Non GCA features create ambiance...

« **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2013, 03:01:26 PM »

I am reminded of the James Braid story:

'The line is yon church tower. Ye cannae see it in the mist, but that's the line.'

« **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2013, 03:04:12 PM »

It's been a while since I plugged the place so forgive me for saying...The drive to either Sand Hills or Dismal River. That last hour is like you have already arrived.

« **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2013, 03:47:04 PM »

« **Reply #28 on:** January 20, 2013, 06:50:02 AM »

A view to the water tower at South Shields Golf Course. The tower can also be seen from Whitburn Golf Course.

« **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:59:06 AM »

The Hollin Well at Notts has to be one of the most unique non GCA features.

« **Reply #30 on:** January 20, 2013, 09:17:02 AM »

Not sure if this counts, but I got a kick out of this sign at Montauk Downs when I played there last summer. Very Smokey the Bear-esque.

« **Reply #31 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:12:10 PM »

Railroad trestles above burgh of Cullen, Scotland

Also, the Pacific Ocean at Bandon Golf Resort.

« **Reply #32 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:23:04 PM »

Slag

I suggest you'd be hard pushed to see the railway arches while on the course at Cullen, at least from what I can remember, but the sea stacks certainly can't be missed.

Likewise at Lossiemouth, as per the photo Brian Ewen posted on the lighthouse thread, the Lossiemouth lighthouse can be seen on both courses at Moray GC (Lossiemouth) as well as at Covesea nine hole course on the other side of the lighthouse. Its amazing how many holes have the lighthouse as the backdrop, or perhaps not so amazing as it must have been fairly hard to resist lining up the hole with the lighthouse in the background.

Covesea BTW also has a huge sea stack that has to be played over on a couple of holes, while several holes on Moray have landing lights for the adjacent RAF Lossiemouth.

Niall

« **Reply #33 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:12:46 PM »

Princeton's gothic Cleveland Tower really dominates the views at Springdale. Every Sunday from 1 to 2 pm the bell ringers play the giant carillon bells. It is a unique experience to keep your focus with those ringing in your ears!

« **Reply #34 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:37:34 PM »

Quote from: John Ezekowitz on January 20, 2013, 03:12:46 PM

Princeton's gothic Cleveland Tower really dominates the views at Springdale. Every Sunday from 1 to 2 pm the bell ringers play the giant carillon bells. It is a unique experience to keep your focus with those ringing in your ears!

When I played in Princeton's tournament about 4 years ago, on the short par 3 that runs next to the dorms you could clearly see two students.... welll... getting intimate. That was one hell of a non GCA feature creating ambiance.

« **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:18:25 PM »

Brian.
At any other college, I would believe you, but the people I know who went to Princeton surely never "got intimate" in college!

« **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:31:25 PM »

I'm just impressed your eyes are that good.

« **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:52:57 PM »

I've played my fair share of courses where aircraft create a unique ambiance. Playing the courses at the Air Force Academy in June while the thunderbirds practice for graduation is unique. Also a hole at Andrews AFB is along the flight line and a SAM site is just left and OB. You'll regularly have an audience with the military member on duty staring you down. Just before I left in 2009 they roped of all but the tee and green, stopped mowing and posting a sign indicating the area was OB due to danger being in line with the missiles.

One I haven't played but hope to is in Korea.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/columns/story?id=4629879

« **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:54:26 PM »

When standing on the 9th tee at Silloth last September I found myself staring out to sea and the wind farm on the horizon. One of the more memorable spots (and holes) in my golf travels.

« **Reply #39 on:** January 20, 2013, 07:38:42 PM »

Quote from: Mark Pearce on January 18, 2013, 10:07:47 AM

The town on the RHS of 18 at TOC, the village on the left of 4 at Elie.

Do the members ever stop for a quick one in the pub in that road left of 4 at Elie? Given the way I played the first three I could have used a wee dram!

« **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2013, 05:34:51 AM »

The story of Pete Dye's box car was covered in Bury Me in a Pot Bunker.

The impetus is from building a bridge at CC of Indianapolis he felt would last a lifetime. It washed out after a heavy storm not too long after it's construction! After that experience he looked for alternatives.

« **Reply #41 on:** January 24, 2013, 05:52:57 AM »

Quote from: Mark_Rowlinson on January 18, 2013, 03:01:26 PM

I am reminded of the James Braid story:

'The line is yon church tower. Ye cannae see it in the mist, but that's the line.'

Reminds me of a story from an Irish pro playing The Old Course with a group of central Europeans...

The caddie tells the lady he's carrying for... "yer line is'the cherrrch"... she tops it... he repeats "yer line is'the cherrrch"... she tops again... and he repeats "yer go'in a'the cherrrch"... she tops again... flustered he says... ""the f'in cherrrch ain't moov'd".

« **Reply #42 on:** January 24, 2013, 10:21:28 AM »

The 3rd at Olympic has the Golden Gate bridge in the background.

The 17th at Lincoln Park has a nice view.

« **Reply #43 on:** January 24, 2013, 07:43:48 PM »

Ruins of old aquaduct behind the 17th green at Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica

« **Reply #44 on:** January 25, 2013, 06:01:25 PM »

Thank you for that great selection of pictures Mark. I love the idea of being buzzed by Concorde at Troon! Priceless....

« **Reply #45 on:** January 25, 2013, 07:14:29 PM »

I'm a huge fan of these types of off-course curiosities and items that give a bit more character to the place.

You can see slivers of the academic buildings and dorms at Hotchkiss School's golf course (Raynor/Banks), our Jim Kennedy's domain. Looking back from the green of the par-five 7th:

Have a look at the barn behind the green of the short par-four 4th hole at Vista Links (Rick Jacobson):

The fence of which you can see a sliver in this picture encircles an old slave cemetery at Heritage Club (Dan Maples/Larry Young/Mike Strantz) in Pawleys Island:

Some may not, but I like the way these tee boxes on the par-three 17th hole at the Moorland (PB Dye) Course at Legends Resort were built:

A periscope by the tee of the second hole at Manchester Country Club (Bendelow/Emmet/Tillinghast)

I wish I had pictures of the barns at The Olde Farm (Weed), because those are awesome too.

« **Reply #46 on:** January 25, 2013, 08:05:30 PM »

Wachesaw Fazio #15 - plantation remians near tee r by tewiespix, on Flickr

Also, I don't see that anyone has mentioned the submarine periscope at Elie. Is that too obvious or is it a GCA feature?

« **Reply #47 on:** January 25, 2013, 08:13:25 PM »

I'm not sure if ambiance is the right word to describe the cranes and activity in the port, but they are an intersting feature at Bayonne.

Bayonne GC #15 view back to fairway r by tewiespix, on Flickr

« **Reply #48 on:** January 25, 2013, 08:24:20 PM »

Caesarea #8 green - tower in distance looks like a tee by tewiespix, on Flickr

« **Reply #49 on:** January 26, 2013, 07:35:27 PM »

Oak Tree National's noose? Does anyone have a pic?

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