Rackham

[Mike Boehm]

I got in 18 holes today at an old Donald Ross Muni near Detroit called Rackham.  I did a search to see if anyone had ever posted anything about the course here, and saw a few mentions of a Tom Doak restoration.

I am curious - does anyone know what was done to the course, and how long ago did the restoration occur?

Thank you,

Mike

[Jeff_Mingay]

Mike,

I live in Windsor, just across the river from Detroit. I've been over to Rackham a few times.

The front nine is not Ross. It was rebuilt, but not by Doak. If I'm not mistaken, Bruce Hepner, who's from Royal Oak, offered Rackham some advise over the years. But a comprehensive "restoration" project has not been undertaken.

The new front nine contrasts the back, where there still are some really good Ross holes.

If I ever go back there, I'll pay a full green fee to play the back twice  

[Jfaspen]

There's a good thread titled "great ross in michigan" somewhere where all of the ross detroit designs are discussed.

Run a search for Rogell and it should pop up.

jf

[Tom_Doak]

Jeff's information is correct.  Bruce Hepner has done a bit of consulting at Rackham over the years, getting them to mow out their greens closer to the original size was the main thing.  But they have not pursued a major restoration of any sort.

I've never actually been there.  What did you think of it?

[Mike Boehm]

There a lot of holes which have fairway bunkers that are so short from the tee that they are basically irrelevant to any decent player.  Basically, throughout the entire round, your ability to drive the ball is never challenged – you can pretty much hit it anywhere at Rackham.  

I agree with Jeff that the back nine is more interesting than the front nine.  If the greens were maintained at a little quicker pace, a few of the greens on the back nine (e.g. 12, 14, 15, & 16) could be quite challenging.  

I would have liked to have seen the course prior to the redesign to facilitate the construction of I-696.  At one point it was good enough to host a US Public Links (in the early 60’s, I believe).  I think they were left with inadequate acreage to do anything great with the first six holes.

Overall, it is a pretty average golf course, but a solid value for the rate they charge.  It is a shame the condition of the course, particularly the bunkers, is not maintained to a higher standrd.

[Jeff_Mingay]

The rebuilt front nine contrasts the original Ross holes coming in, big time. I mean, it's night and day. In fact, the outgoing holes are so screwed up there's little hope from Rackham these days.

But then, the back's quite good. It's been about five years since I've visited, but I recall a few excellent holes... including the last four or so, beginning with the par-four (is it fifteen?) that plays along the boundary with the Detroit Zoo.

The clubhouse at Rackham is a classic, too.

Ross' original plan for the course, hanging in the pro shop, clearly illustrates the changes made to the front nine.