Los Feliz - December

It's been a long time since I've posted on the Golf Blog, but here are a few shots of what went down today. I broke my camera twice in the past 6 months, so things have been a little slow. I have been playing a lot of 18 hole courses, averaging about 92, trying to get to get to consistent 82 or lower. We will see. The videos were too big to upload. I will try and get it together soon

This is Ryan and I at Los Feliz Par 3 - Los Angeles, CA

Roosevelt - 6:30AM - FRIDAYS

I've been playing Roosevelt the past 3 weeks at 6am. It's the best time of day to play by far. As soon as I'm teeing up the Sun is just coming up over downtown LA. I have been shooting an average of 8 over, but that is about to change. Photos and video should be up tomorrow, I'm playing Black Gold, in Orange County.

Birthday - I had a birthday Sept 12th, my brother Joey hooked me up with the red shirt. Ryder Cup 2008 - VALHALLA - LOUISVILLE KY

Labor Day @ Los Feliz - Skimps Goes Off

Los Feliz, CA.

Skimps took a break from Brooklyn and "rides" outside of Clem's to make an appearance this summer in Los Angeles. The holiday crew included Triple T Mahoney, Birdie Brad, Ian and Sparky himself. After a Bogey on 1, Skimps was feeling pumped up. Skimps wanted to put money on the round, but there would be no takers. Tom, Ian, and Sparky were one wicked crew out there. Brad was a little rough from not playing all summer, I was a little bit out of it, but all in all it was a pretty killer day.

PS - Sparky finished 2nd!!!!!!!!! - 7 strokes behind Casper and beat Brad and Ian by 3 strokes.

SPARKY = MVP

Ian drains his first ever PAR.

A Gallery of Sparky

Staring down the record

Tom and I played Los Feliz last week and I came 1 stroke from breaking my personal best at the course. I tied it at 25 a -2 for the round. 25 will be shattered, its only a matter of time. Rony also has posted a 25 at Los Feliz, but i've never seen him do it. Maybe one day we will break it together.

Aliso Viejo CC - Sunday July 13th

This Sunday was my first and hopefully not last meeting with the Jack Nicklaus designed Aliso Viejo Golf Course. The course completely kicked my ass. It very challenging and play pretty long. I couldn't drive the ball, my approach shots were terrible, but I did have the time of my life. There are a lot more videos and photos but I'm still waiting on Joey to send them over. Hopefully I'll have an update by the end of the week. My dad had 2 birdies and lost to Joey by 2 strokes. Joey was also bombing them from the Black tees(6,560) Blue tees play (6,200). Check out Joey driving a Par 4 below.

Bombin on 13th

Keepin it down

I played with Casey the other day at Los Feliz. I shot a 29. Wooooo. I was really gunning for a 28. It was a good round. We played with a couple of fellas, Casey shot a 30. I miss my camera, but maybe its good to take a little break. I had a golf dream the other night. I was pulling up to the 1st tee at Rio Secco Golf course in Henderson, NV. As I got to the tee, I looked up a saw George Clooney and Ben Affleck. I asked George if I could join them, Clooney then pointed behind me to 2 bodyguards in full golf attire, in a golf cart, and said "We're with these guys. maybe next time Casper". As I made my way up the fairway on 3 Clooney came walking over the hill and asked me to join up, he said the guards weren't any good. As I walked up to join their group I woke up. Almost got a chance to play

I'll be at Los Feliz today with Ian and hopefully Tom. Ian and I have been trying to play for about a year. He's never played, so this should be pretty interesting

Studio City Sunday - Whitestt June 29th

The gardener looked like he was urinating
He's is so pissy

My brothers crashed with me last night so we could get out for another round. We had breakfast at one of my favorite spots in LA. It's a little diner called Sittons. Sittons is on Magnolia in North Hollywood. Great little spot. I've been going there forever. I like it more than Swingers or the 101, there's no Hollywood attitude or BS, its old school, calm and quiet. I had the pancakes. For the month of July they are offering 10% off to protest the ever rising gas prices. Magnolia and Tujunga - check em out. The sign out front says North Hollywood Diner. It goes off. We rolled from the diner to Whitsett (Weddington) for a little Par 3 action. I once saw John Lovitz at the range at Whitsett, I was hoping for a repeat, its always cool when my brothers have a celebrity run in while they are visiting. I played decent but had a bad tee shot on 1 and I had to drop on 7 after shanking hard to the left. Joey and David both had birdies. Joey won with a 2 over 29. Great weather, a little hot, I had to get an Ice Blended Mocha from Coffee Bean afterwards. Liquid crack, I love it. I think Casey and I are hitting Griffith Park tomorrow, Twilight rates.

David on 3. Down hill putt - drains the Bird

A series of Birdie misses:

From the shadows - Birdie attempt falls short

Joey tees it up

Joey - little tester for Par

Birthday Brothers - Scholl Canyon June 28th

Joey, Casper, and Dave
Dave breaks his Sand Wedge on the range

Hole 14 - I birdied

Saturday morning started with a 11:30 am wake up call from the family. My brother David and my parents rolled up to LA and David, Dad and I hit the links. We had a 12:44 tee time at Scholl and I was eager to get out and try for the win. As we walked into the pro shop to sign in, we were all surprised by the arrival of our brother Joey. Joey left Louisville, KY (2200 miles away) Thursday and some how made it to the course for our tee time. He called me Friday to say what up, and told me he was at work, when he was actually in Arizona. Totally unexpected it was his little secret. I was stoked to see him, but then realized I would definitly have my work cut out for me. Joey is always the best, but hes played longer and can drive the ball as well as any amatuer on the circuit. Homeboy is sickkkkk. He proved that a 40 hour car drive cant stop him from going off. He shot a 6 over 66, and I tied my Dad at 76 for the round. Scholl was tough as usual but the tees were playing way up, which was kind of a bummer. Dave hung in there but the sun and the lack of playing really got to him. After the golf round we went to the Dodger game, sat in the all you can eat section, and watched the Dodgers beat the Angels 1-0 with a no hits. Great weekend*

* Some idiot knocked my camera out of my hand Friday night. Camera is dead until further notice. Thanks to Joey for having his camera for the round. I will be borrowing. The videos below were shot by either Joey or David. I apologize if they give you a seizure, very shakey hands. (pun intended)

A rare miss for Joey

Dave off the tee, me in the cart following his drive. He crushed it

Pops with a rare shank. Not a happy camper, he would drop and save Bogey

Joey from the tee on 15. This hole caused havok for him, he would double.

My tee shot wasn't taped, but I ripped my hybrid 200 to the front of the green, chipped up and tapped in for birdie. woooo

Mountain climbing with Dave. Highest point on the course. I could almost see my house

Roosevelt - New Shorts New Score

Casey and I rolled up the canyon to play Roosevelt on a very fine and not too hot Monday afternoon. The course was practically wide open, there were a few slow groups but nothing to complain about. You will never hear me complaining when I'm out there. Golf is truly my addiction. I love it! Casey has also caught golf fever this summer. He showed up today with brand spankin new Nike Slingshot Irons. The sound amazing and he was striking them pretty well. Casey also baught a Callaway Big Bertha and drove 320 yds uphill on 4. The sickest shot of the day by far. I wore my new black Tiger Woods shorts, and straighten out my Sasquatch. Could it be the shorts? New look = new score, I shot the best I've ever shot at Rosy, a 5 over 38. I was very excited about that. I had 6 pars - finally. Casey had a breif meltdown on 8, par'd 9 to end at 44. Same score as 5 days ago, but he will lowering that quickly. Maybe if I wait another 5 to play there, I will par the course. 5 could be the magic #. Magic Monday. I had a great shot out of the bunker on 6 and was able to save par. My best shot of the day. I also drove 240 on hole 4 right in the middle of the fairway, but botched my approach and had to drop. That double on 4 shouldve been a birdie or par. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Bill was the starter today, and Dennis was the Marshall. I normally see those guys down at Los Feliz, it was nice to shoot the breeze with some familiar faces

Hole 1 at Roosevelt. The fire damage is still present on the hill on top. The fire came so close.

Casey from the tee on 3

Casper on the tee at 3 - with some antics

Casey for birdie on 9

Casper for birdie on 9

Hansen Dam - Sun Valley - June 20th 2008

Sweatin like a dog. My face was so flushed, and I definitly drank a gallon of water


Summer Solstice may have just started 1 hour ago, but it has been disgustingly hot and miserable for the past 4 days. This morning I got up at 7am to take on Hansen Dam GC. I played with my friend Ryan, and 2 of his Yankees buddies. I was really stoked to get out and play 18 Friday, since I wont be able to get out this weekend. I may sneak in a Los Feliz round tomorrow. Hansen Dam is 1 of 2 LA public courses that I have not played, and I had never played with Ryan before. The course is located in Pacoima, but right on the edge of Sun Valley, just north of Burbank. In other words, its in the valley. The valley is hot and annoying, ugggh. I'm pretty sure that Hansen Dam is actually the gates of hell. It was blazing by 9am, at least 105 degrees out. There's hardly any shade, but I think that is what made it so fun. You literally lose your mind as the course and atmosphere absorbs your blood, sweat and tears. The course is a lot like Woodley Lakes, except a little more hilly. The fairways were wide open, I can definitly shoot low 80's there. The front 9 really got away from me. I couldnt get off the tee but did make a few chips and putts that were crucial to my runner up spot. I really shouldve got Ryan teeing off. Homeboy drives 300 yards on avg. He crushed it all day. I got the Sasquatch going on the back and was able to tie him for the round. The 9 strokes on the front were the thorn in my side. I would definitly play Hansen again, but not til the heat is gone. It was like playing on Mars. The valleys oven. Dude, it was too hot. I had a great time, I can't wait to get back out there. There were a family of Red Tail Hawks that live on the course, they flew around at us like little feathery devils. Did I mention it was hot. I drove thru the sprinklers on multiple occasions and even drenched myself before a layup on 12. Ed and Garret were really cool too, I hope to play with them again. Check out my new friend Tony.

Tony Hawk not having it.

Lob Wedge attack. 20 yds short = Bad Management, but on the green

Ryan Woods - Thru the Woods

PLUGGED

Wet and Wild in Hell

Franklin D. Roosevelt - Municipal

What a day. I hit Roosevelt this afternoon with Casey, and our newest member, Shintaro Suzuki. After knowing Shin for a year now, I finally got to play a round with him. We've been talking about it forever. His intense Asian mind tricks, and the ability to move the ball with his thoughts, fell short today. Roosevelt is located in Griffith Park, right across the street from the Greek Theatre, and just under the Observatory. Casey was rippin his 4 iron all day, and I actually had a few drives that I felt really good about. I was pullin my head up big time, and made crucial errors that eventually lead to demise. 8th Hole I had a total meltdown, triple bogey. What else is new though. Roosevelt is by far the best looking course in LA, I love it up there. On occasion I've seen coyotes in the fairways, and even deer. After my triple bogey on 8, we went into the 9th with Casey up 1 stroke (10 over) and Shin and I tied at 11 over. This is how it unfolded. Casey shanked left and was in a bush, but still chipped on. A par would've put the game away but he bogey'd. Shin came up short and had to putt from the fringe. He left himself with a 3ft putt for par. His par putt lipped out and he bogey'd. My shot was insane and went way left but managed to roll down to the front of the green. I chipped on and left myself with 1ft par putt. I made my putt to tie Casey for the round. Shin dropped out of the 3 way tie, which wouldve been pretty awesome. Casey 44, Casper 44, Shin 45. Shin is gonna be great addition to our crew. I better watch my back, I swear I saw a samurai sword in his white leather Ping bag.

Sweatin it out with the Golf Ninja

Shin from the Fairway on 4

Teeing off on 8. Aiming for the Observatory. Pushed it to the right, then got in trouble

Casey takes a swing at 8

Shin tees off at the Observatory