When Bart's next invitation drops, don't think twice. A very neat club and among the best conditioned courses I've played. The setting is sublime and the incorporation of farm elements such as the barn, pavilion and fence rows enhance the experience. Bart, Roger and Tim were indeed delightful partners who enjoyed their golf but didn't take themselves too seriously - my kind of guys.
Now for the architecture. Having only played Bobby Weed's Glen Mills I was looking forward to seeing the golf course. Generally, the course is expansive with plenty of room off the tee. The green sizes are generally large, accessible by ground and feature significant movement. While a modern course, it has somewhat of a throwback feel (notably the opening hole) as par is best defended on and around the greens. There are generous and sensible chipping areas that invite indecision. Local knowledge is paramount as the ball tends to migrate away from the hole even when the approach is well struck, leaving the potential for a three-putt bogey given the movement in the greens and their extreme speeds. While a delight to putt, the combination of the contours and speed is arguably over the top at times as some putts simply could not be nestled close to the hole. I think each of us de-greened at least once. This does, however contribute to the course's defense as one simply must remain below the hole. In that sense, I'd say this is a second shot golf course (or approach for one and three shotters).
The course plays firm and fast. For example, Bart used a putter for his second at the 331 yards 5th hole to roll his ball down into the punchbowl green. Fun stuff.
Weed also makes excellent use of angled greens, placing an emphasis on club selection and distance control which can vary by one to two clubs from the same distance depending upon hole location.
My favorite holes were the first and 6th. The latter is a one-shotter with the green set hard against the long barn. The right side of the green is perfectly straight and parallel to the barn, running from 11 to 5 o'clock from the tee. The left green edge is narrow at the front and widens arbitrarily to the rear. This shape and the green's depth yield great elasticity for distance and hole placement. Than again, all hillbillies are a sucker for a nice barn.
This course could be a real brute in competition and could host a professional or top amateur tournament tomorrow. At the same time, it won't beat up the middle handicapper when played from the appropriate set of tees. High praise.
Thanks again, Bart, Tim and Roger.
Bogey