First, many thanks to one of our GCA brethren here in Denver who forsook his standing round at CommonGround to join me at Fossil Trace. Along with Roger from the grounds crew, we enjoyed good company and some very enjoyable and at times well played golf.
Jim Engh has accomplished something very distinctive with Fossil Trace, in creating what is the best expression of a Disney ride in golf course form I've ever seen. When you stop sniggering, let me explain that first, I mean that as a compliment. The Imagineers at Disney, and I think Mr. Engh has gone far to earn that title, too, have perfected an experience that is thrilling, yet safe, that builds throughout to a dramatic conclusion, and that coaxes and nudges the participant to have a good time, despite the participants efforts otherwise.
The safe part: Mr. Engh does not want you to contend with a bad approach. Unless you visit Mr. Shank on your ball, he wants your ball to come back to the fairway. He has placed buddy bumpers throughout the course, especially the early, just getting to know you section. Fade it left, pull it right, mis-aim? Not to worry! There's a mounded embankment to correct that ball-flight flaw, and keep you on the course.
And this is just like the line to the ride at Disney (as much a part of the ride as the ride itself, you know). The first hole introduces the theme: the chimney in the fairway at the bottom of the blind drive, and the long green in a 1/2 bowl. Shots gather. Scores stay low. 4 presents the first challenge, the first thrill, with the hazard pinching in, but not too much, and not a crossing hazard. The threes to this point are short. Short short.
6 presents another challenge; a centerline bunker and a 4-tier green on the bias. 8 presents another challenge; a gash of a trench bunker on the line of charm. The Juvie left of 9 threatens to capture your drive, but again, gathering mounds, keep the play in line.
The crescendo has been utilizing throughout the front, and the back brings on the ride. 10 presents the first real water test with a semi-drivable 90 degree dogleg around water. 11 transitions into the mine with a long, multi tier green, leading to 12, and the heart of the course. Leading to 11 you see the first of three abandoned steams hovels perched along the ridges in this section. Ot only do they provide the visual reinforcement to the course's POV, but they announce that now, the game is on. This is the thrill.
12 is a mid length 5 with a slight dogleg left. The vertical guardian theme from 1 is back, with a series of sentinel stone stolons guarding the approach into 12 green. This is different. The way these stone pillars aligned, they mask the view into the green, and frankly, are really cool. Their impact however need not be anything. Once you realize that 1 you don't want your ball among them and 2 you just need to play over them, they aren't impactful. But, like all good hazards, you feel like you've accomplished something playing over them. That is good.
13-15 finish the mine section. The buddy bumpers remain, but these holes provide some tooth, too. 16 walks you out of the ride, but just when you think you are safe, 17 and 18 bring it again with a 4 and a 5 playing around a pond in a basin. Much like the end of the log flume, you can end up wet. But it's just the end of the ride.
I give a thumbs up to Fossil Trace. Apparently, many others do, too. The props are there, but they are on the course. And while the ride is sanitized, it is still a fun ride.
Is it the best course ever? Even bringing it into the conversation is silly. But much like Total Recall, one of the best Arnold Schwarzenneger action movies, Fossil Trace deserves its kudos for being a fine Disney ride golf course, one that will bring joy to many Golfers for quite some time.