Where am I? I'm on the road again this week, missing par putts and chunkin' chips in Central Oregon. I had drinks with David McLay Kidd (Bandon Dunes), played one of his new courses (Tetherow) and got an exclusive tour of the caves of the Fazio Course at Pronghorn. I'm in what's quickly becoming my favorite state for golf. Surrounded by all these trees, it smells like Christmas around here. This afternoon the sticks stay in the trunk and I'm fly fishing. You'll read more about my trip in an upcoming Away Game and in this blog. But the point to this post is to (once again) address the most frequently asked question I get via e-mail or when I'm on a trip: Where should we go next?

Timothy Quinn of Cleveland, Ohio writes: Our group of 12 long-time friends meet every May for six rounds of tournament golf we call "The Battle for the Pig." The top six seeds from the previous year will play a two man game with each of the bottom six seeds. Our format is awesome, but the trip requires 18 holes on day one, 36 on day two and three, and then 18 on the final day. We need the day two and day three location to have 36 holes on site. We have been to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale, Kohler, Pinehurst, and even Pebble Beach. 2010 needs to be a "budget" year and we need to be able to count on the weather in May. Any suggestions for our next location?

My suggestion for you and your budget conscious crew: The RTJ Trail in Alabama. I wrote an Away Game about my stay Ross Bridge in Birmingham (here's a link to that story) and I also hear good things about Grand National. Here's a link to the RTJ website with more details of the 11 destinations to choose from. Not to mention, a quick search on accuweather.com reports Birmingham in May averages 69 degrees.

Reporting live from Bend, I've gone fishing. I have a feeling I'll be all release and no catch.

--Matty G.

Do you have a question you'd like answered in this blog or in the pages of Golf Digest? Submit your inquiry to www.golfdigest.com/contact/mattyg.

As I wrote for Golf World a few months ago, the only solution for the mess that was the Greenbrier, the storied resort with a triangle of conflict: ownership, management and the staff; they have a new leader in White Sulphur Springs, WV.

In case you missed it, here's  the press release:

Justice Family Group Purchases The Greenbrier;
West Virginia Owner will Seek Dismissal of Bankruptcy

West Virginia businessman Jim Justice today announced that his company has purchased The Greenbrier resort and 80 percent of The Greenbrier Sporting Club. The purchase by the Justice Family Group, LLC was made through the acquisition of the stock of The Greenbriers holding company.

 
"I am very excited to become part of one of Americas finest traditions," said Justice. "The Greenbrier is uniquely 'West Virginian,' and I look forward to working with the team to build on its legacy."

Mr. Justice (pictured above) also plans to seek dismissal of the bankruptcy of The Greenbrier. "Our near-term goal is to give The Greenbrier a fresh start," said Justice. "Even though the current economy is taking its toll on the resort, we are going to take a long-term view by focusing on reclaiming our five-star status and making the right investments for future growth."

Michael Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CSX [old owners], commented, "While this is an entirely different kind of transaction than expected, this is a great result for The Greenbrier, its employees, the community, and CSX. Mr. Justice has made his passion and enthusiasm for The Greenbrier very clear."
 
The Greenbrier, residing on 6,500-acres of lush landscape in West Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, is an award-winning resort which has been offering a welcoming home to its guests since 1778. The Greenbrier Sporting Club is an upscale private residential development located at the resort.

Here's a link to the Greenbrier's website.


The most recent news: Justice has already achieved collective bargaining agreements with the unions and the bankruptcy has been dismissed.

If you give the Greenbrier a go, play the Old White. It's a C.B. Macdonald design and after Lester George restored it, Golf Digest named it Best New Remodel in 2006. I also took the famous bunker tour, fed fast-flying falcons and did the off-road driving lessons. I had a great time when I was there and I'm also happy for the Greenbrier, the community and for golf resorts in general.

--Matty G.

I received this question from a reader recently: Hello Matt. I'm just wondering if the "buddy trip-planner contest" winners to Pinehurst in July have been determined? (Clark Overstreet, Mt. Vernon, IL)

Clark, the answer is: no. The winners have not yet been determined. We're reading through the entries and narrowing it down to a batch of finalists. Here are some entries we've been through already. As you'll see there were some people who didn't totally grasp the concept of selling us on a trip planner worthy of Pinehurst by way of a 100 word essay. And then there were some who did.

Tell us something we don't know: I deserve this trip because there is nothing I would rather do with my spare time than play golf with friends. (John Dunleavy, Raleigh, NC)

Short but not sweet enough:

PLEASE PICK ME! (Monica Majewski, East Hampton, CT)

He's the best. (Doug Biben, New York, NY)

Just to get away. (Karen Massey, Savannah, GA)

He Rocks! (Jo Evans, Ipswich, MA)

"Thank God for inventing golf": Winning a weekend at Pinehurst (Nirvana) would be my reward for making sure my buddies always walk away from our trips with one thought: "Priceless." I make sure they have price ranges for the airlines, schedules, itinerary of the courses to be attached with tee times, descriptions and history of each course, restaurant reviews and individual bedrooms to mitigate snoring debates. I get each guy psyched before the trip with e-mail blasts and I do my best to kick up their competitive juices for the multitude of bets. Friendships are renewed, forged and strengthened on these trips. Thank God for inventing golf. (Elliot DeBear, Scarsdale, NY)

Where can I get a freind like this?: Bob Sandt has coordinated trips for his golf buddies to places such as: Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Arizona, RTJ Trail, Cozumel and more. He has never asked for any compensation or recognition for his efforts, except great fun and a lot of laughter. His trips go on without a hitch, come in on budget and include a photo album of our adventures for each traveler. He coordinates travel groups from four to 80 members, age ranges from 26 to 76 and he has included 80 to 100 different people over the past 20 years. He is simply the best! (Bob Gorelik, Park City, UT)

On behalf of the selfless spouse: Because he works 60-plus hours per week to provide for our family. He always puts his family first, before anyone or anything. He goes without so his family doesn't have to. He's one of the most loving, respectful, deserving, hard working men I've ever known. He doesn't take sick days or just lazy days to do something for himself. He needs this. He deserves this. (Brittania Thompson, Greenwood, IN)

A very good use of 100 words: Graylin Lawson is the most awesome annual trip planner. Graylin coordinates a long weekend for a dozen of his golf buddies in the Fairfield Glades Resort area in Tenn. The weekend consists of playing 36 a day for two days, and one day with 18 holes, but five different courses all within 45 minutes of each other. One night we cook our own steaks at our woodsy accommodations--the other night we go out to eat. It's a great trip for under $500, and if you're a golf buddy, all you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself. (Michael Yarbrough, Hendersonville, TN)

Finally, there's Sad if it's true: Because his wife is a nasty piece of work that doesn't give the poor guy a chance to catch his breath. In many years he hasn't had more than the escape he gets from sleep. So please help this poor guy get some air! (Steve, Youknowwhereyouarefrom, USA)

We'll announce the six winners on this website at the end of the month.

--Matty G.

This is not my trip report. A few months ago I received an e-mail from Scott Ford, a reader asking for advice about a trip he was taking to Oregon and Washington. He gave me two different travel scenarios. Based on my experience in the area, I suggested he go with Plan B, which was to get to Bandon Dunes as fast as he could. The next day he managed to fit in Pumpkin Ridge and Chambers Bay before he headed home to Atlanta.

He sent me this e-mail after he got back from his trip (I've added a few notes):

Matt, Apologies for the delay (I'm still on cloud nine after our trip to Bandon). You were absolutely right about Bandon--simply amazing. For those who have never been there in person, you just can not put it into words. 
 
Very quickly, a summary of my trip to Bandon Dunes: On the way to Bandon from Portland on Thursday it was 50 degrees, windy and rainy (what you would expect?). Thursday afternoon on the range we took it all in and played the short course. We had a great dinner and drinks at McKee’s Pub. Get the fish and chips.

Note: Bandon Dunes website says the resort is a 5 hour drive (246 miles) from Portland.

On Friday we had a 7:50 a.m. tee time at Pacific Dunes, a 12:50 tee time at Bandon Dunes and at 5:40 we crawled over to Bandon Trails for another nine. If anyone ever asks here's my ranking of the three courses: 1A: Pacific Dunes; 1B: Bandon Trails; 3rd: Bandon Dunes.

Note: If you go hole-by-hole, Bandon Trails may have more wins than the other two. I also think Pacific is the best course. I appreciate Trails because it's so different than Bandon and Pacific. I'd rank them as: 1A: Pacific; 1B: Trails (but please fix the 14th hole) and 1C: Bandon (something has to finish third out of three courses, but they're all fantastic). Old MacDonald, the fourth course, opens next year. Here's a link to a story I wrote about Old Macdonald for Golf World several months ago.

We came off the course at 8:15 p.m. We were speechless. We went back to McKee’s Pub for dinner. Oh by the way, it was 62 degrees, no wind, rain, or clouds. A chamber of commerce day! [The 444-yard 13th hole at Pacific Dunes is pictured below.]

We got in the rental and headed back to Portland to play Pumpkin Ridge. The two best parts about Pumpkin were: A private course experience on a public course (Ghost Creek); and the people. I don't think I've ever met nicer folks than those working at Pumpkin Ridge. [The 12th hole at Pumpikin Ridge-Ghost Creek is pictured below.]

The golf was a polar opposite of Bandon--lush green fairways and greens with rough that seemed like it was four inches deep. The weather (almost forgot): 65 degrees, cloudy, no wind or rain.

After 27 at Pumpkin and one more car ride we ended up in Seattle. My buddy had to head back and didn't get to play Chambers Bay. I was playing in a tournament there, The Golf Channel Amateur Tour. I figured, what a great way to cross one off my US Open venue wish list. The weather, oh the miserable weather: 44 degrees, 20 to 30 mph winds and raining sideways. (Yes, sideways!) I wouldn’t let that spoil my day. I got to Chambers Bay and looked out behind the clubhouse. What a view down to the course.

 Note: I wrote an Away Game about my trip to Chambers Bay. Here's the link to that story.

Anyway, after the front nine my caddy Eric does a double take on my scorecard and says, “What’s your handicap again?” 
“14.1. Why?” 
He says, “I'm still trying to figure out how a 14 can post a 38 on the front in these conditions."
I kid you not, I got to the scoring area, turned in my scorecard for an 81 and took home the hardware. By one stroke! It might not have been the US Amateur or the US Open, but it sure made that four-hour flight back to Atlanta a lot easier.

I just wanted to say thanks for the advice.


Scott, thank you for your e-mail and your scouting report.

Note: If I'm ever paired against you and your 14 strokes (often refered to as diapers), I'll join your friend and catch the early flight home.

-Here's a link to Bandon Dunes.
-Here's a link to Pumpkin Ridge.
-And a link to Chambers Bay.

--Matty G.

I'm traveling this week, gathering stories for the August issue of Golf Digest. Last week I received a few e-mails worth passing on:

--The Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama is offering unlimited golf for two days for under $120. Here's the link to more details.

--The Phoenician G.C. in Scottsdale has this summer golf package: Available seven days a week from June 1 through Sept. 7, 2009, the offer includes guestroom accommodations; a convenient grab-n-go breakfast or lunch each day; and daily unlimited play on The Phoenician Golf Course. Rates start at just $199 per night. To book the Summer Golf Package, call (480) 941-8200 and mention promotional code “LOCPKG2” or visit www.thephoenician.com.

--The St. Kitts Marriott is also offering summer savings (and this runs through December): They call it the "Indulge In Value Package," offering unlimited rounds of golf and unlimited spa services starting at $299 per room per night. The Indulge In Value Package includes unlimited rounds of golf at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, an 18-hole, 71-par championship “links”-style course situated adjacent to the Marriott. The package also includes unlimited spa services at the resort’s Emerald Mist Spa, including Massage, Body Wraps and Facials.

Offer valid for a maximum of two people per room and can’t be combined with any other offer.  Spa appointments and tee times must be confirmed at least 24 hours in advance. Refer to promotional code SUM when making reservation. Here's the link to their website.

--And a sweepstakes that would allow two friends to play in the first round of the American Century Golf Championships at Edgewood in Tahoe: This year Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course will offer one lucky sweepstakes winner and a friend  the chance to hit the fairways, swap stories, and spend time with the biggest names in sports and entertainment. The Grand Prize winner and guest will play with the likes of Super Bowl Champ Ben Roethlisberger, Comedian Ray Romano, and dozens of other major celebrities for the tournament’s first round, starting on July 14, and multiple 2nd and 3rd place prizes are also up for grabs.

Besides getting a chance to play the tournament’s opening round, the Grand Prize winner and guest will be put up at the nearby Harvey’s Lake Tahoe for July 13th and 14th, and both will receive official American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Gift Bags, the same gift bags that go to the celebrities, as well as be eligible for further prizes. The sweepstakes will also award five 2nd Place Prizes, which are one-week passes for the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship; and nine 3rd Place Prizes, which are one-day passes to the tournament.

To register for this sweepstakes, interested applicants can visit www.edgewoodtahoe.com. Sweepstakes entry is free, the deadline is June 21, and the winners will be chosen at random on June 22.

--Matty G.

Today is the last day to nominate yourself or your favorite trip planner for a three-day, all-expenses-paid boondoggle to Pinehurst-the Bentley of buddies golf venues. After midnight tonight (Friday, May 15), my colleague Pete Finch and I will start going through the entries to pick six winning alpha planners to join us in July for nothing but golf trip bliss. We'll roll around in goodie bags, great golf courses, big meals, deep-tissue massages and bottomless beers. We'll smoke cigars on white rocking chairs before we ride bikes to hit chips in the lobby of an old hotel. And we'll share information about how to plan the perfect buddies trip. If you haven't entered yourself or your favorite planner already, the only good news that matters is that it's not too late. Here are a few that are good candidates:

From Joy Sabolek of Fayette City, Pa.: My husband, Tom Sabolek has planned a trip for 20 guys every year for about 20 years. The craziness starts as soon as golf season ends. My phone starts to ring off the hook with questions about airfare, who's rooming with who, what courses they're playing, etc. After all these years he has it down to a science with an itinerary and numerous meetings before the big day. He comes home exhausted but with a great tan and some hilarious stories. They might not tell him they appreciate him, but I see how hard he works to make their week go smooth and I dread the coming November and the beginning of another trip-planning season. He really deserves a trip where he can relax and do nothing but golf.

From Beth Parolisi of Rye, N.H.: I'm sending this entry not only to nominate a dear friend, but to nominate one of the most organized, intelligent and fun-spirited buddies-trip planners out there. Matt, the finalist for the buddies-trip contest would not be complete without Barbara Berwick. Barbara has been planning our trip down to Pinehurst for the past six years. Barb selflessly gets the job done: lodging, rental cars, tee times, scoring, daily skins, impromptu glow-ball tourneys. You name it, she does it. All we have to do is show up. Please help our group make Barb's dream come true on Pinehurst No. 2!

And from Bill Cooper of Pt. St. Joe, Fla.: Meet our trip planner nonpareil: Roy Griffin. After eight years, Roy's adeptness at herding our feline-tendencied group has resulted in his new moniker: "Royocity" (aka "Detailocity", "Analocity", Minutiaeocity"). Replete with laptop and green eyeshades, Roy handles the mundane with aplomb, the tedious with alacrity. Plus, he putts like Crenshaw on steroids. 2010 brings the Auld Grey Toon of St. Andrews, but rumors already abound of "practice" junkets to Pinehurst and the RTJ Trail-warmups before Roy plans our assault on Scotland again. We wouldn't trade Royocity Griffin if you spotted us two travel agents and a CPA a side.


Thank you for all of your entries and interest in this contest. It was designed to give back to the givers of the game. To treat the trip planners like they treat their contingent. Once we have them in the comfy confines of North Carolina, Finch and I will pick their anal brains (admittedly an odd combination of words) for some tips to pass on to the readers of Golf Digest in the annual Buddies Issue, scheduled for December.

Here's a link to more details of what we're doing.

--Matty G.

Those poor Bratton Brothers. Minding their own business. An annual tradition dating back to 1970--some family and seven friends and four decades later it has expanded to an intimate group of 90--taking four days for all things buddies golf. And we all know what buddies golf is by now. It's this fierce, recession-proof commitment to each other, the game and the secret handshake also known as being men. (Don't get excited. I know. Women dabble in it too.) And now the Bratton Brother's story, at least a portion of it, is frozen in time and being consumed by six million readers.

God bless print. It may be down, but it's not out. Everyone on this trip has something tangible. Something they can pull out of a drawer, off a shelf, off the wall, and present to future generations and say, "Look. I was in Golf Digest. There I am. There's your uncle.This is the trip I've been going on since (a long time ago). Those were the days. What a great group of guys."

And God bless the web. Because here's a short video bringing the Bratton Brothers Invitational to life.

And how crazy is Richard Poff's pre-shot routine? Say what you want about it, the guy can play.

--Matty G.

I read 421 itineraries for buddies trips taking place in the next 30 days. It’s late May and early June and I noticed multiple trips to Alabama and Mesquite, NV. As we approach the summer months, the northern portion of the country is also preparing for a flood of golf trips. The good people in the land of value golf (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, to name a few) are putting away makeshift ski resorts and their ice fishing rods in exchange for lawn mowers, weed whackers and sand wedges.

I’ve narrowed down the next Golf Digest Ambush, Ambush No. 15, to these five finalists:

The 80 members of the “Fitton Follies” have been going to Northern Michigan for the past 20 years. Dick Fitton wrote in and told me about the year they honored our troops by wearing all red, white and blue. He told me they memorialize past members of their group on their website (www.fittonfollies.com). The most recent is Donnie Gallimore. Here’s a portion of the poem from the group to Gallimore and their annual golf trip:


On a lighter note, Mac Munro wrote in about The Northern Links. It’s an annual eight-man “golf bonanza” that started at St. Lawrence University in 1993. They’ve been to places like Seminole and Ekwanok Country Club because they have some “connections,” but they’ve also been to Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits and Pinehurst. They travel with the Northern Links Cup in a bulletproof case and at the formal champion’s dinner they dress up and each man chugs a beer from the trophy. They’re headed back to Castle Pines in Colorado this year.

Here’s another group planning a trip to the north. The new alpha-planner of a four-year spring golf trip, David Anderson, has decided to lead his crew to the “iron range” near Tower, Minn. (home of the hockey hall of fame). They’ll play 18 at the Quarry, 36 at the Wilderness and they’ll stay at the Fortune Bay Casino. They’re in for $255 for three rounds of golf and two nights of lodging and they put in $100 for side bets. Anderson writes: “Hands down the BEST golf courses you can play for the money in the upper Midwest.”

The Wedgewood Cup is staying in the south. Eight former neighbors from Frisco (north of Dallas) continue to get together every year to play golf. Tim Kennedy didn’t clarify how many years they’ve been doing this trip, but he points out that winners of “The Cup” manage to get the trophy into pictures used for Christmas cards, birth announcements, or the family vacation to Spain. “My personal favorite,” writes Kennedy, “was the Cup being used as a chalice during the ride in my Mardi Gras parade.” Kennedy says the event concludes with the champions dinner--prepared by the last place finisher (who’s driven to the grocery store by the guy who finishes second to last). Kennedy says, “The champions dinner is mandatory. Sneaking an early flight to get home to the wife is not allowed.” This year they’ll be at Pine Dunes Resort and Golf Club in Frankston, TX.

And finally, Scott Benson of Santee, Calif., said the economy has forced his 15th annual trip to stay close to home. La Quinta has offered them “a great deal--seven rounds in four days.”

If any member of the groups above care to try and add more (printable) details, I have not picked a winner yet. Scott Benson may want to expand on the specifics of the “great deal” at La Quinta. David Anderson might want to explain how they keep their trip to three rounds of golf and skip playing on Sunday. Tim Kennedy can tell us how many years they’ve been playing for the Wedgewood Cup. Mac Munro, who has been to some of the best resorts in the country, can tell us what he considers the perfect venue for a buddies trip. And Dick Fitton can fill in the details of which courses the Fitton Follies will be using in Michigan this year.

Good luck. And if I don’t Ambush you this year, there’s always next year.

Do you have an interest in getting your trip in the pages of Golf Digest? Here’s the link for the entry form.

--Matty G.

My recent Q&A with John Smoltz is in the June issue of Golf Digest and the complete conversation is online.  Here's the link.

I asked Smoltz to rank these three golfers, best to worst: Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux.

Smoltz didn't hesitate: "That's pretty easy. It would be me . . . and then here comes the hard part [Laughs.] In a four-round tournament, they both are about the same. But if it came to the lowest score I think Maddux would nose out Glavine. But they both have about the same handicap. Glavine can't avoid that one hole where he makes a 6 or 7. He has that hockey loop but he can hit it, he can play with just about anybody. If it's a scoring tournament he's going to have a few more big holes."

As a loyal fan of the San Diego Padres, I had to ask him who is the toughest hitter he has faced so far. Smoltz replied, "Tony Gwynn."

I figured that's what he'd say. Gwynn won eight batting titles, had 19 consecutives seasons with a batting average above .300, and a ridiculous career batting average against the Braves three aces.

I found this on the accuscore.com website where Gwynn explains why he faired so well against Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine.

Gwynn said, "The Braves guys were always around the plate. I don’t think they believed in wasting a lot of pitches. They were going to try to make a quality pitch and I was going to try to put the bat on the ball and hit something I could handle. The Braves guys were always nibbling on one half of the plate which made it a lot simpler for me to put the bat on the ball."

Makes sense (and almost sounds easy).

I first met Smoltz at Hawk's Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, GA. I was in town to do Ambush No. 9, "Fore on the Porch." The craziest (and by far the best looking) Ambush victims to date. It was also the only group of women I've Ambushed so far.

Smoltz is a member at Hawk's Ridge. He's a plus-2 handicap who has never had a lesson. He told me he's not long off the tee, but I saw him hit a few drives and he's far from short. He told me he had just finished his back-yard golf course and invited me over to check it out, but it's not your tyipcal back-yard golf course. I thought I'd need nothing but a putter and maybe a few wedges. I had no idea I would be able to hit driver.

Later that afternoon, Chuck Knebles, the director of golf at Hawk's Ridge, took me over to Smoltz's house to meet up with the future Hall of Famer. As you will see, Smoltz's back yard is as big as Central Park. I hit a few shots before Smoltz had to leave. He is the assistant coach for his daughter's volleyball team and they had a game that day. I have nothing but great things to say about John Smoltz.

One reader, Troy Feldpausch, already read the Q&A and sent me an e-mail:

"Hey Matty G, I always thought I wanted to be like you when I grow up, but I've now changed that to wanting to be John Smoltz. Let's recap: He has played with Tiger and Annika. He has played Augusta. He shoots in the 60s. He's making $5.5 million in base salary this season and he has a golf course in his back yard. Yep, sorry man . . . you've been replaced."

Boy, fans are fickle. I've met Tiger and Annika (but neither one could probably pick me out of a lineup). I've been to Augusta (but in 11 years I've never won the media lottery to actually play the course on the Monday after the tournament). I shoot in the 60s (if I quit after the 14th green). I make roughly $5.5 per hour and in the Digest office we have a 15-square-foot practice putting green. OK, Troy. You're right. Smoltz wins. 

Lastly, here's a quick picture and video tour of what Smoltz refers to in the Q&A as his "hog heaven." This is Smoltz's back yard:

--Matty G.