Dick Wilson

[Mark_Rowlinson]

What do we think of him?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mark,

I think he was underrated.
He designed more then a few well regarded golf courses.
Of the Dick Wilson courses I've played, I liked all of them.

My regret is that I didn't get a chance to play the original Meadowbrook.

[Jonathan Cummings]

I couldn't agree more with Pat.  Add Lee's efforts and the combined team may have more "hidden gems" then any architects throughout the history of golf.

Take a place like Hole-in-the-Wall.  While few have even heard of it much less played it, this final effort may be one of Wilson's best.

JC

[BCrosby]

Wilson was so obviously talented that RTJ went out of his way to say some remarkably vicious, libelous things about him in interviews. Anyone inclined to doing a little dorm room psychology might conclude that RTJ saw Wilson as a threat.

Wilson was very good. I've always enjoyed his courses.

Bob

[Mike_Young]

He was right there at the top in my book.  Seemed to always use some form of "3 mounds in his green complexes.

[cary lichtenstein]

Cog Hill#4 was always my favorite course in Chicago. I played it maybe a hundred times. His traps were done very well.

[BCrosby]

Mike -

Interesting but not sure I understand. Elaborate please.

Bob

[Dan_Belden]

Dick Wilson was a very compotent designer.  I have played several of his courses, and always enjoy it.  Most recently I have spent some time playing his Tequesta CC lay out.  A modest course at 6,500 with some very good holes, including a 18th cape hole, that is really fun.  It also includes three superb short par 5's that all play differently.  Difficult to do with such flat land.  

[Mike_Young]

Bob,
What I am saying is most of his greens seem much like the Flynn greens I have seen.  Water seems to break in 3 directions.  Imagine for a minute you were to take three mounds of dirt , varying sizes and heights and slopes.  If these are blended together they create the green complex.  An architect that had worked with him in Florida showed me this in the early 80's on the mountain course he did for Calloway Gardens.

[Lawrence Largent]

Pine Tree is one of Wilson's best in my opinion. Hogan said it was one of the best second shot golf courses in america.


Lawrence

[ed_getka]

Since many of you are familiar with his work, what are his best five courses in your opinion? A short explanation of why would be helpful. I take it from Mike Y's description that his greens were somewhat interesting.

[Jonathan Cummings]

LL - Snead once said that Pine Tree was the best course in the south! - an obvious stab at both Seminole and Augusta which, like Trevino, Snead never liked.

I think Pine Tree is the best Wilson ever did.

JC

[Jonathan Cummings]

Here are my top 5 picks..

1 Pine Tree
2 Cog Hill
3 NCR
4 Coldstream
5 Hole in the Wall

JC

[Evan_Green]

NCR South is quite often overlooked in my opinion-perhaps the Sr Open there should raise the profile a bit. Very good use of the terrain and very solid bunkering- some devilish greens too.

#6 is a gem.

[Mike_Young]

He has a great little course in Bluefield West Va. called Fincastle.

[Ken Fry]

This is not a request for any favors, just an inquiry.  How hard is it to get on Hole In the Wall?  I've heard it's quite closed.

I find myself down in Naples most winters but have not had the opportunity to play there...

Any comments on the course?

Ken

[Pete Lavallee]

Although not very strategic, the original 18 at La Costa, displays an artistic talent that shows the man was gifted. The extra 9 holes acrcoss the street that combine with the front nine to make the Resort's North course are, despite ample acreage, and the involvement of Joe Lee, less than inspiring.

[Jonathan Cummings]

Mike - I have never played Fincastle but will try like hell to do so this year - it's not that far from me and I want to also see Olde Farm while in that neck of the woods.

Ken - You must play with a member at Hole-in-the-Wall.  There are no exceptions.  It's an understated place with a tiny pro shop and clubhouse.  The membership, mostly older northern snowbirds, like their quiet club and want nothing to do any outside exposure.  I was told that the club still has a significant number of founder members who still play regularly.  Remarkable in that the place opened almost 50 years ago!

JC