Bob Farrell,
I played Spring Brook today.
It remains a very good golf course.
I'll get into the evaluation of the changes later, but for now I have a very important question to ask you.
Downstairs, in the clubhouse, in the hallway leading to the Grille room and Locker rooms, there is a picture on the wall,
taken in 1976, with Gary Player, Clem Powers, some other fellow who I recognized, and you. I have a question to ask.
My god, what were you thinking ?
Where did you get those pants ?
Listen, I have to be back to play Spring Brook in two weeks.
At no cost to you, I'll either steal or deface that picture, the choice is yours, though I would recommend theft.
Now, back to the course.
I hadn't played the golf course in a good number of years, and had forgotten what a good golf course it is, especially the back nine.
The course was in very good condition, especially the fairways
It was interesting and timely that Tommy Naccarato posted a thread about lighthouse bunkers, because that was the impression I received as I stood on each tee.
While I loved the texture and playability of the sand, I'm not a fan of those bunkers. They seem created to cater to the visual aspect of the golf course, and seem out of character with what I remember.
I was also puzzled by the abandonment of the 14th green.
I always liked it as a par 3. With # 9 and # 10, par 3's over water, I thought making # 14 play over water as a par 3 was gratuitous and excessive, I also found the walk back to # 15 tee dangerous and excessive when compared to the old 14th.
Were the cart paths part of the master plan, an afterthought, or pre-master plan ?
I can see your concerns about the changes, but the golf course remains a good and unique challenge, while retaining the fun of playing it.
How do you play # 12 ?
I was surprised that more wasn't done to # 4 and # 5.
Since I have to remain topical, I'd restore # 14 and get rid of that photo