I got back from Dismal/Awarii/Ballynizzle trip yesterday and just saw this thread. Perfect timing!!!
I have some photos and videos of the new course as well. I will try to post them when I get some time.
Chris was a fantastic host and Dismal River was great fun. I haven't read the old posts about Dismal but I found it quite playable and it was a jolly ride over and through the dunes. Good as any Nicklaus courses that I have played. The par 3's were particularly impressive and par 5's were very strong as well.
Riding the ranger through the new course was amazing. I could not believe that they had not moved a single spoonful of dirt and all they did was to cut native grasses. It looked like I could play the course right now (and I would have if they let me
)! It really is remarkable how close to the finished product the course looked as it stands today. The land is THAT good!
Funny that Tom compared the new course to Rock Creek as my first impression was that the new course reminded me of the pictures of Rock Creek that I have seen.
Dismal is certainly worth the trip if you are in the SH area and it will be doubly so when the new course is finished.
P.S. I walked the front nine at Dismal and I thought the course was very walkable (once they start cutting the walking path). The distance between the green to tee was not too bad. Hopefully, after the new course is built and walking is more encouraged, you will see more and more people walking both courses.