I saw this post crop up again last week and have only had time to post my version until now. I know it's "past due" but why not throw my routing in the mix. Here is mine...
1 - First hole plays slightly downhill to a green tucked behind the stream, hole will reminisce the first at The Old Course. Maybe around 400 yards give/take.
2 - Being from Lancaster, PA, could I route a course without a bunch of crazy loops??? No. The first loop starts at #2 which will play again about 400 yards give/take.
3 - This is a short par 4 of about 300 yards. Will generate lots of strategic, risk/reward interest.
4 - Hole plays about 370, again utilizing the stream as a hazard to the front of the green. Modifications to internal design will be required as to differentiate itself from #1.
5 - Shortish par 3; it plays downhill and the green is well bunkered.
6 - Long par 5 at about 585ish yards. Fairway will be wide, but due to greenside contours and bunkers, will favor a drive down the left, close to the pond.
7 - A "Bay Hillish" par 4 at about 450 yards.
8 - A par 3 that should kind of resemble the old 16th at Augusta but would also pull upon the brilliance of the 4th at one of those Baltusrol courses.
9 - A medium to short par 5 that plays longer than the yardage because the tee shot plays uphill. Maybe a Redan green complex would do well.
10 - Being the number of one of the great par 3s in the world at Winged Foot, it would be equally as challenging. Although this would play uphill and I am sure there are a few great par 3s down towards Philly that play uphill slightly. It would be glorious.
11 - This is the start of the second cool little Lancastrian-esque loop. It'd be a Par 4 at about 440 yards, dogleg left. It would be downhill but the green would favor a shot coming from the precipice of the hill as opposed to a shot coming from the bottom of the hill. It would be a "local knowledge quirk" and would be the source of much debate on Golf Course Architectural message boards, but after some discussion would be loved the world over.
12 - A long par 3 at maybe 240 yards or so. Generous green with a generous undulation.
13 - A short par 4 that plays up the hill. Maybe only 360 yards and many players would only be left with a chip or pitch. The green however will be more kind to the approaches made from 100 - 125 yards out because of bunkering and green contours.
14 - The start of the final 5 holes; all wrap around the property which I find to be very Ross-esque. A downhill par 4 that plays over a hill. The tee shot may be partially blind and the green would favor a shot coming from the left side of the fairway. The fairway will be generously wide but would run up the side of the property line much like the 2nd hole does at Talking Stick (North).
15 - A long par 5. Would not be as penal but would be as visually stimulating as the 12th at Oakmont. It would not be overdone with all the framing (and not at all that the 12th at Oakmont does) but the designing of the hole would not be so excited about creating an interesting long par 5 that in all the giddiness, it becomes a gaudy monstrosity.
16 - A long par 4 with lots of bunkering interest. Not that it would have a lot of bunkers, but the few bunkers that would exist on the hole would be very well placed and very interesting.
17 - A shortish par 4 at maybe 415 or so. Lots of interest would be generated by the character of design.
18 - Last hole would simulate strategic playing issues as the 18th at Southern Hills does. It would be a magnificent finishing hole. It would be slightly long but not overly daunting.
General course comments:
The clubhouse would be situated close to the road thereby eliminating needless costs associated with running yards and yards of sewer, cable, electric, etc. The clubhouse is also situated on a part of the property with less character as other parts. There is a driving range.
The course will have the feel of an Oakmontish/Merionish customization of golf course architectural glory. It will play to a yardage of about 7200 and to a par of 71.
I understand and saw the posting of the final product, but from what people can get from the routing and my little hole descriptions, what do you all think? Critique away, if you'd be willing to grant me the benefit of your comments...