I recently wrote a story that asked the question if Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course was better than the legend-that-only-builds Pebble Beach. The conclusion came out that at $200 per round Edgewood Tahoe is an undeniably better play than the $450 greens fee (plus often required hotel stay to get on) Pebble.

Which caused reader Mark E. Tinger to write an impassioned tirade defending what he calls “the greatest American resort golf course".

OK, Tinger didn’t really bring anything to the table to defend Pebble Beach. Instead, he went to the Wie Warrior frequent strategy of attacking the messenger instead.

“I understand that you are trying to make a living writing advertorial pieces Mr. Baldwin, but now your credibility is gone,” E. wrote. “Stick to folding golf shirts and cleaning carts, the advertising industry has enough paid for souls.”

This is comical on several levels. Not only can I really not fold anything period (folding was the bane of a short-lived first job at Macy’s), but GolfPublisher Syndications’ editorial department - where I report to - is completely separated from any advertising nitwits. In fact, TravelGolf.com is one of the only golf publications out there that clearly marks its advertising pieces, most frequently as Client Features. You know when something’s coming from an advertiser here and can make informed decisions accordingly.

Sorry, E. But I wouldn’t get anything for pimping for Edgewood Tahoe. In fact, I believe I’m about the only writer on site who doesn’t even have a book to sell you.

Punching more holes in the unsupported rant is the fact that the head of the powerful PR firm that represents Pebble Beach actually bought dinner for the golf writers on the Lake Tahoe trip in which I played Edgewood. I didn’t even meet anyone from Edgewood except the head pro. If anything, I should have been influenced by Pebble Beach’s possible PR wowing play.

Of course, any sports writer who’s ever attended a game “for free” - which is every sports writer ever every time with press credentials - or eaten in a media buffet can tell you how ridiculous the notion that could make you write nice is. Pebble Beach’s seasoned PR pro surely understands this as well.

Mark E. Tinger also writes that “I have never heard anyone say that.” Which is part of the point of TravelGolf.com. You won’t read the same old, same old here. There will be things that challenge your preconceived notions.

Including this one: Edgewood Tahoe is probably a better course than Pebble Beach even when price is thrown out of the equation.

We’ll tell you when a course is in pathetic shape. We’ll break the news of members suing another course over playing conditions. We’ll even let you know when other writers only fixate on the sunny side.

I wish I could take credit for coming up with the Pebble Beach comparison all on my own. But if E. actually read the story he would have seen that longtime Orange County Register golf writer Randy Youngman put it in my mind the night before I ever set sight on Edgewood. Of course at that moment, I thought Youngman had to be crazy too.

“Edgewood’s in my top five all time,” Youngman said. “Pebble Beach is not.”

Maybe, this veteran journalist from one of the nation’s biggest newspapers - a newspaper that’s too far from Edgewood to expect any advertising from it - is on the take too. Along with the former golf pro in Las Vegas who’s played about every golf destination you could imagine and has long argued to me that Pebble Beach is actually completely overrated.

Or maybe, Clint Eastwood’s crew at Pebble Beach is a little upset that some non propaganda is getting out there.

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