Hello All,
I've been thinking about golf (TW) and would like to make this offering ....
First a proposed Golf Fly-In(s) for June 2014 to commemorate the 114th US Open hosted by the USGA.
This year's event will be held at the famous Pinehurst #2 in NC nestled between Raleigh and Charlotte in Moore County, NC.
There is an airport within walking distance of the resort .... Moore County Airport (KSOP) ... with a 5500' runway (5/23) and plenty of parking on the now closed 2000' grass strip (14/32) which shows in both sims.
The Course
You can find the golf course (Pinehurst #2 by Jay Randall for '07) download at the usual place ... http://www.coursedownloads.com/index.asp ... or if needed I can place a folder on the TS3 browser that would include all of the files and an installer.
I would be happy to help with the install if it's your first time or just need a refresher .... not all that simple, but it is easy after you get everything you need together and follow the instructions.
As of this writing I have not been able to get TW '06 to run stable on Win 7 ... I can only host in TW '07 .... send me a PM if you don't have or cannot find TW '07 and I will help you to locate it.
As time allows I work to find a way for TW '06 to run without any CTD's, but it's not stable enough on my machine for MP right now.
In the past we have had to run a host for each version of TW ('06 and '07) so the '06 only crowd will be on their own.
Also note that I have not tested the '06 install which goes by the name Pinehurst Revolution v1.1 by Avenged 1337 not rate rated either after over 1300 downloads ... not encouraging.
If needed one could play off line and post a score card .... this has been necessary on occasions in the past.
Time and Date(s)
That tournament runs June 12th - 15th ... we can have the event on Saturday and or Sunday depending on the content of posted replies ... morning or afternoon EDT just mention a preference.
This announcement is early enough to allow for collecting suggestions and requests on time and date and then (hopefully) finding a common denominator or just what works best for the majority.
The Flight
The Fly-In portion is on your own time in any aircraft you wish to fly from any airport you wish .... maybe your local airport or one of the many close by KSOP.
The combinations of aircraft and departure airports are endless ... just do whatever suits your fancy .... I'll probably depart from NC's Outer Banks (shore) at or nearby the Wright Brother's Memorial (KFFA) in a light twin or fast single prop.
Approaches to KSOP RWY 5 or RWY 23 are relatively clear of terrain so it's definitely doable in a private jet if you so desire ... no ILS.
In the past folks have congregated on the FSHost server enroute as much as an hour or two before tee time for some chit-chat and a little catching up.
More thoughts
Since most of us already have downloaded the Augusta National GC from previous events we could run a Master's Event next month in the usual manner in both sims and both TW formats .... a good way off until June .... the Master's will be run April 10th - 13th.
That would be two events .... we've run more than that in previous years and if anyone is so inclined we could try to match the schedule for the other two "Majors" as well.
There are four Majors each year ...
Copied and pasted from Wiki:
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April – Masters Tournament (weekend ending 2nd Sunday in April) – hosted as an invitational by and played at Augusta National Golf Club in the U.S. state of Georgia.
June – U.S. Open (weekend ending with the 3rd Sunday in June) – hosted by the USGA and played at various locations in the United States.
July – The Open Championship (weekend containing the 3rd Friday in July) – hosted by The R&A, an offshoot of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and always played on a links course at one of nine various locations in the United Kingdom.
August – PGA Championship (3rd or 4th weekend after the Open Championship) – hosted by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and played at various locations in the United States.
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Besides the courses mentioned above we would need to download for 2014 The Royal Liverpool GC of which there are two examples for TW '06 .... however I see no examples for TW '07 so we could substitute with St. Andrews ... we could still Fly-In to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (EGGP)
Next would be the Valhalla GC of which there are excellent examples to download for each version and the course is in Louisville, KY .... a bazillion airports close to handle any type of aircraft.
Re-cap
As suggestions with the US Open mentioned first because it is a new destination for us with no additional scenery need in either sim and the course design Pinehurst #2 by Jay Randall is superb.
Good ol' Augusta National .... a staple in our history of events ... nothing to add always a challenge and it too is near the top of the best courses list in my book.
Across the "Pond" for some diversity in courses and destinations .... nothing to download or install.
More diversity in the Louisville area .... good flying and a terrific new golf course.
Finally here are the four Major Golf Championships offered as events for 2014 now in chronological order awaiting your comments and suggestions ....
Master's Tournament ---- April 10-13, Augusta National GC
US Open --------------- June 12-15, Pinehurst #2
The Open Championship -- July 17-20, Royal Liverpool GC
PGA Championship ------- August 7-10, Valhalla GC
Cheers,