filled in for Red who is out of the country this week. Bryan was having tough time with the driver at first, but found it halfway through, and posted a 42 on the front, and struggled with a bad break or two on the back. Bryan also had a tough time on some of the par 3's, as there are five of them, all are pretty long and tough. But even though Bryan never really go into a good gofler's rhythm, he hung in there, and posted a bogey golf round of 90.
Tex is hitting his new driver extremely well, and it's going to change his game in the long run. Tex was sailing along after the first 8 holes playing very well. A few pars and great birdie on number 4 had Tex right in it. Then a very bad number on number 9, par 5 really killed his front 9, shooting a 46, but he played much better than that. Tex battled the course and the memory of number 9 for while, and played pretty well till 18, another par 5, and another bad number there. Tex finished with a 94, and should have scored much better than that. But oh, those bad numbers. But his game is coming along, equipment is making a big time positive difference.
I struggled for the first 3 holes then got down to business. With a birdie on number 5 and few pars I escaped with a 40 on the front. On the back I played well and under control, until I took a double on 16 and 18 to hurt my score more than it should have been. Shooting a 43 on the back, but a penalty stroke on 18 hurt, and a bad double on 16 didn't help. That one was needless. I also staggered out of the gate, 3 putting on 1 par 5. 83 on the day.
Course highlights? All 5 par 3's are great golf holes, with the awesome number 8 230 yards (1 handicap, how often do you see that?) to an elevated green as the crown jewel of them all. All 3's are long. Number 1, 500 yard par 5, tree lined both sides all the way. Number 10, doggy left, with a beautiful and tough approach shot. Number 2, fantastic par 4, so is number 4, and 5 which is easily drivable. And number 14, 400 yard par 4 to a tough green to hit, tree lined both sides all the way. Great hole.
Maplecrest is a great, traditional course. If you want to wail away with the driver all day long, you won't play well here. Use your bag, and good course management and you will. This is a course that has to be thought out. But it is certainly worth a play or two. We will be back later this summer.
Location - Kent
Directions: Access right off I-76, and easy access off Rt.8
Dewsweeper Tee Time was: 630AM
Maplecrest Website
We have a tendency to like "shot makers" golf courses, and Maplecrest certainly is one. Maplecrest is a wonderful, old school golf course chiseled into rolling terrain nestled back in the trees of Kent. It is a par 71, very tight, very tree laden, and a very nice golf course that requires you to swing virtually every club in your bag. You must be able to hit the ball straight to score here. If you can, you are good to go, as it checks on at only 6,300 yards from the tips. There wasn't anything about this golf course we didn't like.
Blessed with short, tight par 4's, very long par 3's and average length par 5's, Maplecrest requires you hit is straight all day. All holes are tree lined with huge mighty oaks, and majestic maple trees. There are plenty of sand bunkers all at the greens, very little water, although there is a creek that weaves in and out of a few holes, primarily on the front 9. Toss in small, and nice greens, many of them raised, and you have a great track. And an historical one, as this has been there since 1928. Great place.
We teed off at 630, and it was a beautiful day. Beef was shaking off the rust of not playing in a couple weeks, and he had the typical problems you would have. Beef suffered from lack of "touch". struggling basically on the greens, with 3 3putts on the front. But hung in there for 45. On the back it was just inconsistent play, as is normal for having time off, and a couple bad breaks and it was a 91 on the day for Beef. But I think the higher than normal number was easy for Beef to set aside, as his son Derek was playing in the group behind us (JR. Dewsweepers), and recorded his first hole in one ever on the tough number 6 par 3, 185 yards uphill. Well done! Much pride for Beef!
Joe Red's son Bryan filled in for Red who is out of the country this week. Bryan was having tough time with the driver at first, but found it halfway through, and posted a 42 on the front, and struggled with a bad break or two on the back. Bryan also had a tough time on some of the par 3's, as there are five of them, all are pretty long and tough. But even though Bryan never really go into a good gofler's rhythm, he hung in there, and posted a bogey golf round of 90.
Tex is hitting his new driver extremely well, and it's going to change his game in the long run. Tex was sailing along after the first 8 holes playing very well. A few pars and great birdie on number 4 had Tex right in it. Then a very bad number on number 9, par 5 really killed his front 9, shooting a 46, but he played much better than that. Tex battled the course and the memory of number 9 for while, and played pretty well till 18, another par 5, and another bad number there. Tex finished with a 94, and should have scored much better than that. But oh, those bad numbers. But his game is coming along, equipment is making a big time positive difference.
I struggled for the first 3 holes then got down to business. With a birdie on number 5 and few pars I escaped with a 40 on the front. On the back I played well and under control, until I took a double on 16 and 18 to hurt my score more than it should have been. Shooting a 43 on the back, but a penalty stroke on 18 hurt, and a bad double on 16 didn't help. That one was needless. I also staggered out of the gate, 3 putting on 1 par 5. 83 on the day.
Course highlights? All 5 par 3's are great golf holes, with the awesome number 8 230 yards (1 handicap, how often do you see that?) to an elevated green as the crown jewel of them all. All 3's are long. Number 1, 500 yard par 5, tree lined both sides all the way. Number 10, doggy left, with a beautiful and tough approach shot. Number 2, fantastic par 4, so is number 4, and 5 which is easily drivable. And number 14, 400 yard par 4 to a tough green to hit, tree lined both sides all the way. Great hole.
Maplecrest is a great, traditional course. If you want to wail away with the driver all day long, you won't play well here. Use your bag, and good course management and you will. This is a course that has to be thought out. But it is certainly worth a play or two. We will be back later this summer.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Brookledge
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Directions: Cuyahoga Falls, off Rt. 8, easy access from Turnpike, Rt. 8 and I-76
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 7AM
Brookledge Website
This week we played one of the best overall public courses you can play in the area. Last year The Dewsweepers voted this as our favorite course we played all season long. Should be noted, we play lots of really nice tracks, all different and unique in their own way. I think we were so takes with Brookledge is that it was so much nicer than any of us had pictured in our minds before we teed off last year.
Last Sunday we were greeted by the very nice staff first thing in the morning, as the coffee was on, and so were the smiles. The staff at this city owned facility is amazingly pleasant and that's a big deal to us. We teed off right on time at 7AM. Sadly for our fist visit to Brookledge this season the weather conditions were pretty tough for actually playing golf, let alone scoring well. Although the morning looked pleasant enough with a nice sunrise, the winds were blowing about 30 mph, and the temp was in the low 40's.
Brookledge is a course that we all played very well last summer when weather conditions were perfect. It is a course that really suits my game especially on the Dewsweeper tour, as I love to play lots of irons. This is not a long golf course, but a target course. For most amateurs, going out to Brookledge wailing away with the driver all day can be a recipe for disaster unless you are pounding it arrow straight. But with the wind, damp and cold, we all were out of our games, and we were more focused surviving.
But this course is one of the great kept secrets in all of Northeast Ohio. Brookledge is in incredible shape, with fantastic fairways, and smooth, fast, and wonderfully undulated greens. Rough that is just enough, and bunkers that are very well maintained. This is a very visual course with tree lined fairways, all carved into a very nice and rolling terrain. There is just enough of everything to be well balanced. There is not a lot of water trouble at Brookledge, but the creeks, and wetlands are well placed and can cause issues with mis-hits.
On this Sunday, the pin placements were extremely difficult, as most were set deep on the greens. They were certainly competition on caliber, and made a tough weather condition day, very challenging. With the windy, cold weather, the speed of the green, pin placements and damp rough, I don't know if this course could have played more difficult on this day. Scored badly, but we did have fun as this is a very enjoyable course, and we look forward to going back when it's 80 degrees and still.
Brookledge is a golf course you should certainly put on your list of courses to play at least once this season. It is first class public golf. IN fact, we have played some private clubs that are not as nice of a golf course as this. Green, lush, and perfectly maintained clearly with pride and good management. Play it once and you'll play it again, and again.
We look forward to going back in July when the weather is a bit more kind, and far less windy and cold. We all agreed on that. Brookledge - fantastic course and overall experience.
This week we play, and make our Dewsweepers debut at Maplecrest in Kent! A course you can play at a great discount when you buy the WQMX Players Golf Card.
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Directions: Cuyahoga Falls, off Rt. 8, easy access from Turnpike, Rt. 8 and I-76
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 7AM
Brookledge Website
This week we played one of the best overall public courses you can play in the area. Last year The Dewsweepers voted this as our favorite course we played all season long. Should be noted, we play lots of really nice tracks, all different and unique in their own way. I think we were so takes with Brookledge is that it was so much nicer than any of us had pictured in our minds before we teed off last year.
Last Sunday we were greeted by the very nice staff first thing in the morning, as the coffee was on, and so were the smiles. The staff at this city owned facility is amazingly pleasant and that's a big deal to us. We teed off right on time at 7AM. Sadly for our fist visit to Brookledge this season the weather conditions were pretty tough for actually playing golf, let alone scoring well. Although the morning looked pleasant enough with a nice sunrise, the winds were blowing about 30 mph, and the temp was in the low 40's.
Brookledge is a course that we all played very well last summer when weather conditions were perfect. It is a course that really suits my game especially on the Dewsweeper tour, as I love to play lots of irons. This is not a long golf course, but a target course. For most amateurs, going out to Brookledge wailing away with the driver all day can be a recipe for disaster unless you are pounding it arrow straight. But with the wind, damp and cold, we all were out of our games, and we were more focused surviving.
But this course is one of the great kept secrets in all of Northeast Ohio. Brookledge is in incredible shape, with fantastic fairways, and smooth, fast, and wonderfully undulated greens. Rough that is just enough, and bunkers that are very well maintained. This is a very visual course with tree lined fairways, all carved into a very nice and rolling terrain. There is just enough of everything to be well balanced. There is not a lot of water trouble at Brookledge, but the creeks, and wetlands are well placed and can cause issues with mis-hits.
On this Sunday, the pin placements were extremely difficult, as most were set deep on the greens. They were certainly competition on caliber, and made a tough weather condition day, very challenging. With the windy, cold weather, the speed of the green, pin placements and damp rough, I don't know if this course could have played more difficult on this day. Scored badly, but we did have fun as this is a very enjoyable course, and we look forward to going back when it's 80 degrees and still.
Brookledge is a golf course you should certainly put on your list of courses to play at least once this season. It is first class public golf. IN fact, we have played some private clubs that are not as nice of a golf course as this. Green, lush, and perfectly maintained clearly with pride and good management. Play it once and you'll play it again, and again.
We look forward to going back in July when the weather is a bit more kind, and far less windy and cold. We all agreed on that. Brookledge - fantastic course and overall experience.
This week we play, and make our Dewsweepers debut at Maplecrest in Kent! A course you can play at a great discount when you buy the WQMX Players Golf Card.
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