A Couple Of Postcards From Ballyneal--Another Classic In The Making

« **on:** July 04, 2005, 02:29:44 PM »

I hope to get out to Colorado soon for a tour of this one. Congrats to all that are involved. It looks like a winner all the way. If you build it, they will come........
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« **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2005, 02:36:20 PM »

Neverup:

Are you sure those aren't postcards from some of C&C's "Constellation Map" holes we "laid down" when we were in Sand Hills last week?

« **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2005, 02:48:41 PM »

Oh Great One,
If it was, it would have Tom Doak's name on it.

« **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2005, 03:02:45 PM »

Remarkable similarities! Even the clouds look like Nebraska.

« **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:17:58 PM »

How far from Denver is it?

« **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:30:48 PM »

Oh Tommy when it due to open?

« **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:36:09 PM »

It is about 175 miles northeast of Denver, most of which is travelled on an interstate.

I believe they are opening next spring/summer.

« **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:06:56 PM »

Those are for Mr. Huckaby, who KNEW he should have stopped through Holyoke on his way back from Sand Hills last week.

Ballyneal will open next spring. As of today there are nine holes seeded, six more shaped, and three to go ... we hope to complete the shaping when I'm back there the week of July 18. Bruce Hepner, Brian Schneider, Kye Goalby and a bunch of talented interns are the crew.

These are not the most dramatic holes, just some of the first to be seeded and therefore the most mature. The eleventh is about 180 yards from the tee at top middle of the photo, uphill through an undulating valley. The twelfth is about 370 yards; downwind you can try to carry the gnarly bunkers in the center of the photo, but most will be better off playing between them and the fall-off to the right.

Come out and visit if you get near Denver this summer/fall. (That includes you, Tommy, and thanks for posting my photos.)

« **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:28:50 PM »

Tom, Not a problem, ever.

And yes, I do want to make a special trip out there soon.

« **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:54:56 PM »

Those are tremendous photos. Thanks guys.

I first saw the property on Aug. 4, 2004, and the color from the wildflowers at that time was astounding. I think Ballyneal is beautiful any time of year, but if you can make it there at the end of July or early August, the flowers are an added treat.

« **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2005, 06:42:42 PM »

Wow!
Another links style course without the jet lag!
Open soon.
Yancey

« **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2005, 07:16:07 PM »

Looks fantastic! Keep the photos comin'!

What is the planned season of play for Ballyneal?

« **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2005, 07:21:12 PM »

Wonderful photos Tom.

It's great to see that there are destinations here in the US that get me all excited to get on a plane and visit.

Thanks for the preview.

« **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2005, 07:25:10 PM »

Gene:

I might share pictures of a couple more holes after my next trip. The 15th and 16th may look good by then. But you're going to have to go in person if you want to see them all.

« **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2005, 08:25:12 PM »

We need more Mike Keiser's in the world to keep the Tom Doak's of the world building public courses.

The pics look great.

« **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2005, 10:41:21 PM »

Thanks Tom, I cannot wait to see it.

« **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2005, 10:59:19 PM »

Wow, looks great.

I kinda wish there was a ban on re-cycling GB&I town and course names (i.e. Kinloch, Ballyneal). It's too confusing.

« **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2005, 01:23:29 AM »

All these great photos of golf on the great plains and priairies makes me continue to believe that a great cinematic movie is just waiting there to be made. But, the construction of a real golf course needs to be on-going during filming of a movie. Now that TD is nearing completion of Ballyneal, only Valentine is still in a stage for great filming. I know we have folks that are aquainted with filmakers. Some one should pitch this idea and make a movie that takes place on the prairie, but about the golden era. There draft-work horse clubs that could be enlisted to provide animals to film scraping and hauling earth the old fashion way.

But, the scope of the big country is crying out for serious documentation. Ken Burns at Florentine films, wake up!

« **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2005, 09:36:36 AM »

Yowza. Very cool. But I had no doubt they'd be like this.

Some day....

I can attest that one could be on the first tee at Ballyneal about 3 hours from departure from Denver airport. Or at least I was at the turnoff to Holyoke not much more than 2 hours from such....

And just kept going. Oh well. Meeting Dick Daley and having dinner in N. Platte with him and his friend was a pretty fair trade, I'd say. Ballyneal ain't going anywhere.

« **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2005, 10:23:13 AM »

Huck,

I had the same issue last year. I could have left Sand Hills early to get a glimpse of Ballyneal, but I just couldn't peel myself away....

« **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2005, 10:27:10 AM »

Scott:

There was no way in hell it was gonna happen on the way back to Denver... OK, first group off at Sand Hills or drive several hourse to look at a course in development... gee, twist my arm....

No, my issue was on the drive out. We actually stopped at the exit where the road goes off to Holyoke... and I did have some thoughts... but I wasn't gonna press my compadres, and getting to N. Platte seemed like the best idea. If I were solo in the car... well... hell I still wouldn't have done it. I have never looked at a course when I could have been playing, and I doubt that will ever change.

« **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2005, 11:07:58 AM »

Once again it looks as though Mr Doak has excelled in designing another linksy feel masterpiece.
I cannot wait to visit once it has opened.
We are living in an exciting time as as far as golf course architecture is concerned.I truly believe that the next 40 years will be viewed as another golden age, with the likes of Doak, De vries, Hanse and C&C all building courses that dispaly respect for traditional values and existing/ natural landscapes.
I for one am very excited about the state of golf course arcjitecture.
Thanks for the pictures.

« **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2005, 11:41:50 AM »

Mr. Doak's website lists another Colorado project in the planning stages - The Canyons Golf Club just east of Castle Pines south of Denver.

Any early word on this course? The topography in the area is not "linksy feel."

« **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2005, 12:31:29 PM »

It's a shame that more of you are interested in playing another 18 holes somewhere than seeing what it really takes to build one of these things. But, I guess our goal for Ballyneal should be to make sure on his next trip Mr. Huckaby just stays for the entire trip, instead of wasting 3 hours driving each way to Sand Hills.

Michael: If you are going to include the guys who used to work for me (Gil and Mike), you ought to at least mention all the guys who are working with me now ... Jim Urbina, Bruce Hepner, Don Placek, Brian Slawnik, Brian Schneider, Chad Grave, and our part-time helpers like Tony Russell, Kye Goalby, and Kyle Franz. No offense to Gil and Mike, but there are a lot of talented guys who share the same ethic, and it's a shame that only the ones who hang out a shingle get any recognition here.

« **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2005, 12:37:49 PM »

Dick, I believe the idea/subject is worthy of Ken Burns.

Anybody know him?

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