Tom,
Amen!!!
Matt,
We do agree to disagree as often as we agree.
I don't have it in for DR or JN and can hardly "pan" anything I have yet to see or play(said multiple times, btw). I said as much, just cautioning that IF there were impediments to healthy dose of ground game options and walking was unecessarily difficult, I would be disappointed and not quite as interested. The Sand Hills region and the nature of it's terrain are probably among North America's most favorable areas for such and I would want to see those playing charcteristics preserved by ANY architect at any location set in that region.
If you read closely, I really thought quite well of Ballyneal and refered it's user-friendliness as well. However, you are once again off a considerble amount by making the statement that it plays as easily as it will ever likely. The immaturity, at present, of it's turf conditions (and this will change reasonably soon I'm sure) don't allow a great deal of the playability Tom's design affords! With rolling run-ups and swifter greens, better players (like you of course
) will have an easier time, not harder, providing of course, they are skilled and creative.
As for comparing all of this to SH, my point is 1000% vaild that despite the question of whether the tips are only 100yds longer or the bunker shapes have changed, you are going to rely on a 10yr memory as a reference point to a few weeks or month-long for a comparison.....no scientist, editorialist, cultural commentator or otherwise would be so foolish to not make great note of the possibility, and likely probability, that fundamental missives will occur. I know you have a "Steel Trap" for a cranium and "you just gotta be you," but caution is called for and wisdom remains elusive.
Lastly, a little know fact for you. Sand Hills was built in 1995 and was open for less than a year when you were there. Like most places built in the last 15yrs, green speeds are held back for the roots to deepen and gain resistance to disease and ruin.
The greens speeds, according to their members, their managing member, greenskeeper, and former and present head pros (all just a little more familar with the property than you or I) have said that the greens have become SIGNIFICANTLY faster over the last 5 yrs(over 3+ on the Stimpmeter to be precise)....so I have more than just anecdotal evidence that your notes/memory has already proved slightly flawed. As you are fond of saying......"hold on paaadner...you are off-base here"!!!
