Ron Whitten on Dismal River&Ballyneal

[Jim Franklin]

Huck -

Let's keep in touch .

[Jason Hines]

George,

It gets plenty hot, I grew up 120 miles from there.  Last month Holyoke had 8 days 90+ and 5 days 100+.  It's the hot wind zaps your strength, I would walk in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon so I would be re-freshed for an early evening round.

[Dan Kelly]

It gets plenty hot, I grew up 120 miles from there.  Last month Holyoke had 8 days 90+ and 5 days 100+.  It's the hot wind zaps your strength, I would walk in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon so I would be re-freshed for an early evening round.

Pity the caddies!

Reminds me: This past August, my daughter and I were Up North on the hottest weekend of the summer (maybe the hottest weekend around there, ever!), getting ready for her to play in a tournament. It was about 98 degrees, and about 95 percent humidity, when we went out to play a practice round on a course unfamiliar to us -- a course that turned out to be very, very hilly. We took a cart, it was so hot.

She was miserable. She thought maybe the tournament organizers would change the rules (no carts, no caddies).

I said: No, I didn't think they would.

She thought they would -- and pointed hopefully to the sign that said: "CARTS ... 90 degree rule in effect."

That's my girl!

[Tom_Doak]

Dan:

Normally I do not enjoy stories about golf carts, but that is a good one.

Others:

It does get hot at Ballyneal, and it's an up and down walk, though nothing too severe.  However, I played my best round of the Renaissance Cup as my second 18 of the day, carrying my own bag, on the hottest day of our event -- it was 91 degrees.  And an old friend of mine, an 82-year-old woman, walked the front nine with us just to see the course.

[Matt_Ward]

I've only quickly read Whitten's review of both courses but I do give him a salute for saying that Jack indeed "does get it" with his work at Dismal River.

For those who are critics of the course there is little, if any, real indepth counter analysis that I have seen offered to date.

Dismal River is clearly a major triumph for Nicklaus and his team and if / when the 13th is corrected the totality of what is there will certainly grow in stature.

In regards to Ballyneal I concur with Whitten's take on Doak's work there ... "He's (Doak) more prolific, for one thing, and is more daring, taking more chances, trying more variations of the minimalist theme."

In addition, as I mentioned previously on my comments on Ballyneal, I believe the overall demands Doak and team have added to Ballyneal have gone beyond the mere "look" which has always been his clear talent and now have added holes of distinct and rather unique challenge -- especially for the better player. I also agree with the comment Ron offers when he says the greens "fit" so well at Ballyneal -- they clearly do and the fun aspect is front and center with each of the targets encountered.

Both courses are clearly making their own mark and frankly I see that as a very positive item given what Sand Hills is about.

P.S. One last thing -- Whitten makes comments about Links of ND and I have to wonder how this layout ever got placed in the top 100 beyond the fact that it's located in Ray, ND?Isolation alone doesn't ensure stature of the type it has received.  

[Adam Clayman]

Jason Hines is absolutely correct. Early mornings and late afternoons, in the low light, would be the wise play if'n we get more six week periods like we did this summer. But, clearly the shoulder seasons will be the busiest time.

As for all you guys who have to wait until you're empty nesters...workout! And take Mannatech's glyco-nutrients.
 

I've played Ballyneal 17 times now, and I learn new stuff everytime. The complexities are so great, I won't consider it understood, until I get in another 983. Today, we had a south wind, after having a north one, for the weekend. The green speeds are also way up, making the first 15 examinations, cursory.

[Sean Leary]

Adam,

How fast are the greens now compared to what they were earlier this summer ? (They were 5-6ish when I was there in June).  I would think at 9 they would be perfect.

[Jerry Kluger]

I've been fortunate enough to play Ballyneal and Sand Hills, both of which I truly enjoyed and admired.  I was wondering if there are anythings that were done at either course that had the architects been reversed, they would have been done much differently?  I know I'm being presumptuous but I would think that C&C as well as Doak would be proud to have their name associated with either course.

[Larry_Keltto]

One big reason for no carts is that it gives the fescue mix an opportunity to be sustainable.

If carts were allowed, then the turf would require a lot more water (otherwise the tire tracks from the carts would remain for weeks). And those moister conditions would encourage poa. Poa isn't part of the plan!

[cary lichtenstein]

The heat is a real deal in Nebraska/Colorado. I walked 7 straight days at Bandon and felt invigorated when I finished, but at Ballyneal with the tempature 101 degrees, I got dizzy and quit after 9 holes.

I'm 63 and while I like to walk in the cool, brisk air, 90+ I can't cut it anymore.

I respect the fact that Ballyneal is a walking only course, and it is great, but the lack of carts is a legitimate comment by Ron Whitten.

[PThomas]

JB-

I am 45 and have 1, 5, and 7 year olds. I will be 65 when they are through school . I'll need a cart.

Dammit - Jim has me barely beaten.  I am 43 with an infant.  I will be 64 when he's through school.  Put me on the cart with Jim.

 

since I'll be 45 soon and my youngest is 9 I can only hope this means I'll be kicking both of your asses when we get older ...

[Adam Clayman]

I respect the fact that Ballyneal is a walking only course, and it is great, but the lack of carts is a legitimate comment by Ron Whitten.

 Mr. Whitten's 1 p.m July tee time says alot, don't you think?

Anyone wanting cool breezes, should've been there this weekend. She blew four clubs, from the north, Sunday.

[Michael Robin]

Is that why your partner drove it 400 yards on #9 into the back bunker?

[Adam Clayman]

MR-
No, he drove his provisional ball into the back bunker on #9 because he slowed it down, only using the 250 swing.  

Other comments re; walking and Ballyneal members;

Ballyneal is a private course built for a membership that prefers to walk.
When the members become comfortable at the club they will use the cool morning air that is present at 3780 ft in the high plains for summer months golf.
When visitors come for a one time visit, and are forced to play in the time slot of their only visit, they can be sent into an oven that a member will always avoid.
 
Ballyneal was not built for all golfers, nor will not struggle to survive because of walking, rather it will thrive with a group of members well equipped physically and mentally  to walk.
 
Not all climbers can make it up Everest or El Capitan, not all football players make it to the NFL and not all golfers will be able to be members at Ballyneal.

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