Wow lot of comments about Holston hills on here, I thought the after photos looked much better. I have been a follower of this site for years. First started reading post on here about 15 years ago or so but do not post often as hard to do in my profession. Always have that fear of upsetting someone, but hey reading this morning on another 20 degree day I figured why not.
In my view the course is 100 percent better now that the trees are gone. I have 1000s of photos of the change in turf and overall look of the course over the years and no question a major improvement. The goal of the removal was to promote the old tradition of the course and to open the course to views from the Clubhouse. We have add multiply architects visit the course over the years and in each report or conversation tree removal was discussed. Also for our course the trees in question were not what I would call a strong healthy tree. They were mostly pines that were all planted in straight rows and never taken care of. I tracked down the news paper article discussing the planting in our local paper, and have photos of the course right after they were planted. I have also found many photos of the property prior to the course which shows the open fields. Would Ross just cut all the trees because they were not there prior, I would say no, but we had a lot of bad trees in bad spots. Had the Club planted oaks all those years ago I think we would not have been able to remove as many trees as we did over the years.
The native areas are works in progress. I would love to have a fine rough that is easy to find a ball, but challenge to play from. Unfortunately in our part of the country and when trying to convert Bermuda to fescue you are going to have some deep fescue. You have to seed heavy to get rid of Bermuda over the years, then allow to thin. We mow them a few times a years and you do not find as many golf balls as one might think. Last time I mowed along the 18th hole I found like 15 or 20 balls from the summer season. Also they are way off the line of play. Normally you have a good 100 yard wide or more corridors to play thru. What we have worked really hard at is making sure there are no forced carries over grasses and that they just surround playing areas while trying to hide cart paths. (Off the first tee we have one that is to much in play now I will say and we are going to address that area this year)
Lastly I would say the view and feel of the course is much improved. We are trying to provide a different experience when you play a round at Holston. A photo just doesn't do justice to the lay of the land once you are on the property. It's like watching the Master on TV and then going for the first time. Everyone first comment when they get there is I had no idea there was this much movement and elevation changes. We are not that much, but you get my point.
Eric you need to come out again, you are just traveling to much I guess these days. I always see you playing somewhere. Joe good to see you the other day, I would vote for the Dryjet. High cost in dry sand, but does have a lot of benefits. Tom Doak, as always you have an open invitation to return anytime. Would love to hear your thoughts on the place and where we can improve.