Madam Im Adam (not Clayman)

[JohnV]

While thinking about Forest Highlands' Canyon Course today, I realized that the pars of the first 17 holes form a palindrome  (reads the same backwards and forwards).

4-4-5-3-5-3-4-3-4-3-4-3-5-3-5-4-4

I can't think of another course that has that long a stretch and certainly can't think of any course where all 18 holes do.  Are there any that you can think of?

[Garland Bayley]

John,

You think too much.

Is that why Sequent Computers was such a success?

[Adam Clayman]

A man a plan a canal panama

Fascinating! John

Coincidence or planned?

I'll go with the former.

[Tyler Kearns]

John,

The most famous example is the back nine at Augusta National; 443 545 344

TK

[ForkaB]

The Peter Hay course at Pebble beach is 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3.

[TEPaul]

Can anyone think of a so-called championship designed golf course that does not have a par 4 in the last four holes? This isn't just an idle question---I do know of one.

I have little doubt that in this case it was simply a function of the realities of routing----something that in my opinion very few have a real understanding of. In other words, in the mind of the architect it would be a matter of "Where am I with variety and sequence of par holes and how much land do I have left?"

In my opinion, this was one of the primary dilemmas that George Crump saddled himself with.

[Tom_Doak]

Tom:

I doubt it's the one you are thinking of, but Nicklaus' Desert Highlands finishes 3-3-5-5.

[TEPaul]

TomD:

No it wasn't but interesting one nonetheless. The one I'm thinking of goes 3-5-5-3 which is probably a bit odder than Desert Highlands. I suppose the oddest of all might be 5-5-3-3.

[wsmorrison]

Tom Paul,

Ooh, ooh!  I know!  I know!

[JohnV]

John,

You think too much.

Is that why Sequent Computers was such a success?

Garland, it was interesting, in that it kept growing on me.  First there were the 6 par 3s in an 11 hole stretch, but none back to back.  Then I realized that those 11 made a palindrome.  From there I kept adding pairs until I realized it was 17 holes.  For those who don't know, 18 is a par 5.

Tom, I know the one you are talking about.  I believe the Mid-Am was played there a few years ago also.

[TEPaul]

JohnV:

Well, then, don't hesitate to say what it is. If you get it right you may get your pick between a round at PVGC or a date with Heidi Klum.

[Jim Sweeney]

I think Heidi can safely make other plans.....

[Ian Andrew]

John,

The Old Course at St. Andrew's is
4-4-4-4-5-4-4-3-4   4-3-4-4-5-4-4-4-4

I'm sure there are more.

[David Stamm]

Rich, that'll teach me to read responses while drinking a beverage. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to clean up said beverage from my desk since I sprayed it everywhere! Hilarious!

[Bill Gayne]

The Augusta National front nine:

4 5 4 3 4 3 4 5 4

and the back nine:

4 4 3 5 4 5 3 4 4

I'm sure this can be explained with fractals, solving for pi, and arts and crafts.