Tom Macwood-
Would Simpson being the major domo/gran fromage that he was leave any attibute on a course that was done by a no name in your opinion? It definitely felt Simpson like when we were out there.. I don't know what the club has archived but it would fun to find out..
Steve-
Sorry we did not get together at St. Germain. I hope to get back to the Paris next year.. Stuart was a great host and I'm lucky he showed me the way thru Parisian traffic to get the Eurostar at Gare Du Nord or I would still be traveling round a 7 lane roundabout somewhere near the Champs E'lyse.
Here are some thoughts:
1) Mortfontaine- Awesome stuff, lots of blind rising fairway drivers to immaculate green sites worthy of Augusta and terrific original bunkering. If they have the tees back, it is quite a challenge as a par 70. What I found amazing was the lacy bunkering looks like Simpson did it yesterday and the course plays with plenty of width but needs two rounds b/c you need to look at the greens to find the ideal areas to land approaches. One caveat, the club is moving the par 5 12th green under Kyle Phillips about 40 yards back to a spectacular green site.. They also made a longer tee box as well. I can't figure out why they will get rid of the Simpson green, the smallest and lowest profile on the course but it will still be a very good hole. All of the par 3s are excellent and the long two shotters require you move the ball around from both angles to fairways that will either help or hurt you depending on Simpson's creativity. The property is right out of Surrey. I'd say it is the equal of Sunningdale with many of the attributes that make Swinley so nice. I found it interesting and a testament to Simpson's principles that many of the best holes had NO bunkering at all--the green defends itself.
Really missed seeing the old ancient 9 there that Simpson did first, it is not part of the championship 18 but it actually looked like Pine Valley in spots with some of the craziest greens.. Paul and I only saw a few of these holes, not the whole course, we were sad but had to leave to play St. Germain.
2) St. Germain- We played 6 Colt courses on this trip and this had the worst property yet was easily my favorite. Why? Colt built some tremendous angles that make it a hoot to play. Using fill to build up great crossbunkers/green complexes, you really have to work the ball here to get in the right places. And despite the parkland flatness, Colt makes it feel harmonious throughout with some sweeping holes and great par 3s (including the 17th) where a big sinkhole is not evident until you get to the green. The 7th hole there had the biggest false front I've see other than the Eden Hole for a par 3. Paul would probably say it was in the middle of the courses we saw, but I got the biggest kick playing it. The vista across the 5th, 7th, 10th and 11th holes is quite amazing for a boring piece of land. Stuart did a great job explaining the course's subtleties.
Paul went to St. Cloud without me as I left for England.. He wrote this to me about it..
St Cloud starts of a bit slowly. But last 13 holes are over good heaving terrain. Not as messed up as I thought it might be. Cool par 3s as usual and great finisher.