I agree. Its really only existing 14 where the fairway is below the elevation of the cliff edge obscuring the ocean view. While reversing the direction of play down the hill on the new 17 doesn't completely solve that issue, it makes the best of it. No-one is going to allow re-grading of the cliff edge to solve the problem, thats for sure. Driving range area looks very tight against #1 fairway. I'd love to see the renovation/remodel happen. I've always enjoyed Sandpiper over the years, but it definitely underachieves on that property.

I think that MacKenzie and Maxwell should be jointly credited for CD. Maxwell had quite a bit to do with Crystal Downs. There is even a story (unsubstantiated, because no one has ever dug up a routing plan for Crystal Downs) that Maxwell re-routed the last two holes. From the Club’s Historian . . . 1. The partnership Mackenzie entered into for work east of the Rockies with Perry Maxwell was called Mackenzie and Maxwell. 2. The project came to Mackenzie via Robert Hunter who was contacted by Walkley Ewing, the founder of Crystal Downs, after they had built a 9 hole layout that Ewing felt did not do the land justice. Hunter recommended Mackenzie and Ewing arranged for Mackenzie to visit in October 1928 on his way back east from California. Mackenzie came with Maxwell. While we have no precise date for this we know Mackenzie was at Pasatiempo as late as 9 October and boarded the Aquitainia in NY on October 24. I would guess Mackenzie was likely there for a bit less than a week. Our timeline has no other dates for subsequent confirmed Mackenzie visits to Crystal Downs. Ewing's first person account in our club history book says that: "Crystal Downs created in Dr Mackenzie an instant impression near perfection and his enthusiasm for its possibilities caused him to delay his sailing a boat or two and to settle in Zach's for a few days of intensive course designing. He and Perry Maxwell worked almost around the clock until they had laid down holes and torn them up and laid them down again, emerging finally with the eighteen hole layout that we know today." So according to Ewing, Mackenzie and Maxwell jointly routed all 18 holes. Then Ewing continues: "Mackenzie and Maxwell went ahead, and Mackenzie, an excellent artist, painted detailed pictures for the contours of every green." From this it is apparent that there was a full set of green plans, and most likely a routing plan as Ewing still had to get support for the junking of the existing course and the finance to effectively build a new 18, and a routing of plan would have been of great assistance with this. He goes on: "They agreed Maxwell would return in the spring to supervise the actual construction, and I agreed to see that they would get paid $5000 for these services, an extremely moderate fee for their time and expense in view of their unmatched qualifications." Construction started soon thereafter and the first nine was playable by the end of summer 1929. The finance to build the second nine was looking doubtful but Ewing solicited support from a syndicate and so the second nine was built. Ewing said that "the new course would have been impossible in those years except for the continuing efforts of Perry Maxwell." Did Mackenzie ever see the course during construction or at completion? We just don't know. From this we can fairly reasonably conclude that Mackenzie and Maxwell jointly routed the course, Mackenzie drew his customary green plans and Maxwell built it over a couple of years, in two lots of nine holes. This from the founder's own pen, who was the man responsible for getting Mackenzie to the project.

1. Something I drank that surprised...Smoke Bourbon from Journeyman's Distillery in Michigan. I'm not a Manhattan drinker usually but have jumped onboard after trying this. 2. Ardor in Peoria, IL (www.ardorbp.com) Regular menu is outstanding. My wife is vegan and she organized a once a month vegan dinner here and his offerings for this are amazing. I'm not vegan and I love the dinner. Also great cocktails. 3. Scrambled with a little Cholula.

I’m in the Pittsburgh area but travel to Philly quite a bit. Would love to participate (no connections at Philly course though at the moment).

Makes sense! We did the first week in March. Pinehurst No. 4’s greens were in really bad shape. I think they closed the course at some point to rebuild them. The other courses were a bit soggy and had some washout. It did rain a bunch that winter. Your brother was a hoot! We had a blast. Hopefully can make the trip work this Spring!

Absolutely would love to have you out!

The Hotel Planner Tour Rolex Grand Final seems like the absolute perfect tournament to kick off this topic. Cheers! 🍻

I don't really know how to classify CD in the Maxwell portfolio but if you considered it his design vs MacKenzie then I would probably have it at the top and also I think the 8th hole there is one of the greatest holes in the world.

The 5 days that I spent in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area this September were off the charts good! 📈 Will & Parker did an amazing job with the roadtrip!

Crystal Downs is not just my favorite Maxwell, but also my favorite course. I think the front 9 might be among the best in golf. Old Town Club is IMO the best course in the Carolinas. Huge Maxwell fan. Look forward to seeing Southern Hills and Prairie Dunes in ‘26! I would love to add Omaha and Dornick Hills to the trip!