GolfClubAtlas.com > Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group
What am I missing about Hazeltine that the PGA of America keeps seeing?
John Moore II:
Yeah, courses have to have the structure around them to host a major event. Its why, even if they wanted an event, a place like Sand Hills or Ballyneal could not host a major (well, unless they wanted to build an international airport and 10,000 room hotel on the property). They simply don't have the things needed to get people in and out and staying nearby. And the structure in place is why Torrey, Medinah, Atlanta Athletic Club host major championships.
I am honestly surprised Pinehurst #2 gets the events given where it is located. There are 'few' hotel rooms in town and the nearest otherwise (of any amount) would be Fayetteville or Cary, which are both an hour away.
Jim Franklin:
Patrick -
Your views are near identical to mine. I have a hard time remembering any of the holes at Hazletine and really did not like it. Of the courses I played in Minnesota, it was the one I liked the least.
Paul -
Since you found it a good course, what did you like about it?
Jay Flemma:
Great to see you, Jim Franklin! Come one out to the Inniscrone day:)
Paul, if it is over the top, it doesn't miss by much...my guess is that we alll have one course that makes us shake our heads in dismay...for me, it's Medinah. It wouldn't bother me so much if it was a once on a blue moon thing to have a big tournament there...but it represents and underscores everything wrong in the age of the doldrums of GCA and yet it gets two PGAs in 7 years and a Ryder Cup.
i think medinah represents everything that GCA.com and those of us that study architecture got into the game for in the first place, to rally with others that there are better courses out there and that just because we see a course on TV or because woods wins there, that doesn't make it good. When I chat with the other writers, I frequently hear that when it's medinah's turn in the rotation...oops!...sorry! family Vacation that year!
I intend to let fly at Medinah in my PGA Championship preview as well as point out the shortcomings of HazNat. There are a lot of similarities on several levels. I'll partly let fly because I want to use the pieces I write to promote GCA, and partly because I think Medinah makes itself an easy, funny target, and partly because a lot of other writers feel the same way.
Dan Jenkins, in Slim and None: the clubhouse at medinah is either a meeting place for shriners, or the architect designed it after putting on a fez, and hitting every bar on Rush Street.
is it fair to call Hazeltine the Medinah of the North?
And again...does anyone else out there scratch their heads over these pix? Why would they take and post pix from the middle of the woods?
Jay Flemma:
--- Quote from: Charlie Goerges on June 30, 2009, 08:31:39 PM ---I kept my program from the last PGA, I'd be happy to scan a few pages for "fair use" here. It also has a Trent Jones drawing of the 6th green.
--- End quote ---
thanks, that'd be nice.
Jason Topp:
Jay
If you take your shots at the course, make sure they are accurate and based on actual knowledge of the course. Even though Hazeltine is not my favorite course in the world, it has plenty of merit and I have plenty of friends that are proud members of the place.
I would argue that holes 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16 and 17 are very good holes and that there is not a bad one in the remainder. The greens are good to very good with several interesting and unconventional contours. The course is a pretty good one for a PGA because it allows players with different strengths to contend - just look at the leaderboard from the last PGA - it included long hitters, short hitters, ballstrikers and short game guys.
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