Sam Weitzman-Kurker
Already in the plans! Will be getting a push cart though, going to be a hot one.
Link to commentEthan Fisher
Felt the need to update and say this was where I ended up playing. I could see how it was a prime facility in the early 2000s, but unfortunately the conditions were not great. Sounded like they had a tough winter and lost several greens... a few of which were very evident today. Definitely glad I made the trip and was able to get 18 in, but I can't say I have much of a desire to return.
Link to commentWilliam Davies
On Koivun's putting...Saw Koivun for the first time when he was a freshman at the SEC fall preview in 2023. Was going against Sargent in the Championship Match. Sargent hit it to about 15 feet on the Par 3 11th. Koivun hit it about 60 feet short. Two-putting for Par was going to be a tough task on that green. Made the birdie putt, went on to win the match.
Link to commentBen Denison
Played a couple of weeks ago - The greens are way bigger and the changes are readily apparent. You'll have a great day. There's some operational things that can be improved a bit, like no trash cans on the course I could find, and some native areas need some growing in, but the scale looks even more impressive with the tree clearing. In particular, the 3rd green, the 7th green, and the 10th green seemed way more complex after the renovation.
Underrated thing: The grilled chicken Caesar wrap at the restaurant was actually grilled on the grill and was amazing. Great option.
Link to commentMatt Rouches
In my personal opinion, I think you should walk it, if you’re able to, for the full experience. It’s a big hike but hell that’s what they did in the 1920s. Outside of that just take it all in and enjoy the challenge.
Link to commentBret Shandro
Is there another LPGA focused pod that anyone recommends?
Link to commentJoseph Zale
Great content and terrific video. I especially like the details about how the Women's Open will demonstrate Riviera's more subtle design features. The low key / low ego and thoughtful approach of Meg and Mathew is also refreshing. Thank you!
Link to commentWill Knights
Yessir. Just takes more time for approval in the Google store
Link to commentMark Ayers
Both walking and hickory. I see a road trip ahead once the three-year transition is complete. I'd have respected the decision for either by itself. Both together do make sense. Hoping to see more of both in the future. Even if the hickory collectors age out of the game.
Link to commentGarrett Morrison
Looking forward to finding out what I said, but I'm pretty sure I've had nothing but praise for Old Barnwell's shaping and varied sources of inspiration.
Link to commentDaniel Brubaker
FEGPodcast, Apr. 29, 2024. 55 minute mark😂 not that I’m keeping receipts
Link to commentGarrett Morrison
Uh... did I have an opinion I didn't know about? 😂
Link to commentDaniel Brubaker
Thanks Matthew! The lines on a few of the holes are linear mounding and cop bunkers, commonly found at Old Barnwell (most notably on the 1st hole there). Although disliked by those who don't like some of the more unique Victorian-era features (sorry Garrett…I think they will be making a comeback here very soon)…I think they are fantastic for lands with minimal elevation change. Love the comments and would love to hear more input!
Link to commentMatthew Schoolfield
I have a one questions right out of the gate: what are the black bars that cross many sections of the fairway?
I think there are some really good changes here, especially the added width on 15, which makes the strategy there even more interesting! I do have some concerns, like the 11th tee where it now seems advantageous to play over the 1st green and onto the 2nd fairway to approach 11th green, but perhaps I don't really understand the way the course is set up.
Unfortunately, without understanding the green contours, I can't really understand whether some of the minimalist changes will challenge players. However, it does look much, much cleaner and more deliberate than the existing site, which seems very overly bunkered to the point of exasperation. I mean, just looking at the current version of #2 makes me understand why you wanted to rework the design. It is obscenely penal, to the point where you wonder if they designer is trying to make it unfun on purpose.
Definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
Link to commentMichael Cramer
Hi Kevin, definitely try to play Francis Byrn if you are in the area. I've lived in NYC for several years and regrettably had not played it until after the FEGC event at Essex County Country Club (which is just up the hill from Francis Byrn). Since last August I have played there 7 or 8 times and would definitely put it as the best value course and maybe the best public course in the greater NY metro area. Some really good Raynor templates, good land movement, and offers some great strategic challenge and fun. I've also been pretty impressed with the condition - greens tend to be a little on the slower side but that's a trade off for a busy municipal course with interesting greens I'll take it. I believe $65 is the peak non-resident rate so it's my easy number 1 - the only caveat is that you may find getting a tee time very challenging especially if you are looking for a morning or weekend.
Rock Spring also has some fun holes, a few decent templates, and it does have a couple of nice skyline views of Manhattan, but on the whole, I don't find it quite as interesting as Byrn (especially around the greens). Playing there a half dozen times over the past two years I also have found of the course to play really soft (most of these rounds have been spring or late fall though). As mentioned, they use dynamic pricing so you may find a little more availability with tee times; however, I think they are charging around $200 for prime tee-times.
Hendricks, I have only played once. It's a good local course and if you are wanting to play in that immediate area and can't play the others it's a fine option, but not necessarily one I would go out of my way to play.
One last tip, especially for Francis Byrn - if you are struggling for a tee time, check back the day prior for an earlier tee time as they tend to get some cancelations especially for 1-2 players.
Link to commentDan Griffith
There is a map of the MacRaynor course in Daniel Wexler's book, Missing Links. He also includes a 1938 aerial where some of the abandoned holes (including the Short and Biarritz) are clearly visible, with the highway expansion cutting through them. Judging from the map, I think Bahto was being overly generous when he refers to those holes (other than 3 and 7) as being "retained." They did keep many of the old hole names when Flynn redesigned the course, though.
1 and 9 do roughly follow the old hole corridors of holes 1 and 18, respectively.
2 I don't see at all. The modern 2nd green sits vaguely in the same area as the MacDonald 12th green, which was a par 5.
8 appears to sit on more or less that same land as the old 15th, but, again, it looks to me like Flynn just built an entirely new hole. I can try posting a picture on the app (the book has long been out of print, as far as I know).
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