David,
Thanks for posting this thread.
If Mother Nature doesn't spoil things, it should be a great tournament as the course is in fine shape.
Unfortunately, the photo of the clubhouse is from the time before the trees were pruned and some removed.
While the course will play at 6,800+, the back tees are in the 7,100+ range and it's a par 71.
If need be, the course could easily accomodate about 7,600 for the modern day Pro.
The course is a 1929 Ross, not a 1931 Ross and the clubhouse was completed in 1930.
The original course, locate a few miles away, was a Tillinghast course.
The fairways are very generous.
The putting surfaces are very unique, even for Ross.
I remember Brad Klein's surprise and delight as he examined each green.
I especially recall his reaction after spending a few minutes on # 4.
I told him, "if you think this is great, wait unitl you see # 6, 8, 11, 12, 16 and 17.
Ron has done an exceptional job at restoring Ross's work.
For whatever the reason, over the last 81 years, not much was intentionally done to the course other than tree planting.
I think the competitors will enjoy the course as there's nothing gimmickie about it.
Those who attended my GCA.com get together on Sept 17, 2011 can attest to that.
We had Brad Klein, Ron Prichard, Mike Davis and the Superintendent, Cliff Moore speak to the group.
It was an enjoyable and informative day.
Let's hope the weather co-operates