Chris,
Using the standards of this and many threads I am afraid the course you represent would also be considered mediocre. I base this just on visiting your website and the lack of suck up posts I see by people trying to win your favor. How can you defend either your course or the critical mentality of the pundits.
I guess I'm not the warm, cuddly type
Obviously I think my course is more than mediocre. Actually, I don't think the website is a very good representation and the pictures suck because I honestly believe there is more interest in my greens and more strategy in my course than most of the banality that is Atlanta golf.
I am happy to have anyone come and play as my guest and judge for themselves. I would LOVE for more people to come see the course and I have a very thick skin and could take any criticism.
I know I am critical at times myself, but it is usually reserved for the courses that set themselves up as "Augusta National with hardwoods" or some other marketing BS when it is another boring ass course routed through the back yards of some fancy ass neighborhood with a 50,000 sq ft clubhouse that IS in phenomenal shape but where people gush more about the spa, the pool or the flowers at the gated entrance than anything else.
I might even go so far as to say that my course now represents what this site should (and claims) to look to identify--affordable "sleeper" courses full of strategy and fun. Not focused on what you do for a living, not a member and three corporate guest golf--4 members enjoying a good, strategic, fun test of golf.
Certainly, my course will never be rated and will never compare in some peoples' minds to the "big name" courses (and it is NOT in those leagues) but the more I talk with the average guy the less I care about their opinions regarding golf architecture.
I must balance my disdain for 99% of what the market cares about with the fact that I am in a business that must present a product that people want to pay for.
I do offer what most of that market would describe as "mediocre" but here is why many would describe it that way:
1. It WAS a mediocre Joe Lee layout designed in 1973 amidst houses and the last 5-6 years it was a run down, poorly conditioned piece of crap.
2. Today, because the houses are well back from the course and the trees have matured many will not even notice a house on 14 of the 18 holes!
3. We have an old clubhouse that is small by today's standards. (15,000 sq. ft)
4. I refuse to put fountains in any of my lakes (we used to have them).
5. I refuse to use 150 or 200 yard marks in the fairways--if I could have I would have absolutely no yardage markers--as it is I have a small 150 plate on the cartpath and yardages on sprinkler heads.
6. I will not have a beverage cart
7. we don't have scented towels
8. I sold my swimming pool and tennis courts and put the money into the best superintendent I could afford who shared my vision and that of the architect's as to what the course should be.
9. BTW, since closing that damned cement pond and tennis courts two years ago and focusing on a good course, good burger and a cold beer, I have a 5-6 month waiting list for membership at my fully private club. This when some of the big fancy clubs (Golf Club of GA--Initiiation fee waived for 7 years when it was $50k per person; CC of the South--No initiation fee and this after some mebers have paid close to 70K when you include all the assessments of the last years for the clubhouse renovation!!; CC of Roswell and Horseshoe Bend two courses that used to get 20k+ are now "let's make a deal"). My ID is 7500 and monthly dues of 285
10. My low fees seem "cheap" or "mediocre" to many. I think some people say "If it's so cheap, can it really be any good"?
11. I am a busy golf course (though unlike some "fancies" I've never had to go to a lottery system for my membership to book Saturday morning tee times. Yes, some people have paid $75k to join "elite" clubs and then have to call a starter to get in a weekend lottery system for times!?!)
PS I'll take my "mediocre" with a waiting list versus "fancy amenities" and not enough people to pay the bills anytime
Now to the post topic:
I personally think that the quality of courses re: the design and construction is exceptionally high today. By and large I think design and construction is as good today as ever before. BUT, to be a "desireable" talked about course today it's about having a 1. "name" designer 2. immaculate conditioning/little play or 3. An immense, sprawling clubhouse. That is what the golf market for the most part, appreciates.
Sorry to rant so long
Come play!