DETROIT: Tigers, Beer, Birmingham CC & Franklin Hills

[BCowan]

Cheers Ben & Dick

I wish I had a few good pix of the 1st, but alas the sun wasn't favouring me.  It may be the best hole on the course, but my tip for favourite must be the 13th - what a hole.  I didn't think trees were a big issue mainly because there were so many great specimens not mucked with by stupid trees and I think the club likely keeps the tree areas well cleared of harsh rough/undergrowth.  Look at pix of the 2nd to the right.  That is my idea of a perfect tree area.

Ben - if you get the chance, play Birmingham CC.  The greens are very good and there are a lot of fine holes.   

I resized the pix so they are much better framed now.  Take another look.  

Ciao

S,

   I had the great fortune of playing Franklin again today.  The course is so good imo.  If 200 trees were removed and 17 was tweaked it could possibly be a 9 Imho.  I think it is as good as Inverness and would surpass it with tweaking 17 alone.  #7, 10, and 11 would greatly improve with tree removal.  The course should definitely be applauded for all the trees they took out in 2003ish. 

[Rob Collins]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

[BCowan]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

+1, you gotta love that they don't care about rankings.  The club seems to embrace being under the radar, which is great.  So many world class holes. 

[BHoover]

Disappointed I couldn't make it. Did you take any photos? Who did the renovation/restoration work?

[BCowan]

Disappointed I couldn't make it. Did you take any photos? Who did the renovation/restoration work?

Prichard, it was back in 03'.  Wasn't in SE Mich then. 

[Niall Hay]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

  So many world class holes. 

Which holes do you consider world class?

[Sean_A]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

  So many world class holes. 

Which holes do you consider world class?

Niall

I think 13 is an All Michigan Candidate...perhaps the first as well.  Franklin is more about a very good diet of holes of varied terrain without many real standouts.  13 for me is an obvious choice.  #1 is long and tough, but what sets it apart is the huge green. 

Ciao

[Niall Hay]

13 is a cool hole. Fun to play too.

[BCowan]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

  So many world class holes. 

Which holes do you consider world class?

World class #2, #9, #13, #18.   

Great holes #3, #5, #6, #12, #14

[Sean_A]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

  So many world class holes. 

Which holes do you consider world class?

World class #2, #9, #13, #18.   

Great holes #3, #5, #6, #12, #14

B

You have described a course which is among the very best in the world.  Franklin is very good, but not all that 

Ciao

[BCowan]

It's great to see Franklin Hills get some attention on GCA. I had the pleasure of touring it in May with Ari. In addition to having the chance to play some of the more well known courses in the area, I came away with the impression that FH is the class of the bunch in Detroit.

  So many world class holes. 

Which holes do you consider world class?

World class #2, #9, #13, #18.   

Great holes #3, #5, #6, #12, #14

B

You have described a course which is among the very best in the world.  Franklin is very good, but not all that 

Ciao

S,

   I stated 4 holes that where top notch.  I give FH an 8, with possibly a chance of being 9 with changes to 15 and 17 and tree removal.  Please provide where i said best in the world    Rob also stated his admiration of FH. 

B

[Sean_A]

B

Four world class holes is something quite special, then backed up with five great holes (not sure what that means to you, but great to me is damn special as well), to me would put FH in very rarified air.  You then say clear some trees and FH is a 9...which confirms you believe FH is in rarified air.  You are welcome to your opinion, but I think you have over-stated your case.  Just to impart some context, TOC doesn't have four all-world holes and five great backers, yet it does have an awesome back nine. 

Ciao

[BCowan]

B

Four world class holes is something quite special, then backed up with five great holes (not sure what that means to you, but great to me is damn special as well), to me would put FH in very rarified air.  You then say clear some trees and FH is a 9...which confirms you believe FH is in rarified air.  You are welcome to your opinion, but I think you have over-stated your case.  Just to impart some context, TOC doesn't have four all-world holes and five great backers, yet it does have an awesome back nine. 

Ciao

  S,

   I said much more than clear some trees and FH is a 9.  I said currently it is an 8.  Having not played TOC, and the fact that it was just given a 10 would make me wonder how a course gets a 10 and doesn't have 4 All world holes?  It's just like how you criticized #7 at Inverness, which is considered All World by many.  One of a few holes to make it into ''Golf Never Failed Me Book''.  So this is turning into semantics. 

B

[DFarron]

Sounds like a great trip, originally I am from Southfield. A little disappointed you didn't go to Buddy's though

[Mike Schott]

Sounds like a great trip, originally I am from Southfield. A little disappointed you didn't go to Buddy's though

To tell the truth, Buddy's is not what it used to be. That or there are now other high quality choices. My local fave is Loui's in Hazel Park.

[Sean_A]

Southfield and Hazel Park for pizza?  Who knew there were such wing nuts about?  

Next time back in Detroit I would like to see a few of Barton Hills, Indianwood Old, Orchard Lake and a few others are on the list.  Is there pizza at these clubs?

Ciao

[Chris DeToro]

If we're talking pizza in Detroit, Supino's has to be part of the conversation

[Sean_A]

Does anyone know how far along the work at Birmingham is?  Also, have the trees near 8 green gone?


Ciao

[BCowan]

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62619.msg1490730.html#msg1490730

S,

   Going to do a full photo tour later this summer and add to this one.  Hopefully some other Metro D tracks as well. 

I do enjoy re reading this thread with local recommendations with food and such. 

[Sean_A]

Cheers Ben.  I forgot about that thread...very illuminating. 


BTW...there is pizza at Orchard Lake 


Ciao

[BCowan]

Sean,

   After a round at OLCC it is customary for me to eat at thee Red Coat Tavern down the street.  I'll be washing down that fine burger with a Skull Splitter Scotch Ale.   

[Sean_A]

Red Coat...yes...as I recall, very expensive burgers in a 70s Jimmy Hoffa type bar.  I like the bar more than the food...though the zip sauce was interesting.  If memory serves me correctly, a very handy place for Birmingham CC    Though, I am more inclined to head for Lafeyette for coney dogs...I can get burgers anywhere.


Ciao

[BCowan]

$6.95 really breaks the bank.  I go to the one in West Bloom, haven't been to the original one in Royal Oak.  The burger is award winning.  You should give it another go 

[Sean_A]

Maybe we drank a bit..I recall a $60 bill for two 


Ciao

[Matt Bielawa]

$6.95 really breaks the bank.  I go to the one in West Bloom, haven't been to the original one in Royal Oak.  The burger is award winning.  You should give it another go 

That's kind of a half-truth, Ben.  $6.95 gets you a pretty naked burger.  Most people would add toppings, which adds cost.  Probably $10 or so by the time you're done.  Add in beers at $6-$7 a pop, and Sean's $60 sounds reasonable.

Plus to say you've been to RCT when you haven't been to the Royal Oak one is also a bit of a half-truth ;-)  Would be like someone saying they went to tOSU, when in fact they went to tOSU Mansfield.