Medalist Club...

[michael damico]

I was wondering if anyone had any photos of the Medalist Golf  Club down in Hobe Sound FL; a Dye design that has since been redesigned/renovated by Greg Norman (well, as far as I can tell - so please correct me if I'm wrong).

I thought this is the best place to ask. 

[Joel_Stewart]

I've played there a few times but can't recall ever taking any photos. 

I like it, but then again I didn't play it when it first opened.  I've seen the Shell match on TV a few times and it's amazing that the current version barely looks like anything of the old.  One member told me it's an interesting place because every year it's a new golf course.

As for Pete Dye, there is nothing left.  Norman bulldozed every blade of grass that Dye put in.  Moved the bunkers from the outside angles to the inside.

Its in amazing condition.  Norman uses the GN2 and its perfect, one of the best conditioned courses in Florida.

[Andy Stamm]

Sorry, I don't have any photos. I think it was a co-design between Dye and Norman. There's a Shell match there between Norman and Price (1 and 2 in the world) that gives a great look at the course. Some interesting design features like no rough and lots of low shot options around the greens. But, from everything I know about it, it's just very, very hard. It beat those two up in the Shell match; I can't imagine what it's like for mortals. There are a number of touring pros that play out of there, though.

[Andy Stamm]

Joel,

Did those changes make it play any easier? I guess you never played the initial version, but is the course you've played just crazy difficult?

[Cory Lewis]

Here are a few pictures from when I played it.  It was early in the morning in the winter, so most of them aren't that great, here are two of the best.

[Anthony_Nysse]

I like it, but then again I didn't play it when it first opened.  I've seen the Shell match on TV a few times and it's amazing that the current version barely looks like anything of the old.  One member told me it's an interesting place because every year it's a new golf course.

As for Pete Dye, there is nothing left.  Norman bulldozed every blade of grass that Dye put in.  Moved the bunkers from the outside angles to the inside.

Its in amazing condition.  Norman uses the GN2 and its perfect, one of the best conditioned courses in Florida.

They have had a new Superitendent in place for about 2 months now, and Assistant Superintendent from The Bear's Club. Tough neighborhood with MaCarthur, and Jupiter Hills around. A lot of tour pros play out of Medalist, Jordan and Tiger are also members.

[Joel_Stewart]

There has been some talk on GCA about the conditioning at Medalist.

I found this link,

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=4192.0;wap2

I forgot there is no rough.  I didn't find it as tough as others but I've normally played well and only once did I play the back tees.  I've told a story about the 2nd hole when as a single I was waived up by a foursome which included Ray Floyd and Hank Kuehne.  I drove it into the fairway bunker on the right and then with Ray Floyd standing about 20 feet away and watching me, hit an amazing 2nd shot out of the bunker, over the lake onto the green.  It played about 185 yeards but felt like a mile.  Yea Ray congratualted me on a fine shot.

[Anthony_Nysse]

GN-1 is similar to the new Celebration that is really taking off down here. It's a little coarser in texture and will outgrow nearly anything, constant edging and trimming. Like Celebration, it hold on to it's color longer and is very wear tolerant. It was on the range tee at Long Cove when I was there.

[cary lichtenstein]

I played there 2 times. Most of my friends hate the course and never want to go back, me too. Ugly and difficult. Maybe good for the pros, but for me, no fun.

[Tom_Doak]

Michael:

I only played The Medalist once, just a year or two after it opened.  It was a very difficult course back then, with a lot of wetland carries.  Mr. Dye worked with Greg Norman on the design, but Norman bought the course a couple of years later, and I believe he's made changes on his own since then.