For the first time in Daily Pilot...

For the first time in Daily Pilot history, the sports department is

launching a series focusing on some of the best golf holes in the

Newport-Mesa community, while creating a fantasy round from holes 1

through 18.

Welcome to the Newport-Mesa Dream Round, which will include all 10

courses in this newspaper’s circulation. The journey begins today

with holes 1 through 4 on the front nine, then next week in Golf

Coast holes 5 through 9 will be unveiled, followed by holes on the

back nine Dec. 22 (10-13) and Dec. 29 (14-18).

You will be kept in suspense until the all 18 holes are revealed.

It’s likely that some of the holes selected in the series aren’t

even considered the best, or toughest, or most appealing, hole at

that particular golf course. But take into account that we’re

searching for the best hole No. 1, hole No. 3, hole No. 3, et al, in

a golf round with holes (in order) 1 through 18.

It’s far from an exact science, but we enjoyed compiling our list

and believe it’s fair, objective and interesting. Dream along with us

as we say goodbye to 2004 and look forward to the best rounds of our

lives in 2005.

-- Richard Dunn