30 plus photos added to Fishers Island course profile

[Ran Morrissett]

...courtesy of the Good Doctor Geoffrey Childs and Mike Sweeney.

Though Eastward Ho! gave it a run for its money a few years ago, Fishers Island still ranks as the single biggest pleasant surprise/shock of my golfing life.

Next October will mark my 20th anniversary at having first played FI. We had come over to the island from playing Shinnecock the day prior and after the first 18, I turned to brother John and Dad and said, "Are you sure Shinnecock's better?" We both agreed that the Fishers couldn't be THAT good so off we went for a second 18. At the conclusion of that round, John said, "Is it me or is it only getting better"?! so off we went for as many more holes as we could get in before dark (we managed to get to the 8th green before stumbling back in total darkness).  

In some ways, places like this web site are a blight on mankind as they (potentially) rob someone of being blown away by a hidden gem so be warned before you look at the new photos (in part because there is a photo of Mike Cirba in shorts , a grave injustice to all that we hold dear in this great game). If you have never played here, you will swear it looks as inspiring a course to play as any in the world. And thanks to the ground speed that Don Beck and his crew achieve on these roly-poly fairways, you might just be right!!

One architect suggested to me that he could have done better given the wonderful opportunity but I seriously question that. Would he have come up with the same magnificent routing (which seems impossible to improve upon) as Raynor? Also, Raynor's style seems especially well suited to this property (as it did at the rocky Yale as well) with, for instance, his built-up green pad at the 3rd specifically heightening the course's drama.

What do you think - is Fishers Raynor's finest design? or Yale in its former glory days?

Cheers,

[Mike_Cirba]

Ran;

You need to put some type of warning on the Course Profile.  

"Mike Cirba in shorts" is not for the aesthetically faint of heart.

Astute observers will note that I'm hitting one of my patented 65 yard Texas wedges, however, so anyone who hasn't played with me in awhile can see that my chipping game hasn't improved.  

[GeoffreyC]

Fishers Island is so beautiful and inspiring that Pamela Lee Anderson could be running around in shorts and not get noticed. Mike Cirba?  Was he in our group?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Geoff,

I like golf and golf architecture as much as anyone, but, I'm afraid you've gone over the edge.

Take two large tylenols and call me in the morning.

Somehow, I can't seem erase that vision from my mind.

You've ruined my ability to focus, for the day.

[michael j fay]

Fishers Island entrances any and all that are lucky enough to trod the fairways. I have played both Fishers and Yale many times and for pure majesty Fishers is untouchable. Yale has some exceptional holes, yet is not what it was at the beginning. At one point the third green of Yale extended to nearly the edge of the water. Fishers on the other hand is nearly all original. There have been a few additions (the bunker on nine in front of the green) but for the most part unchanged.

Fishers may be the best property on which a golf course is built in the world. The ingenuity that Raynor employed in building the holes is remarkable. The vista are near perfect and the flow is unmatched.

The current administration is calling for lowering the par at Fishers to 70 by simply making both # 8 and # 18 par four holes. At par of 70 Fishers has the teeth of a lion without the commenserate length that one would normally find on a Championship course.

Yale, on the other hand, has a couple of questionable holes. Both par five holes are hard to reckon as great holes. # 16 is just too short and # 18 is too blind, even for one who has played the course often.

My vote is Fishers in a cakewalk.

[George Pazin]

Thanks for the additional photos. Your profiles remain the next best thing to being there.

[GeoffreyC]

Geoff,

I like golf and golf architecture as much as anyone, but, I'm afraid you've gone over the edge.

Take two large tylenols and call me in the morning.

Somehow, I can't seem erase that vision from my mind.

You've ruined my ability to focus, for the day.

Pat

You are obviously correct as usual   . My response was an attempt at "shock and awe" but it worked about as well as the original. Pamala Lee on the beach at FI would be a pretty picture.  

[Mike_Sweeney]

The other interesting point of Fishers is that it came very very close to going under during WWII (according to their 75th Anniversary book) and was basically taken care of by 1 or 2 caretakers during the war.

I agree with Michael, Fishers in a cakewalk over the current Yale.

We took a brief tour of Hay Harbor (below), which along with Highland Links on The Cape are two 9 holers I would like to play someday.


Nice finish and nice legs !

[George Pazin]

Mike S -

Where is Hay Harbor? You wouldn't be disappointed with Highland Links - I'll try to post photos over the holiday weekend.

[Mike_Sweeney]

Mike S -

Where is Hay Harbor? You wouldn't be disappointed with Highland Links - I'll try to post photos over the holiday weekend.

It is the 9 hole course/club on the other side of Fishers Island. The greenskeeper at Hay Harbor is also the science teacher at the island's school, which should make for some nice field trips !

[Gene Greco]

Fishers Island is and has been for years THE ONLY course in the world I'd give up a membership in Sand Hills or Cypress Point for.

[michael j fay]

Hay Harbor is actually more difficult to get into, at least by local lore. Hay Harbor has a Yacht Club, an old beach casino with the appropriate food service. One of the few places on the island to get lunch.

The Pequot Inn is the only gin mill on the Island (save the woeful VFW). My Accountants brother for years has been the largest building contractor on the Island. About eight years ago the Pequot went into receivership. My Accountant bought it and called me to tell me. I immediately suggested that the Annual Pequot Inn tournament be initiated. Since then we have dragged twelve guys out there every October for a two day event that includes playing the course twice a day, an open bar and one of the great feasts known to mankind. We have oysters ala Greque, shrimp fra diablo, caesar salad, garlic bread and to make sure that no one sufffers from malnutrition about 40 lobsters.

When Fishers charged the same for each round of golf we started playing a two-man scramble at Hay Harbor with wooden shafted clubs. It was a hoot and the four years we played it at least one of the six teams was under par for the nine. When Fishers changed the green fee schedule to the present $ 225 with a replay for $ 75 the Hay Harbor Tourney fell to the wayside.

We have had guys from all over the country play in the Pequot Open and it is really interesting to watch the faces of those playing the course for the first time. One of our guests was from California and played Pebble Beach often. His only remark was that Fishers makes Pebble look like a mud puddle.
We switch the players every year, but the lobbying among the former attendees starts aroud the first of August.

[George_Bahto]

Well ................ now that “we’ve” decided how great this course is .... certainly is one of my favorites

I think you might enjoy this..........

Mr. Raynor considered the second course he was to built there to be even better than the present course - there were to be 3 courses.

He died before the present course was completed and Banks finished what little was left to do.

Donnie Beck is one lucky dude.

gb

[Jeff_Mingay]

Wow, George. The second Raynor layout at Fisher's Island would be something to see. Along with his original design at Cypress Point, of course.

Are there any plans for Fisher's 2 around? Curious,

[Tyler Kearns]

Ran,

Once again, a great review!! Do not fret however, these reviews have not spoiled the chance to be blown away by these great courses because I've already conceded that I will not see many of these gems in person.  

TK

[Mike_Sweeney]

Are there any plans for Fisher's 2 around? Curious,

Jeff,

It is in the 75th Anniversary book. Basically an out and back routing west from the clubhouse. Holes 1-10 were inland, 11-17 were on the ocean side, and 18 looks like a Par 3 back to the clubhouse. No holes on the Sound/Bay/Connecticut side.

[Mike_Cirba]

It's nice to see that I do have something resembling a follow-through although that clubface looks either shut down tight or blocked wide open...I can't tell.  

With all of the scenic beauty on this thread, however, it seems we've suddenly hit a low point by contrast.      

[Mike Hendren]

Mike Cirba,

Are those your legs?  Or are you riding a chicken?

Mike

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike;

You're just envious of that full weight shift to the front foot on the downswing.