Fort Wayne, IN, located in the Northeast corner of the state, doesn't really get a great amount of snow (34 inches on average) but the temperatures can get very cold (all-time low of -22 degrees on January 20, 1985). If we are extremely lucky, we might get to play a round of golf the last week of February and we may even get to play into December.
But all-in-all, the season lasts from mid-March to late November.
That's why it's always nice to get a jump on the golf season by taking a late winter trip south.
The boys from Coyote Creek Golf Club did just that. We all headed south in February but not all together. Tim Ormsby has a winter place in Fort Myers. Alan Buck has a winter place in the Seminole, FL area. Dan Kumfer and wife Cheryl spend a few months each winter in the St. Pete area. Ken Nicholas has family in Orlando and Mike Myers has family in the Naples area. Bill Weber and wife rented a condo just north of St. Pete at Indian Rocks Beach. Steve Ramp and wife Jane moved to Cape Coral.
And Jimmy Sprandel, Denny (Taco) Stonebraker and I rented a condo at Indian Rocks Beach. The plan was to play four or five rounds of golf on the way down before settling into the condo.
We left Fort Wayne on a Sunday and settled into our hotel in Prattville, AL just north of Montgomery before the sun set. We would play two courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail before turning east into Florida.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of championship golf courses across the state of Alabama designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The courses are investments by the Retirement Systems of Alabama to help the state economically. It started with eight sites with 378 holes and now consists of 11 sites with 468 holes. Economically speaking, many restaurants and hotels have sprung up around every site and it is clear this concept has greatly aided the state in terms of jobs and revenue.
Our first round was at Capitol Hill. There are three 18 hole courses at the site and we played the Legislator Course. The weather was perfect...mid-60's
But all-in-all, the season lasts from mid-March to late November.
That's why it's always nice to get a jump on the golf season by taking a late winter trip south.
The boys from Coyote Creek Golf Club did just that. We all headed south in February but not all together. Tim Ormsby has a winter place in Fort Myers. Alan Buck has a winter place in the Seminole, FL area. Dan Kumfer and wife Cheryl spend a few months each winter in the St. Pete area. Ken Nicholas has family in Orlando and Mike Myers has family in the Naples area. Bill Weber and wife rented a condo just north of St. Pete at Indian Rocks Beach. Steve Ramp and wife Jane moved to Cape Coral.
And Jimmy Sprandel, Denny (Taco) Stonebraker and I rented a condo at Indian Rocks Beach. The plan was to play four or five rounds of golf on the way down before settling into the condo.
We left Fort Wayne on a Sunday and settled into our hotel in Prattville, AL just north of Montgomery before the sun set. We would play two courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail before turning east into Florida.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of championship golf courses across the state of Alabama designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The courses are investments by the Retirement Systems of Alabama to help the state economically. It started with eight sites with 378 holes and now consists of 11 sites with 468 holes. Economically speaking, many restaurants and hotels have sprung up around every site and it is clear this concept has greatly aided the state in terms of jobs and revenue.
Our first round was at Capitol Hill. There are three 18 hole courses at the site and we played the Legislator Course. The weather was perfect...mid-60's
Before the First Round of the Year - Jim Sprandel, Denny Stonebraker, Gus Gutoskey
We left Prattville and headed south to our hotel in Greenville, AL. We would be playing two of the three nine hole courses the next morning.
Several RTJ Golf Trail courses have spent time on Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" list including The Judge at Capitol Hill and both the Links Course and the Lake Course at Grand National in Opelika.
The two nines we would play today, The Sherling Nine and the Canyon Nine, formed the 18-hole course that spent twelve years on the list from 1996 to 2008 with a ranking as high as 34.
Like most southern courses, the "greening up" process of bermuda grass does not begin until the soil is consistently above 55 degrees. In areas where the soil never goes below 50, the grass remains green. Alabama's average annual extreme temperature ranges from 5 to 10 degrees so understandably, the bermuda grass eventually becomes dormant.
You can see from the pictures the conditions we experienced.
Several RTJ Golf Trail courses have spent time on Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" list including The Judge at Capitol Hill and both the Links Course and the Lake Course at Grand National in Opelika.
The two nines we would play today, The Sherling Nine and the Canyon Nine, formed the 18-hole course that spent twelve years on the list from 1996 to 2008 with a ranking as high as 34.
Like most southern courses, the "greening up" process of bermuda grass does not begin until the soil is consistently above 55 degrees. In areas where the soil never goes below 50, the grass remains green. Alabama's average annual extreme temperature ranges from 5 to 10 degrees so understandably, the bermuda grass eventually becomes dormant.
You can see from the pictures the conditions we experienced.
Upon leaving Greenville, we headed further south into Florida with a destination of Destin, FL. Another member of Coyote Creek, Bob Askins and his wife spend a month in Destin each winter. We would be playing Bob's "golf course away from home," Indian Bayou.
There are three nines at Indian Bayou and we played the Choctaw and Creek nines. We finished the round and were invited to Bob's condo on the beach.
After a few drinks at Bob's condo, we headed over to McGuire's Irish Pub, also in Destin. You have to see this place to believe it. This is an authentic Irish Pub and to say it has character does not do it justice. There are (it is said) over 1,000,000 signed dollar bills attached to the ceilings and walls. A staple of the pub is the famous Senate Bean Soup that uses the same recipe of the Bean Soup served in the U.S. Senate. In 1977, the soup cost 18 cents, the same year McGuire's started serving the soup. That is still McGuire's price today but the U.S. Senate raised the price of a bowl over time to $6.00. I guess it's true Washington cannot control costs.
I couldn't resist McGuire's Shepherd's Pie and washed it down with a McGuire's IPA.
There are three nines at Indian Bayou and we played the Choctaw and Creek nines. We finished the round and were invited to Bob's condo on the beach.
After a few drinks at Bob's condo, we headed over to McGuire's Irish Pub, also in Destin. You have to see this place to believe it. This is an authentic Irish Pub and to say it has character does not do it justice. There are (it is said) over 1,000,000 signed dollar bills attached to the ceilings and walls. A staple of the pub is the famous Senate Bean Soup that uses the same recipe of the Bean Soup served in the U.S. Senate. In 1977, the soup cost 18 cents, the same year McGuire's started serving the soup. That is still McGuire's price today but the U.S. Senate raised the price of a bowl over time to $6.00. I guess it's true Washington cannot control costs.
I couldn't resist McGuire's Shepherd's Pie and washed it down with a McGuire's IPA.
We left Destin the next morning and headed to Brooksville, FL, a drive of just less than six hours. Our destination was Southern Hills Plantation, where we would take advantage of a Stay and Play opportunity.
We would stay in a two bedroom, two bath villa overlooking a Pete Dye designed championship golf course. Cost of the villa was $199 split three ways. A very nice price and it allowed access to the golf course the next day.
Our check-in was not without a little drama. We checked in and paid at the Pro Shop and, as the villas were adjacent to the clubhouse, the Assistant Pro told us where to park our car and that he would meet us at the front door.
Not so fast. When we exited our vehicle, we noticed the Assistant Pro was approaching the front door with a bit of apprehension. When we walked toward him, we noticed a very large black snake just outside the front door. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a streak moving to the vehicle. It was Jimmy Sprandel and to this day, I have never seen him move faster. Apparently, he has this thing about snakes.
In less than 10 minutes, the snake disappeared and we settled into a very nice villa where we spent the night.
After a fine southern breakfast at the Florida Cracker Restaurant, we headed back to the golf course for our round of golf. Southern Hills Plantation is beautiful, certainly the best we played on our trip. There are six sets of tees ranging from 5211 yards to 7557 yards. It is not an easy course with the slope from the front men's tees of 129 and a slope from the back tees of 145.
The course was beautifully conditioned and except for the buzzards following us around the course, we enjoyed our round.
We would stay in a two bedroom, two bath villa overlooking a Pete Dye designed championship golf course. Cost of the villa was $199 split three ways. A very nice price and it allowed access to the golf course the next day.
Our check-in was not without a little drama. We checked in and paid at the Pro Shop and, as the villas were adjacent to the clubhouse, the Assistant Pro told us where to park our car and that he would meet us at the front door.
Not so fast. When we exited our vehicle, we noticed the Assistant Pro was approaching the front door with a bit of apprehension. When we walked toward him, we noticed a very large black snake just outside the front door. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a streak moving to the vehicle. It was Jimmy Sprandel and to this day, I have never seen him move faster. Apparently, he has this thing about snakes.
In less than 10 minutes, the snake disappeared and we settled into a very nice villa where we spent the night.
After a fine southern breakfast at the Florida Cracker Restaurant, we headed back to the golf course for our round of golf. Southern Hills Plantation is beautiful, certainly the best we played on our trip. There are six sets of tees ranging from 5211 yards to 7557 yards. It is not an easy course with the slope from the front men's tees of 129 and a slope from the back tees of 145.
The course was beautifully conditioned and except for the buzzards following us around the course, we enjoyed our round.
Behind the 15th Tee at Southern Hills Plantation
Our next stop was St. Pete Beach where we spent the night. We were now in touch with other members of Coyote Creek and enjoyed a fine meal at the Toasted Monkey.
We awoke the next morning and drove 13 miles north on Gulf Blvd to check in and get the keys to Cypress 'N Sun Condo where we would spend the next seven nights.
With the condo not available to us until 3:00 P.M., we drove to Seminole, FL where we met Alan Buck for a round of golf at his "course away from home," Seminole Lake Country Club. Seminole Lake is a traditional Florida golf course where water comes into play on at least half the holes. Designed by Chic Adams, the course opened in 1962. The course plays along Long Bayou and is blessed with an abundance of wildlife including a family of Bald Eagles. There are five sets of tees ranging from 5005 yards to 6501 yards and the slope from the back tees is 131.
Unfortunately for us, we were hit by some significant showers as we ended the front nine and were forced to end our round.
We then spent a couple of hours at Alan's and wife Nancy's Florida home where we enjoyed snacks and beverages.
We awoke the next morning and drove 13 miles north on Gulf Blvd to check in and get the keys to Cypress 'N Sun Condo where we would spend the next seven nights.
With the condo not available to us until 3:00 P.M., we drove to Seminole, FL where we met Alan Buck for a round of golf at his "course away from home," Seminole Lake Country Club. Seminole Lake is a traditional Florida golf course where water comes into play on at least half the holes. Designed by Chic Adams, the course opened in 1962. The course plays along Long Bayou and is blessed with an abundance of wildlife including a family of Bald Eagles. There are five sets of tees ranging from 5005 yards to 6501 yards and the slope from the back tees is 131.
Unfortunately for us, we were hit by some significant showers as we ended the front nine and were forced to end our round.
We then spent a couple of hours at Alan's and wife Nancy's Florida home where we enjoyed snacks and beverages.
Left of the 6th Fairway at Seminole Lake Country Club
Upon settling into our condo and making a trip to the grocery for the week's provisions, we had the first of several dinners at The Pub, within walking distance of our condo.
The next day, Sunday, we had a late afternoon tee time at The Tides Golf Club in Seminole, FL. The Tides is not a top notch golf club and the conditioning was less than adequate. But it was close to the condo, we were anxious to hit the golf ball a few more times, and the weather was perfect.
The course opened in 1973 and is relatively short, just 6329 yards from the back tees with a slope of 123.
If you are in the area, I recommend you find another course to play.
The next day, Sunday, we had a late afternoon tee time at The Tides Golf Club in Seminole, FL. The Tides is not a top notch golf club and the conditioning was less than adequate. But it was close to the condo, we were anxious to hit the golf ball a few more times, and the weather was perfect.
The course opened in 1973 and is relatively short, just 6329 yards from the back tees with a slope of 123.
If you are in the area, I recommend you find another course to play.
We ate dinner a second time at The Pub that evening.
On Monday, we ventured back to Seminole Lake Country Club and took advantage of our rain check on a beautiful day.
For the remainder of the week, we enjoyed our beach access and the many restaurants and pubs within walking distance. We experienced Jimmy Guana's, JD's Restaurant, Sea Critters Cafe, Jake's Cantina, and Crabby Bill's. We had some fabulous food and some food not so fabulous.
We threw softballs on the beach and obtained a pretty good and not so healthy sunburn.
And we played just one more round of golf at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port, FL. About an hour and a half south of Indian Rocks Beach, this Arthur Hills designed golf course has three nine hole courses. We played the Oaks and the Marsh nines.
The area had experienced a lack of precipitation and as a result, all the water hazards were well below the shorelines. The course has six sets of tees and there is a yardage, a course rating, and slope for every golfer's skill.
It was at Heron Creek that many of the Coyote Creek affiliated people met. Steve Ramp drove north from Cape Coral; Tim Ormsby drove up from North Fort Myers; Tom Putman drove up from his in-laws Naples home; and the Fort Wayne crew drove south from rented condos.
I highly recommend Heron Creek. It is well-conditioned and a fair track.
On Monday, we ventured back to Seminole Lake Country Club and took advantage of our rain check on a beautiful day.
For the remainder of the week, we enjoyed our beach access and the many restaurants and pubs within walking distance. We experienced Jimmy Guana's, JD's Restaurant, Sea Critters Cafe, Jake's Cantina, and Crabby Bill's. We had some fabulous food and some food not so fabulous.
We threw softballs on the beach and obtained a pretty good and not so healthy sunburn.
And we played just one more round of golf at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port, FL. About an hour and a half south of Indian Rocks Beach, this Arthur Hills designed golf course has three nine hole courses. We played the Oaks and the Marsh nines.
The area had experienced a lack of precipitation and as a result, all the water hazards were well below the shorelines. The course has six sets of tees and there is a yardage, a course rating, and slope for every golfer's skill.
It was at Heron Creek that many of the Coyote Creek affiliated people met. Steve Ramp drove north from Cape Coral; Tim Ormsby drove up from North Fort Myers; Tom Putman drove up from his in-laws Naples home; and the Fort Wayne crew drove south from rented condos.
I highly recommend Heron Creek. It is well-conditioned and a fair track.
By the end of the week with all our golf complete and most of the local pubs and restaurants experienced, it was time to gather our leftovers and have a true "buddy trip" feast. Diets would begin in a few days.
The Last Supper: Coney Dogs, Pizza, Eggs, Chicken Wings and Beer. You Can't Take It With You
The only thing left was the drive home. There is something about a two week absence from home that causes people to push the limit. And we did just that. We left Indian Rocks Beach early Saturday morning and arrived in Fort Wayne, IN just before 2:00 A.M. Sunday morning after driving straight through and experiencing two major traffic slowdowns/stoppages through Atlanta and north of Atlanta.
My account of this winter trip is not necessarily all that happened. There were a few nicknames acquired on the trip and a few, let's just call them accidents. They involved (in no particular order) spilled chicken wings, gin, a plunger, vodka, a soaked cell phone, a stiffed waitress, and possible nudity in a hotel lobby.
But what happens in Florida stays in Florida.
My account of this winter trip is not necessarily all that happened. There were a few nicknames acquired on the trip and a few, let's just call them accidents. They involved (in no particular order) spilled chicken wings, gin, a plunger, vodka, a soaked cell phone, a stiffed waitress, and possible nudity in a hotel lobby.
But what happens in Florida stays in Florida.
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