[Michael J. Moss]

This debate broke out when a stand of flowering fruit trees were marked for removal pursuant to a long term golf course improvement plan drawn up for our Club. The difficulty is tryng to explain the pro-removal argument to members who have never opened a book on the subject of golf course architecture. There exists a faction of (mostly) veteran members who enjoy the trees.

The fact is they are indeed lovely for a 10-day stretch, and then they go back to blotting out a view of some really cool terrain. The true strength of our golf course is its unique topography. In the fall season they appear a bit skeletal compared to the trees whose autumn colors are more attractive. But that's a matter of taste.

The real problem, though, is our 4th hole, a Raynor "Leven," and their effect on the hole's playability. The fruit trees present a double penalty to the golfer whose ball careens off the slope (see below) and finds it way under a low hanging branch. The recovery options are limited to one: punching out (if one is able). Without the trees, the golfer still has plenty to deal with - attempting a recovery shot from of a deep ravine. The trees are lovely while in bloom, but they should be on the periphery of the property or away from the playing corridors.

Here are the images: How would you frame the argument to take the trees out? They have not been removed, and won't be until some minds are changed. This group can be a big help.

Thanks in advance. Now get to work!

view from the 3rd tee (in spring)



view from the 4th tee. Looking back from the other direction (autumn)

[Ian Larson]

It looks like their only real function other than flowering once a year and looking pretty is helping to screen the third tee from snap hooks off the fourth tee. In that grove that appears to have maybe six trees I would at least chop three of them that are the closest to the fourth fairway, but thats only in a compromising spirit. I would personally chop all of them.

[Jason Topp]

Based on the pictures, I would keep them in. 

The flowers are lovely and they look pretty far left of the line you would want to take off the tee.  It is unclear to me what view they are blocking.

[Mike McGuire]

Michael Moss-

You will never change the minds of the dissenters with arguments.

Before the plan was published taking out one or two a year would have worked.

Now you are forced to do it all at once. It's the right thing to do. That will become evident once the ornamental trees are gone. Then a percentage of the detractors will see and be on your side. The next improvements will be easier to sell.

[Norbert P]

 Michael, perhaps remove the trees - looks like two of them - that are planted on the fairway side of the apex of the swale, so that many balls won't run under those trees.  That way, if the ball rolls down the hill it'll be ok to advance, but if it flies down there - a grossly mishit shot (?), well, that retains the harsher punishment.

 It also opens up the possibility of a different fairway shape.  Maybe a fairway thumb down there?

[Mark_Rowlinson]

It reminds me of a story of a rather aristocratic club. News got back to the secretary that an ordinary member had been eating the plums from a tree on the course. A notice was immediately posted that plums may only be eaten by Category 1 players.

At Wilmslow we have a crab apple by the 1st tee. In autumn when the crabs fall there is a delcious aroma of embryonic cider as you tee off.

[Adam Clayman]

MM, Your title has the key. The beauty of the terrain seems like a reasonable argument to counter the tree lovers.

 One compromise could be to keep the fewest number of trees closest to the pond, farthest distance form the hole. A chance for a one shot recovery from that distance is not as likely as it is up the hill, closer to the hole, nearer the bunkers. A better golfer who might just happen to hit a poor tee shot, would likely get past those first few trees and still have the option of trying for a heroic recovery onto the green, due to it's angle and orientation. Anyone who did not get very far past the pond, would still need a lay-up recovery, which a chop out from under a tree guarantees, anyway.

It may not appease the beauty of the terrain proponents, but at least it puts playability to the forefront as a justification.

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