Who's up for a face-to-face meeting this year? Please answer yes or no. We'll still like you either way.

What month?
East Coast, West Coast, or Denver?

Hmmm... with a baby on the way I may need a getaway... but the new wife is already miffed about all my work travel... plus the money/economy situation... I would probably say no at this point.

But as far as location... around an airline hub would probably be smart. Charlotte might even be nice, I hear there's a lot of great golf around there (Scott?)

Last thing I remember is this years event was supposed to be in PA. That's what you guys in PA wanted, and that's what was decided last year. But, if you guys have changed you minds, then we need to start over on picking a site. Last year is was decide to have it in the east, N.C. if I remember correctly. For a lot of reasons, it didn't work out. With the economy being what it is, not sure any site will work very well. Money for travel and lodging is not as easy to come by as it was a few years ago.

This is true. You know, I forgot about that. I wonder if Bo will chime in. Bo, will you be back in the states this year?

Klun?

No for me. Hubby is out of a job at the end of this month and my business is down 50% vs last year so the money situation is not good.

I was planning on coming back, and still have that thought in my mind. I am waiting on
two major issues; I "may" have to come back to Colorado Springs for two weeks in March,
a trip with no free time what so ever. If all goes as the company plans, I'll be on the way to
Israel for a short phase-in. But I don't see this happening,

sooo.., I am still keeping the option of going to the States this summer open, I'll wait to see
who else wants to play, I'd also like to see Myrtle Beach, and May would fit pretty nice.
I'd love to have a face to face with you all and enjoy a round or two.

Anything is possible.

I don't know what time of year you guys are thinking of for this years event, but the first two were held in late August or early September. This was for weather and kids being in school. Depending on location, weather can be an issue, not too hot or too cold is nice. You also have to check out the aeration schedule for the area in mind. Don't want to have people come into town and find out all the golf courses just aerated the greens and fairways. Again, this will vary with the location.

I'm in. Charlotte has some great courses if you want an NC trip but if we're going up north we need to do it late summer, once they thaw out!

But I'm ok to travel, East coast would be easiest because my time is limited in that I have the kids half the week and it's hard to work around that. So if I have to burn a whole day travel to get out there or back, it really cuts into the golf time. So mid-states or east coast would be great.

But count me in!

Scott, let's try this; we'll let it ride a day or two, if no one else can make it
(which is understandable now a days) then I'll just float into town one day
and we'll go a round or two.

Fine by me Bo, but I think Laney's in. She's needing a break from work I think...

Yes, I'm pretty sure I would make it to Charlotte. I'd also like to see Don again out in Denver.

If things don't work out for Charlotte or PA. then I'd be happy to set up some tee times for the Denver area. Be great to see Scott and Laney and Bill again, along with any other site members interested in coming to town for some golf. Laney called me last night so I got to talk to her for awhile. She has a standing invitation to come visit any time she's in the mode and wants to play some golf and visit. Fact is, I'd be happy to have any of the site members come out to Denver for a few rounds of golf and a visit. It would be great to meet more of the members just to chat and play golf. For now, let's see how things go for back east, and then go from there if need be.

I forgot about the mention of PA last year. I'd definitely be able to do a Pittsburgh outing (as this is where I live).

I don't know if I'd be able to do any out of state golf trips though.

Pittsburg? They have golf? Doesn't it take till like August to thaw out up there???? Just kidding Klun. So when does the warm summer weather kick in there?

Having just come from Arizona but not getting to play any golf, I would also be open to the idea of heading out there to play later this year. Not that I don't want folks to come to Charlotte, that is. But I could also do Pittsburg as well....

Things right now are too up in the air...lousy time to be in this lousy business. Maybe they will settle down in the coming months. So, for now, I'm just standing by.
Fred

Well Scott, looks like I won't make it up to N.C. this time. I'll be in Orlando
from 10 May through the 15th, then 16th through the 23rd at the Marriott's
Villas at Doral (Miami). In case anyone from the GGR is in the area,
maybe we can get a round or two in.

Bo, I'll take a look at my calendar for May and see what's going on for me. I may be heading to Vegas that month, and will definitely be in Atlanta at the beginning, so if the Vegas thing works out I probably can't also do Florida. But if Vegas falls through I could be convinced to come down.

Laney? Others?

Is it practical to play on weekend days, May 16 and/or 17? Maybe an additional weekday or two? Two or three days will be enough for me.

Hold everything. After reviewing my Itinerary I see I am supposed to be at
Orlando and Miami at the same time, not a likely Occurrence, I let you know when
it's ironed out.

Ha...well, that's easy enough, you just need a split personality like Don. Then you can be both places at once.

let us know when you work it out and we'll see what we can do.

Laney, even if Bo is busy, if I go down, I'll be looking for 3 or so rounds and trying to span that across some weekend days plus some others.

I'll be in Orlando at Marriott's Cypress Harbour from 10 May through the 15th,
then 16th through the 23rd at the Marriott's Villas at Doral (Miami).
Laney,
I don't know about the weekend golf there, I'll check into it, unless somebody
in the GGR world knows the answer?

The blue course at Doral is fantastic. I use to play it 3 or 4 times a year. Everyone should play there if they have a chance. Reservations will have to be made in advance and the green fees will probably be around 300 or 350. Like Pebble Beach, it worth the price just to stand on the 18th tee, knowing you're standing where some of the greats have stood before.

Am I placing too much importance on myself thinking you would all be happy to spend a few hundred dollars to stand where I've stood before?

Anticipating your answers, all I can say is FINE, JUST FINE!!!

There are a lot of other great courses that aren't over the top, cost wise.

BTW, the first time I played the Blue Monster at Doral, shot 71 from the back tees.

Yeah, but wasn't it a Par 3 back then?


Seriously I would love to play a course like that and stand in the steps of the greats (including our own Bill). I can't say for certain I want to do that in this economic setting but someday...

Bo, it looks like I will be in Vegas during May so I will have to guess I can't make it down. If that changes though I'll keep you posted.

Since no one has come up with a good plan for 2009 GGR Invitational. Would anyone be up to comeing to the Denver area again this fall? With any luck, we should be able to talk Bill into a short trip south from the Wyoming Club for a few days. End of August the weather should be great, and the courses should be in good shape. Will have to check the aeration schedule for the local courses, but it should be okay. Anyone up for Denver this fall? I heard from Laney, and it sounds like she's in. Anyone else?

I might be up for it depending on the scheduling. Only issue for me is dealing with childcare on flights that far west. I usually lose a day just on travel so it's a shorter trip for me. But I'm open to definitely consider it.

Way to go Scott. Laney is thinking of comeing up to Denver area in August, and now Scott is thinking it might work for him. Anyone else up for a few days of golf, good food, and bad company?

I'm not promising yet, but I think I should be able to make it in August. The idea elsewhere about being near an airport hub next year is spot on.

If we do make it an event in Denver, I'd like to go play Buffalo Run which is not far from the Denver Airport. Heard good things about it from a friend that played it.

I'm out...we are going to Florida in begining of November for a charity fundraiser golf thing for my husband's fraternity. Cashing in Amex points to cover hotel/air so we only have to pay for golf/food.

Understood Aimee. Laney and I are tossing around the idea of heading to Denver sometime in the next couple of months.

For another course idea out there, Golf Digest says the best munny in Denver is : COLORADO: City Park G. Cse., Denver,. So let's put that one on the short list with Buffalo Run.

Also, Riverdale Dunes Knolls Public course was ranked No. 18 on the list of 50 best courses under $50 so maybe we should consider that one too, along with Murphy Creek Golf Course. Both were recommended by Golf Digest as good golf for good values.

Laney, Don, Bill and others, my schedule for a GGR event in August has probably changed with some potential surgery for my brother that's likely going to happen sometime between now and early August. It's a good thing in that he's getting an organ transplant. Anyway, with his recovery time assuming things go well, I probably won't be able to leave town until mid Sept or early October. Sorry about that. Hopefully I'll be able to make something though.

Thoughts and Prayers for your brother...
Keep the faith...

Best wishes for you brother, keep us abreast of his progress..I'm out..all available funds going for new computer, CAD software upgrade and new color plotter; have to get new everything, probally the final upgrade for this stuff in this lifetime.

Scott; Best of everything for your brother.

I read that Riverdale Dunes was in the top 10 courses in Colorado, so Wade and I played it when he was here. He didn't care for it, and I HATED IT. It might be okay course, IF you play it enough to learn your wat around, but for a one time deal. it stinks. There were lots of time where I had to ask the other 2 guys we were playing with WHERE THE FAIRWAY WAS AHEAD OF ME. It was that hard to tell where you were. Also had lots of 2 feet tall grass areas around the greens to lose your ball in. This was especially hard to deal with when I had to hit my approach shot over a 20 feet high hill between me and the green. With tall grass on 3 sides of the green, I had no idea where the look for my ball if it wasn't on the green.

I played Murphy Creek 2 years ago. and it' a nice course, around $40 plus cart. And you NEED a cart for this course. I walked it, but it was not much fun by the time I got half way though the back nine. Too many long walks from green to next tee box to allow for walking it.

I can't come...pretty obvious. Hopefully in a few years, when I'm off on my own, not still a kid, this site will still be going and I'll be able to come to this.

If we are going to have the 2009 GGR Invitational in Denver area this year. YOU GUYS NEED TO COME UP WITH SOME DATES. I'm open to just about anytime you decide on. Weather should not be a problem as it stays nice here well into late October or later. It would be great if we can get everyone here at the same time, with Bill coming down from Deadwood. But that may not be possible, so you guys and gals will have to figure out some dates that work for you. Pick some dates NOW, so you can get decent prices on plane tickets. I hope to see you soon. Just tell me when, and I'll be here.

I think Laney's busy with work again but she and I were talking up the idea of coming out to Denver again for a GGR event. My situation is that the doctors have told my brother that sometime soon he will likely be having his transplant surgery. So with that pending, I'm not booking any travel right now. but I would expect if they are right, then I'd think by mid-Sept he'd be back home and recovering at his place. But everythings a guess right now.

Mid September should be fine weather wise. Do the rest of you want to figure on mid Septemeber and go from there? Course Aeration should be over by then, so that shouldn't be an issue.

That sounds like fun. I would be interested depending on the date. It sounds like you all have done this before. Did you have a big turnout in the past? I have relatives in Denver, Rifle, Durango and Greeley so that would be cool. If you have room for another I would be interested.
Tony

Sure we have room Tony. We did it, last year or the year before and the year before. The last one, I and Laney joined Don and his wife and some local friends for rounds. And at that time, Jake was active on the site and we all caught up for a round with him. So we usually had 4-8 people. Denver is the place again I think.

So do you have any dates that are better or worse than others?

Right now I am open in September. We were talking about it last night and Carol is not sure she would be able to golf by then (She had an operation in April) but she said she would be up for the trip. It would be nice to meet people and I always love to play golf at a new course. August is not good for me we have a trip to Vegas planed for my birth day mid August.

ewwwww, Vegas Baby.... Now that's my place. Thinking about heading out there again in Oct maybe. Go several times a year.

Sept is probably ok for me depending on the extact when. It helps me if we do something like Sat/sun/Mon/Tues or Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed type thing just because of kid's schedules.

Last year Laney got out there a day or some before I did so it doesn't really matter.

We'd be happy to have you join in this year Tony.

Laney: are you going to make it this year? It was 2 years ago you and Scott were here, and Lynn and I are looking forward to seeing you, Scott and a few more GGR members.

Bill. Are you going to honor us with a visit as well? Would love to see you again as well.

Anyone else interested in coming out to play a few rounds of golf, and eat some good food and drink a few?

Thanks Don just let me know when and it is going to be. I will make plans to be there. It sounds like a fun time and it would be nice to get to know people from the site.

Tony, mostly waiting to hear from Scott about when he might be able to make it.
Scott. Any more work on when you would be able to come to the GGR in Denver?

Nope, not really. Brother just got admitted to the ER for complications so we'll see what this does to any time tables. He should be fine may just delay things but since there was no time table before other than "soon", I'm not sure it matters. So no idea at this point. So I would say work with Laney, Bill and Tony's schedules and target September, maybe more mid-late and it'll probably work out for me.

OK Scott, thanks for the update.

What do the rest of you think of target dates of Sept 20th to 26th? That's the last full week in September. Will that work for you? Don't have to come out for the entire period, but we can work with each of you for the dates you do want to come out and play. I'll comtact Jake and a few others and see what I can do on this end. Weather should be in the mid 70's, cooler in the mornings for sure. Let's see if we can get some feedback on these dates, and make some plans.

So my brother is out and is home. The dates above could work for me assuming he doesn't have any other complications. I would probably fly out early Sunday and return Tuesday nite or Wednesday morning.

Okay everyone. anyone else ready to sing up for some golf in Denver area for the week of Sept 20th to 28th?

I'll call Laney tonight or tomorrow and see if I can see what she's up to .

Okay everyone, haven't heard much from anyone about 2009 GGR Invitational here in Colorado. Anyone coming? Are your going to play Jake? And wheres Laney? Haven't seen any posts from Laney in over a month.

If we are going to have a 2009 event we need to set some dates in stone, and get some commitment from some golfers.

I would like to come but it's going to fall into October for me. I have some work deadlines that are due by Oct 1. Don, how suspect is the weather there in Oct?

Weather could be great, or it could be snowing when you get here. NORMAL high for early Oct should be in the 70's but there is always a chance for snow at this alitude. That said, I normally play golf EVERY month of the year here. We don't get that much rain or snow in Denver area, so most of the time it's sunny and dry, perfect weather for golf all year round. My golf embrella is almost 7 years old now, and I've never used it. Only put it in the bag ONCE in 7 years.

Well Oct could work for me. I'll have hit work deadlines though the transplant issue for my brother still looms...hopefully he'll get that call soon. So I'm open to make a trek out.

Laney, you out there?

I haven't seen any posts from the girl in over a month, so I think we might have to call the girl on the phone and see if she's alive. Anyone else available to play in October?

I have 60 guests coming for a golfing, pheasant hunting party, Sept. 24 to 28.
October works for me.
Bill

Bill, I like your idea of a party. Hunt for pheasants while golfing. Does a shotgun count as a club in the bag? Shoot the golf balls and tee off with the birds.

Gee, we do that now on our course, we try to kill Canada geese with our tee shots...two for one, pay for golf, get to hunt.

Don't think I've ever seen a golf cart with a GUN RACK across the back of the seat. And it would give new meaning to a SHOTGUN START.

Aimee, Maybe you can come out with a GOLFERS COOK BOOK ? How to cook the wild game you collect during your round. Could be a best seller down south.

Getting back to the GGR. Anyone one else coming to play a little golf in October? And what about some dates? Anyone have any dates in mind? I'm open, as I'm officeally retired now.