Detroit Golf Club

[Mike Schott]

I watched on TV and that 18th hole grandstand configuration looked downright claustrophobic.

I know they gotta sell those pricey corporate badges, but that was beyond hideous....

The course otherwise looked pretty good, but i'm guessing without all the trees, it would have been an even bloodier slaughter in relation to par....

I sat behind the 17th green for 4-5 groups and drops due to the corporate tents were common. All over the course they were way to close to the sides and back of greens. It made recovery from misses artificial. Sad.

[V_Halyard]

We were filming at the Rocket Mortgage Classic this last week and the course was in great shape. Perhaps a bit defenseless but given the previous deluges and flat terrain, it was in fairly good shape. As I listened to the tournament team, they were pleased for the city and buoyed by the inaugural level of participation. They understood and expected some scoring brutality. It is a flat, lightly bunkered, fairly straight ahead parkland Ross. It had barely dried out from months of rain and late season snows. PGA imported truckloads of top dressing sand precedent to practice rounds. The fact that it held up is a testament to the tournament team. There is work to be done but personally, it was nice to see a new Ross in the weekend mix. It will be interesting to watch what defenses are added during the coming year(s). Grandstand alleyways were a good idea in concept from a fan and sponsor perspective. A bit narrow-as hell for great golf. Heard on the range: " Definitely an urban trek. I felt like I was playing through the alleys back home..."

The community outreach was extensive. Detroit has seen the worst of what any urban area could see. It is on an interesting rebound for some. I was impressed by effort expended by the PGATour, DGC and the RMC Tourney to include and invite the entire metro across all demographics (Even Union...)

Additionally, all communication by the club and tournament included fairly detailed overview of Ross' architectural contributions and connections to the club and the course. The Ross chatter extended beyond press and media to the community outreach, spectators, and even included the kids clinics and outreach to various organizations.  It was insightful to see the organization recognize and embed the value of their golf architecture in all of their messaging.

I sense that the tourney team acknowledges that course setup will need to grow some teeth going forward. They seem to understand and celebrate the limitations of their place in the PGA schedule. Strategically "missed cuts" will likely be the reality with the big name NetJets firing up Friday Evening. That said, the feel-good “Monday-Qualified-Champion-on-the-Donald-Ross-Course” human interest of Lashley's life story would not have been possible. Overall, it was a majority positive kickoff for the Ross site and well played.

[Jim Hoak]

I know the Detroit Golf Club and the Country Club of Detroit are different courses and clubs.  I searched for information on the Country Club of Detroit on here and could find nothing to little.  What can you tell me about the Country Club of Detroit, besides that Arnold Palmer won the US Am there in 1954?  How do the two courses compare?

[V_Halyard]

I know the Detroit Golf Club and the Country Club of Detroit are different courses and clubs.  I searched for information on the Country Club of Detroit on here and could find nothing to little.  What can you tell me about the Country Club of Detroit, besides that Arnold Palmer won the US Am there in 1954?  How do the two courses compare?

CC is a bit of a different track. It has an Alison, Colt and Alison, RTJ and lately a Doak/Renaissance Design update. The bunkering is different than the Ross and the ground has more undulation. I would defer to Tom for more info but I will say that the latest iteration by the Doak crew actually removed some bunkering and replaced them with some very interesting swales.  This might be more apropos for a separate thread.


Tom?

[Michael Wolf]

Swales yes, but I think it'd be a stretch to say any significant ground movement anywhere else. The total elevation change at CCD can't be 20ft?




CCD's other features that would stand out for a first time visitor are the stunning old school clubhouse and the absolute mansions surrounding the course. Ford, Chrysler, Fisher family compounds all in the neighborhood - which isn't, btw, in Detroit. CCD is actually in Grosse Pointe Farms.


You mentioned the 54 Amateur won by Palmer. The club also hosted the 1915 Am won by Robert Gardner.


I've only been back a few times in past decade, but i've read that the entire area was significantly impacted by an infestation of the emerald borer (sp) on it's massive Ash trees.


Michael