The Golf Home Page

Created 2/11/2007

Updated 01/17/12

Heads Up! It's Tee Time! - Originally Posted January 17th 2012

The Raptor was standing outside tonight at about 5:30 in the gathering darkness amazed at the balmy 50 degree temperature which had melted all the snow which had dumped on the region over the past weekend.  Unfortunately, the warm temps were coupled with copious amounts of rainfall, perhaps dumping over an inch of hard rain during the course of the day. This turned the back yard into a soft sea of grass/mud which our pet seems to enjoy tracking into the house...

These weather incidents certainly have everyone wondering if Spring will be early or late this year.  Early is good and we can hope that is the case.  There are a number of gathering developments to note...

First, the WWGC lost another prominent member as Dave Hewett has decided to join the LVCC for the 2012 season.  Dave had been longtime member at LV and joined WWGC during the tumultuous 2007 golf season.  During his time at WW, Dave played a solid game and regularly was in contention for the annual Club Championship...coming in second to Lucas Marsh last season.  

It is well documented that Dave is a serious player and as such spends a lot of time at the practice range. Since LVCC has completed a magnificent practice facility, Dave had elected to take his talents to North East...

Special props are going out to Dave and his good buddy, Dave First who teamed up to win the EGDA Senior Better Ball this past season at the Lawrence Park Golf Club! As has been the case, a playoff was necessary to determine the winner and the Hewett/First team was able to prevail over the team of Ron Coleman and Rick Federici. 

Results Of 2011 EDGA Senior Better Ball - aka The Streeter Cup

While at it, The Raptor would like to note that the team of Tony Pepicello/The Raptor finished tied for 6th in the same event!  Tony Pep played to a magnificent 3 under par 69 while The Raptor was no slouch either shooting a fine 83.  It should be noted that our net score of 64 earned sixth place honors as well...it was a job....done...

Dave joins a growing list of past WWGC members such as Rick Carlotti, Ron Coleman, Shawn Wallace, Nark Noce, Ray Kallner and Chad Bednarski who have joined other clubs for necessitous and compelling reasons.  Their absence is disappointing as The Raptor had noted last year since it gives the impression to many that WWGC is NOT a desirous locale.

There are a number of factors which can make or break an avid golfer and his "affiliation".  Price can be a factor. Course Conditioning is a major determination. And lets not forget amenities.  If you consider these three criteria alone, WWGC is lacking.

Consider that a single membership for 2012 is $2,100.00, if you put down a $500.00 deposit by 12/31/2011.  Missing the down payment bumps the fee to $2,300.00.  If you consider that a 2007 membership was $1,000.00 without carts, this $2,300.00 price tag will make it challenging for the zero-sum members among us.  Maybe this fee is a tad hefty when compared to such exquisite tracks as Elk Valley, Erie GC and Downing. But, when "real" clubs such as LVCC develop convoluted "buddy" schemes to entice players the ability to hold onto members is difficult.  

Course conditions? Let's face it WWGC is a dump/dog track...just ask RDD!  The turf care crew always gets a sluggish start to the season and then plugs the greens in May.  The holes usually heal sometime in early June, just as the really hot weather is coming.  So the players see outstanding conditions for about two weeks.  Then, hot humid conditions roll in for July and August which renders the fairways wet from irrigation while the greens become slow as molasses.

How bout amenities? Clubhouse?...not. Locker Room?...not. Pro Shop?...sigh. Equipment selection? Great if u like Titleist. Food groups? Hot Dogs and Pizza. Table service? Well... you get the picture...

So what gives? The place is awful right?...WRONG! WWGC is great! A serious player can play every day that ends in the letter "Y".  There is always someone looking for a game!  The staff is very forgiving and they only talk and snigger marginally behind the member's backs. If you think golf is a game meant for walkers...join a flat track like Downing...the Woods has the coolest holes in town!

Amenities? Let's face it...the Asphalt Bar & Grill makes special events like The Prep Scramble and The Chili Cook Off what it is! And our couples scrambles are great fun too!

So get ready gang! It's less than 75 days till April 1st! This should be great!