[cary lichtenstein]

We played the Old White at Greenbriar today for the first time, and it is fun, historic and should be a must play for McDonald/Raynor historians and any serious arch buff.

Every classic hole was represented. More later............

[APBernstein]

They may revoke your grounds pass if they catch your spelling version of The Greenbrier  

[Tim_Weiman]

Cary,

I had the opportunity to tour the Old White in a cart recently and came away really impressed. It was a textbook for architecture junkies, I thought.

[Jim Franklin]

Cary -

I loved what Lester did with The Old White course. #1 is still the best opening drive in golf. #5 was my favorite greensite with the mounds to the left. Like Tim said, it is certainly a course for architecture junkies because its all there.

Jim

[wsmorrison]

Jim,

The best opening drive in golf?  You can't make a stronger statement than that.  I've never played the course although I've been in the vicinity a few times at the Homestead.  Do you have any photos or descriptions that might help to understand why you think so highly of the hole?

Some of my favorite opening tee shots include:

Merion (bunkering and historic setting, especially demanding with the lunch crowd 10' away)

Shinnecock Hills (offset fairway demand and overlook of course)

St. Andrews (so-so hole, but what a setting!)

Royal Aberdeen (the start to a fabulous nine, right by the clubhouse and thrilling undulations in front)

Sand Hills (Wow! is probably the response to an overwhelming majority of golfers seeing it for the first time)

Other fine opening shots include:

Pine Valley
Aronimink
Indian Creek
Muirfield
Manufacturers
Huntingdon Valley

[Jim Franklin]

Wayne -

I do not have any pictures, but have played the majority of the holes you listed and stick with my opinion. It is an elevated tee shot into the mountains in the background with trees lining both sides of the fairway. Sam Snead's lounge is right next to you. It used to be in the open like Merion, but was enclosed in recent years.

Wayne, there are some terrific opening holes in golf and you listed a lot, but The Old White's is at the top of my list. You are right with TOC though as I was more excited hitting that shot than any other I have ever played.

[Tom Roewer]

Jim:  I really like the Ist tee ball at Old White as well.  When you pair it with the Final tee shot on the same it doesn't get much better, at least in the U.S.

[wsmorrison]

Thanks, Jim.  That is high praise indeed given the select company you choose Old White over!  That is a course I must get to when I next travel to Hot Springs.  

[Bill_McBride]

I have always heard wonderful things about the Greenbrier but had no idea the Old White course was vintage MacD/Raynor.  Do you have to stay there to play the course?  Could be a great venue for the Dixie Cup!

[wsmorrison]

Bill,

My bias might be showing, but I think the Cascades would also be a wonderful venue for a future Dixie Cup.

[ChasLawler]

I have always heard wonderful things about the Greenbrier but had no idea the Old White course was vintage MacD/Raynor.  

I'd like to hear a true Raynor or MacD historian's point of view on Lester's work. It seems to me that as long as the basic template holes are still there, the illusion of restoration is accomplished. From the old photos I've seen, it doesn't appear as if Lester was that true to the original. He just made it prettier, and the resort improved the turf conditions. The bunker work looks very similar to his "restoration" work at CCV-James River, CCV-Westhampton and DuPont - none of which are Raynor or MacD courses.

With that said, it's a much better course now than it was 5 years ago. I know that's it's impractical and perhaps impossible to truly "restore" a golf course to it's original design, but I just think the word "restoration" gets thrown around a bit to easily these days.

[scott_wood]

yes Bill, it can be played without staying at the Hotel...
BUT
there are worse places to lay your head ....
 

[cary lichtenstein]

We head to the HOmestead tomorrow which is only 45 min away.

It would make an ideal place but it is pricey.

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