8.18.08
StoneTree started to punch and sand their tee boxes today

played 9/9, and was caught unaware that they had started to aerify the fairways. Several fairways were punched, as were many of the greenside areas. Punch cores were strewn about these areas, so, clearly, they had just begun the process.

Layout was interesting, greens were billiard table quick and staff was accomodating - although they could have mentioned the maintenance when I called and asked specifically for that information.

FWIW, #16 is a very tough 442 par 4 into the prevailing wind and an island green makes the second shot very demanding. The hole does play downhill, but the wind more than makes up for that. Honestly, after playing a dozen or so 350 yd par 4's prior to that, #16 just seems a bit out of place with regard to it's severity.

The fact that there were several hole locations on the transitions near the edges of these ultra-quick, ultra-hard greens did not help. Very, very precise iron play is called for until these greens mature.

This is a new course, and is likely to have a few stumbles along the way. I'll be back, but a bit more wary next time.

RE: the post below from member "hoofmark"

you mention in your post that you paid $25 to play TP South as you are "Senior/resident/mensclub"

If you find the conditions to be so repulsive (and they are very difficult at this time), why on earth do you belong to the TP Men's Club????

As a fellow TP Men's Club member, I played TP South on Thursday July 21, and experienced the same conditions. We all knew this was coming, as the maintenance schedule is clearly printed on the TP website. Was it difficult to play well that day? You betcha....BUT, we all had to play the same course.

Listen...you have a choice in this. If you do not want to play, DON'T SIGN UP FOR THE EVENTS. Allow someone else the opportunity to take your place. For that matter, maybe you should examine your desire to remain a men's club member.

I, for one, would be happy to hear less complaining about conditions, and more creative solutions offered to the course management. Every week I hear from some other men's club member how much they hate the course and it's condition. Fine.....don't let the door hit you on your way to Balboa Park !!!!!

I recently had a bad experience with Barona's method of working singles into their schedule....I had called at 8:30 am to request availability at twilight (12pm), and was told to "come on out", that there would be no problem. Sooo, I drive the 45 minutes to be told at 11:15 by the shop clerk "oh, we'll get you out, but you'll have to wait until 1:30"

Grrr....these rocket scientists couldn't have looked at their tee sheet and told me they were booked until 1:30?

I left angrily after having a fruitless converstion with the "head pro". He offered nothing other than a lame apology, and responded" I don't think this has ever happened in the 5 years we've been open".

That's laughable....keep telling people to "come on out" without guaranteeing them a starting time, and you'll find yourself with only the hotel guests using your facility. Too bad, the course is very nice....at least until the summer months when it is oppressively hot!!


Fortunately, I was able to make it to Maderas in about 45 mins, and they bent over backwards to accomodate me on a superior course!! Kudos to the management at Maderas for making it a good day, after Barona completely dropped the ball.