The Utlimate Golf Experience

Moving sites

2009-09-15T00:57:00.000-07:00

I am moving this blog over to a different server for technical reasons. You can now see it at http://mygolfjourney.wordpress.com/ Thanks, and hopefully I'll see you there!

Signed up for Boxgroove

2009-09-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

I signed up at boxgroove.com yesterday to get access to a bunch of private courses that I would normally not get access to. I the company is based out of Ohio because there are a ton of courses available there including a few on my list. They also have a social community where you can meet golfers from all over the country, and a lot of them are members to other clubs as well. I get all of this for $50 a year! If you have ANY interest in playing private courses for small fees, then you need to check it out. I'm excited because I'm slowly finding all sorts of people and resources to help me complete this journey. I've decided to start with The Quarry at La Quinta, so I need to figure out a way to get invited to play the course. I've heard that the head pros at a lot of these courses are actually quite open to letting outsiders play the courses, but I'm not sure how to go about asking. As of right now I can't say that I'm popular enough to promote their course on my blog (hopefully in a few months I'll be able to get the readership up). Speaking of getting readership up, please let me know what kind of info you guys would like to read about. I love pretty much every aspect of golf, and can have conversations regarding the subject for hours on end. I would love the feedback. Talk soon!

Good News...

2009-09-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back! I have been crazy busy with a project in LA that took all of my time last week, but I'm done, and I can get back to focusing on my 2010 Golf Dream. Still trying to figure out next steps, and get in contact with more people, but I did come across a phenomenal resource. You guys HAVE to check out boxgroove.com. For a tiny yearly fee, you can get access to private clubs all over the country. It looks like they are pretty new, but they are growing fast. I believe they just opened up a few courses in the Pacific Northwest. These aren't just any clubs either. I noticed a few that are considered elite courses, such as Muirfield Village in Ohio! I'm really excited to see them grow, and also excited to see some private clubs opening up there doors a little more to some outside play. Also, just received an update from one of my favorite blogs http://top100golf.blogspot.com/. Here is a guy who has made it his mission to golf the top 100 golf courses in the world. He hasn't set a timeline, but I think he has 87 of them under his belt! It looks as though Augusta is the toughest to crack, but I wish him the best of luck! He gives me inspiration. Alright, off to find some sponsors. I will update you soon. Happy golfing!

Social Media Networking for My Dream

2009-08-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been reading and analyzing the social web like crazy trying to figure out how to get help with this endeavor and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I'm also trying to be patient since everything I've read says it takes a few months for a decent blog to take off. I am very optimistic though. Since setting up my facebook profile, I've met 44 friends including Matt Ginnella, who is the travel editor over at Golf Digest. I am fully confident that with people like him giving me advice on what to do, I will accomplish this golf odyssey. I've been hanging around some no-golf related blogs like SocialMediaToday and Mashable to get some insight on how to increase readership. Since I am brand new to this, a lot if what they are saying is over my head, but there are a few things here and there that are sticking. I did realize that I will have finally made it when I get my own Wikipedia page! And by the way, if you need any info on blogging at all, you've got to check out Technorati. It keeps tracks of over 112 million blogs worldwide! Other good sources are Google Blogsearch and BlogPulse. I know I'm not really taking about golf that much right now, but I'm trying to update my progress on starting my golf journey which mainly consists of trying to find help on the Social Web. I'll try to golf it up a little more on my next post.

You can now see me on Facebook

2009-08-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

I have finally set myself up on Facebook. You can get a little more info on me there if you like, but let's be honest, it's all about the golf! I don't know why, but I am getting more and more confident that I am going to see this journey through. I think there will be enough love throughout the golf community that will help make this happen. I know that if I came across a fellow addict that needed my help to follow a dream, I would do all in my power to help them achieve it. After all, if one of achieves the unattainable dream, then can't we all? I have started to focus my energy on getting invited to play at The Quarry at La Quinta. I'm trying to find anybody that thinks this golf quest is worthy enough to offer some help. Like I said before, I fully believe that once we get enough people on board, that we can feel that it will be a group journey. I will feel more and more motivated to do this knowing that there are people out there actually rooting me on. I'm getting chills just thinking about it! What do you guys think? Do you think that fellow golfers will be behind this project, or do you think that they won't want to help? I have heard a few pessimists say that people will actually be upset if I am able to do this. I'm not sure why though...

Boring update

2009-08-26T23:53:00.000-07:00

Still trying to figure out what I'm doing. I am a beginner blogger and new to social media networking, so I have no idea how long it will take to make any kind of contacts. Trying to read up on this stuff. Just bought a book for newbie like me to help get the wheels spinning. If you guys have any good suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I'm so bad I need some kind of step-by-step guide on how to do this (although it is kind of fun fumbling my way around the bloggosphere). I have decided where to start my trip. Since I live in San Diego, I decided to hit The Quarry at La Quinta first and then head off to Vegas to play Shadow Creek. I didn't realize, but The Quarry is one of the ultra exclusive clubs that will be near impossible to play. If anybody knows a member or the head pro to hook me up, I will be immensely appreciative. It's good that this will be one of my first tests. If I can get in here, I will have a lot more confidence to be able to talk my way in to some of the other clubs across the country. After that, Shadow Creek (public) shouldn't be too hard even though it is crazy expensive. I'm thinking of trying to hit up Golf Digest and The Golf Channel to see if they want to pick up this story in any kind of capacity. What do you think?

Learning As I Go...

2009-08-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to figure out how to best tackle this enormous campaign. I feel like I need a step-by-step guide on exactly what to do next. I've tried to get my blog and my profile out to as many people as possible, and I think it's just starting to work. I do need to find a way to finance this epic journey and I have no idea where to start. Should I start with the golf courses and clubs to try to talk my way into some of these ultra exclusive resorts? Do I start with golf companies to try to get sponsored and get this quest started? My head is spinning and I am way out of my league, but that is the beauty of this. A nobody taking a chance at every golfer's dream. I have been studying up on a few people who have undertaken the World's Top 100 courses (obviously not all in one year) and there is a great blog everybody should check out. http://top100golf.blogspot.com/ This guy has got 87 of the top 100 IN THE WORLD in his bag! I've got find out how he has made this happen (maybe he can hook me up at a few). Again, any feedback, comments, suggestions, help, prose, anything you guys can come up with would be super helpful. Think I can get The Golf Channel to make it a weekly series?

What Would You Like to See?

2009-08-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

I was just wondering what kind of content would you like to see in this blog? I know that I will be describing the courses in great detail, as well as my adventures during this golf journey, but I was wondering what would everybody like to read about. Do you want to read about golf instruction? Golf equipment? How to get onto these courses? Wait a minute, that makes the most sense. Of course if you're reading a blog about an epic adventure top play the Top 100 courses in America (as rated by Golf Digest), you probably want to know how you can play these courses, as well. I will do my best to relate my experiences 100% accurate as long as I don't offend anyone. Of course, if I get invited to play by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, then I have to respect those wishes. I'm a pretty lighthearted person as it is, so you can expect my golf adventures to be lined with quite a bit of comedy (particularly, my game). When I go through my club fitting process, I will be very detailed about how to find the best people possible. I will also update on how my game will improve, and by what means. I will most likely still be about a 10 handicapper when this journey will begin, so we will see how much I improve (if at all). But most of all, I would love feedback and hear about what you want to see and read. See you next time!

How to go about getting sponsored

2009-08-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

Now I know that my golf journey is going to take A LOT of money and resources, but how do I go about getting them? My first thought is to try to get a hold of as many Directors of Marketing for as many golf companies as possible, so any contacts would be greatly appreciated. And how in the world do I pitch this idea? It sounds like I'm trying to get an extended golf vacation paid for, but I'm trying to see what this kind of experience will produce. Just imagine the stories, the people, the memories of what could be shared from this quest. And I guarantee that the most memorable part about the entire trip will be completely unexpected. That's the greatness about life. Throw yourself out into a brand new world and see what you get out of it. The best stories might not even be golf related. I just hope that the journey will be entertaining for not just me. I also hope that we can figure out how to at least get our feet wet. If I can get just a little bit of help to start the trip, I'm sure that more help will come once I get out on the road, and start sharing my adventures. Also, any ideas on how I can get this blog read by more people. I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm loving every minute of it!!!

I need to plot my course on the Ultimate Golf Journey

2009-08-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to figure out how I am going to plot my course so I will be able to hit all 100 golf courses in one year. Since I live in San Diego, I though I would just go clockwise around the country. I have realized that won't work since I will be hitting Idaho and Colorado during the winter. So now I will plot a course that will go counter clockwise. My journey will start in La Quinta, CA and then move to Vegas, Arizona and then to Texas (I think). Once I have my full course plotted out, I will post it here. I figure if I can play a course every 3 or 4 days, I'll be able to finish the challenge. Here's the hard part (actually, near impossible). How am I going to get invited to 84 private clubs in one year? And, how am I going to get invited in a 3 or 4 day window? It's still August, and I am hoping to make A LOT of friends and contacts within the next few months, but this might turn into a quest to play the top 100 public courses in America (I know, not quite as sexy). The part that makes me laugh and cry at the same time is wrapping my brain around the fact that I need to get invited to play Augusta, Pine Valley, Cypress Point and a slew of other ultra exclusive clubs across the country all in one year. HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!

What will I need for this year long journey?

2009-08-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

I'm only in Day 2 of the inception of this golf journey, but I need to put some serious thought into what I will need for this trip. Let's start with the car. Since it will just be me, I won't need a tremendous amount of room so let's go with something economic and green; Toyota Prius. Hopefully the trunk has plenty of room for luggage (I think the clubs should ride shotgun, don't you?). I would love some feedback on car selection. I also need to think about places to stay. This will take a little more thought. I need a big chain with locations all over the US, and I also need to be financially responsible. Any ideas? I'm thinking Best Western. Now I do have my clubs, but I'm thinking with a journey of this epic proportion, maybe it's time to upgrade into some custom fitted clubs. I've always been a TaylorMade fan, but again, I would love feedback and suggestions. Do you think we can get a sponsorship from an oil company to help supply the gas (does this sound like too much of a reach)? I will need proper attire for all of the venues. Which clothing companies do you guys like best? Since I am going to be updating on a daily basis, we will need quality tech equipment (laptop, phone, camera, digital recording, etc.). I know I am leaving lots of stuff off the list, so again, any feedback will be greatly appreciated. See you tomorrow!

A Dream Has Been Envisioned!

2009-08-18T02:16:00.000-07:00

My name is Matt Rice and today I have decided to attempt the impossible golf dream. I will attempt to play the top 100 golf courses in America all in one year. My goal is to do this in 2010. I will document this journey and show it to the world. Of course this is an ambitious goal, but who cares. Why not try something extraordinary. I am not a wealthy or famous person, so I have no idea how I will be able to contact and meet all of these people who will invite me as guests to these courses (84 of the top 100 courses are private and can only be played as a guest of a member). This is my first post and a call for help. I will need lots of help in this endeavor (financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.) and I can't wait to meet all of the people that I will come across in this journey. As of right now I am looking to talk to people and get their feedback about this project. Is it doable? What will I need? How much will it cost? Should I document it in the written word or in video? I will try to get this out to as many golf enthusiasts as I can, and I will update my progress every day. I hope I can do this with your help, and maybe we can inspire other people to follow their dreams as well.