Split Rock in Bronx, NY

[mark chalfant]

I had the pleasure of being introduced to this classic era muni yesterday by Mike Sweeney. A graceful routing with many fine greens. I believe Stiles or  John VanKeek created this routing, some very nice medium and long two shotters. Mike
conquered  these type holes with some pure drives via a Persimmon wood  minted   in Ardmore. Has anyone played Split Rock....... Its   fun  !

[Mike_Sweeney]

Mark,

With the return of winter and snow last night, it appears that your last image of the season will be that 18th green, a pretty good image to have.

[Steve Curry]

Mike,

I take it you guys are getting this snow too?  I had a great trip down to Somerset on Wednesday and National and Sebonac on Thursday.  I hope the forecast for the middle of the week clears the snow out down your way so I can get some more visits in.  

Steve

[Dave Bourgeois]

I often think of Split Rock as the most beat down course I have played with the greatest potential.  Some of the greens are great fun especially # 11.  I hope I have the hole # correct, but it is a par 4 with a cross bunker, and a green with a very cool hump in the middle.  Par 3 16 is an interesting green and 7 and 8 are wonderful and memorable par 4s.  If they could only get rid of about 1500 trees it could be outstanding.

[Mike_Sweeney]

Dave,

I would agree with all your statements. Besides the tree issue, the course does not really start until the 5 hole, with the current 7th hole having the potential to be one of the better long 4's in Westchester area. Unfortunately, 7 is over a overtreed and over cartpathed mess today. 8 also has gret potential, but RTJ III put in a silly bunker on the right greenside which is not in the aerial.

11 is a great hole today and the 16-18 finish is also pretty good, especially the 18th green.

With a big budget, I say this course could blow away Bethpage Red and Cobbs Creek!! Take that Long Island and Philly guys!

[Jay Flemma]

Gentlemen, with great respect, I must dissent.

I call it "Sheet Rock" because I find so oppressively boring.

Draw, draw, draw.  (Is there a fade called for on the whole front nine???  Maybe the approah on 5..maybe...if so, are there two?)  No false fronted greens, no redan, no biarritz, no bifircated fairways.  Just not much interesting architecturally at all, to me at least.

I do like the eighth hole, but not much else.  plus I abhor the weak conditions.  But then again, NYC public golf is a red headed stepchild, and a rather maltreated one at that.

...but then again this is the opinion of the same guy who hates Bethpage Red too;)  

As for the trees issue, they are fighting with the city parks dept, which is wanting to charge an extra $1500 PER TREE to be removed citing "environmental concerns."  Lots of finger pointing between American and the City and I for one blame the city.  

Anyway, even if they do get more $$, word is they wanna spend it on RTJ II to do the renovation.

[Mike_Cirba]

Split Rock has an awesome set of greens.

If any thread can get Dr. Childs back on here for a post, perhaps he can tell us about them.  

[Dave Bourgeois]

Jay,

I haven't played Split Rock in a couple of years but isn't a fade required on the approach to #7?  I think the green is set back in the woods and unless you really get it out there it requires one to move the ball.

[Gerry B]

played it many years ago -some boring holes but the last 4 holes if my memory serves me were really good

[Jay Flemma]

It could also be a fade off the tee too.  Its just a huge disproportion on the front of draw, draw, draw, draw, "hey! whaddya know, a fade", draw, draw.

[SB]

It looks like they have reversed the nines from when I played it.

I have the original drawings of each hole including the greens.  Pretty interesting, particularly because many of the holes were not built to the plans.  I'll scan them and then see if I can figure out how to post them.

[Jay Flemma]

Is it possible American redid some of the greens?  I didnt find much contour when I was there...a bit of a crown occasionally...

[Mike_Sweeney]

Is it possible American redid some of the greens?  I didnt find much contour when I was there...a bit of a crown occasionally...

Jay,

It is a relative term I believe. In comparison to Winged Foot, Friars Head or National, the contouring is small. In comparison to Bethpage Black Red and many modern public courses, it is bigger. I do not think American or RTJ III touched the greens. However you need to go back and see 7 and 18, the contours on those two can compete with any greens from the above mentioned courses.

[Jay Flemma]

Yeah, I remember now...American WANTED to redo the greens, but the city parks dept didnt want to shell out the scratch.  

[Dave Bourgeois]

With all this interesting talk I'm definately hitting a spring round there.  An early visit might help me avoid the marsh mosquitos.

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