A new Lawsonia fan

[Dan Moore]

Sean's 2nd and 3rd pictures of the green on #1 and the picture of #1 found between the his shots of holes 5 and 6 pictures show one of Langford's interesting tricks/effects where he builds a green into a downslope.  This allows a relatively flat approach to the green but steep dropoffs on both sides and the back.  The third picture shows this the best.  My photos will be back from the lab tommorow and I'll post some from last weekend then.  A fall trip to Lawsonia and Erin Hills may need to be booked.  They are only about an hour apart.  

When was Yale GC built, 1926 I think?   As a member of the Yale golf team around 1906 -1909 I assume Langford would have visited Yale GC when it was built and no doubt was aware of Raynor's Chicago area work from the 20's.  That may expalin the "Raynor on steriods" influence that Josh Smith identified.  

[Sean_Tully]

Dan caught the mistake on the label of the third green is actually the 2nd and the next one of the 17th is also from the 2nd green. As when I played the course, I got ahead of myself as I could see what was coming up next!

I am interested in Langford info and have some stuff on him and some of his courses early in his career. I found a mention of his designing a course in Colorado Springs in the late teens if my memory serves me correctly. I also have a couple of pics of him from his Yale days from SEGL. Has anyone done any research on Langford's career and courses, I 'm sure it would be interesting. I have only seen one old picture of lawsonia in an old Golfdom magazine, would love to see more!

RJ
I think that I have the pic labeled right on the 6th green looking at the 9th fwy with the two bunkers about 150 out from the green built into that ridge and giving yet another blindshot into a green. A very cool view. I like how the course opens up to you as you play if one takes the time to notice. It can be overwhelming as in my case at Lawsonia as I don't recall my feet hitting the ground for the entire round.

The weather as you might recall in Sept. was very hot and humid and not the average for that time frame. The best time to play the course to get it when it is just right would have to be in the fall just before the green aerification or two weeks after.We played it about a week out from the aerification and I could only imagine how challenging they must be when the green speed is running in the 10's.The super and his staff are to be commended as the course played very firm and fast and the bunkers were in very good shape. They did enlarge some of the fwys and had yet to upgrade the irrigation system to catch some of these areas.

Ed
If you do not make it to Lawsonia your desire to understand golf architecture will be in vain! I am still smarting from missing out on Crystal and Kingsley on my trip. I know that I will get out there again and see those courses, but I will be stopping at Lawsonia first!

Tully

[Dan Moore]

See Ron Whitten's interview on this site.  Sounds like he found a treasure trove of Langford material while researching The Golf Course.  It would be great if we could entice him to particpate in an outing at Erin Hills and Lawsonia.  

[Dan Moore]

Alright here are some of my photos from Memorial Day at Lawsonia.

#1 from fairway lz.  right away you see this not your typical course.


#1 from behind green


#2 from tee. blind tee shot on one of my favorite holes on the course.  line is over the left side of the right hand mound.


#2 uphill drive leads to a nicedown hill 2nd shot to the green.


new tee under construction on #6


#6 from 200 yds. trees have been removed from behind green. most drives will be closer to the bunker.


#8 from tee.  right rough was filled with trees that have been removed greatly improving the hole and bringing its strategy back into play.  this hole teases you into playing right toward the green (pin is on far right barely visible to left of trees) which leaves you in the rough with a tough angle over a deep bunker.  the right shot is left between ball washer and tee marker toward the dead trees in the distance.


# 8 from fairway following the drive to the left.  green much more open at this angle than from right.


#9. an unsung yet fine par 5 hole from tee. again significant tree removal from right rough.  fescue growth on both sides of fairway.


view up the dogleg of #9 as seen from tee on seven with 6 green in forground.


#9 green.  the flatest green complex on the course.  

[Joe Hancock]

That 9th green may look flat, but there is enough contour that a person COULD play a ball around another ball in a stymie match....and possibly make it with enough LUCK!

DeVries demoralized me on that hole....I never recovered.

Joe

[Dan Moore]

Joe,  excellent clarification.  Nine is a very large green with significant internal contour.  I didn't mean the green itself was flat, I meant the complex as a whole.  In that respect it is unique on the course.