I am updating this post periodically. Updates are in blue.
Most of you have probably heard about the fire that is blazing through the Moorpark area.
For detailed information on evacuations, road and school closures from the sheriff’s department, visit this website.
Update: I got an e-mail from KNBC that they are running a live stream of continuing coverage and raw video from the fire. I checked it and it was last night’s coverage but they told me the chopper is refueling and live stream will be back up soon. Here’s the link. (10 AM – 5 PM)
It is fire season and it seems like in each of the last several years there’s been at least one fire right around here that puts us all on edge. In the so-called Shekell fire (named for the road where it started), several homes and buildings have already been lost and thousands are still threatened as it continues to burn and the Santa Ana Winds continue to move it through the fuel filled brush areas.
Embers fly in this photo of the building and property of MGR Design going up in flames. (L.A. Times)
Moorpark Country Club
The fire went right through my favorite local public golf course, Moorpark Country Club. Sunday morning around 8:00, golf pro Leo Lee closed up shop as the Sheriff’s department recommended evacuations in the area.
This morning, Moorpark CC seems to be out of harm’s way as the fire has moved along to torment other areas. The golf course sustained damage to scrub brush and it’s still very smoky so only a skeleton crew is on location and no golfers are around. The roads are closed and it’s unsafe to be outside breathing all the particulates. Even without a fire, golfers would be scarce because of the insane winds.
I actually had a tee-time at Moorpark on Saturday morning and opted out with the rest of my foursome because the wind was blowing us away as we stood there and discussed whether or not to play. Gusts to 70 mph – sustained winds probably around 40-50. No thanks. But punishing winds are merely an inconvenience for golfers.
Those are the same conditions that make the fires nearly impossible to fight. Firefighters can’t stand steady with their hoses and helicopters can be grounded (they’re up right now). Small aircraft has difficulty staying on course to land their targets with water. However, when they need water, they can use water hazards at the area golf courses to fill up their tanks.
Residents evacuate at the north end of Valley Road in Moorpark. (L.A. Times)
Update: I got an e-mail from Steve Vigiano, the Director of Golf at Moorpark CC. He says: “We are fine. Just some minor fire damage to the brush on the Canyon and Ridgeline side of the course. We have been closed for the past 2 days [and] we will be open tomorrow. I have heard that Rustic Canyon had a lot of damage to the Native areas. I believe that the course is OK. There is no way to communicate with Rustic right now.”
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
Another fire that is part of the Shekell blaze burned through Happy Camp which is the location of Rustic Canyon Golf Course. I have tried to contact them this morning for an update but have been unable to reach anyone there. Perhaps the power and phone lines are down there. I’ll continue to try and post an update when I have more information. If anyone knows anything, please post a comment here.
Update: I got through to their phone number and heard the message that they are closed due to the fire and directing people to call later in the week when the phone service will be available. No report is given on the message about damage to the course.
Don’t be stubborn (and stupid)
It was reported on the news that many people in the area are refusing to evacuate their homes. Everyone, please be safe. Stuff is just stuff. Get your animals, hard drives, hard to replace documents, photos, mementos and golf clubs and just get out. Those embers are flying and it’s still really dangerous out there.
A word to the local news stations:
It sure would be nice if you could display an accurate map of the fire areas and where the firelines are. Last night I was watching the news and one of the stations showed an actual image of the fires with an overlaid map of the area. According to that map, I was on fire. If you’re going to do it (and you should), do it right!
Update: Here are a few more links posted by reader “ELY” in the comments section. I thought I’d put them here for easier access:
Ventura County Star’s Affected areas map
Ventura County Star’s Wind map
Ventura County Fire Department
Update: As of 7:00 AM this morning (December 5), the fire is 80% contained and the fire department expects full containment by 6:00 PM tonight.
Next post.
U.S. Open & Golf courses for women
First, I have to get this out – It should be called the U.S. Open. Period. They don’t call the one the men play the U.S. Men’s Open. Golf is golf no matter which gender plays.
That being said, I am a subscriber to the magazine Golf For Women. I mean come on, I have to keep up with what’s going on in the world for golf chicks.
The latest issue of GFW includes their biannual picks for the Top 50 courses for women. And guess what course is their new #1? That’s right, the location of this weekend’s U.S. Open: Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC. The players sure seem to agree. I gotta say, Pine Needles looks amazing. I sure would like to get my clubs on it. Besides, NC isn’t on my list of states played yet so I could kill two birds with one stone. Since no one invited me out for the U.S. Open so I could pull a Brandon Tucker and cover the tournament and play the course the day after, it’ll just have to remain on my to-do list.
Top 50 courses
I think GFW is a top notch magazine and perhaps all they’re missing is my voice. However, I have to call them out on something here. That list I mentioned – the Top 50 courses for women – has a little glitch. (You know if you print it, some people will read it.) In order to be eligible for the list, the courses must meet a few criteria:
Of course the last three are subjective but the first three are pretty clear cut. Except for that pesky “should” in the second bullet. There are only two courses on the list that don’t meet that particular condition and given the name and prestige of one of them, I’m left wondering if there isn’t some external influence allowing these courses to make the list instead of others that are deserving.
#15: Sunriver Resort, Meadows Course in Sunriver, OR: 5287/6022/6625/7012
#19: Pebble Beach Golf Links: 5198/6116/6348/6737
Sunriver just barely surpasses the 6000 mark and both Sunriver and Pebble have those tees rated for women. Still, Pebble Beach being what it is I have to wonder if that should would be a must if not for that course needing a place on the list. Yeah, it’s on my list of must-plays, it’s just that $425 green fee that snags me up. Plus, I’d probably want to play the 6348 tees and they’re not rated for women so I couldn’t post the round if I did.
Personally, I dig courses that have all tees rated for women. Sure, most women aren’t going to want to play from the tips – including me – but I like to have options. Most men shouldn’t be playing from the tips either, but they have that choice.
*Side note: noticing a rant in my tone I checked the calendar and indeed, this post is brought to you by proud sponsor PMS.
Golfchick’s proposal
I hereby submit a new course for consideration by the GFW raters for the next list:
Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort, Donnelly, ID.
Not only is the course a great layout for players of all abilities, all tees are rated for men and women. Plus, they’re denoted by shapes and colors like ski slopes and have handicap recommendations. I think it’s brilliant.
Greg and I just got back from a trip to Idaho and our stay and play at Tamarack was enchanting for both of us. Plus their greens fees are friendly from $75-$119! (Hurry and play before they realize what they have and raise those prices!)
There will be much more on Tamarack, Osprey Meadows and that whole Idaho trip to come including photos. I just wanted Golf For Women to be aware of this place and hope they give it a place on their list next time around.
Next post.