Julian:
Appreciate your comments but you forget the marching orders Tillie received when designing the courses there at WF -- "build us a man-sized course." Over the course of time because of advancing ball and club technology advancements the nature of a number of holes at both layouts at WF were altered. Adding length in certain key spots was needed to bring back into focus what was originally sought. I am not a proponent of added length at all the holes -- most notably the silly extreme length at #12 on the West. I do agree with your example on the 3rd at the West -- no need for 240 yards. It wasn't exactly being killed for birdies when the hole played "only" 218 yards.
When you say the West is now only designed for the pros in a US Open -- how do you square the desire for the massive yardage increases at Bethpage Black?
Let me also point out that dexterity off the tee is the more tested dimension at WF/W. Not only is distance required at both courses -- but you need to work the ball better at the Mamaroneck layout than the one in Farmingdale. WF/W has a number of turning points off the tee -- the 1st, 4th, 8th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th, are all quick examples of each. BB is more straightforward in just hitting it long. On the green side of the argument, WF/W is easily the more demanding because of the way the bunkers are squeezed tighter to the landing areas and the pitch of the greens canbe rather demanding for any mis hit into them.
The lone aspect that BB does have over WF is the scale of the property and the unique rolling Manetto hills you encounter when playing there. If anything WF is proof positive that you don't need a home run site to have a home run course.
Chip:
Many thanks for your always insightful questions.
For me, The Bridge possesses one of the most unique sits in all of the metro NYC area. I was enthralled on my first visit from simply hitting practice balls on the gorgeous range which overlooks The Great Peconic and all the spectacular scenery.
I was also impressed with the rolling nature of the actual golf course itself. I can only say that the inclusion of power carts since its opening days is a must because the severity of the property -- especially on heat / humid days we are encountering now -- makes a walk there quite exhausting -- even Bethpage Black is an easier walk and that says something to me.
Easthampton doesn't have the site that The Bridge occupies. It is crammed into a small piece of property and I salute what C&C did in order to fashion an 18-hole routing that works well inso many spots. The issue for me is whether C&C have advanced their efforts through the product at Easthampton. Frankly, it doesn't for me. That's not to say the layout is not good -- it is but it's not cutting new ground in terms of what they have done previously. In comparison, Rees Jones did add a good bit to his resume, at least for me, with his work at The Bridge. No doubt the proponents of C&C will always prefer the "look" they provide to their courses. On the flip side those who are avowed fans of C&C will likely detest much, if not all, of what comes from Rees Jones. I take a more pragmatic and elastic viewpoint on that point.
Chip, the "close calls" you mention are really towards the back end of my listing. I agree with the take Tom Doak provides that you often have a greater range of courses that fall in the 5-6 range but when you move up to 7 the list narrows and clearly when you get to 8 it becomes even narrower.
I've played The Bridge a few times and Easthampton twice. Many of the detractors of The Bridge have likely only played it one time. Clearly, the course is not at the highest of levels with its lofty neighbors. But, it's far from being some wasted effort that I have seen a few people opine about.
The Bridge would have fared better if Rees did less of his scripted look and formula. Sort of borrowing what he did with the sensational Olde Kinderhook -- which if located in the NYC metro area would be a bonafide contender for top ten status among the top courses I have played.
In sum, The Bridge gets plenty of help from an outstanding site with an above average design. It could have been better and I still see enough there for it to grab a top 50 spot among the layouts I have played. No doubt, it's just my opinion.