Metropolitan Golf Links Discussion

[Kalen Braley]

For Kalen's benefit, I will modify my observation where Bill's timeline of events is incorrect

I should probably be a little clearer about what I mean when I say "for what it is."  Basically it started out as a golf course, then it turned into a landfill, then the landfill was capped with soil from the bay.  I'm not sure what the time frame is here but it finally came full circle and they put another golf course on top of that.  So it's a golf course built on top of a dump. 

1.  "a golf course" - True
2.  "turned into a landfill" - Depending on the definition, either or true or false, but we can all agree that it was not a golf course
3.  "the landfill was capped with soil from the bay" - False, the landfill, again depending on the definition, I ASSUME was not capped with soil from the bay, I ASSUME it was capped with non-bay topsoil suitable for growing turf.  Of course, Kalen should also run to Wikipedia or Websters to determine if "the bay" is synonymous for "estuary" ...

Damn it Mike,

You had to go look up the entire statement...which of course you are correct!! 

[Joel_Stewart]

I should probably be a little clearer about what I mean when I say "for what it is."  Basically it started out as a golf course, then it turned into a landfill, then the landfill was capped with soil from the bay.  I'm not sure what the time frame is here but it finally came full circle and they put another golf course on top of that.  So it's a golf course built on top of a dump. 

I don't think the site was ever landfill. 

I believe they originally closed NLE Lew Galbraith so that the Port of Oakland could deposit the dredgings from the Oakland estuary on the course.  After a period of time, top soil was brought in and the course was routed and shaped by Johnny Miller  . 

Johnny Miller barely set foot on this golf course like all of the others under his name.  Everything was done by Fred Bliss, an architect out of Santa Rosa.

I also like this course, the more I play it the better it gets.   It is a shame they ran out of money and went over budget because it could have been better if the mounding was better and the soil and drainage improved.  They barely break even on this course, even with the major money machine in that driving range. 

[JLahrman]

Johnny Miller barely set foot on this golf course like all of the others under his name.  Everything was done by Fred Bliss, an architect out of Santa Rosa.

I also like this course, the more I play it the better it gets.   It is a shame they ran out of money and went over budget because it could have been better if the mounding was better and the soil and drainage improved.  They barely break even on this course, even with the major money machine in that driving range. 

They do a mean wedding & reception business.  The main putting green seems to be closed every weekend evening so they can do a wedding over by the ninth green.

[Ian_L]

Great to meet you briefly Alex, sorry we didn't have a moment to chat.

Ian,

I just re-read your initial post.  When you said there is a bailout area right on #10, did you mean the 18th fairway?  Because as memory recalls and seeing the aerial i'm not seeing anything else.

I'm usually not far enough right to be in the 18th fairway, but anything right of the bunkers is in very short rough.

Assuming this is what you meant, is 10 any less of a hole because this option is presented to the user?  I'm guessing it wasn't the architects intent.

I think so.  It was a fun "bite off as much as you can chew" drive over the three bunkers until I realized I could play out to the right, avoid the bunkers, and actually end up closer to the hole than I would playing down the fairway.  I think extending the diagonal by adding another bunker on the right would do the trick. I still think the second and third shots are great, though.

One interesting feature of the course is that the afternoon wind makes the first seven holes very tough.  1, 2, and 3 play into the wind.  #4 is downwind but is still 446 yards long. #5 is a downwind par 3 that may play easier without wind, as it is a difficult green to hold. #6 and #7 turn back into the wind again.  I wouldn't say it's a design flaw, as the holes play in different directions, but it does require you to strike the ball solidly out of the gate.

I also like #13 as others mentioned, although the ball-eating shrubs left of the cart path are not cool.  #14 is interesting as well, and makes for difficult choices if you're in a fairway bunker. A fun green, tool (photo from short right):


Thinking about it, Metro seems to be strategic in an obvious way.  Lots of risk/reward shots, for example.  Same thing on the tiered greens; everyone knows where the trouble spots are since you can see the tiers from 150 yards away. That being said, I much prefer this to a course devoid of options.

Matt, that's an interesting strategy on #10, although I think I'd be to scared of leaving the layup in the hazard. Would you do the same with the pin on the far left?