Big thumbs up for TPC Boston

[Dan Herrmann]

Faxon (who worked with Gil):  We made the changes to go back and create some of the NE architecture from the early 1900's  by some of the greats like Ross, Wille Park, George Thomas...  We feel like we wanted to bring back the native grasses, the old style bunkering, stone walls, things that are native to New England - things like chocolate drop mounds...


Nick Faldo's quote from about 2 minutes ago on TV:
"I think they did a great job.  I saw the golf course before and they added so much visual aspect.  

The bunkering is just beautiful....  A couple of those giant ones that look just like Pine Valley, the one across 7 is just beautiful.  The one on 4th it really changes the players' view - they can't see the fairway, and it's what really adds the fear factor."

For those recording it today (Friday), this was 1 hour, 23 minutes into the recording (4:23PM ET)

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Some articles:
http://www.boston.com/sports/golf/articles/2007/08/30/hole_change_adds_a_fourth_dimension/
http://www.earthgolf.com/2007/08/29/tiger-woods-and-architect-gil-hanse-weigh-in-on-tpc-boston-changes/

And from our friend Geoff:  http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2007/8/29/weighing-options-on-tpc-bostons-4th.html

[Jeff_Brauer]

Where did Thomas work in NE?

[Dan Herrmann]

Don't know - it was a quote from Brad Faxon.  I was typing it while pausing my TiVo....

[wsmorrison]

Thomas did Marion GC (1905-6) in Marion, MA along the road into Kittansett.

[Ray Richard]

The changes look great, except for #17 which looks contrived and is too short. I liked the old green location.

Does anybody know if Gil H/Brad F are coming back to finish the job? Its now half New England shaggy and half Florida style.

 Its going to be interesting to see how far the Gil/Brad team goes after all the accolades. Brad F does most of his design work with Brad Booth who has a very conservative, understated design philosophy, which is the opposite of Gil H.

They need to get rid of the remaining unnatural, round, symmetrical, drainage catchment areas with a 12" drain cover in the bottom. Imaginative fairway contouring can shed most of the water away without these installations.

[BCrosby]

I too like the changes I've seen on TV, but I've never been to the course.

Question for those that have seen it - why the shortening of the 16th to what appears to be a somewhat dull 165 yard part 3? The old hole was a 200 yard par 3 with (what appeared to me as) an interesting redanish green. There are now covered stands at the old green location.

Bob

[Cliff Hamm]

As I recall the old 16th had a large green and was situated so that water wasn't really in play.  The new 16th has a small green, I would guess 3500 or so square feet.  

The pin yesterday was set right mid back.  There's a small upper plateau, only about 15' or so across where the pin was.  Small bunker right of the green.  Saw numerous balls go in the bunker.  Austin had a fried egg, hit an ok shot 20 feet past down the ledge, and 3 putted.  Worth the price of admission to seem him go ballistic.  

Hole was exciting with water not really in play altho about 1 of  the 12 we watched went in.  Also seemed to have at least 3 other excellent pin positions.  Front right, front left, and mid back left.  Green slopes from back to front so when pin is up putting will not be easy. Not the 17th at the TPC but should lead to excitement if the finish is close.  Overall, great improvement.

[Doug Braunsdorf]

Does anyone here know for certain if the TPC Boston is a PGA-Tour owned property, or a PGA-Tour licensed property (ex. Jasna Polana).  There is a difference.  

I'm wondering specifically because of the scale and timeliness of the changes.  

[Adam Clayman]

When was the last time you heard so much talk about about GCA in the mainstream? Save for maybe the 17th at Sawgrass, where players admit to worrying about the shot the entire round.

Comments about the 4th hole and what the players are thinking and doing is unprecedented.

IMO, The change to the par 3 16th incorporates this same island element,(Sawgrass) by getting into players' heads. Forcing them to think and not dictating the shot.

This is a huge moment for GCA in the mainstream.

WTG, All involved in the changes.