Marbella Country Club

SNUMC, Class of 64 vs. Class of 65

San Juan Capistrano, CA
April 25, 2011, Monday


이번은 Southern California의 서울의대 18회(1964)와 19회(1965)의 세번째 Golf 만남이다.
이번 Host 인 Dr. Bahng (방효준*64) 동문이 그의 Coutry club 인 Marbella Country Club에 초청하여, 4월 25일 월요일에 만났다. 여기는 L.A. 와 San Diego 중간쯤으로 바다에 가까이 있는 City of San Juan Capistrano의 gated community인 Marbella Village Subdivision안에 있다. 동쪽으로 San Jacinto Mountains이 있고 그 산맥의 western slope (태평양쪽)에 위치한 곳이다.

이 Golf course는 산기슭에 자리잡어 Rolling fairways와 급한 Elevation change가 많은곳으로 처음 오는 사람에겐 어렵다한다. 그러고 보니, Class-65 모두가 생전 처음이다.
Who said this would be a "neutral" ground ??

오늘은 지난번에 참가했던 오수황*64 (Irvine), 조동준*64 (Rolling Hills Estates), 최영인*65 (La Habra Hills), 방효준*64 (San Juan Capistrano), 이홍표*64 (Rancho Palos Verdes) 동문들과 이번에 처음 나오는  홍수웅*65 (La Habra, ENT),  채 진*65 (Riverside, FP), 윤홍기*64 (Fresno, Anesthesia) 동문들과, 본인을 포함해서 모두 9명이 모였다.
It was Monday morning. Obviously, I guess, they are all retired. No need to ask.

큰 도심지에서 멀리 떨어져서, Air pollution이 전혀 없는 조용한 곳에서 상쾌하게 맑은 날씨에, 쉬원한 바닷바람을 쐬이며 오수황, 조동준, 윤홍기, 홍수웅, 최영인 의 fivesome 과 이홍표, 방효준, 채진과 본인의 foursome 으로 갈려져서 쳤다.




We arrived early and practiced at the putting green that we'd never tried before.
Due to the recent aerification, it was a bit slow. But how about on the rolling green?



This was a special member-guest day at the Marbella Country Club.
In front of the club house, everyone is about ready for the 11:00AM shot-gun.



Our group picture in front of the club house.
왼쪽 두번째의 윤홍기*64, 왼쪽 5번째의 홍수웅*65, 오른쪽 두번째의 채 진*65.



The club house of the Marbella Country Club.  Ah... Opulence à la California ?
From the veranda, both the 9th and 18th green is fully visible within sand-wedge distance away.
A nice design to watch the final hole of a tournament from the open deck.



This is a double green for #9 and #18th hole, obviously the signature hole of Marbella.
From the higher hill, one hits down to the green by flying the ball over the lake.
Therefore, naturally, the results of the second shot to the green may not be as pretty as the picturesque scene. In putting, be careful not to get distracted to the scenery on this tricky green. When I found out about it, it was too late !!



A rose garden between front and back nine. Hey, they promise you a rose garden here.



I can guess the rose and lily season in California must be much earlier
than the rest of the country.



Brilliant colors all around under California sun...
Tough to give undivided attention to the golf game.



Beautiful landscaping, here and there.



A very serious moment at 18th green.... Win, Lose, or No Blood ??

채 진*65 is tending the pin while 이홍표*64 is about to attempt his birdie-putt right now.

Up to this point, we were all even. On this long par-4, I and Dr. Lee were both on the green in two.
I made a first birdie attempt through a long slopy green and, unfortunately, my ball rolled down 12 feet away from the hole. It wasn't likely that I would make one putt for par from there.
Now, Dr. Lee is about to attempt a long birdie putt across a slopy green from almost as much far away as I was. If he makes two putt for a par, then I have to make the long par-putt to tie.
Can he hole-out in two strokes for a par? If he does, and if I fail to make my par putt, the 64 class would win the game by one point. Dr. Lee, being a good putter, probably will make it in two stroke or can he??



Dr. Lee's second putting from 3 feet away. If he makes it, class 64 would win. So, what happened ?
Please don't ask me. He will tell you what he did !!



After 18 holes' wonderful golf outing, we were invited to Dr. Bahng's home inside the Marvella Village compound.



Yes, this has to be a modified Moorish-Spanish architectural style.
Not long ago, we learned it from our website.



It was a beautiful afternon and equally nice backyard.
But a bit too early for the dinner trip to Irvine.



At Mrs. Bahng's kindness, we are having fruits, beer, wine, and cheese.



With all the usual whinings about the golf shots on today's Marbella adventure !!
Guess who did the most whinings, 64 or 65?



At Mrs. Bahng's flower garden...
The leaves look like a geranium but the flowers don't look like it.



And one of her cactus collections. This one is really an unusual cactus (or something else?). I've never seen a plant like this before.

Afterwards, we drove to Arirang Korean Restaurant in Irvine for dinner.
The next game will be arranged by the class-65, probably at Westridge Golf Course in Fullerton.

Dr. and Mrs. Bahng, we all thank you for your hospitality.
For all of us, it was wonderful "A Day in Paradise".

We will meet again. Adios !!

Photo and text by SNUMA WM - April 30, 2011