Tennessee National (Greg Norman)

[Nick Church]

Anyone here with experience / knowledge of the Greg Norman course near Knoxville, TN - Tennessee National?

Since it's been open for a few months now, I thought maybe someone had the chance to play & develop an opinion or two.

Curious because I live in Tennessee and thought this course was ambitious for the area.

The bunkering is very different for this region.  That is what most sticks out to me.

12th Hole, Par 3

[Glenn Spencer]

Kind of reminds me of Wolf Run when I look at it.

[Nick Church]

Wolf Run in Zionsville --- if so, that's the one course that I wish I had played before moving from Indy.

[john_stiles]

No experience yet, but I do have my membership brochure and will 'ride' around the course at some time with the 'membership director'.  A golf membership is $30k plus monthly dues.

The TN received the usual grand opening splash in the local TV and newspaper but other than that,  it has been fairly low key.  Play is fairly restricted to members and guests.  A few non-GCA friends have played and their take is that it is a 'solid' course.

TN is a very high end residential development.  One of Greg Norman's companies is actually a partner in the development started by John Thornton.

As soon as Bogey buys a lot there, and gets the wheels off his house, we can play and stay at his place.

[cary lichtenstein]

I just checked out the Tenn Nat'l webiste and it has a link to all of Greg Norman's designs, both completed and in progress.

I was amazed at how much he is doing.

[John Kavanaugh]

Kind of reminds me of Wolf Run when I look at it.

Glenn,

I thought you liked Wolf Run..

[Sean Leary]

I just checked out the Tenn Nat'l webiste and it has a link to all of Greg Norman's designs, both completed and in progress.

I was amazed at how much he is doing.

Has he done anything really good yet, other than maybe Doonbeg (which I've heard mixed reviews about)? His course at PGA West is supposed to be a disaster, Koele is mediocre and I really disliked the two at Tiburon in Naples.

Too many bunkers in the pictures above, me thinks.  I do look forward, I admit, to drinking Pabst Blue Ribbons and shooting squirrels on the stoop of Bogey's trailer with him...

[Andy Doyle]

I've got a friend who joined  - he is very satisfied so far.  I go on a golf trip to Orlando with him every March, so I'll try to get more details.  I hope to get a chance to play it next spring sometime.

Andy

[Jfaspen]

I just checked out the Tenn Nat'l webiste and it has a link to all of Greg Norman's designs, both completed and in progress.

I was amazed at how much he is doing.

Has he done anything really good yet, other than maybe Doonbeg (which I've heard mixed reviews about)? His course at PGA West is supposed to be a disaster, Koele is mediocre and I really disliked the two at Tiburon in Naples.

Too many bunkers in the pictures above, me thinks.  I do look forward, I admit, to drinking Pabst Blue Ribbons on the stoop of Bogey's trailer with him...

Sean,

I really enjoy The Reserve in Pawley's Plantation, SC..

And I agree with your views on the above pictures.

[jmorrison]

Wyndance in Uxbridge is o.k. Spent quite a bit of moneythere!

[Bill Gayne]

Pictures of two new courses today, TN and Long Shadow, and neither of them had the ragged edge bunkers that seem to be the rule.

[Glenn Spencer]

Kind of reminds me of Wolf Run when I look at it.

Glenn,

I thought you liked Wolf Run..

I do like it. Maybe not quite as much as some. Honestly, when I looked at that par 3, I thought of 13. No knock on the Wolf.

[Chris Cupit]

Does anyone know if those are stacked sod bunkers in the pictures?

 

[Lawrence Largent]

Yes, Chris they are stacked sod bunkers. I have a friend who is joining next week and a few others who have played the course. They all said the course was great and very difficult but they have been suspect on there views before. I'm pretty sure they are struggling with the real estate and memberships at this point. The course is pretty far out of the way for most people in Knoxville and thats there target area. I see this course struggling alot like another Norman development The Point at Lake Norman.


Lawrence

[Jim Sweeney]

Elks run in BAtavia, Ohio is a good course which ahs very different design elements than what the pictures of Tenessee NAtional show. One interesting aspect of Elks Run is that there are no green collars- the fairway cut and rough cut come right up to the green edge.The bunkers are far laarger and more open, and the tall grass is a real problem.

www.elksrun.com

BTW, while taking the photo tour, remember to imagine that this course is about 20 minutes from a major city.

[John_Conley]

Has he done anything really good yet, other than maybe Doonbeg (which I've heard mixed reviews about)?

Shark's Tooth is quite good.

[Glenn Spencer]

Jim,

I love the front at Elks Run, but the back seems quite cramped to me. Kind of like some of the holes were just stuck in there or something. Also, 14 seems to be an abomination to me.

[Nick Church]

Thanks all for the perspectives.

For my experience, I did enjoy playing ChampionsGate (International Course) in Orlando.  I only played it the one time during cool temps, so the lack of tree shade might have soured my round in the summer.

[Jim Sweeney]

Glenn:

The front and back nines at Elks Run could not be more different, that's for sure. Certainly the mountain that the back nine abuts has a lot to do with the cramped feel. But...

Don't you like 15? Add 16? I think these arre two of the best holes on the course.

I also like 10, 12 and 13. I find 15 a little plain jane and 18 a let down.

What really surprises me about Elks Run, though, is how much the tall grass comes into play for even some very good players (I've officiated Univ. of Cinci. tourneys there). It is very difficult for the average to high handicapper. Yet the corridors between the tall grass roughs are very wide, with a couple of exceptions (13 and 14, for example.)

The management may need to re-think the tall grass is some (many) areas.

[Glenn Spencer]

Glenn:

The front and back nines at Elks Run could not be more different, that's for sure. Certainly the mountain that the back nine abuts has a lot to do with the cramped feel. But...

Don't you like 15? Add 16? I think these arre two of the best holes on the course.

I also like 10, 12 and 13. I find 15 a little plain jane and 18 a let down.

What really surprises me about Elks Run, though, is how much the tall grass comes into play for even some very good players (I've officiated Univ. of Cinci. tourneys there). It is very difficult for the average to high handicapper. Yet the corridors between the tall grass roughs are very wide, with a couple of exceptions (13 and 14, for example.)

The management may need to re-think the tall grass is some (many) areas.

Jim,

I am a little confused about your comments on 15. They go both ways it appears. I think that is the par 5, right? I don't have a problem with it, but I don't think it is anything to write home about either. 16 really is a good golf hole and I could play it all afternoon long. 13 is pretty good. 10 is pretty creative and I like it. 12? Is very cool, but it seems shoehorned to me, just like the one on the front. Is it 8? My favorite hole on the hole golf course is the long par 4 on the front, 6, I believe. The first par 5 is also VERY special. 8,12,14 are the only things that I think hold the place back, but they do so pretty severely. Also, 1 is a pretty ideal opener in my mind.

[Jim Sweeney]

Glenn- Sorry, a mis-type. I meant to say I find 16 a little plain-jane.

I like fifteen for its options from the tee (wide open and safe to then left but for the very long hitter who challenges the right it is reachable- I've seen it done.

The lay up also requires thought as the hole narrows in the lay-up area; the hillside encroaches on the left and the creek guards the right.

The green setting is well done (though I wish they'd clean up the rocks and fill along the edges). It's not the greatest green in the world but the setting is beautiful. It's just a short pitch over the creek and there is enough uphill and cant to the green to make it interesting.

#8 is the short drop shot with trouble all around. Much more scary than a pitching wedge or nine iron should be. It's one that has grown on me.

#12 is the short three on the back with the creek. I would call this intimate, not shoehorned, since all that is required is a mid to short iron to a generous green, but I understand your impression.

If they offer the season pass again this year, I am seriously going to consider it. Elks is 45 minutes form where I live, but that annual ticket may be the best deal around= all golf, range, locker, and even cart, if desired, is included. And some pretty good players hang out there, too.

[Glenn Spencer]

Glenn- Sorry, a mis-type. I meant to say I find 16 a little plain-jane.

I like fifteen for its options from the tee (wide open and safe to then left but for the very long hitter who challenges the right it is reachable- I've seen it done.

The lay up also requires thought as the hole narrows in the lay-up area; the hillside encroaches on the left and the creek guards the right.

The green setting is well done (though I wish they'd clean up the rocks and fill along the edges). It's not the greatest green in the world but the setting is beautiful. It's just a short pitch over the creek and there is enough uphill and cant to the green to make it interesting.

#8 is the short drop shot with trouble all around. Much more scary than a pitching wedge or nine iron should be. It's one that has grown on me.

#12 is the short three on the back with the creek. I would call this intimate, not shoehorned, since all that is required is a mid to short iron to a generous green, but I understand your impression.

If they offer the season pass again this year, I am seriously going to consider it. Elks is 45 minutes form where I live, but that annual ticket may be the best deal around= all golf, range, locker, and even cart, if desired, is included. And some pretty good players hang out there, too.

Yes, I have heard about the Saturday game out there and was invited to play. What is the full season deal? 16 plain jane? I guess, but I really like that downhill tee shot. Maybe I am confused, I have only played it about 8-10 times.

[Mike Hendren]

As soon as Bogey buys a lot there, and gets the wheels off his house, we can play and stay at his place.

John,

Let me know when you're available.  All we need is a big wind and for me to click my heals together and repeat:  "There's no place like a Clayton manufactured home."

I'll swing by in the limo:




Mike

[Andrew Thomson]

Has he done anything really good yet, other than maybe Doonbeg (which I've heard mixed reviews about)? His course at PGA West is supposed to be a disaster, Koele is mediocre and I really disliked the two at Tiburon in Naples.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/mhcmoonah.html

[Jim Sweeney]

Glenn:

You're not confused, I am! The "plain jane " hole is 17, the par three. I definitely agree with you on 16.

I heard today that Elks may have been sold, and that it is currently closed with minimal maintenance. My source had very little information but it sounds like things are changing there.

Last year I believe the deal was $2500 for the year- all your golf, range, locker, and even carts if you prefer riding (or maybe for that second 18 in mid-July.

This was somewhat less than Four Bridges, but of course without the other amenities, and witthout nearly the traffic or the outings.

Of course, if the above information is true, all bets are off for '07.