Inniscrone GC(Hanse) in Avondale, PA 16th hole

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Joe Logan discusses the change being made to the split fairway 16th at one of Hanse's early designs due to changing clientele at the now public course:

http://myphillygolf.com/detail.asp?id=14799&pid=20


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/inniscrone-golf-club/

[Mark McKeever]

That's a shame as 16 was one of the cooler holes out there. 

But I have to agree that if a change is required to keep the everyday client happy at a public course, it needs to be done.

Mark

[Jim Sherma]

This could be seen as an example of the "Good Golf versus Great Golf" trade-off that has recently been discussed. If quirk and challenge is turning away players can we say that it is good architecture for the clientele. Gil Hanse's quote stated that he agreed that the hole did not work for the current clientle. I believe that this is similar to what is/has been playing out with many CCFAD type courses that were developed in the 1990's and 2000's. The courses that I have seen a very active regular business tend to be shorter and usually more mundane architecturally thereby allowing for many different types of games to be somewhat competitive. No one wants to get excited about these courses, but they are the backbone of the public golf business.

[Joe Bausch]

One of my favorite holes in golf being changed.  Wow.

I truly became interested in golf course architecture b/c of Inniscrone, and the 16th hole there more than any of the others (which has a really good run of holes on the back nine, from 11 through 17).

[Michael Blake]

Joe Logan states that better players play left and all others play right.
But I've never seen anyone play out to the right.

[D_Malley]

I would like to change our 6th hole at Paxon Hollow to be more like the current #16 at Inniscrone.

I currently always play my drive on the 6th at PH out to the right into the 7th fairway.

[Mark McKeever]

At Paxon, how do you hit the 6th green from the 7th fairway??  Isnt there a bunch of trees in the way?

Mark

[Dan Herrmann]

It's a shame.

[Ed Brzezowski]

With all,well some , due respect is the former super at Coatesville in over his head?  It's a very different hole and changing it is wrong. Played Coatesville a fair amount during his time there.  If he wanted to get creative he had an open palette at his former course.

[mike_malone]

 I agree that this is a loss and I also agree with Dan about Paxon. But at Paxon you then need to change # 7 tee. Which I would do.

[D_Malley]

At Paxon, how do you hit the 6th green from the 7th fairway??  Isnt there a bunch of trees in the way?

Mark

The trees are all small pines which a SW easily clears.

Mike,
On Jim Wagners master plan there would be new tees on #6 (back further) and #7 (moved further right, away from boundry)

[John Shimony]

Good riddance.  The 16th was too difficult and came at a time in the round when you were merely holding on and trying to get into the clubhouse without another triple bogey.  This being said, I like the course overall.

[Mark McKeever]

Shi$,

I felt like 17 was the hole that would kick you in the balls more than 16 if you're trying to keep a good round going.  Both certainly have their challenges though.

Mark

[Chris Mavros]

This is a very disappointing change to me.  The Sixteenth was one of the most interesting public holes in the area and to see it changed because of pace of play and a different clientele is disheartening.  I know the course has struggled financially for a few years and is probably trying to capitalize on a growing player base, but  at the expense of losing its identity  can backfire IMO. 

[Joe Bausch]

This is a very disappointing change to me.  The Sixteenth was one of the most interesting public holes in the area and to see it changed because of pace of play and a different clientele is disheartening.  I know the course has struggled financially for a few years and is probably trying to capitalize on a growing player base, but  at the expense of losing its identity  can backfire IMO. 

Absolutely agree, Chris.

Heck, did they consider using one of those extra long flagsticks?  I think some people were frustrated b/c even when close to the green playing from the upper fairway, they could not see the pin.