Changes to the 18th at Dismal River - update

[Chris Johnston]

Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to repsond to all the questions from the group.  One more for you - are there any more proposed changes in the works or will the new green at #18 be it?

Scott

Hi Scott.  Great question!  We plan to move the tees on #6 about 25 yards down and into the valley between 1 and 7 fairways and maybe adjust the faiirway a bit tio make the forced carry a bit less daunting.

As part of the "living ecosystem", we will need to to rework greens from time-to-time to address changes caused by wind.  Believe it or not, wind here can actually chage both the shape and contour of both greens and bunkers.

I hope to see you, and other GCA'ers, out next season to see a very special place to me.

[Scott Szabo]

Chris,

Would love to come out and see for myself next summer.  Thanks again for all the input.

[Chris Johnston]

Chris,

Would love to come out and see for myself next summer.  Thanks again for all the input.

You are welcome!

Any other GCAers interested in visiting?  Should it be a group event on a set date or ala carte?

Weigh in?

[Adam Clayman]

Chris, In the words of Tom Huckaby..."Plan it and they will come".

Both is likely the reality if you do plan something for the group. I say both, because invariably some can not make the trip on the dates planned. By leaving open this generous invitation, more people will probably be able to experience the new and improved DR.

I have one for you...

Are there talks to change the name of the 8th hole?

I'm partial to "JC's Triumph"

On a more serious note. Above you mention that one or more of your greens gets re-shaped by the elements. Now, I know bunkers are subject to that, even on less windy sites, but, I was unaware of greens having that vulnerability. Is there a specific cause, other than the elements, that could have been designed in? In other words, is there a correlation to the greens shape size or orientation that is causing it to shift?

[Jeff Doerr]

Good discussion...

I like the change, especially the walk off tee. The view from the shack and a 19th hole on a course like this will be ideal.

[Chris Johnston]

Chris, In the words of Tom Huckaby..."Plan it and they will come".

Both is likely the reality if you do plan something for the group. I say both, because invariably some can not make the trip on the dates planned. By leaving open this generous invitation, more people will probably be able to experience the new and improved DR.

I have one for you...

Are there talks to change the name of the 8th hole?

I'm partial to "JC's Triumph"

On a more serious note. Above you mention that one or more of your greens gets re-shaped by the elements. Now, I know bunkers are subject to that, even on less windy sites, but, I was unaware of greens having that vulnerability. Is there a specific cause, other than the elements, that could have been designed in? In other words, is there a correlation to the greens shape size or orientation that is causing it to shift?

Adam - naming 8 is under consideration in honor of JC's shot.  With that kind of talent, I know he won't ever get strokes from me!

To the serious question- the greens are changed via "natural top dressing" due to wind blowing out of bunkers.  In particular, #6 (small punchbowl) is slowly filling in and #14 now has ridgelines that were not intended.  I have long said the area is "alive", that is, the sand and water out here have a mind of their own when the wind is up.  Thus, from time to time, we will have to rework greens to restore.  I don't believe there is a design solution - it just is part of the charm out here.

Jeff - I agree, 18 will be better on many levels.

Anyone else interested in a Dismal Day (or two) next June?

[RJ_Daley]

Id make every effort to show up to the extent a person can say that, so many months out.  The earlier - even early May, the better. 

[Chris Johnston]

Id make every effort to show up to the extent a person can say that, so many months out.  The earlier - even early May, the better. 

RJ - We don't open until late May and I will keep you posted here when we can host GCAers who wish to play Dismal River.  It will cool to meet some of you guys!

[Eric Smith]

Here is a pic of the new 18th green that I scanned from the recent Links Magazine Nicklaus issue. 



If any of you are looking to experience golf in the sand hills of Nebraska, you are welcome to join me this summer for a weekend at Dismal River.  An outing is already in the works for July 1-3 with room for a few more. The plan is to first, GET THERE , play a ton of golf and have a good time with a bunch of gca friends.  If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll tell you all about it.

[JC Jones]

It is a cape hole!!! The templates are alive!

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

As one who like dthe old hole...It looks great, and I confess more esthetic than the original, with the green in full view.
Marvelous job....re my old post and ideas...what old green?

[Eric Smith]

I am excited to see it turn out so well. CJ, when was the picture taken?

It is a cape hole!!! The templates are alive!

JC,

I think I see an Alps in there too. Wait that's in front of the old green.

[Jerry Kluger]

I think it looks great. Now all you need is a buried cooler in the grass hill behind the green where you can grab a drink and a seat and watch the following groups finish. 

[Chris Johnston]

I think it looks great. Now all you need is a buried cooler in the grass hill behind the green where you can grab a drink and a seat and watch the following groups finish. 

Buried cooler...hmmm.

Wonder if that is a Golf Committee or Food and Beverage Committee item?

The new green really enhanced an already lovely finish.  The view of it from Jack's is an added plus.

[Sean Leary]

Chris,

Was their much thought to keeping the old green  as a green?

[Chris Johnston]

Chris,

Was their much thought to keeping the old green  as a green?

Sean - Great question.  We are thinking about retaining the old green and having a 19th hole, or closest to the pin, etc from Jack's Shack to the old green.  I'm not a huge fan of extra holes but this may be fun.  I'll let the members weigh in before making the final decision.

If not, we will restore the whole upper area to native, We plan to immediatly restore the area right and above the new green this spring.

[Adam Clayman]

I'm looking at that kick plate on the right and I'm going Yuuummmmyyyyy

[Anthony Gray]

I assume par will change, but, will wait til Chris responds.

The center fronting bunker needs something. Not sure what, but if it is just that bit of a circular thing, it will definitely be out of character. I'm assuming it's nowhere near completed. Just throwing it out there.

  And take away the short miss?

  Anthony

[Chris Johnston]

Adam - the kick plate will definately attract the eye, and it wraps round the back right.  Good pickup!

Anthony - We may "gnarl" the bunker a little bit but want the hole to play to several strengths, including the short miss/chip master.

[Adam Clayman]

The new 18th is a better hole, now. What's not apparent in these pictures is how much back up the hill it really is. It's still a stout par 5 to where this new green now sits, for the majority of golfers.

Played it today and watched Chris exemplify why it's a better hole. He reached in two. Why does that make it better? Because, the hole now puts the player into making the decision, go, or no go. Before, it was never a go. To illustrate how good those shots were, Today, it was also into the wind, at least quartering, from the right. So, Chris' experiment, test, whatever you want to call it ( His repeated phrase prior to swinging, was, "we'll see" "we'll see" ), eased his mind and body, and he just busted it up there. We couldn't tell if it went in the bunker, until we got a little closer and could see it on the green. 

An epic day on a most improved award winner of a course. Only one ball was lost between the entire group and it was mine because I abandoned it.

Chris and his team has made a better atmosphere, course, and, club. Can't wait to see what's next.

[Eric Smith]

Where the heck is the jealous button on here?!

A man - one thing I have wondered about is the layup shot to the new green. Is there ample room up there? I can't recall...

Thanks for the report. See you in a few weeks!

[Adam Clayman]

Plenty of room. I hit 7 iron for my 3rd from about 135.  It caught the green side, of the ridge that's right of the green, took an almost 90 degree straight left bounce, on to the green about 35' from the pin which was middle left. Since it's up hill the effective is greater than what's visible.

One reoccurring motif today, the terrain, makes distance judging very difficult. I suppose it's the openness of the site and the rolling topography that confuses the brain.

Eric, you're way ahead on jealousy points lately.

[RJ_Daley]

Hey, 135 7I uphill, wind against?  Where can we get some of those new swivel hips?   

[Chris Johnston]

Eric - 18 is exactly what we wanted - not particularly long, very uphill, reachable with two good shots, plenty of room to layup, Par 5.  With your skill, you will be challenged and the average golfer will find it a hoot!  Green looks very small from the fairway.  For variety, could be a great Par 4 too from forward tees and favorable wind.  Cart path goes through the bunker.  Ground game is option is very available.  Creativity is encouraged and rewarded.  Beautiful to the eye.  With assistance from my comrades and my EBay driver, I was able to reach her in two. 

Wait until you have the pulled pork at Jack's - straight from the Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati. 

Adam - Aside from great to have you up and, more, great to see you playing - golf is better off with you feeling better.  You did miss my namesake at dinner and my head hurts from the box.  Your observations on the "ground" game following was fun - thanks for peeking at the, ahem, youknowwhat, double secret, never existed, Abottabadoperationlike, big and little horseshoeian, meandering... um.... whatchamacallit.   

Eric again, after playing some extra holes afterwards, you should be very jealous.  Adam saw all my shots!

Day was a hoot! 

[Mac Plumart]

The hole sounds great.  But the big news is Adam is playing.  Awesome!!