I had a chance to play 36 holes with Joe Hancock yesterday, High Pointe in the AM, and The Kingsley Club in the PM where Dan Lucas joined us.
I came away from High Pointe impressed by the design and depressed by the poor conditioning. Lack of grass was not a problem, there was plenty, (not much fescue), but the 6 inch primary rough and overall wet, soggy,( low 90's with no rain the week I've been here) overly lush turf was a bummer. I thought the course design was really very good and I loved the greens, but unfortunatly they were hard to appreciate when rolling about 6 on the stimp. Whenever I play a course like that I come away scratcing my head wondering if the owners have no idea what a jewel they have or are simply inept. Maybe in this case both. Good golf properties have a theme they carry from start to finish. Whether it's great service or raw golf, the good ones get it right. I have no idea what this property is trying to accomplish, but the empty parking lot during the week of the 4th of July is telling.
The Kingsley club is a different story. Good golf is the goal and they get it right. If you love golf course management spend an afternoon with Dan Lucas. There's a guy who has a passion for what he does and he does it very well. The course has been talked about a lot here and it does not disapoint. It's hard for me to think of a better course I've played, it is very good design. To me, what is even more impressive is the perfect blend of design and maintenence. They get it right, if you love firm and fast, and a course with options, this is the place. I'm not a course rater but I don't understand how this course gets ranked below others I've played. I loved the course and the attitude of pure golf is refreshing.