The Prairie Dunes course profile is posted

[Ran Morrissett]

As much as any course with which I am familiar, this course possesses ALL the most admired design qualities that are often refered to on this site.

Plus, what's its greatest weakness? Does it have one?? A lack of a genuine three shot hole? No - in a 30 mph north wind, the 7th is easily that, as we found out.

See what you think - with 36 photographs (a GCA.com record, I believe), the course profile should make you want to jump in your car and get there ASAP - the course is that good and then some.

Cheers,

[RJ_Daley]

Spring comes to the priairie.  What could be more invigorating?    I have to imagine that the last indian summer days in fall would also be spectacular at PD.  Very nice pics Ran!  

[Jeff Mingay]

Ran,

You've left out the 6th element of an "ideal" course, and Prarie Dunes appears to possess it as well -- natural beauty! What a fantastic looking property.

Excellent write-up and photos  

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Ran
I agree with the two previous posts, what an appealing time of year for that course. Great profile.

[John_D._Bernhardt]

Thank You Ran for Prairie dunes is a course of great interest and one that I have seen any pictures of before.

[Mike_Cirba]

Ran,

Thanks for a superb writeup.  

However, you need to work on your photographic technique when capturing fellow players, particularly when they are fellow GCA'ers.  

For as handsome as Brad looked standing amidst the swales of the 9th fairway, I have two of him looking much more serious-minded (re: pissed) in the deep fairway bunker on the 10th at Fenway.  I was able to capture both shots he played from virtually the same lie, and they stand today as a testament to his gracious good nature and immense fortitude.

He's asked (with the same tone and demeanor that Michael Corleone asked for favors) me to burn them so before that happens, Ran..perhaps I can offer you a trade?

[brad_miller]

Mike, please bring them the next time we play

[GeoffreyC]

Outstanding- I don't recall another review that included all 18 holes.  Apart from Pine Valley, Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links how many courses out there are that solid, interesting and naturally beautiful from start to finish?  I think that says a lot about Prairie Dunes and I relish the chance to get out there some time.

[Chris Brewer]

Ran,
Forgive me as I'm new to this site, but I'd like to view your Prairie Dunes profile and pics.  Where do I go (click) to find it?
Thanks,
Chris Brewer

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Go to the 'Courses by Country' at the left.

[Simon_H]

Ran, Prairie Dunes looks stunning.  Should I ever find sufficient time & money to fly half way round the world, it will be at the top of my 'must see' list.

[Paul Daley]

Most appreciated Ran; great pics and a well-written account. For the best part of 25 years I have been fascinated by this course, making do on journalistic morsels thrown from time-to-time.  

Maxwell created a true classic, and pleased to hear that the 2C's have maintained original mowing lines, look and overall feel.

For me, it's right up with Cypress Point, National Golf Links, Shinnecock Hills, Pine Valley, Sand Hills, Merion, and Pacific Dunes as a course that I dearly long to play.

  

[Brad Klein]

If I may register a dissenting voice . . .

played PD a year ago, spent two days with superintendent Stan George, who is is about the most knowledgable, devoted ecologist one could ever hope to find.

On the design, it is spectacular, amazingly demanding, fascinating. But . . .

I thought the Press Maxwell holes (3,4, 5, 11-16) a little out of kilter. esp. the two uphill par-3s (4, 15) and the tree-lined !!!), kick-it through the uprights par-4 12th hole.

Still think it's a great course, but a little bit stuck out and I'm wondering what others think.

[Scott_Park]

Does anyone think that Prairie Dunes and Desert Forest seem remarkably similar?  They both have that- mow down the brush, plant grass, and put some pins in- simplicity.

The scary thing is that despite the subtlety, DF and PD are very challenging courses.

SP

[Scott_Burroughs]

You guys need to invest in some double-strap bags!  
They're much better on the back, shoulders, and posture.

Either that or just buy an Izzo extra strap to add on.

And yes, the course looks wonderful.

This doesn't help much, but here's the PD aerial, which was AOTD #19  (front nine lower left, back lower right and upper right):



and thread:  

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/YaBB.cgi?board=GD1&action=display&num=1013435603

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Brad
I didn't think 3, 4 and 5 were out of character. #4 is very similar in character to #2 and #10, almost mirror image of #2. The elevate tee at #3 is very similar to #6, #9 and #18, and #3 and #5 didn't really standout in my mind as obviously built by another man at another time. #11 enjoys another typical elevated tee and is a good hole. #12 is admittedly a little odd and actually looks a lot better in Ran's photo where the trees are leafless. Those cottonwoods have pretty cool bones and their very interesting structure is appealing sans leaves. I like #13. #14 again back toward the trees from an elevated tee - I think it was one of the more interesting holes. #15 is the worst hole on the course in my opinion. #16 is a solid hole, but it and Perry's #17 border the perimeter of the property (and civilization) which makes them different. If the Press holes on the back have a different character because of more cottonwoods, but there are other courses where the character changes - Crystal Downs comes time mind - and I believe those cottonwood trees at PD are natural to the environment.

I suspect that the newer 9 is based on Perry's plan. If he routed an entire 18 and they only chose to build 9 due to economics, it would make sense to build the nine holes closest to the clubhouse if possible, which he did. What is unussual is it resulted in having five holes of the nine that either finish or start at the clubhouse, which meant that the second nine would have to be built off the existing holes, away from the clubhouse, and most likely would have form two new loops. Based on that I would guess those loops were already known when the first nine was built and Press simple followed his father's original routing.

[Coral_Ridge]

Great profile to a truly great golf course.  I really enjoy these profiles.  Keep up the good work.

Now I know why Dorothy wanted to get back to Kansas.

[Matt_Cohn]

I just got back from Prairie Dunes yesterday. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold on to our 2nd round lead and we finished 3rd. I shot 78-71-74, which was frustrating because the weather was really good. On my team alone, we had a 64, 66, 68, and 69 during the course of the tournament. Seven-under was a playoff for the individual title.

Anyway, I put some thought into what I wrote at the end of the course profile - I'd love to know what people think.

Three memories from the weekend:

-In round one, missing the green with 2 chips (#17 and #6)and a bunker shot (#7). None of them looked like they'd be more than 4 feet from the hole. See my note on "precision".

-Watching Par Nilsson (OSU) make 6 birdies on the front nine (from the fringe on #1, near tap-ins on 3, 4, 5, and 6, and a 30 yard chip-in on #9. He bogeyed the other three holes.).

-Three pars on #8!

If anyone has any Q's about Prairie Dunes, please ask, it's very fresh in my mind!

[George Pazin]

After reading the Prairie Dunes writeup & realizing I won't be anywhere near there anytime soon, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where I should head for the wildest greens within 5 or so hours drive of Pittsburgh. Preferably a public course.

I've played Gil's greens at Inniscrone, Flynn's greens at Lehigh, Pete's greens at Mystic Rock & Strantz's greens at Tobacco Road. I wouldn't characterize any as wildly undulating, so I'm having a hard time visualizing Maxwell's rolls.

Forgot to mention I've played Fazio's at WW & Primm Valley. I found Pete's toughest & Flynn's the most interesting, though I'd love to have a go at Gil's at Applebrook.

[George Pazin]

Matt -

I've often wondered whether top golfers, both top amateurs & touring pros, would be more challenged by wilder greens like Maxwell's that, by necessity, would not be super fast stimpmeter wise (ie. speed would be created by gravity, not peach fuzz grass) or by flatter yet faster greens. What's your take?

[Scott_Burroughs]

George,

I've heard there's a championship venue in your own back yard that has some fairly tough greens.  

[JayC]

Ran,
Thanks for adding Prairie Dunes CC and PD Maxwell to GCA's
course profiles.  Both are most deserving.

[George Pazin]

Scott -

Said course does indeed exist, but the last time I walked it was before the 83 Open, so my memory is a little fuzzy. Also, unless I cut about 20 strokes off my handicap & qualify for next year's Amateur, I don't think I'll be getting on there anytime soon. I'm also under the impression their greens are difficult due to speed & slope, as opposed to rolling undulations.

[Matt_Cohn]

Mr. Pazin,

I definitely think Maxwell greens at 10 on the stimpmeter are a lot harder than Rees Jones greens at 12, or 13, or whatever. If a good player has a relatively flat putt, there's a good chance he's going to make it, no matter what the speed is. Same thing around the greens - there's not much to stop a good player from getting up and down around a flattish green. To me at least, the green contours make those things much more difficult. Speed and firmness accentuate any contours that come into play.

[George Pazin]

Thanks, Matt, kinda what I figured...

And, please, don't make me feel older than I already feel - it's George.