Step aside, Tony Gwynn, Tiger Woods and Drew Brees (my FFL MVP)--I have a new favorite athlete. Not only does he ride 50-foot waves and lives to tell about it, he isn't afraid to admit he's scared when he's doing it.

Irons, considered one of the best big-wave surfers alive, is on the cover of the latest issue of Transworld Surf Magazine in a  shot similar to the one below:


In a Q&A on page 130 of the magazine, Irons is asked: Last strange interview?

"It wasn't strange, but it was cool. Golf Digest interviewed me--I guess they found out I was a total golf-groupie weirdo."


I think I'd rather go across the middle for a high pass with no pads on against the Baltimore Ravens defense than do what Bruce Irons does for a living, which is the equivalent of jumping off a five-story building, and if he screws up, his landing is generally a bed of razor-sharp coral.

Irons and his brother, Andy, a three-time World Champion of surfing, grew up right around the corner of the Prince Course on the North Shore of Kauai. I met Irons on the first tee of the Prince, and we played 14 holes. I was in town to report an Away Game, and Irons, who said he had time for only nine holes, kept playing because he wanted to continue showing off his favorite course in the world. He kept saying, "I have to stay for the next hole." Irons is clearly passionate about the game, he's about a 10-handicap, spent some time at the Leadbetter Academy and has a personalized putter made by Scotty Cameron.

Irons finally left after 14 holes because he had to help his friends unload their catch from the boat. They were calling him throughout the round to report what he was missing on the water.


After the round of golf, and after Irons was done unloading and cleaning the fish, I followed up with him later that night for a Q&A about golf, the thrill of a big wave, his passion for fishing, his so-called rivalry with Kelly Slater and the possibility of Facebooking with Tiger Woods. I asked him if he would putt a three-footer for his life, and how he kills time on a long flight. Here's a clip from the last two questions:

 Bruce File.mp3

I was in a recent Golf Digest planning meeting in the Tiger Woods Room (we also have a Ben Hogan Room, a Trophy Room and a Press Room) when Marty Hackel, our Fashion Director, aka Mr. Style, leaned over and said, "Hey, G, I just played Chambers Bay."

Hackel is everyone's favorite. The guy gets more invites to a member-guest than a beer man. Some might say he's a sand-baggin' 7; I'd say the guy can golf his ball (and if you're playing against him and you care about the contents of your wallet, leave it in your car). When Team Digest squares off against Team Golf World every year in the highly anticipated, mildly contested (Nick) Seitz Cup, Mr. Style owns the Angry Golfer. They frequently get paired against each other, and Hackel checks into Hotel (John) Hawkins quicker than he slips on a pair of his no-sock loafers. 

Hackel's also revered by the game's greats--the likes of Woods, Els, Sorenstam and Palmer, to name a few. Hackel's in the office as much as I am, but when he's around, you know it. He works the halls like Dangerfield in the dining-room scene of "Caddyshack." If you're wearing something he appreciates, you might get a raspy-voiced, "Yeah, baby!" Wear something that lacks a clothing pulse and you might get, "G, whoever dressed you today should do jail time." Or, "G, fix the bulbs in your bathroom?" The sight of Mr. Style inspires our deepest and darkest fashion insecurities. When Jerry Tarde's around, we want to look busy. If Hackel's around, we want to look our best. 

Upon hearing he was just back from Chambers Bay, I asked Sir Style to write up a trip report. Here's his review from University Place, Wash., just outside of Tacoma:

Maybe if you're really lucky, you'll have a chance to play Chambers Bay. Along with being voted the 2008 Best New Public Golf Course by Golf Digest, Chambers Bay will be the site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open.

I was lucky enough to play with three buddies and the course architect, Robert Trent Jones II.
Playing the course is a treat, but playing with the course architect puts it on a special level. Mr. Jones took the time to explain the history of the land and the course.

The golf course is very good, but I get the impression the USGA is very involved with some continuous tweaking of fairway width, length of rough and severity of the greens. This is a links in the truest sense and has more brown (translation: the ball runs) than one would normally see on a high-end public facility. Though many of the fescue greens are relatively easy to hit, placing your shot in  the right spot is the real challenge (another translation: Do not be short or you can stay right where you are--the ball is coming all the way back to your feet).

The tee complexes at Chambers Bay are more random than traditional courses and offer lots of options, which makes you think from the get-go. There are waste bunkers everywhere--I mean, everywhere! This is built on 900 acres, by the way. It’s fun to walk it, but be in shape--there's lots of elevation change.

My favorite holes were the 443-yard seventh, which has waste bunkers, lots of length and a real serious false front; and the 16th, which is along the water and has the smallest green on the course. It's a terrific location--great property--but I wasn't wild about the ninth hole, a short par 3. I'm guessing they'll lengthen it for the pros. The good news is, there's plenty of room to work with.

As long as you play from the set of tees that matches your ability, this is a good course for a mid-level handicapper. It's tough, but it's wide open. I think this was the most fun I have ever had playing golf--ever!

-----------

"Most fun I have ever had playing golf"? That's saying something. This is coming from a guy who gets the  invite from Steve Elkington to play Augusta National. Yeah, baby!

You can play Chambers Bay in October for $119 during weekdays, $139 on weekends. Sunset rate starts at 1, and prices go to $49 and $69.

Here's a link to an August article from The News Tribune of Seattle-Tacoma. The story explains how the recession is affecting Chambers Bay, but the money generated from the USGA, and potential sponsors for the upcoming U.S. Amateur, will help ease the financial strain.
 
--Matty G.

This was as close as I'd get to finding a golden ticket and getting a tour of a top-secret chocolate factory.

"Invention, my dear friends, is 93 percent perspiration, 6 percent electricity, 4 percent evaporation, and 2 percent butterscotch ripple," said Willy Wonka. "Little surprises around every corner, but nothing dangerous."  

Last week, while walking the new fourth course at Bandon Dunes, my tour guides to the surprises were Ken Nice, the superintendent/agronomist of Old Macdonald, and Jeff Brinegar, the head pro at Bandon Trails, who will be the head pro of Old Macdonald.

Nice (left) and Brinegar:

I was getting a look at the final eight holes under construction at Old Macdonald, which owner Mike Keiser had played for the first time last week. You and I won't get our all-access pass until June 1, 2010.

Here's a link to a short video of the tour:



I know Brinegar from last year’s tour of the first 10 holes of Old Mac that I described for Golf World. (Here's a link to that story.) Those 10 holes have been open since April, and management has limited play to about 600 rounds a month. I just met Nice, who started on property as an assistant superintendent before the opening of Bandon Dunes in 1998. Nice helped grow in Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and now is doing the same at Old Mac. Nice drove us around in a company truck--stopping at various points of the new eight holes so we could get out and walk to the tees, up the fairways and onto some of the greens. From the tees, and even the fairways, the new eight holes look like they're playable. It’s not until you get on the greens that you realize the grass is a little long and thin. The new holes are 1, 2, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18 (plus a new tee box on No. 3).

I've certainly been a contributor to the wind machine of hype about the most anticipated golf course since, well, Bandon's new course in 2005 (Trails), and then the new course before that in 2001 (Pacific). It has been a decade of buzz for Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser, but he deserves it. I refer to Bandon as my favorite golf destination in the country. Keiser has pieced this perfect puzzle together over a long time, adding elements only when they're necessary. The aesthetics of the property make it so easy on the eyes, complete with fire pits, caddies and no carts enhancing the architecture of the lodge, hotels and cottages that blend into the tree-filled scenery. The fact that it's hard to get to is one of the nitpicks, but in the end I think it leaves Bandon with an air of exclusivity that the public can get only if invited to stay and play at a place like Pine Valley. Bandon Dunes is a private club for the public.

My best guess: Old Mac will exceed all hype and expectations. The course has the look and big greens of the Old Course at St. Andrews, and, among other things, it has the various elements of iconic Charles Blair Macdonald holes, which was the inspiration behind the course in the first place: with an Eden, a Cape, a Redan and a Road Hole. "I think our Road Hole is better than the one at National," Nice says of the classic on Long Island. "That's just my opinion."

I also see traces of Turnberry and Tralee (two of my favorites), and you can throw Royal Dornoch and Royal County Down into the mix. Old Mac is a tougher walk than the Old Course--there are more hills to climb. I'm also guessing it will be considered more friendly for couples golf or high-handicappers because it's more open off the tees than the other three Bandon courses. But if the prevailing wind is a factor, the tees are back and pins are in the most challenging part of the massive greens, the par 71 (which can play from 7,100 yards) can be tougher than the Trails, Bandon and Pacific.

Last week Keiser treated himself, and two groups of friends, to that first round of all 18 holes on Old Mac. "The round reinforced that the rhythm of all 18 works," said Keiser, adding that he played from 6,400 yards and shot an 83. Anything within 10 feet on the new greens was an automatic one-putt and anything on the green was an automatic two-putt." Jude Reyes shot the course record--a 75," said Keiser. "And then Bill Wolf, in the group behind us, broke it. He shot a 67. Two good rounds. And it's proof that the course is very playable."

Come June, not all 10-footers will be one-putts and four putts, or even five putts, on the enormous Old Mac greens could be a reality. 

Keiser says he will be seeing groups off on the first tee all day for opening day of Old Mac. "We'll pass out a commemorative coin and, the last time I checked, tee times are only booked through 3:30."

During my tour, I stopped and interviewed a group from Washington on its annual Bandon boondoggle. (They wanted to know if they were being Ambushed.)

"It's a perfect complement to the other three courses," said Joe Geivett.

"It's wide open off the tees," said Michael Crowson.

"Greens are huge with endless pin placements," said Bruce Haldors.

“I know I’m probably not supposed to say this,” said Jim Tawslee of Seattle, “but I like it more than I like Trails.”

Not supposed to say what? Nothing could be better for Keiser, Nice, Brinegar or Bandon than to hear people arguing that Old Mac is better than any of the other three courses on the property. All three are on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Courses: Pacific is No. 14, Bandon is No. 33 and Trails is No. 80.

I also ran into Donnell Guthrie and Sheldon Withers, two female members of Fishers Island in New York, who carry single-digit handicaps. "It's like Scotland," said Gutherie. "It's fabulous. If you can't make it on this green," she said, pointing to the green at the eighth hole, "you're a real lousy golfer."

"Yes," said Withers, "but a three-putt is a common occurrence."

By the name, Old Macdonald, most of us know Keiser's paying homage to C.B. Macdonald, considered the father of golf architecture in the United States and the architect of Keiser's favorite course, the National Golf Links. Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, who built Pacific Dunes for Keiser, have stuck to that master plan, but you can see Doak's focus on the short game and use of natural undulations on and around the greens, and you can see Urbina's influence on green-to-tee complexes with no clear sign of where the green ends or where the next tee begins.

Needless to say, it was a fantastic four days in my golf-centric world. I played 36 holes on each of the first three courses, then the tour of the eight new holes at Old Mac, followed by the chance to play the 10 holes that are open.

The rainy morning gave way to a spectacular afternoon. The wind was gone, the sun and spotty cloud coverage put on a light show that eventually threw an orange glow on golf as the big ball got closer to the Pacific Ocean. As I was pulling away in the shuttle headed back to the main lodge, we stopped, climbed the dune above the fifth tee and watched the last few minutes of the sunset. If the shuttle driver were a female, I would’ve proposed.

More details and information in an upcoming issue of Golf World, but here’s a visual portion of the tour of the latest eight holes at Old Mac and some of the holes I was able to play there . . .

Principal's Nose-style bunkers, also seen at the Old Course's 16th, that are in the front of the green of the par-4 first:

Yes, the fourth course is coming to Bandon Dunes: Old Macdonald opens in June 2010, joining Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails. But golfdigest.com has learned that a fifth course is on the way as well. Bandon owner Mike Keiser said Friday that he is calling on Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, designers of Bandon Trails, to build a 12-hole par-3 course for his Oregon Resort. "We have room for 18, but we wanted to keep all the holes along the top of the dunes," said Keiser, adding that the first tee and 12th green of the par-3 course will be near the first tee of Bandon Trails. "This way all 12 holes run along the ocean. I don't have the permits yet, but I should have them in the next three months."

Keiser says he expects to build the course in 2011 and open it in 2012. "It really depends on Coore and Crenshaw's schedule," he said.

Keiser says the newest addition to Bandon will be called the Conservation Course, because all profits will go to the area's conservation foundation.

--Matty G.

A few months ago I toured the best golf Central Oregon had to offer: Crosswater, Tetherow, Black Butte Ranch, Aspen Lakes and Pronghorn (pictured above). This week I'm on the coast playing great golf hole after great golf hole at Bandon Dunes. In my most recent Away Game I discuss some of the pros and cons of both destinations. In the end I say Oregon has become my favorite state for golf. New York, California and Michigan are also loaded. I'm not wild about a lot of what I've seen from Florida, Arizona or Texas (unless it's December through February). Certainly South Carolina and Alabama have cornered the market on bang for your buck--or, inexpensive swing for your jing. But Oregon just works. I'd say we have good chemistry. Between Bend and Bandon your golf-itnerary is over-flowing with on- and off-course activities. (Bring your fishing pole, snowboard and backup memory cards for your camera.)

Here's a link to the story I wrote for the October issue of Golf Digest.

I'll be Twittering from Bandon again today. I'm playing Bandon Trails in the monring, touring Old Macdonald in the afternoon. Here's a link to my tweets.

Here are a few higlights (and lowlights) from yesterday when I played Trails in morning, Bandon in the afternoon:

Kyle Crawford (pictured right) is a junior at Oregon State. He's a plus-2 handicap and I don't hesitate giving him the title of best caddie I've ever had. Ask for him if and when you get here.

What makes a good caddie? They know when and what to say. They're not too positive, never negative and can't ever be considered lazy. When I get up on a tee I like it when I'm told: "Keep this left of the bunker," or "Aim at that tree," as opposed to: "Don't go right," or "You want to stay away from the lake." I prefer caddies who are better at the game than I am, who know how to figure a yardage with or without a wind, and of course it helps when they can read a green.
That's all.
 

Weather has been unreal out here (so far). Forecast isn't looking good for today, but here's a sample of the scene since Sunday (this is the 17th hole at Bandon Dunes):

 --Matty G.

I'm back at Bandon Dunes for my third year of the (Bruce) Taylor Cup. It's a buddies trip where some business is discussed, but there's far more smack-talk, appreciation of the surroundings and modified grinding for a point. I use "modified" because yesterday we played in a 14-club wind and there were situations where a 6 on a par 4 might win the hole. The scene looks and feels more like a pillow-fight than a title-fight. But it's all relative, it's matchplay and you just need to be better than the man standing next to you, not par. It's a Ryder Cup format with alternate shot, best ball and singles matches. We play six rounds, two on each of the three courses on property. We stay in a cottage, eat at the lodge and fall asleep before our heads hit the pillow.

I'm filing tweets on Twitter all week, which will include a special tour on Wednesday afternoon of Old Macdonald--the new fourth course at Bandon opening in June.

Here's a few tweets from Yesterday's round:

I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, an hour north of San Francisco. I went to college at St. Mary's, in Moraga. If I needed extra cash in college, I would go into the city and tend bar at my Uncle's restaurant--Capp's Corner, in North Beach. I remember working there late at night, it was like a odd-person parade. Some strange characters would roll through, but there's nothing like college with a pocket full of jing.

The Ginella family history rolled through Ellis Island, but settled in San Francisco. My great-grandfather on my Mom's side landed in 1906, a few days before the earthquake. It shook him North, to try and find gold for a stretch of time, but he eventually came back--empty pans in hand. Papa Tony, who lived to be 99, started a bar and restaurant in Truckee, Calif. and made a mean coleslaw up until the day he died.

One of my grandfathers on my father's side was born in Northern Italy, landed in San Francisco as a kid, grew up to be an engineer. Jim Ginella helped build the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and helped start the San Francisco 49-ers.

The team was started in 1946 by Tony Morabito, as a member of the All-America Football Conference. Tony died in '47 while watching a game and the team was passed to his wife and his brother, Victor. In 1950, Victor wanted to get an NFL franchise, which would cost $100,000. He only had $55,000, so to get the remaining money, Victor went to nine friends and asked for $5,000 each. My grandfather was one of those freinds.

After the group of male owners passed away, the wives ended up selling the team to Eddie DeBartolo Jr. in the 70's for roughly $30 million. A five percent interest resulted in a $1.5 million profit. A trust fund was established to put the 20-something grandkids through the college of their choice. My Dad, a Santa Clara graduate, never understood why I picked St. Mary's, their rival.

Needless to say, San Francisco is like an old trusty putter that no longer lives in the bag. I've lived in New York for 14 years, and I may not use San Francisco like I used to, but it doesn't mean I don't still appreciate it for the history of clutch-putts. And it will always get a special spot in the garage.

Here's a link to the latest Metro-Guide on good golf and other places and things worth sampling if you're in San Francisco. I put together for the October issue--it was a labor of love.

And after week 1 of the new NFL season, the 49-ers are back to their winning ways.

--Matty G.

For two years I've been running around this country sampling great golf courses and resorts like they're on a platter being passed out at a backyard party. Napkin? Yes please.

As you might imagine, it has been a wild ride. That being said, I'm tempted to insert supermodel/actor cliche: "It's not that glamorous." But I risk being waterboarded by the 98 percent of the population who hate their jobs (or the 9.7 percent who don't have a job).

Of course I don't have any formal complaints. At 38, single, with 10 nieces and nephews and plenty of friends with kids to quell any urge to settle down, I'll continue to do it for you--the married, the unhappy, the unhappily married, the tied up, the tied down and the down-and-out. I can't tell you how many times I hear from readers saying they're living vicariously through my life. "Can't wait to read about where you go next." Or, "Keep the stories coming." Or, "Can't wait to meet the next beverage cart girl." I love the feedback.

Unfortunately, the act of traveling is still tough. I wait in long security lines, strip down to my skivvies, dump my $10 bottle of water and lose my new pair of fingernail clippers. My golf game still sucks (I'm a 7-handicap, but most of the time I play to a 12). I've gained a little weight, my back hurts and it has been hard to stay connected to family and friends. I'm constantly dodging calls from Amex, accounting, and all of my new "best friends"--the collective world of PR agencies. Sometimes, when I leave my little Brooklyn bachelor pad for a stretch of two weeks, I forget to take out the trash or throw away the once-ripe bananas on the kitchen counter. I open the door to a place that smells like the back end of a buffalo. But that's about as bad as this gig gets.

My point to this post comma which I was determined to get to in spite of my caffeinated rant comma is that Golf Digest just released the list of the 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America.

Here's a link to the list.

From the story, written by my colleague and my editor, Pete Finch: "We created our list of top golf resorts with the help of Golf Digest's 900-plus course-rating panelists, who also produce our biennial ranking of America's 100 Greatest Courses. They rated hundreds of U.S., Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean golf resorts on a scale of 1 ("awful") to 10 ("perfect"). We averaged their ratings and multiplied the result by 10 to come up with a score for each."

Due to a high level of subjectivity and low level of consistency, it's so easy to poke holes in any list. I always have fun going over our list of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses. Wolf Creek is No. 21??? I'd say it's a  must play once (if you happen to be in Mesquite). It's so quirky it can be considered cool by some, but it's not a top 25 course according to me. It's certainly not better than the Plantation Course on Maui (No. 25) or Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz (No. 29). Then again, I ambushed a group of dudes earlier this year who said Wolf Creek is their favorite course in the country. Hence, the beauty of a list. If nothing else, like my coffee, it stimulates discussion. 
 
As far as I'm concerned, and based on where I've been in the last two years, here's my top 10 resorts:

No. 11--Greenbrier in W. Va. I loved the place and had a blast playing Old White, feeding falcons and the concept of an old secret bunker still baffles me. But it's hard to put the Greenbrier any higher on my list until the new owner, Jim Justice, has had some time to get the food and service back up to snuff, and the smiles back on the faces of the once disgruntled staff. (And please change the floral wallpaper in the main hotel.)

No. 10--La Quinta Resort and Club. The resort continues to get upgraded, courses are cleaned up and as we approach the winter season in the Northeast, all of a sudden I'm getting the undeniable urge for the warm shade of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

No. 9--American Club in Wisc. I stayed at the Carriage House, which is very nice, but I think I might've preferred the Inn on Woodlake. Herb Kohler built it especially for men/buddies trips--flatscreens, big showerheads, a bed and wireless. What else is there in life?

No. 8--The Ritz at Kapalua. A hefty renovation, a new spa, a couple good golf courses, a golf learning center, zip-lines and you've made it to Maui!

No. 7--Sunriver in Ore. More good golf, lakes and rivers for fishing, snow-capped mountains for scenery (not to mention cute cart girls . . .) and some sweet lodging at Caldera Springs.

No. 6--Kiawah Island in S.C. I'm from California, moved to New York. The fact that the south still refers to "us" in the north as "Yankees" freaks me out a little bit. Especially since I hate the Yankees. But a place like Kiawah sure knows how to make this so-called Yankee feel right at home. I killed a two-day Biblical rain delay kicking around in the lobby, watching golf and sampling their spirits. Matty G. wins 1-up over Mother Nature.  

No. 5--Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico. If you blindfold yourself on the trip from the Cancun airport to the somewhat obnoxious entrance gate of the resort--the Rosewood Mayakoba has broken off a slice of a perfect existence. Beaches, boats and some of the best fish tacos I've ever put in my belly. The Greg Norman course isn't bad, but don't go in the heat of the summer.

No. 4--Inn at Spanish Bay. I'm anti-Pebble lately. I say they've lost the ability to connect with the individual consumer. What's your tee time? Go pay an armored car of cash. Now get on the tee and get on your way. Here's your lazy caddie, don't mind the delivery trucks and enjoy the breathtaking view. But that's not the vibe at the Inn at Spanish Bay. It's quiet, feels discreet, the food is fantastic and if you're with a significant other, that outdoor fireplace overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a warm glow of aphrodisiac.

No. 3--The Lodge at Sea Island. The Seaside course, big steaks, small spa and Southern hospitality that includes butler service--like I said, I hate those Yankees.

No. 2--Pinehurst. It only has eight courses, multiple dining and lodging options, history, hospitality, a legendary breakfast buffet and you can navigate the place on a beach bike. I still can't decide which course trifecta I prefer: Pinehurst No. 8, No. 4 and No. 2 or Bandon, Pacific and Trails. Which brings me to my favorite resort . . .

No. 1--Bandon Dunes. I'm going next week for 36 on each of the three courses and a preview of Old Macdonald, the fourth course opening in June. I've cleaned my golf bag, golf shoes, clubs (twice) and laid out my daily attire. I'm living in fear that I step off a curb and sprain an ankle. It's not a place to bring your wife unless she's an able-bodied avid golfer who doesn't like to shop (as if those exist), but I say my prayers at night thanking God for Saint Mike Keiser, who brought us the greatest all-golf facility in the country. As long as I'm saying my prayers: May every golf fan experience a four-man cottage at Bandon Dunes before they become one with the end. Pardon the dose of spirituality, but Bandon brings it out of me. 

--Matty G.

With four courses, Kohler is a destination that has all the golf one man, couple or group of dudes can handle. That being said, aren't we always looking for a warmup or a getaway game? We'll gap-wedge a round on the front or back end of any trip, assuming it's close to the airport and not too far off the beaten cartpath of where we're going. If you fly to Milwaukee and drive to Kohler, the Bog (golfthebog.com), designed by Arnold Palmer, is the ideal addition to your itinerary. It's a five-minute trek off the trail to Kohler, located 25 minutes from Milwaukee and 35 minutes from the American Club.

Yesterday I teed it up with my Wisconsin-based buddy, Kevin Price (not pictured), and we were joined by Terry Wakefield (right), the owner of the Bog, and Gary Menzel (left), a member of the Bog and, quietly, the Wisc. Golf Hall of Fame. The Bog is a public course, of course, but there are about 125 memberships. You can pay $3,500 per year for unlimited golf, and that price includes a cart.

A brief history: Wakefield bought the property in '92 and the course was opened in '95. "The best part of the experience was spending time with Arnold," says Wakefield. Palmer was on property seven or eight times and the night of the offcial opening, Wakefield says Palmer came to the dinner of 200-plus and spent quality time with everyone at the party. "That's why he's The King." The course gets its funky name because it runs along the Cedarburg Bog--1,750 acres of a National Natural Landmark. "You'll notice there aren't many houses out here," said Wakefield. "That's exactly the way I like it." By my count, there's one.

Our Places to Play Guide gives the Bog 4.5 stars. The plaque hanging in the pro shop says so. To play the Bog it's $95 during peak season, $79 in the afternoon (both prices include a cart, but it's a good course to walk).

We threw balls on the first tee to decide partners. It might have been one of the best shots of my day. Menzel, a retired Milwaukee police officer who has won everything there is to win in Wisconsin as an amateur golfer, will be a profile subject of my next post. Menzel and I played a $10 closeout against Wakefield and Price. A closeout is one bet for 18 holes--best ball of the twosome. When the match ends, you use the remaining holes to decide a $5 press. Menzel and I put seven combined birdies on the board and took home $15. Menzel, 65, shot 71. For the most part, I wore a skirt and waved pom poms.

The course is in great shape. It's the kind of course you could play every day--not too tough, but, by no means easy. It's easy on the eyes and just plain fun.

I noticed early on some oddly shaped rakes. I asked Wakefield to explain. "We like keeping our rakes in the bunkers. This way they have less chance of interfering with play. We're trying them out. I'm not 100 percent sold."


I'm not alone in my appreciation for the 12th hole (pictured above). A slight dogleg right, 318-yard, par 4. "It's definitely the most talked-about hole out here," says Wakefield. You hit something short off the tee, and something short on your approach, but don't be too short. And don't be too long. And don't be right or left either.

I asked Wakefield about business at the Bog. He said they're on pace to do 22,000 rounds this year. "Through July we're down seven percent. Revenue is down $4 per round," he said. "It doesn't seem like much, but it adds up." The season starts the first week in April and ends the week before the start of hunting season. "I don't want anyone to get killed out here," says Wakefield. "Hunting is huge in the Cedarburg Bog."

--Matty G.

Today I'll be Twittering again during my final round in Wisconsin--one more trip around the Straits.  

Some tweets from Thursday in Wisconsin: A Kohler Design Center tour and golf at the Bog:


Another blog will post Friday morning, right before I play a final round in Wisconsin at the Straits and then I head for home.

--Matty G.