Geoff:
I'll be glad to debate the merits of any the over-the-top greens at both courses. Please knock yourself out and illuminate for me the ones at Morgan Hill that qualify. I may more than prepared to do likewise with Laurel Links.
Let's also talk about the 11th hole. Please tell me -- in specifics -- how the hole fails? Here Moran used the land in a very clear and demanding way. You have to slide your tee shot with a fade (right-handers) but not too much are you face the OB area where the homes are located. If you hit it too far left you can run out of fairway room. Nothing wrong with that in my mind. Ditto the neat putting surface that is contoured to repel balls if played incorrectly.
Geoff -- word to the wise -- if you uncomfortable with such a hole maybe you need to work on your driving skills instead of overdosing on the greens.
Tom:
By all means play your 2 iron and 9-iron -- so what? Does that mean the hole is inferior because of your short selection? I had a drive that finished in the neck and no more than the same amount of distance you mentioned -- but the risk is clearly there for those who opt for such a play. Let me float a word to you that you may not be familiar with -- it's called execution. If the player executes you get the reward. Those who lay back will have a longer play and the green is indeed well contoured without being excessive.
When you say Moorpark is a better site than Morgan Hill -- I agree -- but you fail to give high marks for Moran in being able to overcome the demands of what a site like Morgan Hill is about.
Tom -- did you bother to study the 1st hole and the manner by which long players are tested with the second shot to the green? What about the nature of the downhill par-3 3rd with its unique green that divides the surface into two distinct areas? What about the downhill sweeping par-4 4th or the uphill-dog-leg-right chain reaction bunker on the par-5 5th?
On the back side you have the well done uphill par-5 13th and the glorious uphill par-3 14th. How about the split level nature of the downhill par-5 15th? Shall I go on and on?
The idea that Morgan Hill is simply for "weekend golfers" is nonsense. The good shots are rewarded and the poor ones are held accountable. Geeze Tom -- you've been playing far too much golf at Riviera and need to expand the boundaries of your thinking just a tad. You almost sound like an elitist like Tom Paul. Now that's a scary thought.
P.S. I do agree with you slightly on #10 in the landing areas --but how bout a bit of credit to Moran for the stylish man-made green?
Tom -- you missed the boat on #18. The drive zone is not sufficiently prepared to punish players because it's simply a grip and rip variety. Maybe that's why you didn't mind it.