Pebble Beach Revisited

I revisited Pebble Beach. I drove for a while on 17-miles Drive and visited Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Links. I Played three times here, but I couldn't made 100. Oh my goodness, I want to come back again, but $475 play fee is too expensive now. Of course I didn't play here last week. Just a taking look at goods in pro shop, I found everything was expensive and got out of here with nothing. I went to Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links instead. That's a good idea for poor tourist like me.

Pacific Grove, California

Pacific Grove is one of my favorite places in Northern California. Ocean View Blvd is something like 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links is called municipal "Pebble Beach Golf Links". You don't need to pay toll like 17-Miles Drive and $475 play fee like Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links has a better ocean view than Pebble Beach GL. I believe this is the best municipal golf course in the U.S. with only $40 fee on weekend. Back nine has lots of picture-postcard scenery. The sea is at the same level of your eyes. Tourists is looking at your tee shots from Ocean View Blvd. Did I play here? Of course, yes. From white tees, only 5571 yards, par 70. Back nine is hard to place the ball on the fairways because of very strong, direct winds from Pacific ocean. I played much better on back nine, with 47 and 41.

Sunset Inn at Pacific Grove

I called Sunset Inn. Judy, manager, said $159 for a night and I asked for discount. She said $125. I asked if any discount on AAA member. She said $109, finally. But she didn't ask me to show my AAA membership card at check in. I found this motel was really nice, only 20 small, but very comfortable rooms, with jet bath. It also takes only one minutes to Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course and the beach.

Happy Father's Day!

"Cabrera Conquers At Oakmont
Oakmont, Pa. – It came down to Tiger Woods and a mere foot.
Woods was the only player standing in the way of Angel Cabrera’s first major. Surely the odds were in Woods’ favor, winner of 12 majors against Cabrera’s resume of three European Tour victories. In fact, Cabrera had never won in the United States.
But in the end, having three holes in his pocket to reach Cabrera, Woods came up short. Cabrera held off Jim Furyk and Woods to win the 107th U.S. Open. More", says USGA. I'm very happy to be a member of USGA, support the organization, and find international player won U.S.Open.

I went to my office this morning and found the fuckin' door was still locked. I came back to my apartment and watched U.S.Open from 10am to 4:30pm, when Tiger Woods missed the birdie putt on 18th hole at Oakmont. congratulations! Cabrera. The first victory in the U.S., the first major title, and the first Argentine U.S.Open Champion.

The Companion® 2 Series II multimedia speaker system by BOSE

I got The Companion® 2 Series II multimedia speaker system by BOSE today. BOSE doesn't sell at discount. I bought it at Best Buy, but it was a suggested retail price itself. They are clever.

I was shut out from my office this morning. My office is an Executive Suite, so I can access my suite 24 hours, 7 days. But the door from the elevator hall to the suites was closed and locked. I don't know why, it should be opened. Anyway, I can't work in my office today, maybe tomorrow too. It could be a trouble for me, because I went home earlier on Friday, you know, it's TGIF (Thank God It's Friday). I have something to finish before Monday. Anyway I can't help it. I went to Best Buy and got speakers.

I'm alone in my office, listening to music every hour, everyday, when I'm in. I usually listen to Deep Tracks, 40 Ch of XM Radio or Concert Vault. I have to listen better sound.

I had a lunch at Yoshinoya, Japanese beef bowl restaurant, then went back to my office. But the door was still closed. Oh my goodness! Now, I had no option but to go to golf course. My game improved significantly at Alondra GC. Just 15 minutes from my office and weekend fee is only $28, very flat course without waters. I didn't keep my score but I remember it was 44, 40. The course is very flat, but it's hard to hit greens in regulation with 6729 yards from blue tees.

For dinner, I went to Inaba, Japanese restaurant, with my old friend with his family again. I had a glass of Sapporo draft beer and Suishin、Japanese sake. Torrance is really nice place to stay for Japanese people. I can live here very conveniently, as almost same or better than in Japan.

Trump National Golf Club

From Black tee on the 18th hole

That's Black tee on the 18th hole, from the green side of 17th hole

1st hole



I was in my office from 8am to 2:30pm today, Sunday. I have no day off recently, but I need work out, you know, on the green, at least on the weekend. I arrived Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes at 3pm. It takes 20-30 minutes only from my apartment. The course hosted LPGA's Office Depot Championship in October 2005. I teed off alone from blue tees, front nine has 3346 yards, at 3:20pm, the first start of twilight rate, $194.99. Wow! It seems too expensive, BUT I found there was a great worth in it. I can see the sea from all 18 holes. I think the view itself can be same as or better than Pebble Beach Golf Links or Spanish Bay in Monterey Peninsula. Don't ask my score. I gave up to keep my score after 8th hole, where I hit 3 balls into the water. Fairways are narrow, no safety zone, rough has more than 3 inches. On the back nine, I teed up on the white tee, 2738 yards. I didn't keep my score any more, but I lost more than 10 balls out here. So don't imagine that. Black tee on the 18th hole is a kind of fear. Of course I teed up at white tee, because I was almost running out my balls.

Today's beer

I had Samuel Adams Brown Ale and Honey Porter today. Really nice ale and porter. I didn't eat much and I'm going to have Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from now. This winery is located a few miles away from the San Francisco Bay and has a golf course designed by Greg Norman. I liked this course.

Valencia Country Club

"Nestled within the foothills of the Santa Clarita Valley, lies a celebrated masterpiece built from the vision of acclaimed golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Valencia Country Club is celebrating its "40th Anniversary" and its status as a rare, private Club experience. At Valencia, Members and guests escape the stress of day-to-day life while enjoying its championship 18-hole course, which has been honored by the presence of some of "golf legends".

Golf Digest named the course at Valencia Country Club as one of the top 25 golf courses in the state of California. In recent years, Valencia Country Club has hosted major events, such as the PGA TOUR's Nissan Open and the PGA TOUR's SBC Senior Classic five years in a row -- a true testament to the caliber of Valencia's championship golf course." says Valencia Country Club.

I have played here a few times in 1999-2000. Very famous private golf course in Greater Los Angeles area. I played very well today, with 42-43 from white tees, 6305 yards. Average golfer's swing changes everyday, I'm sure.

Ryuji Imada lost play off with Zach Johnson at today's AT&T Classic in Duluth, Georgia. I watched TV on or around 13th hole, and I teed off at Valencia, so I could not cheer for him. I believe he will win the tournament sometime in future.

Lakewood Country Club

"Ryuji Imada, 74th in FedExCup points entering the AT&T Classic, is tied for the lead after three rounds and is threatening to become only the third Japan-based golfer to win an official PGA TOUR tournament. Isao Aoki won the Hawaiian Open in 1983 and Shigeki Maruyama has three career victories: the Greater Milwaukee Open in 2001, the Verizon Byron Nelson Classic in 2002, and the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro in 2003." said PGA.com today. I saw him for the first time at the driving range of Pebble Beach Golf Links at 100th U.S.Open in 2000. He has been gradually getting his position in PGA Tour. I hope he will win the tournament at TPC Sugar Loaf, where I played last month.

I played at Lakewood Country Club today. Public course in Lakewood, California. It takes about 20 minutes from Torrance. Very flat but greens are tough. Par 3s are long, even from white tees, 6416 yards. Par 3 of white tees are 139 yards, 196 yards, 203 yards and 178 yards. Don't ask my score. I made below 100, although my driver shots were terrible. There were a lot of 5 sums here, and it took more than 5 hours for 18 holes!

I went to my office this morning. I still have a lot of things to settle. Tomorrow, Sunday, of course I will go to my office.

DSL with Static IP connection postponed

Verizon's customer service emailed me yesterday morning, and I was struck speechless to hear "It appears your order has been moved out to May 25, 2007. You will be receiving your welcome letter by May 23, 2007". I will not be angry about customer service any more. Scheduled date was May 16 but now May 25! There was no information from Verizon. If I don't ask them, they don't tell me. This is "customer service" in America.

Anyway today is Saturday. I will go to my office in the morning and go to Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood CA in the afternoon. I was invited to join, so I thought it was a private course, but I found it public. I bought Titleist's x59 stand bag yesterday. This bag is designed for women and juniors with ultra light weight, only 3.7Lbs. I like walking golf, so this is realy good for me too.

In the evening, Jesse Winchester will perform at Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, CA. I may go there.

Alondra Golf Course

I played at Alondra Golf Course, owned by Los Angeles County, today. Tee time was 3:30pm, twilight play fee was only $19.50. This is a very very flat course without water. But there are a lot of elevated greens, so it is so tough to hit green from blue tees, 6577 yards. It took 2 and half hours for 9 holes with 5 players, and I played last 3 holes in the dark. Anyway, this is a kind of practice course. I will be back here.

Los Verdes Golf Course

I played at Los Verdes Golf Course, which is owned by Los Angeles County and operated by American Golf. I arrived the course just before sunrise and I waited for my tee time for one and half hours. Oh my goodness! It is said this course is very busy, but I remember that there is nobody at golf courses in Atlanta before sunrise. Anyway, play fee is only $28 and the course itself is very good, with wonderful sea view. This may be my home course here in Los Angeles.

Angeles National Golf Club

I'm now setting up my small office and my apartment. It was so busy last week to assemble office furniture's. I was a DIY man last week. I went to my office today, Sunday too. I found free but unsecured wireless network there, although Verizon would set up DSL soon. I worked alone for a few hours in the office and went to buy foods, ale and red wine in Ralphs .

After lunch in my apartment, I decided to go to Angeles National Golf Club. I should not play here. Jack Nicklaus designed 2004 course, narrow fairways and very fast greens. Nature Habitat Areas in both side, so only straight hitter can play out here. I lost more than 10 balls.

The SGCA Golf Course

I still have a 3-hour jet lag. But I got up at 7am and had a Japanese breakfast in Torrance Plaza Hotel. Then I changed my address of various accounts, bank, securities broker, other Internet sites... It took unexpectedly a long time.

I went out to look for car dealer for services. My Honda CR-V ran 12,000 miles for these 6 months already. I decided to have a service at Japanese owned independent dealer, not a Honda official dealer, because it costed less. I will have an appointment tomorrow.

Then I went to Barnes & Noble to buy road maps. Ah I also bought ZAGAT America's Top Golf Course 2007/08 there, although Amazon sells it at around $11.

I also looked for phone/fax machine for my apartment. I went to Office Depot, Circuit City, Best Buy and Office Max. Office Max had more models than others. I bought Brother's cheap machine.

Finally I headed east to The SCGA Golf Course, a SCGA home course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, one of my favorite golf course architect. Green fee for twilight was $48 (non-SGCA member), with rental club, King Cobra, $30.

This course will be one of my favorites around Los Angeles. It is a little bit hilly on front nine and relatively flat on back nine with water. Most of airways are wide open but greens are fast and hard to read. I teed off from White tees, 6294 yards. My score? Not bad with rental clubs. 4 double bogeys and 3 pars, 45-46.

Zagat Survey does golf too

Zagat says "based on the opinions of thousands of avid golfers, America's Top Golf Courses covers nearly 1,100 of the best public, semi-private and resort courses in the U.S. plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Choose from over 30 of the guide's handy indexes to find the right course every time, from toughest to most scenic, fastest pace to player-friendly. Each course is rated on Course, Facilities, Service, Value and Cost."
Zagat Survey :: Shop
Zagat 2007/08 America's Top Golf

Eagle's Landing Country Club

Yesterday I moved out from my apartment and checked in at Holiday Inn ATLANTA-JOHNS CREEK. Today, Apr 22, Sunday, I went to a private course, Eagle's Landing Country Club, which was designed by Tom Fazio. This is actually my last round in Atlanta. Thank you, Mr.H, the member, Mr.S and Mr.K.

This was a LPGA tournament course, but no tournament this year, I heard. However it was a real nice course, with very fast greens and elevated fairways. We played from Professional Tees (Blue), 6632 yards (Creek and Lake course). I could make 100 today with 46 and 52. Not bad with rental clubs.

Tournament Players Club at Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Country Club's golf course、The Tournament Players Club at Sugarloaf is in Duruth near Atlanta. One of the PGA's Tournament Players Club courses and PGA is the owner of this course according to the member who I played with. Every year it holds Bellsouth Classic, which is renamed to AT& T Classic, May 14-17.

This is my last round in Atlanta, because I will move to Los Angeles at the end of April. There were thunder storms in Georgia since last night, and there was still some rain with very strong winds at the tee time of 2:14pm, with temperature of around 40F. This is also my first round at a private course in Atlanta, with member accompanying play fee of $157.94. It is said it costs more than $200 with non-accompany play fee. But!, this is very very reasonable at this fine course. Pebble Beach, $450?, Spyglass Hill, $300?. Only $150 something at this championship course! Oh my goodness. Thank you very much, Dr.T, Mr.S who arranged this great opportunity. I also thank Mr.K.

Rough is very deep because it will have a PGA tournament 1 month later. Fairways and greens are incredibly well maintenanced. I feel the greens are very fast like glass table, although Dr.K, the member, who plays almost every week day, says not much fast after the rain. We played Meadows (3157 yards) and Stables (3182 yards) from white tees. We passed 5th hole of Stable and my score was 49 on Meadows and +12 on Stables (without 5th hole). Not bad on this tournament course.

I believe this was one of the best courses in the U.S. I played (most of them were in California), like Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, Pasatiempo and PGA West.

Cherokee Run Golf Club

Weather report says it will be T-storms this evening in Atlanta. So I have to finish 18 holes in the morning. I went to Cherokee Run Golf Club which was designed by Arnold Palmer. This is one of the must courses in Atlanta area. I arrived at around 7:30am and checked in at 8:32am tee off. Every hole is very hilly and every green is elevated and real fast like a glass table. I made 1 birdie at short par 4 #14, but I had 4 OBs, 1 lost ball and 1 water. It was better not keep my score. From blue tees it has 6564 yards, but we, average golfers, had better play from Augusta (green tees) 6083 yards. This is actually one of the must courses in Atlanta area with reasonable $59 play fee. I believe it may cost more than $100 if at Arnold Palmer's courses in Northern California.

The Frog At The Georgian

It has been chilly and gusty this week here in Georgia. Today I went to The Frog At The Georgian
, which was said one of the best places to go in Georgia. It was a historical cold day today below 30F. Frost delay for more than 2 hours. I teed off at 10:00am from blue tees, 6239 yards. I could made 100 today, with 49 and 46. My driver was not so good, but better than yesterday. I made 4 pars at back nine with 1 putt. Ah, not bad on this hilly course, very tight and elevated greens. 　

Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Club

Yesterday I went to play golf at Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Club with my colleagues. We are non-residents of Dekalb County. I didn't know why but a man in the pro shop gave us resident fees, $21 (walking). This is one of the flattest golf courses in Metro Atlanta area. Tall pine trees are on both sides. Greens here are much much better than other municipal courses in Atlanta. It is like Sobu Country Club or Funabashi Country Club in Chiba, Japan. We teed off at 7:37 am from white tees, 5944 yards. I made 42-40, which was my best score in Atlanta.