I visited the "Donald Ross Course at French Lick" for the first time last weekend. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the fun of playing the Ross greens that apparently have been restored to their approximate original sizes, because they were punched with quarter-sized holes and heavily sanded (in contrast to what I was told when I planned the trip). But the course looks fantastic and like it will be great fun next season.
The scope of work and personnel are described here:
http://www.frenchlick.com/_files/_pdf/Course_tour_release_2_24.pdfMostly, the work consisted of restoring bunkers, expanding greens, and planting new turf--Bermuda on the fairways and bent grass on the greens and collars. The tees also look new, and I presume the 7,013 yard set didn't exist in the original 1917 design. There are also 6517, 5971, and 5050 tees. For students of architecture, the clubhouse has framed Ross drawings hung on the walls outside the locker rooms.
It appears to my untrained eye that the restoration work has been well done. I'd be interested in the experts' comments on these pictures.
#1 401 yd par 4 (all distances "Ross Tees" 6517 yd course)
#4 194 yd par 3
#5 461 yd par 4
#5 Bunker and green
#6 210 yd par 3 (note cart path has been thoughtfully relocated)
#8 368 yd par 4 Restored fairway bunker on the dogleg
#10 374 yd par 4
#11 345 yd par 4 from the tee--one of my favorite holes on the course, though you'll notice the cart path is a little too close on the right side
#11 from the fairway
View of #13 green from #12 fairway. This 228 yard par 3 (252 from the back tee!) has trouble right, deceptive bunkering and a more severe green than appears in this picture. An awesome hole.
View of #14 409 yd par 4 looking back