I played here Friday. I especially loved the back. One hole after the other was enjoyable.
As for the holes by the clubhouse, my architectural skills are not good enough to determine the designer.
But , I did think the number of small pullups at the edges of several of the greens seemed quite different than what I see at Rolling Green,Lehigh, Huntingdon Valley and Philly Country or observed on my walk of Shinnecock.This building up was noticable to me .Where one is likely to see a gradual runoff effect in the greens at RG or Shinny, here the sides,particularly the backsides, were pulled up. I mentioned this to Wayne. It just makes me wonder.I realize that there are pullups at the back of several greens at RG , but they look very different then the ones at Philmont.Could this be part of of his maturation? Or did he rework some of these holes.
On this round , my second here, I liked the #10 and #18 holes better. The side by side holes (#10 downhill-#18 uphill) also had sideslope to add to the interest off the tee.The greens are very different. #10 has a forced carry to a right to left slanting green and #18 is open in front.
But, I still don't like #9. It is just too awkward.
As always there was a solid set of par threes.
Of course, I felt there were several holes that have lost strategic approaches because of trees. Particularly annoying was #6. This is a downhill, blind teeshot. The second shot is only a wedge, but anything SLIGHTLY left of the fairway ends up with one of those annoying punchouts.(BTW I don't say this because of my drive. It left me in perfect position.) But, without those trees on the left one is faced with a pond to carry to a green where you want to be in the front half and there is a wonderful bunker on the left. This bunker is totally blocked by those trees.
We encountered someone familiar with the history of the hole who said there was a double fairway here in the past . There was fairway left of the tree(s). This would be fabulous to the recover. The distinctiveness of the hole would be outstanding and the play from the left side to that green would be challenging and fun.
I wonder if Wayne and Tom see Philmont as one of Flynn's championship courses. I felt the greens were on the small side and most of the bunkers by the greens were flanking, not requiring a carry to many pin placements.The bunkers also seemed not as deep. But, they have been maintained in that magnificent Flynn flashing look. So, it seemed to be slightly less ambitious than some other Philly Flynn's.
All in all it was just another pleasure we here in Philadelphia get---great Flynn!
It certainly seems to be worth further investigation as to the Flynn work here. Because we know other holes on the property were not done by him and some of the holes attributed to him are at least "headscratchers",it leads to speculation when the plans are not available.