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

Range Rover - Scholl Canyon June 16th 2008

My intention today was to get out on the range at Scholl Canyon and straighten out the drive that was plaguing me all weekend. I would say I made about a 75% adjustment. Ill take it, I was still going right but not as bad. The range at Scholl rules cause its natural grass. It's not the mats like the other public ranges around Los Angeles. As I was tee-ing off I overheard a couple of older gentleman discussing Tiger's US Open win. They both wanted Rocco, I think driving ranges across America were packed with the same comments and opinions. You could feel it out there today. Being the addict that I am, I couldn't just walk off the range and neglect the course. I dove right in and got in on the Super Twilight rate $11 for 18 holes, $18 w/ cart. I walked the front 9 for the exercise, but it was 85 degress and super sunny. The back 9 is insane, so I got the cart for the back. I played alone, and it was really peaceful. I was on top of one the highest mountains in Glendale. Amazing views of downtown LA, Silver Lake, surrounding Glendale, and Burbank. It was smoggy, but that never gets me down. On a clear day you can see the Pacific, its such a sight to see. I love Scholl Canyon. I fell apart Phil style on 18, got into the front right bunker, and ended my round with a Quad. It's all good, I think I'm gonna take my brother David there for his b-day in 2 weeks, I wanted to get a better idea of what to strike on a few of these Par 4's. I was so close to shooting in the 60's, I'll take the 76, Par was 60.

My balls needed a little scubbin

Riding the wave to the heavens

Tee shot on 14 to the Island Green. If you miss it falls a mile down the hill

Green in one on 14, birdie chance fell short. Par on the island

PERFECT........BREAK, BREAK then it jumped the cup

Tiger forces Playoff, then Sudden Death

This US Open has been the absolute best tournament I've ever watched in my life. Rocco Mediate has played so solid, which is a must, when going to battle with the best player in the world. Right now Tiger is on the green in 2 with a birdie putt to win it all. Rocco is on in 3 after having to drop, after a shank to the grandstand. Tiger just came an inch short of the win. Tiger just tapped in for par. If Rocco misses this par, its over, and Tiger Woods will have won his 14th Major. Rocco has a 20 ft. Missed to the right. Heartbreak for Rocco. Congratulations Rocco, you played a helluva tournament.
Best thing I saw all tournament was when Rocco acted like he was gonna throw his ball up on the green instead of drop in the drop zone, very impressive and very funny.

Cant stop Tiger Woods, even with a broken knee. Never give up

TIGER FORCES PLAYOFF

After the round of his life yesterday, Tiger entered the 18th hole with one stroke off the lead. He needed an Eagle to win and a Birdie to force the playoff. As he approached 18 Woods and Westwood were both looking at Birdie. I predicted that one and only one player would make birdie, and my prediction was correct. Woods tied Rocco Mediate, and the 2 will play tomorrow for the US OPEN. I've never witnessed a playoff, looking forward to another 18.

Tribute to Sparky

Skimps hit me up the other day and wanted to be involved on the site. Skimps/Sparky needs to come back to Cali, get outta Brooklyn, lets hang out buddy. We all miss you