Bogey Man Unmasked [Archive] - Toronto Golf Nuts - Greater Toronto Area Golf Forum

overpar

Oct 2, 2005, 10:20 AM

Grass Roots Tour

Oct 2, 2005, 11:53 AM

Toronto Star's Bogey Man is retiring and they finally revealed his identity after 17 years of golf course reviews. Read it in today's sports section.

I always liked his reviews, I wonder if The Star will be replacing him???

Guys will be chompin at the bit to get this gravey job. Any golfer would love the chance to play every new Ontario course for free just to have a (hopefully positive) story written about the course.

Who reads the paper?

Most of you guys know by now, from this forum, that opinions vary. The things I love about a course, you might not like.
I'd like to think I'm a good judge of a solid course tho. :rolleyes:

golferboy

Oct 2, 2005, 05:13 PM

Read the article, and pretty pleased as my brother's course(superintendent) was mentioned three times...favourably.Toronto Star's Bogey Man is retiring and they finally revealed his identity after 17 years of golf course reviews. Read it in today's sports section.

I always liked his reviews, I wonder if The Star will be replacing him???

haribo

Oct 2, 2005, 06:15 PM

So, who's the guy?

tjhayko

Oct 2, 2005, 08:04 PM

Read the article, and pretty pleased as my brother's course(superintendent) was mentioned three times...favourably.

Which course? Can you get us any deals ;)?

pudubny

Oct 2, 2005, 08:12 PM

So, who's the guy?Here is the story.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1128162276721&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064&t=TS_Home

I enjoyed reading his column even though I often thought his reviews were not great. He did always give us a good idea of the atmosphere of the club. But those tips, please. "Try using 5 iron from the 6th, to avoid the lake." If I knew what tee he played and how far he hit a 5 iron it would be helpful.

His annual rankings had become geographically challenged. Best courses in GTA included Taboo and Bigwin which I thought were in Muskoka.
But he did take swipes at the overpriced corporate clubs, although he enjoyed the courses and I respect that.
He also taught me about new places to play like Coral Creek and Osprey. I remember reading about Osprey first in his column and making my first trip soon thereafter, what a find!
Hope he enjoys his retirement and The Star replaces him.
Regards.
Pud.

Focker Singh

Oct 2, 2005, 10:04 PM

Guys will be chompin at the bit to get this gravey job. Any golfer would love the chance to play every new Ontario course for free just to have a (hopefully positive) story written about the course.

Who reads the paper?

Most of you guys know by now, from this forum, that opinions vary. The things I love about a course, you might not like.
I'd like to think I'm a good judge of a solid course tho. :rolleyes:
I don't think he played for free cause his identity was never revealed. He simply was a customer who wrote reviews. According to the article he didn't want to say he was the Bogey Man from the Star, "can I play for free and I'll write a review on your course?" He paid and even kept his notebook from being seen. Would love to have his job for sure!!

Big Shooter

Oct 3, 2005, 12:40 AM

I don't think he played for free cause his identity was never revealed. He simply was a customer who wrote reviews. According to the article he didn't want to say he was the Bogey Man from the Star, "can I play for free and I'll write a review on your course?" He paid and even kept his notebook from being seen. Would love to have his job for sure!!
...ahhh, yes, but I'm certain that The Toronto Star 'expensed it' for him!;)

Bellyhungry

Oct 3, 2005, 06:43 AM

I always enjoy his reviews...

What I do not get is why he thinks Deerfield has some of the top par 5s in the GTAs? I know he plays out of Deerfield. But I think it is pushing it to say Deerfield's par 5s are top in GTAs.

I am boycotting Deerfield because earlier this year, a marshall was stalking my two-some after we started slow in the first hole (even though after the third hole, we caught up to the group in front of us). His presence really was uncalled for.

iyah

Oct 3, 2005, 07:50 AM

What I do not get is why he thinks Deerfield has some of the top par 5s in the GTAs? I know he plays out of Deerfield. But I think it is pushing it to say Deerfield's par 5s are top in GTAs.

Yes, that is pushing it.

I would venture to say that you would only have to drive 5 mins to find a better group of par 5's at Glen Abbey.

He also always ranked Twenty Valley very highly which I didn't think it deserved.

From 2002 rankings ,
Most knowledgeable pro: Jerry Magee, Coral Creek :rofl:

Bogey Man was ok to read, but I prefer Robert Thompson's reviews.

Copetown Woods

Oct 3, 2005, 11:01 AM

It's too bad the Bogeyman is retired now....we got some pretty good editorial in the Star for free because of him, and his review of us, and his Bogeyman's Best list each year (16th this year of 18) increased our Toronto traffic significantly.

Anyone else out there want to write some "secret shopper" reviews and get free golf at some of the best courses in the GTA??? Wait in line I'd say!!

Ems

Oct 3, 2005, 07:40 PM

Bogey Man was ok to read, but I prefer Robert Thompson's reviews.

Hey! Robert Thompson came on this forum a few times. I haven't seen his posts lately though.

tjhayko

Oct 3, 2005, 08:01 PM

Who could possibly be more qualified for this job than:

Everybody on TGN?

Let submit a collective resume to the Star, and get free golf anywhere in TO for the next couple of years.

Ems

Oct 3, 2005, 08:20 PM

why not submit the link to the golf course review forum?? :)

pudubny

Oct 4, 2005, 07:37 AM

Hey! Robert Thompson came on this forum a few times. I haven't seen his posts lately though.
EMS,
Actually Robert has blogged his thoughts on the Bogeyman.
See here.
http://goingforthegreen.blogspot.com/

His blog also has some links to other very informative sites like Golfobsserver.com. Worth a visit.

As for thoughts on who should replace him, that is a good question. Personally, I do not want to know his/her rating as much as WHY he thinks the course is good or bad. Or why this golf hole is good or bad. Bogeyman never really had a point of view. I discovered the hard way that I differed from him greatly on what he considered a good golf course.

Good luck.
Pud.