So for those attending/watching the US Open on TV today, scroll to the bottom for more deets. Happy hunting!
Power rankings my favorite LACC stories this week...
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Easily the most astounding storyline this week is that a golf course in the age of the cell phone and internet can still be so mysterious.
I lived in Los Angeles for 10+ years. Drove Wilshire Blvd through Westwood and Beverly Hills I don't know how many times tracking down lunch orders, getting my ex-boss her "night veggies" (long story for another day), and convincing myself that I was just one break away from becoming the next big TV show creator. And if you were to ask me where the entrance for LACC was, I would've had no f'n clue.
Hiding in plain sight, I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to look behind the gates and wander the grounds of this "supposed" gem.
But in all the buzz of the week, we've seen countless golf media pieces breaking down all the ins, outs, twists, turns, and fun surprises in store. So here are my top 3 revelations of the week.
3) Max Homa holds the course record... from a collegiate event
You will likely hear it ENDLESSLY on the broadcasts this week, especially if Max is in contention. But breaking this story down is truly insane.
Max Homa shot a 61 at the PAC-12 Championship at LACC. A wild stat in its own right, but why I really appreciate this nugget is that many of the pros playing this week have literally never seen this course before. Like... never.
They are arriving on-site this week and seeing the LACC North Course for the FIRST TIME before they play a US Open on it. And Max not only holds the course record but did so while he was sluggin' back Keystone Lights in college.
Incredible.
2) The Playboy Mansion is located directly off the 14th tee/13th green
The word is that Hugh Hefner tried for decades to become a member of the country club that his own house was situated directly on... and no dice.
Maybe it was the sound of monkeys and other "monkey" business going on just over the hedges that soured the members on him?
Or maybe it was because these LACC members think they're running some Skull and Bones level secret club here. I'll be the judge of that. (Please invite me to your club!)
1) Fowler plans to lay up on the 80 yard par 3 15th
Now this is a phrase I've been trying to pass off as real golf strategy for years now. I hit my tee shot wayyyy too high, it catches the wind, or I just straight up choose the wrong club—and my ball lands 15 yards short of the green. I turn to my friends and say, yeah I think laying up was the smart play anyways.
Pure comedy.
But for real, reports are that if LACC puts the pin in the front of the dinky 15th, then Rickie's plan is to lay up and look to get up and down rather than challenge the VERY bizarrely shaped boomerang green and risk plugging into the thick fescue or bunkers.
And beyond making myself feel better about never hitting a par 3 green in regulation, the story speaks to just how nuts this layout is supposed to be. Drivable par 4's. 300 yard par 3's. Fairways that chuck you into the deep stuff for missing the dead center of the fairway.
Expect chaos.
Innovations in Caddy-ing for $500, Alex
NATURE BOY MOTIVATION
Golf Digest tipped me off to this oddball of a story last week. This one courtesy of Full Swing darlings Joel Dahmen and caddy, Geno Bonnalie.
Apparently, Geno dropped a cool $500 for a Ric Flair Cameo in which he absolutely roasts Joel's awful play of late. Telling him he can't putt, can't break 90, and "your golf game has gone to hell." All of which, posted to Twitter.
Now, I came to wrestling a bit after Ric's prime. Was more of a Hardy Boyz guy myself, flipping off my friend's basement couches, coming inches away from smacking my face into railings and coffee table corners.
But I can appreciate the sentiment and wow what a world where, for a 60 second video, people are getting a cool $500. Anyone want me to record some greetings for them? I'll throw in a Bad Birdie hat too for, I don't know, $100?
The TGL comes into focus
YOUNGEST TEAM OWNERS EVER
Lost in the mix of last week's PGA-LIV debacle was the announcement of the first TGL franchise—Los Angeles Golf Club.
For those who don't remember the rendering above, TGL is Tiger and Rory's new golf league that will air in early 2024 on primetime television. The league will feature six teams with PGA players competing in a stadium-like setting.
And the owners of the Los Angeles Golf Club? None other than the GOAT Serena Williams, her sister Venus, her husband and Reddit co-founder Alex Ohanian... oh yeah, and their 5 year old daughter Olympia and yet-to-be-born sibling! Making them the youngest sports franchise owners ever. Olympia actually already being an owner of the women's soccer team Angel City FC.
I own 4 different fantasy football teams, so she's still got a ways to go there. But impressive nonetheless.
Let's check in with Skakuza
HIPPOS ARE NO JOKE
Longtime readers know that I am a moth to the flame for any content coming out of Skukuza Golf Club in Skukuza, Africa.
Situated next to the infamous Kruger National Park, Skukuza is home to the absolute best wildlife on the course content imaginable. Hyenas. Elephants. Lions. The works.
This latest entry from re-post factory Zire Golf features a pair of hippos going AT IT in the water with these two dopes standing just yards away.
And as the comments indicate, guys, hippos kill more humans than any other large animal with over 500 attributed deaths per year.
But another favorite wrinkle to any golf social media content is the comment section. And the fact that someone named the_tequila_wanderer is out here posting multiple paragraphs on Zire Golf's feed with land speed stats and humble bragging about playing this course as a kid—is *chef's kiss*.
Let's play a game!
WHERE'S WALDO (SCOTT) IS BACK
Burn this Dock Solid polo pattern into your brain, people! Because, hopefully, you'll see myself strolling the grounds of LACC today in it. And if you do, treasures await.
Yes, we're running back Where's Waldo (Scott) for the US Open.
And here's how we play.
1) For those attending the US Open today (Friday, June 16th)—find me (Scott) walking around LACC. If you come take a picture with me, post to IG and tag @badbirdiegolf then you will win a free polo of your choosing!
2) For those watching the US Open on TV today (Friday, June 16th)—find me (Scott) in the background of the telecast. If you screenshot me, post to IG and tag @badbirdiegolf then you will win a free hat of your choosing!
That's it.
Those are the rules.
Happy hunting everyone!! Free beers for me are also more than welcome but will not effect your ability to win more polos... just effect your ability to be an awesome human being.
Limit one entry per person. Free merch will be distributed via a promo code shared with you via Instagram.
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