Tom Doak,
My apologies if I misrepresented what you said. I don't think I did, I certainly wasn't trying to, as I'm wrapping your comments about what good golfers (especially good golfers looking to post a score) might say in with what I've heard in the past.
Jeff Brauer,
I've often heard what your management company friend said, a lot. Its been the mantra for the lower end course forever. BTW, how's his company doing nowadays?
Ben Sims,
I understand what you are saying. Interesting that you didn't like it on first play, but seemed to want to come back so much. Seemed to me that after the third or so visit, you were ready to get up at 4 am and make the 5 hours drive as often as possible. What does that say? We're friends, and we have fun when you come over, but if the course sucked would you still do that? And I know full well how good Tom's courses are. I'm not comparing WP to PD, DR, BD as the sites are just so different. What I am saying is better golf can be had by the masses on less then stellar sites. That we can do better, a lot better, if we quit listening to what industry experts tell us and start really paying attention to what golfers really like. And what I'm really interested in is listening to the ones who have walked away. We know many of the reasons, time, expense, but the reality is we didn't hook them. We didn't reach them. Why?
Its not about whether golfers complain, golfers always complain. Its about whether they come back. And I believe they come back for something interesting, even if it frustrates them, even if it confounds them from time to time, just as long as it doesn't beat them up. The other day when we played Wolf Point, the wind was the opposite from the norm and blowing pretty good, and the native was too severe. This is an 95%-5% wind and the course is designed to take advantage of the opposite wind. So it was harder then usual tee to green, but normally, Wolf Point is not especially hard tee to green. There are centerline bunkers, and a creek to cross, a lake to play alongside of, but a thoughtful player is going to get around OK, even in the wind. It's about the greens, where less then half even have greenside bunkers, and all are surrounded by short grass. They may punish you, but they don't penalize. That is a key, IMO.
Based on my personal observations, I remain convinced that what golfers really want is something interesting. Yes, they will dine at McDonalds, partly because its cheap, and maybe because they always know what to expect. But would they go to a well run family restaurant if the cost was comparable and the food better, service more personable? Maybe not as often, but I think often enough.