[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Playing there on Sunday morning for the first time... any thoughts on this course?

http://www.ravensclawgolfclub.com/home.cfm

[Craig_Rokke]

I haven't played there yet, but I'd like to hear some opinions from anyone who has. I think it's interesting to not that Shearon is
a pretty large (200+ employees from what I've heard)
multi-service company focused around landscaping/site planning
etc. Golf architecture is just part of what they do.

Not sure I'm totally into freshly-constructed (assumption on my part) stone barn ruins alongside fairways.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I played there in May. I can't understand the high rating it received from Golfweek. Some interesting holes but I'd like to give it another try. Some good views of the Limerick nuclear towers.

[Mike_Cirba]

Having previously played two Ed Shearon courses that I enjoyed (Riverwinds & Renault Vineyards), I was looking forward to Ravens Claw as it's right in my neighborhood.

It must have been quite the challenge for Mr. Shearon, as the golf course was certainly relegated to the toughest stretches of the property in the housing development course, particularly the back nine with multiple wetlands, steep areas, and awkward plotting.  While there are some clear highlights like the 3rd hole, ultimately the course is hampered from the start and like Steve, I was rather surprised at the high rating.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Thanks for your comments.  I am looking forward to playing the course and I'll post my thoughts after the round.

Steve / Mike,

One more question...

Is the housing right along the fairways or is it set far enough back where it doesn't come into play?

[Mike_Cirba]

Geoffrey,

For the most part, the homes do not affect play...at least not as of yet, although I did manage to come pretty damn close on one hole.

However, what it does affect is the routing.

Please let us know your thoughts after playing...

[Evan_Green]

Here are some pictures:

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Thanks for the pictures, Evan.  Could you identify which holes are shown in the photos.

At first glance, the greens look to be fairly large with some movement in them.

[Evan_Green]

1st photo is the 1st hole, par 5.

2nd photo is the 2nd hole, par 3.

3rd photo of the smoke stacks I think i took from behind the 34d green

4th photo is of the memorable 7th hole, a shortish par 5 called the "Tetons". I think its pretty obvious why they call it that!

5th photo is the 2nd shot on #9

6th photo is of the 11th green

7th photo is the par 3 14th hole..

I will be interested to hear your thoughts after you play it, Geoffrey

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Played RC on Sunday... here are some quick thoughts:

All three of the par 5's make you think about where you want to lay up and require you to hit a more precise shot that you would expect.  #1 you have to deal with the old foundation and a slope to the right, #7 is set at an angle and #10 really pinches in at 150 yds to the green.

While nothing over the top, almost every green had a considerable amount of movement to it but I would have like to see more variety in the undulations.

I thought it had a good set of Par 3's in terms of variety.  I hit 5 iron (#3), 8 iron (#6), GW (#14) and driver (#17).  Depending on the pin for a right-handed golfer, #3 looks for a draw, #6 a fade, #14 is neutral and #17 a fade.

#17 is the hole that stuck with me.  I played it at 242 + 15 = 257 from the tips and its slightly uphill.  Partially blind landing area, bunker front right and OB further right.  Definitely requires a fade to get anything close but I would like to see the fairway firmer so if you hit that shot you get some run out of it.  I just haven't seen many holes like it in the area.  Reminds me slightly of the challenge level of #5 at PV, just not as demanding.  I only question its location in the routing... it could easily blow up a round in a hurry and you couldn't recover from it like you could if it was earlier in the round.  I'd almost play it like Casper at WF, and layup left with a long iron to take 5 out of the equation.

They need to remove trees around some of the tee boxes, they are dying because lack of sunlight (#3, #6, #8, #10 & #11 come to mind, usually the back tee).

Favorite hole (other than #17) - #8 Par 4, 319yds.  Great green complex that slopes away on the back tier.

Least favorite hole - #18 Par 4, 368 yds.  5 iron to the flat, 9 iron to the green.  Ho-hum.  Not sure if they could, but I'd like to see them move the back tee up so that its realistic to drive the green over the hazard through the chute in the trees.

Overall, I thought it was a nice surprise and could be even better with some tweaking here and there and some TLC.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Steve, Mike or Evan...

any thoughts on #17?

[Evan_Green]

Geoffrey

A really tough hole for sure. If my memory serves me I had to hit driver on that hole and managed to get up and down. It really is a par 3.5.

Personally I don't mind its place in the round because thats when you are pretty much the most warmed up for the challenge.

I remember not being as impressed in terms of aesthetics on that hole as compared to some of the other par 3s on the course (particularly #2 and 14), but I do like the idea of having a par 3 where you have to hit driver.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

A tough par 3 at the end of the round. I hit a 3 wood downwind to the front of the green and 2 puuted for a par. Thank you. Good bye. Next hole!

Not a pretty hole but tough enough.

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