Why Do We Like ODG's?

[Sam Morrow]

  Yesterday I played Gus Wortham in Houston, it's the original Houston Country Club. It was built in 1908 by A.W. Pollard, I've played the course many times but not in several years, the thing that struck me about the course was that there were some crazy holes and if these same holes were built today they would be blasted on this board. Prime example, 7 is a 400ish par 4 that plays uphill on the second. I hit my approach a little heavy and it landed on the fringe, by the time I got to the green I had a 45 yard pitch shot back up the hill. If Rees Jones or Tom Fazio built this exact same hole I think there would be threads about what idiots they are.

  So tell me, why do we love ODG's?

[John Kavanaugh]

Sam,

Maybe you love them because they can't raise from the grave and ask you what is your problem.  I'm a member of both a Fazio and Nicklaus course that has the exact same feature, on the 14th hole none the less.  Architects who are still living also punish the fat shot.

[Bill_McBride]

I just first want to know where in greater Houston there is a hill steep enough to create - or take advantage of - such a false front.

As to a feature like that on a good course, one or two of those a round is enough, but the architect, ODG or modern, has certainly provided a test of your game, right?

[Sam Morrow]

Sam,

Maybe you love them because they can't raise from the grave and ask you what is your problem.  I'm a member of both a Fazio and Nicklaus course that has the exact same feature, on the 14th hole none the less.  Architects who are still living also punish the fat shot.

Are we the only Fazio fans on this site?

[Sam Morrow]

I just first want to know where in greater Houston there is a hill steep enough to create - or take advantage of - such a false front.

As to a feature like that on a good course, one or two of those a round is enough, but the architect, ODG or modern, has certainly provided a test of your game, right?

Bill there are lots of hills if you don't mind going into parts of Mexico. The street signs were in Mexican.

[John Kavanaugh]

Considering the many, many raters on this site I think there are quite a few Fazio fans in the closet.

[Terry Lavin]

Quirk on an old course is just old fashioned lovable quirk.  One can rationalize that it was caused by having to deal with the lay of the land in an era with minimal earth moving capabilities.

Quirk on a newish course is viewed as architectural self-absorption or tone-deafness.

I'm guilty of the latter, I'll freely admit.  I'm not a fan of #14 at Bandon Trails, which I think is the only bad hole at Bandon.  To me, it elevates quirk over substance.  I probably would have gone with the tunnel which I think Gil Hanse recommended...

[Bill_McBride]

I just first want to know where in greater Houston there is a hill steep enough to create - or take advantage of - such a false front.

As to a feature like that on a good course, one or two of those a round is enough, but the architect, ODG or modern, has certainly provided a test of your game, right?

Bill there are lots of hills if you don't mind going into parts of Mexico. The street signs were in Mexican.

Mexican or Texican?

Will be in Houston Memorial Day weekend looking for a game.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Sam

We love the ODG because they gave us courses that tested us. Use the equipment that the course was designed for then tell me they still suck.

WE love our modern ways, we are content as long as we think we can win, the idea of playing the course and enjoy the experience is now also a thing of the past, but if you do slow down, sod the need to win, to do well just go play the game and it might just surprise you that these ODG knew a thing or two about designing great sporty courses. But you must remember the decade when these courses were built and the tools of the trade back then for both the Designer, Green Keeper and the Golfer.

Tell me would a skilled craftsman go to work using the wrong tools, yet golfers do that on a daily basis, so who 's fault is it that you did not like the course?

Just a thought among many others.

Melvyn