...even more that I expected!!!
I expected plenty My anticipation that it must be great and my understanding of what was possible out there after first visiting the property with Hanse and Shack and meeting Doc, was extremely high, almost unrealistic. After reading some of the early posts and seeing photo journeys by our GCA.com participants, I thought there must be a few chinks in the armour of a few mistakes or blemishes in the overall design or concept. There have been a few isolated nits to pick judging from other's observations and comments.
Well, the nits are just that. Only in the understanding that nothing is perfect in golf design and project development, can I justify any comment of any aspect of the two courses and facilites found at Prairie Club to have a nit of any negative feature. The Prairie Club is a vision and dream come true.
Rather than try and post photos, of which I was a bit disappointed that mine were not of sufficient quality to post and do the place justice, I would refer those who are trying to get a handle on the quality and scope of the courses there to find some of the other threads, and go to the PC website. Frankly, I don't think I have the photographic taking skill to get the essence of the vast and awesome bredth and golf playing excitement that awaits golfers there. If folks get into this thread, I'll try to keep up with comments. I'll start with an overall observation that it is certainly true that the Pines course is a most wonderful and comfortable playing venue for the less skilled, with exciting design features that at first impression might scare or shock you into thinking how dramatic and difficult it must be, then eases you into a journey around the course that causes you to become increasingly excited at how you can play well and enjoy the dramatic terrain you are encountering. Graham Marsh has exceded his other excellent effort at Sutton Bay, on a better piece of land, and a more walkable and accessible routing, IMHO. My playing companion Adam Clayman is a hurting unit right now, and I also have had great back pain problems, so we did cartball it. But, I have been feeling good enough that I wouldn't hesitate to walk it if I get another shot at it in the coming years. Playig from the correct tees matching your ability is always crutial. I feel that the Pines is definitely a course for all skill levels in the most equitable sense. The greens contours and surrounds are fabulous. Adam felt they were a little more random in contours than specific to approach strategies, while I felt they are to be learned and experienced over many plays to discover their intracacies and how to play them. I could play the pines course everyday for 100 years and not get bored, or frustrated at the challenge to negotiate the design features that are there. The presents of the pine trees is a wonderful contrast to the rest of the sand hill offerings, and does not detract in any way from the pure sand hill experience. To have such a contrast at the same facility is one aspect that really sets PC apart from its other sand hill sister courses, IMO. As I understand this, the Pines course is scheduled in the near future to remain accessible to the public. So if you are among the public, and you love golf, get out there while the gettin is good!!!
Dunes comments later...