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Cliff Hamm

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Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« on: December 07, 2010, 07:11:40 PM »
The recent issue of Golf Magazine has Shining Rock as the 4th best new public and best value.  Played it once this summer.  While I was not underwhelmed this level of praise surprised me.  The front had a number of quirky, short par 4's, often with dog legs.Even from the tips holes 4 thru 7 never exceeded 350 with one hole under 300.  While like most I love short par 4's, 4 in a row is a bit much.  I recall the back as being a very solid, difficult test of golf.  Exciting, fun, no.  Just tough golf.

I recall Jay Flemma commenting that he played SR and Connecticut National.  In essence his comments were that SR was a sold course but architecturally CN was superior.  I would agree. CN is much easier, but also much more enjoyable.

Anyway, would be interested in others impressions that have played Shining Rock.

BTW ... the preview feature has been gone for quite awhile.  What happened?

Pete Lavallee

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Re: Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2010, 07:15:46 PM »
Cliff,

Where exactly is Shining Rock located; and who's the architect?
"...one inoculated with the virus must swing a golf-club or perish."  Robert Hunter

Cliff Hamm

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Re: Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2010, 07:25:18 PM »
Shining Rock is in Northbridge, Ma.  If you have ever played Blackstone National about 10 minutes away.  Otherwise about 20 minutes or so from Worcester.

Architect as stated in GM "Construction superintendent Patrick Sullivan earns the design accolades here..."

Website:  www.shiningrock.com

Nick Campanelli

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Re: Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2010, 09:20:36 AM »
Cliff, Shining Rock was on my list for this season, but never made it.  We will have to try to meet up there next year....that is if you are willing to head back. 

The course doesn't look walker friendly.  Holes 7&8 run parallel to each other, and number 10 looks pretty secluded.  Can you confirm? 
Landscape Architect  //  Golf Course Architect

Brad Tufts

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Re: Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2010, 09:57:06 AM »
Without having been there yet...it looks a bit Cyprian Keyes-ish.

Not altogether awful, but penal and wacky in a few spots.

I would put Old Marsh in Southern Maine in this category, even though OM is well above CK.
So I jump ship in Hong Kong....

Cliff Hamm

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Re: Shining Rock - Massachusetts
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2010, 10:14:19 AM »
Thought I would paste Jay's comments previously this year, hope that's OK:

I played Shining Rock today.  It had some nice elements, but was a brutal walk with two switchbacks.  pluses were a great two-shot Redan and a Punchbowl.  Minuses were the routing (too many short par-4s, and long par 3-s - shortest was 190), and the penal nature of the property.  It's a good price too..$30-70 depending on tee time and season.  Architecture heads will like CT Nat'l a lot, Shining Rock not so much, but it is cheap...especially for Boston area.

Nick, Yes it would be a brutal walk as I recall the front especially as being quite hilly. As to your questions I needed to go to the site to try to refresh my memory.  That says a lot as recall is certainly one measure of the quality of a course.  Anyway 8 is par 3 that goes back parallel with 7.  10 I believe is a bit of a walk from 9 and in that sense it secluded from the front.  I don't recall the walk from 10 to 11.

Brad...while Shining Rock may not be my favorite it is certainly solid.  Not in the same category of Cyprian Keyes, which is so extremely punitive, and one of my least favorite courses of all time.  For example I recall CK being so over treed while SR is not.  It is whacky on the front for the one stretch mentioned.  I don't know that I would call it penal (such as the third at CK) but it is a difficult course.  At the same time SR is worth a return visit and would not say the same about CK.

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