Although Banks, if Forsgate was in championship condition, it would have one of the best (if not the best) set of par 3s
Alex, how could you not mention the Knoll ?
Westhampton probably has a stronger Redan than Southampton.
Ditto the Short.
There hybrid Biarritz's are interesting.
As is the punchbowl 3rd at Westhampton and the Eden like 10th at Southampton.
Both sites benefit from good winds making the par 3's all the more interesting, especially the short 11th at Westhampton, which is right on the water.
Patrick,
The Knoll has a good redan, good biarritz, ok short, and a terrible eden.
The eden really throws me off and puts it out of the top tier for a set of par 3s.
Also, the redan looks nice, but its conditioning is not great. The kick-board is not really useable and the slope is more towards the tee than front to back. The ridge in the green artificially creates some slope, and the green is not that interesting when putting (aside from the ridge).
IMO, George overrates the Biarritz, often claiming its the 'best surviving example'. It certainly does not play very well. The front and swale are not firm, and although the back of the green has slope, it's very soft, so carrying the ball to the back is the best option.
I also prefer full greens rather than the back only because of the ability to run the ball up and the fun-factor of putting through the swale if you come up short.
The short hole is typically bunkered, however the back tee is unnecessary. The green isn't unbelievable, and if I remember correctly, it doesn't have the desirable horseshoe ridge. The back bunker was also unrestored (i think).
The eden just doesn't look like an eden. The green is partially blind, and the bunkering is not great. While it is a decent par 3, it was not a good representation of an eden. Only because I had played the 3 beforehand was I able to certainly say this was the eden. No back to front slope and awkward bunkers short of the green.