John Matthew Iv
Great hole-by-hole analysis, Doug. But as I look at the photos I am reminded that all the bunkers look the same. What was the thinking behind making them all be round with a tongue of grass in them? To me that is a huge negative that is hard to overcome.
I remember on an old "State of the Game" podcast, Mike Clayton was asked about some course whose name I long ago forgot but I never forgot his answer, "All the bunkers are in the rough." He dismissed the course in one sentence. Bunkers matter but they should not all be the same.
Link to commentBenjamin Malach
Fun fact the back putting and chipping green at the practice facility is one of the original Colt greens for the Eden course
Link to commentMichael Wainick
Spot on with this article! Years ago, as a Standard Bearer at the Northern Trust in NJ (so bummed they took this tournament away from this market!!!), i was shocked when I pulled Phil's tee time. To that point, one of the top players I got to walk 18 holes inside the ropes with. At the start, he was very humble and appreciative, introducing himself as "Phil" like he is not one of the biggest faces of the PGA (obviously this was a tad before LIV came on scene). Unfortunately, not much else was memorable about those 18 holes. It's always nice when the players show their appreciation of the volunteers with a signed golf ball, but Phil was always a real stickler with not giving them out at the end of the round (which is totally his prerogative). Been a fringe Phil fan over the years, not much more. But he has gotten his just desserts these past few years with LIV and the negative feedback/controversy he has earned. Also, about to embark on Billy Walters book which should be eye opening regarding Phil and his "alleged" gambling. Again, great article... Sparked my trip down memory lane with him "inside the ropes".
Link to commentW J
Great read. And no one probably cares, but my perspective: I still vividly remember the joy I felt when Lefty finally broke through at Augusta in 2004, and the bewildering mix of elation and disbelief I had when he pulled off the PGA in 2021. Those feelings were genuine and true at the time, and they still resonate today.
Phil's actions (and alleged actions) since then have surely added layers and complications to those feelings, but they really haven't taken away the fond memories. For me (as a sports fans of a certain age), the 1998 Sosa v. McGwire home run chase is a close parallel. My spine still tingles when I think of that summer or when I stumble across highlights, even as the revelations over the years caused me to think (and to say) various combinations of . . . "what the fuc&?!?"
A final note: this is a whole other topic, but not a Phil fanboy here. I'm far more of a Tiger guy (a man with his own complications!), but I've also always believed more in "and" than "or". I mean, I can (and do) enjoy the music of both Prince and Metallica, the films of both Kubrick and Scott, etc.
Link to commentMichael Hartford
Can’t wait to see a full write up on this. I’ve always wanted to see and learn more about it. Seems destined to host a TFE event someday, if I can dream
Link to commentBen Kodadek
Indeed. The Loop is much more forgiving off the tee compared to FD. Night and day really.
The greens on The Loop truly are the defense. They are fun, wild and a bit scary at times.
Link to commentKevin Smith
Thanks for the info! I’ll be driving through NJ on the 22nd so might try to play it that day. I know Mondays can be tough with work schedules, but there might be other eggheads out there that day who are attending the Long Island event the next day. If any meetup gets planned I’ll loop you in.
Link to commentDrew McCalmont
Hey Kevin, I just joined FEGC and saw this when scrolling through recent posts. I live in South Orange and play Byrne all the time. I’m always looking out for new people to play golf with, so let me know if you ever want to meet up! I have a kid so I try to play early on weekends when I can, but often do late mornings/early afternoons just because getting prime tee times at Byrne is very difficult.
+1 to the comment about trying the day before - this year it’s a 12 hour cancellation policy so lots of people tend to hang on until the last minute and cancel around 12-14 hours before their time.
Link to commentRichard Ramsay
Great review. Nails the Colt design and calls out the “henious” Steel work. At last he didn’t work on my home course……. Oh wait he did………. HENIOUS x 2
Link to commentJulian Dolce
The Loop is super forgiving. I tried really hard to lose balls and always found them. The ground game is key here though. It’s best to go in with an open mind and enjoy a different type of golf. For me that’s what made it so fun.
Link to commentKevin Maxey
I feel like the Loop is going to be hit or miss in my group. It looks pretty straight forward from the flyovers, I know that doesn’t do the greens justice.
How was the course off the tee? I have some low handicaps and high handicaps.
Link to commentJulian Dolce
I was there mid May and it was great. Played The Loop both directions and original course.
You should have a great time.
Link to commentRichard Morrison
Sure adds to the interest. I will look for him/thanks Joseph!!!
Link to commentWilliam Rankin
Some additional food options:
Breakfast in TC
- Frenchie's (small cramped dining, amazing brunch)
- Bubba's (lots of seating, great worse for the wear food)
- Sugar 2 Salt (near the GT commons)
- The Dandy (right downtown, not the best options for kids menu)
- Sisters (just across the street from Modern Bird)
- Red Spire (in the historic GT commons)
- Chez Amie (reimagined Patisserie Amie in the Warehouse MRKT)
- Potter's (local donut shop)
Lunch in TC
- Chef's Inn (sandwich shop connected to Burrit's Fresh Market for wine, speciality meat, and seafood)
- Chubby Unicorn (sandwich shop in downtown across from Little Fleet food trucks)
- Oakwood Proper (smashed burger shop near the base of the peninsula)
- Glendale Burger Shop (right near M-72 and M-22 intersection on west side of TC, easy if heading to / coming from Leelanau)
Dinner in TC
- Mama Lou's (mexican in downtown)
- Filling Station (brewery + pizza + dog friendly near boardman lake)
- Charles & Reid (detroit style pizza in downtown)
- Forrest, A Food Studio (two person operation with 24 seats, prepared menu, table reservations open the first of the month for the next month and go quickly)
Bars in TC
- Workshop (warehouse mrkt district downtown)
- U & I (local dive bar)
- 7 monks taproom (downtown)
- Low Bar (dark quiet lounge below 7 Monks)
Dessert in TC
- Buchan's Ice Cream (just west of TC near Glendale Burgers)
- Moomer's (just West of TC)
- Dairy Lodge (cash only*)
- Bardon's (base of peninsula near Oakwood Proper)
Leelanau County Spots:
- Art's Tavern (Glen Arbor - cash only*, B/L/D, famous chicken jalapeño soup on Wednesday)
- The Mill (Glen Arbor - dinner spot in renovated mill right on the river)
- Wren (Sutton's Bay - downtown dinner in Sutton's Bay)
- The Tribune (Northport - brunch)
Link to commentRobert Kimball
I volunteered at Gaston CC as a walking scorer and it was one of the coolest things I have done in golf.
Joseph Bramlett was in my group and he was still very much in contention on the final 9. Watching him grind away up close was amazing. He got it up and down from everywhere but unfortunately was undone by a late bogey and missed birdie putt.
I would strongly recommend to the Coop that if you get a chance to volunteer at an event like this, please do it. What a great day. And, it reminds me of just how good these guys are - they play a different game than we do!
P.S. Chesson Hadley was also in the group, but quit after 9. He asked to see the live scoring and realized it was not going to happen.
Link to commentDan Griffith
Ha, I made the same comment to my two fellow architecture-enthused friends who were out there with me, but they were hearing none of it. I think playing it into a three-club wind made trying to be that precise a bit too much of an ask.
Link to commentDavid Salle
Same when I was there, although funny enough I think that made it a better hole. Laying back and left made it a blind approach and pushing it up right gave you a look at the green
Link to commentDonny Amidon
Lowering expectations has helped me. I played in 3 tournaments last year. I felt very prepared and focused going into two of them and before the other I could hardly play due to a minor neck strain and work. I shot 80 in the two and 69 & won that I didn’t prep for. I’m sure it won’t always work that way either but it’s easy to overthink things and think that you need to do all the right things or make the time. I’m trying to be less stressed about it and see how that goes. I also think of the most nervous Or disastrous golf situation I’ve been in. The most nervous being the 1st tee shot at the Old course I hit right down the middle. The most disastrous being a tournament when I was 15 where I shanked the first tee shot OB, popped up my provisional into the water, dropped made 9. Topped my next tee ball into the water and walked off. My dad was watching from the car off the road and was already in the parking lot when I walked in utterly disappointed that I quit. Can’t get much worse than that!
Link to commentDonny Amidon
Lowering expectations has helped me. I played in 3 tournaments last year. I felt very prepared and focused going into two of them and before the other I could hardly play due to a minor neck strain and work. I shot 80 in the two and 69 in the woke I didn’t prep for. I’m sure it won’t always work that way either but it’s easy to overthink things and think that you need to do all the right things or make the time. I’m trying to be less stressed about it and see how that goes. I also think of the lost nervous Or disastrous golf situation I’ve been in. The most nervous being the 1st tee shot at the Old course I hit right down the middle. The most disastrous being a torment when I was 15 where I shanked the first tee shot OB, popped up my provisional into the water, dropped made 9. Topped my next tee ball into the water and walked off. My dad was watching from the car off the road and was already in the parking lot when I walked in utterly disappointed that I quit. Can’t get much worse than that!
Link to commentMatt Rouches
Yes, it was! 17 also used to have some more menacing bunkers and mounds dividing the fairway almost like a “hells half acre” which was strongly linked to Pine Valley.
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