The event Thursday at Forsgate turned out as good as can be expected as the "mega-fine"
Northeast spring weather we've been having could not dampen the spirits of the 25 or so people who attended.
Many thanks to the folks at Forsgate (hats off to General Manager Greg Hobbs, Director of Golf Rick Hughes and Director of ales / Catering Lina Lorna) for permitting those attending the opportunity to play yesterday when the rain stopped AND offering all of the attendees the opportunity to return and play the course (with guest in tow / provided guest fee is paid) a future round at no additional expense.
The Banks Course is indeed a special one and I do agree with a few of the folks who mentioned that some additional tree cutting would add to the visual appeal that Banks originally created on the rolling terrain.
At my behest I asked the superintendent Bob Ribbans (kudos to him for having the course looking so good even with all the aqua that has been Jersey's plight for too long this spring) to place the pins in some "challenging" positions. He complied admirably with all of the par-3's and a few of the par-4's. On the Eden par-3 3rd hole the pin was flush right and was protected strongly by the flanking bunkers.
At the reverse redan 7th hole the pin was cut to the far right and only the boldest of plays would settle near the flag. At the horseshoe 12th the pin was cut in the extreme center rear just beyond the horseshoe contour. And at the biaritz 17th hole the pin was cut near the front making it quite entertaining. Kudos to Corey Miller who canned a 60 foot bomb putt at the mind-boggling 16th green with all of its unique contours. I have to say that collectively ther par-3's at Forsgate are indeed a very special quartet and worthy of attention from architectural fans.
The Banks Course is generally underappreciated and truly unknown to people who live 100 miles or more from the course. Located in central Jersey (exit 8A of the NJ Tpke) the course provides enough distance (the course has added a few back tees to push total distance to just over 6,700 yards) but it is quite user-friendly provided you keep the ball in play off the tee. The Jersey Golfer has The Banks Course as the 8th best in the state although personally I believe I would have it around 11th or 12th.
Many thanks to the keynote speaker Frank Thomas -- the former Technical Director for the USGA. Frank discussed a number of key issues relating to technology and many of his points were previously posted by me from an interview I conducted with Frank for Jersey Golfer.
In sum, Frank pointed out that the most additional yards that can be gained even if all restrictions were dropped would be at best 15 more yards. Frank outlined the gains that came from the springlike effect for the elite players and how those at the USGA really caved in to the legal arguments in 1998 and avoided what should have been done then since the language of "no springs" for golf clubs has been around since 1907.
Many thanks to all who came and shared in some good golf and some 19th hole camaraderie.
P.S. A future get together is being discussed for another Jersey architectural gem sometime in either late July or early August!