vernon

A company called Great Life out of Iowa is buying up struggling golf courses faster than you can shake a stick and our "primary" course, Falcon Ridge, was acquired last August. Their business model is pretty outside the box - they promote fitness centers at all of their golf courses and 24 hour access to the fitness centers is also included in the membership. Last year they bought the Arnold Palmer course, Osage National, at Lake of the Ozarks and we can play there for $30 whenever we're in the area. Equally "different" is they are attempting to take most of their courses private. Their goal is to achieve a membership of 400 and, when they do, they go 100% private with no more public access. Anyone that wants to join after that has to pony up a 5K initiation - existing members are exempt. So far, they've achieved the magic number at two pretty prominent facilities that were previously open to the public and they're doing great. One, in fact, is currently constructing a 7 million dollar clubhouse with all of the old "country club" amenities - pool, tennis, locker rooms, etc. that's supposed to open this summer. The other one already had a giant clubhouse with pool and tennis. Our place has attracted 300 members since last August and they're anticipating going private by mid summer. Contrary to Johnny World, they're focusing on larger numbers of folks that will commit long term at a great price rather than the volatile business of high dollar daily greens fees. And the volume of revenue created by multiple facilities protects them somewhat from the dangers of member defections at any one club which is what obsoleted so many private clubs in the past. We'll see but so far, so good.

He's just compelled to "give something back" I guess. Not sure what I'd do if I actually lived down there. Fish more I guess which certainly isn't a bad thing. We don't mind springing for a couple of hundred bucks on our vacation trips down there but beyond that, I'd be golf poor pretty quick. Locally, we pay $220 per month for the two of us and that's for unlimited golf with cart and driving range and can play our choice of eleven courses - several of which are highly rated in the KC area. That's about $20 more than ONE round for two people at Johnny World. Oh well. You can either afford and justify it or you can't I guess. Personally, I'd prefer to play a bit cheaper and just learn to deal with a couple less water falls........

No way. Why? I'll be there all next week. It'll be slower than post fish kill! However, the week after that will be dynamite.

And Homey don't play that! Sorry......

I dunno but I got 4.67% from US Bank on my 2016 Z521c last March. Probably the most easily obtained loan I've ever taken out. Did the entire thing online on a Sunday morning. The following Tuesday I got an email confirmation of approval, stopped by the local branch that afternoon and signed the papers and they forwarded a check to Cablela's. Picked up my boat the next day. Up to 15 years if I wanted. Must not be too big a deal!

It's a fact. The only thing I'm good for is curing droughts and ending heat waves! The local Chamber's of Commerce should start offering me big money to stay home seein's how I can wipe out complete weeks of tourism with a single visit!

Man, I dunno. I've seen kids fishing the deep stalls at the Kimberling Inn boat docks pull in smallies and K's one after another on nightcrawlers and minnows when I was using artificials and couldn't buy a fish across the street at Harter House. Hope you're right though.

Well that's just great. Just finished eradicating my entire supply after you guys said they weren't any good............. Deffenbaugh had to make two stops to pick 'em all up too!

Ah, c'mon Negative Nancy! When was the last time something like THAT happened? Ooops. Never mind.

Still might deter them a bit if they know somebody is watching and checking. We'll be staying right next door all next week so we will keep an eye out.

Looks like a great day for our drive down. With the Tahoe heater on "high"! No apparent reason to rush for a change I guess. Keep on 'em!

Well, that's great I guess but we already had a Payne Stewart "tribute" course that used to be called Payne Stewart Golf Course for cryin' out loud. Wonder how much Johnny had to pay the Stewart "estate" to resurrect the name for this facility since the "original" is now known as Branson Hills? I mean, I guess it's great for the area and golfers and all but the politics and money aspect of it is all a little phony and disheartening to me. The first golf course was pretty cool until money became more important than memoralizing the guy that was supposed to be the "inspiration" for the whole deal in the first place. Poor naive me. I actually thought they cared about furthering the Payne Stewart legacy in the area. This time for sure though. Until of course it becomes Tiger Woods Golf Course at Bass Pro Shops Branson. Maybe all of the memorabilia from the first course is still stashed away in a warehouse somewhere locally so they won't have to bother Payne's widow Tracy to come up with a bunch more for the Tiger/Johnny version. I apologize to all of you that couldn't care less about golf much less where it's played. That's all I have to say about that......

I finally relented a while back and started incorporating the swivel but I hate it just as bad as I thought I would when I refused to use one! I've finally found an old 7 foot GLoomis bait casting rod that I'd had for years that pairs up well enough with a Lew's Tournament Pro reel that I can throw 'em on bait casting which helps some. Obviously twist is still an issue it just takes a lot longer to occur. Once it becomes too much I just bite the bullet and cut the line and drag it out behind the boat and then start all over. That works with spinning gear too but you spend a lot more time dragging that's for sure. I hate using leaders almost as bad as swivels but that's just the dummy in me I'm sure.

Ha ha! That's pretty good what you did right there! I was gonna say, "Well played" but you just woulda changed that to "Well done" or something else a little more innocuous! I must say though that I'm a little surprised at just how sensitive you non "players" can be!

We're there for seven starting Saturday. Looks like the "work week" will be pretty pleasant even if the weekend's a little shaky. Of course, the fish usually don't seem nearly as worried about Chamber of Commerce weather as we do! Good luck.

This is Duck's girlfriend, Duckette. And, while she also enjoys fishing and boating, she really excels at golf. This photo was taken a couple of years ago at Payne Stewart golf course as she prepared to approach her second shot on the par 4 ninth. If I remember correctly, she cut a nice little 8 iron to a tricky back right pin to about ten feet for birdie! Only problem is she loves to drive the cart but, too be honest, she can't drive a lick. And, surprisingly, she seems to prefer original Cheez-its!

You mean toaster ovens! Big difference!

"Non fishing type guests"? That's what Motel 6 is for! Glad you got out - I'm dying waiting for Saturday to get here.

He greatly prefers white cheddar Cheez-its!

Now that's just mean. Especially since I know you're making it up. Duck was in fact the first to refer to my motor as "futuristic" and it just kind of stuck. So there. People who make things up in order to get attention can be so annoying........

See? Already lending balance and "perspective". Teddy Bear? Sheeeeesh. And with a great "tail"? Somebody got to do something about this guy before he spreads.

You're lucky to be alive! Some of those things are more dangerous than crocodiles! The nightmares must be unthinkable.

Not sure but I think you might have overpaid. Guy's lucky he didn't "fall" overboard after a counter offer like that! Congratulations on your "retirement" however. Pays kind of like mine I'm thinkin'.

Cool! Can't wait for your detailed review of the event! This place could use a little "objective" input!

Pertinent questions all. Although I would never doubt the integrity of the seller nor the content of the advertisement, the curiosity surrounding this incredible "offer" and the applicable responses only serves to lend additional suspense and heighten expectations! As if that were even possible. This is like Christmas in April for cryin' out loud.