A Year in Review

Bethpage 2017 - In my top courses played

Varsity level for the average golfer looking for the inside scoop. —- Year in review (December 2017 to December 2018)

Hey, what a great ride over the past year. - One last thing, you don’t need to know my handicap, just go and play the course and have some fun! This is a list of places that I have visited this year or played. I would like to share my thoughts for each location.

Sean Suggs – “Still searching for the that special round of Par “

My ratings are simple:

Varsity Level : this course is legit, top notch, superior quality, must play course

JV( Junior Varsity) : nice course but not top notch, needs some work, not a bucket list type of course

Frosh level: ( Freshman level) Play at your own risk

TPC Sawgrass- Florida

I started with a return visit to TPC Sawgrass in Florida in December after Christmas. One of my 6 kids gifted me a nice gift card that took care my golf and a nice pull over. This course was in great shape, now the winter was a little nasty, but we got 18 holes in. I was able to land my first shot on the 17th green on my first visit (see YouTube videohttps://www.youtube.com/user/Marcellas65) so this time, I wanted to pile a drive down # 18 due to fact the first time around my ball landed in the nice lake to the left. (see picture) not too shabby the second time around. What a great time playing with 3 other guys from the Boston area. Now for the course. My rating system is simple you are either Varsity level or playing JV. TPC Sawgrass is Varsity level. Why, well the degree of difficulty, Price is deserving due to the quality of play and the club house is second to none, the signature # 17, the fairways were in great shape and lastly the staff was very accommodating. I would highly recommend checking this one off your bucket list. Advise: Play in the Spring or last fall for specular views

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Use a solid golf ball (going cheap here will punish you)

2. Leave your approach shot short of the green if you are not sure

3. I know it’s expensive but get a caddy – they know the greens

Number 16 at Sawgrass

Streamsong Black – Florida

Well since I was so close to the all new Streamsong Black course, why not give is a go? So, the next day after dinner with my kids in Jacksonville, I drove and stayed in a hotel about 30 minutes away (highly recommended) there is nothing in Ft. Meade, FL. I get to the course at the crack of dawn and let me tell you, I thought I was in another country. The course and the resort are amazing. You soon realize that this is a golfer dream course. The Black course is like not other course I have played in my life. Fairways – huge, Greens – huge, walking is so easy, and course is in spectacular shape.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Use your driver – the fairways are huge

2. No need for a caddy, get a yardage book and rock and roll

3. Center of the green on all approach shots, don’t be a hero

TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm Potomac, Maryland

I played this course with friends in April and it was a blast to play. The pace of play we exceptional. The fairways and greens will make you pay so please make sure you have a good 3 wood in the bag along with some stellar iron play. This course will eat your lunch if you are not careful. The surrounding areas are nice with Congressional right down the street. You will need to get a member to hook you up on this one to get in. The price is right, and rental are new Titleist AP2’s. My opinion, it the best course I have played in the DC area to date.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Your iron play must be good

2. Don’t be intimidated by the course layout on the back nine, it’s a lot of fun

3. Take a cart!

Ocean at Kiawah Island – South Carolina

This is was one of my bucket list courses and I finally got a chance to play it. Another Suggs bother outing, and it was well worth it. This course is long and strong and views off the Atlantic Ocean are amazing. Now for the golf. You will be best served to use a caddy for this course and think fairways no matter what. You will find yourself thinking I can go for it in 2 or 3 but you need to have some patience on this course and you will be rewarded. The signature hole is # 17 and trust me it is very nice. One club up with a smooth swing and you are on the green. This course plays like a top five course in the U.S. and it delivers. Now, depending your skill level, you need to bring some golf balls. This course is truly challenging. Advise, bring your wives and let them hang out in the beautiful Charleston, SC area and you and the boys play a few rounds on the Kiawah properties. You won’t regret it.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Listen to your caddy he or she is right 99% of the time

2. Find a club that will get you in fairway of the tee box. (I know it sounds basic)

3. The greens are “Pro” greens so play the breaks, you won’t regret it

East Lake (Atlanta, GA) (Tour Championship – Yeap, I was there

Ok, I did get a chance to see the Tour championship on the Thursday round. Yes, it was crazy with Tiger there and he did not disappoint. We thought he was going to have a long day when he missed his first put on # 1 and bogeyed the hole (see video) However, he recovered quite nicely. I can see why the East Lake County club has hosted this event for a billion years. This course is so nice. It was in great shape from the moment you walk the turnstiles to the moment you are walking up #18th. The attention to detail is superb. I would love to play this course someday (Members are you listening?) I would love to try to par the 600-yard par 5 18th. Yes, it’s 600 yards, l walked it. This was an experience of a life time and I would encourage you all to purchase a ticket and make this journey to the ATL to watch the best in the world compete for a championship. The only negative is the parking, you are going to have to ruff it and have some patience with this. The shuttles are not close by and local parking is gone quickly.

So, if you have not seen Tiger in person, you must make this happen. He is a rock star and you see one of the best golf swings in the history of the sport. I am a little bias, but I believe he is the greatest ever. (the 80 wins and the lowest scoring average in PGA history)

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par (I did not play this course- just a spectator)

1. Fairways

2. Fairways

3. Fairways

At least that’s what the Pro’s said

I took this picture because it captures East Lake's essence

Torrey Pines, (San Diego, CA)

This is my second time playing Torrey Pines south course and Let me tell that I was disappointed this time around. Ok the views are still some of the best in world, you can truly get on this course most of time. For example, I got off the plane and drove right over to course and staff was very helpful so kudos to the staff. Now this course cost me north of 200.00 to play and you know the locals pay around 50 bucks a round. (no problem) My biggest complaint was the condition of the course, the tee boxes, fairways and cart paths did not look like a top 100 course in the U.S. see pictures. I am not sure what is happening there, but I was not impressed this time around. I played with so cool guys and even had a birdie the back nine, but Torrey needs to step their game up. Does this this picture look like a top course? did not even have water in the ball cleaners

Overall Rating: Junior Varsity

How to make Par

1. Strong approach shots (landing the ball in the center of green should be the goal)

2. The green speeds are very reasonable – Trust it and roll it in

3. Hit the ball off the tee towards the ocean and let it fade in to the fairways.

The attention to details is lacking from my first visit

Le Golf National – Paris France – Yeap I was there!

Finally made it to the Ryder cup! My wife and I had a wonderful time in Paris and yes, we did spend a little time at Le Golf National for the Friday round. Words can not express the excitement, energy and engagement of the fans and golfer a like. This was an amazing course and the venue did not disappoint. I truly believe that the main reason we lost this Ryder was that to win this event each player must play each ball like it’s their last and the US player don’t. The Europe Team believe that this is their Super Bowl and they play like. We you are on the course, you can feel the difference. They want it more. As I mentioned in an earlier post at the Tour Championship, I truly believe that Tiger is the greatest player to every play. But I would never have him or Phil on my Ryder cup team. You need grinder, hungry players that will fight with everything they have to win.” Not big names” for example Tiger’s Record in Ryder cups is 13-17-3, Phil is 18-20. I am not buying the crap about it’s the captain’s fault. When you tee up against any player, it’s and him against the course period. Step up and beat the course!

The course is amazing and worth the trip if you play it.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level (Course rating)

How to make Par or the win the Ryder Cup

1. Select hunger warriors (they must play 2 events in Europe before they can qualify for the team that year)

2. Select a captain that can be the captain for 2 cycles

3. The top US players should play more on the Europe tour the year off the Ryder cup

The crowds were crazy! it was awesome

Old Waverly Country Club (West Point MS)

This is hidden gem tucked in a small town in West Point, MS about 45 miles south of Tupelo, MS Elvis Presley’s birthplace. I will tell you that you will think are entering Augusta National or Pinehurst. This course has all the amenities of any top course in the country and will challenge every aspect of your game. Playing is Mississippi, you will feel the hometown or southern hospitality. Now for the course. The layout is wonderful with get fairways and greens. The greens are a reasonable speed. This course has also hosted the Women’s US amateur. It’s great to play in the fall so you can pick up a Ole Miss or Mississippi State football game with is right up the road.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Trust your lines off the tee

2. You can use a cart to navigate

3. The Fairways are very forgiving so go for it.

Windstar Resort (Oklahoma)

In my quest to play in every state in the U.S. I made the trek up to Oklahoma from Dallas, TX on a business trip. The WinStar Report was recommended. (the longest drive competition course – that you have seen on the golf channel) I got my task complete, but this was not a good experience. From the dented up rental clubs to the course not being in good shape. The only good thing on this course was the starter on the first tee. After that it was all down hill.

Overall Rating: First time rating of (Frosh Team) do not go!!!!

How to make Par

1. Drive to another course

2. Bring your own clubs

3. Did I say play another course?

Pinehurst # 8 – North Carolina

So why would I play # 8 at Pinehurst and not #2? Why, I checked # 2 off last year? I will start by saying the Pinehurst area is my favorite golf destination area in the country, I love it there. #8 did not disappoint. On a cool April morning we teed up and played in my opinion the second-best course on the property. The fairways and greens were in great shape (see pics) we had a great time and I would highly recommend this course to anyone playing the Pinehusrt tracks.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. It’s hillier then you think so club up

2. We found that the yardage was true in the yardage book

3. The greens were some of best we have ever played on. So, trust your line and go for it. (not to fast)

Pursell Farms (Farm Link) – Alabama

I have had the opportunity to play most of the Robert Trent Jones courses and Alabama and Ross Bridge Course in Birmingham is my favorite (must play) However, I had the chance to play Pursell Farms this summer and I have declared this is the best golf course in the state of Alabama. You arrive on property you automatically feel like you are in a special place. This is truly a destination! Golf, fishing, shooting, cabins…. Now for the golf, I truly believe this course was in the best shape of any course I played this year. Wait to you play # 5 “Hang Time” Google it— see picture (I parred this hole) lucky me. If you are coming to Alabama, play this course, you will not regret it. You wife will love the spa or if you have a guy group the cottages and hotel rooms are amazing.

Overall Rating: Varsity Level

How to make Par

1. Don’t be scared on the par 3’s trusts the distance on the course not your range finder.

2. If you have a great long iron in your bag use it on the plan using it on some of the par 4’s

3. You can score the par 5’s take advantage of them

The Masters – Augusta, GA — yes, I did attend this year (my favorite golf trip)

No comments needed – It’s the best @#$% course in the world period. Still waiting on a member to call me for the 4th player!!! I had a great time this year with my brother who was a first timer. This course is the Mecca and seriously if I ever get a change to play this course, I will lose my mind. My favorite hole is Number 10, I set up my chair to see that hole and approach shots at Number 9. Members, I am waiting? I just need a 2 days notice! I will volunteer as well

Overall Rating: Varsity Level +++++

Oh to spank a 7 iron on this hole, that is what I thinking when I took this picture

Every serious golfer has a bucket list: Here’s mine and a status report

Bucket List Check off Status: In 2018

Play in every state: Career to date total is now 33 states (17 to go!!!)

Ocean at Kiawah Island – 2018 Complete (As Advertised)

Attend the Tour Championship – 2018 Completed (Tiger’s back)

Attend the Ryder Cup – 2018 Complete (yeah, I know we got hammered)