jaybrdy18:
Just to let you know I really do enjoy Husker football -- keep in mind how many Jersey guys have played for Big Red over the years! Does the name Mike Rozier come to mind, among others?
Brad M:
I hear what you're saying, but I believe the green complexes are very close to each other at all three courses. I do give the edge to RC, yet I think you can't just dismiss the tee game challenges so quickly. At RC you CAN relax on a number of tee shots and still be able to get around the layout. That's not likely to be the case at Barona and most certainly that's not the case with WH. You have to assess the totality of the experiences and clearly the putting surfaces and their immediate areas deserve primary attention, but the tee game requirements are no less important in terms of both required distance and placement of the drive.
It's a very rare day when the midwest winds DOES NOT come up at Wild Horse. As a result if you start to lose your ability to hit the ball crisply and in position the possibility for mental and physical anguish will clearly rise. When win is beating on you and you're just not delivering the goods it can make for a very looooooooooooooooooooooooooong day.
Like I said before it's all very close, however, I have WH coming out on top with RC taking the "place" position and BC nipping at the heels of RC in the "show" spot. I will also mention the qualities of Twisted Dune which is also in the league of the other courses, but is looking more from the outside right now. We shall see if TD can rise to the level of the other three in '03.
Before running to weekend chores ...
Ask the following -- does RC or BC have a long par-4 of the quality of WH's 8th hole? I would also say that WH probably has the better overall depth of par-4 type holes, but again the margin is a narrow one over the other two. I only wish RC didn't have nearly all of the long par-4 going in the same direction. Routing and change of pace in direction is no less important a factor.
Does either RC or BC have a short par-4 of the qualities of WH's 15th hole? If RC could modify the challenges of a few of the short par-4's to put pressure on the longer hitter than I think you could make the case but not now.
Which course has the better closing stretch of holes. I'd have to say from #15 through #18 the vote goes to WH in a photo-finish over the other two.
Yes, I do concede that RC has the better par-3's, but only by the tiniest of margins over BC. In fact -- I can see an argument made it's a flat draw. I still want to see someone who can stop a ball on the 16th at BC when the wind is behind them and the pin is flush right! Also, the par-3 3rd at BC is a superb long par-3 that call for sheer skill in getting the ball near the target!
On the par-5 side I don't believe either of three has a superb collection. I believe RC's 1st, 9th and 10th are just so-so although the 5th and 13th are high octane types. At BC the 1st is OK but the 6th(?) is first rate stuff. On the back side I really enjoyed the uphill 13th and the creek that cuts in front is something to ponder about if you're thinking in giving it go with the second. I found the par-5 17th to be another so-so type hole that's helped more in its reputation by the usual headwind when playing.
At WH you have the same problem of so-so holes with the par-5's on the back nine as they both go in the same direction. The only edge I give is the par-5 17th has that very strategically placed center bunker that can give the longer hitters fits! Why RC does not copy such a feature for the 9th and 10th is something I've previously mentioned.
The par-5's on the front nine at WH are also good because they make you shape shots starting right at the tee.
Boy, I'm exhausted just thinking about these three courses. They each have such wonderful aspects but I'm still sticking with WH -- by a slim margin over the other two.
Anyone who really wants to see high quality public courses that are easy on your wallet had better make plans to visit -- you will not be disappointed.