(Another) New Member Intro

[Reed Kemp]

Hello all,

Long time listener, first time caller here.  I am a native of SW Indiana who has made Indianapolis his home, with several stops in between.  I have grown up in the golf industry, currently serving as assistant superintendent at Meridian Hills CC; I previously worked for several years as a golf construction superintendent.

I have a growing appreciation for good architecture, but I am also a sucker for quirky small town country clubs.  My favorite course is and probably will always be the French Lick Donald Ross Course, dating back to when you could play 36 holes for $36.  I am a big Mike Stranz fan, with Tobacco Road and Royal New Kent being my favs.  Other favorite courses played include We-Ko-Pa Saguro, Cabo De Sol Ocean, and Victoria National.

I will be playing in the 5th Major at Dismal River for the first time this year; needless to say, I am counting down the days!  Look forward to meeting a lot of you out there. 

Thanks for having me - Reed Kemp

[Jason Topp]

Welcome Reed!  Tell us about one of your favorite quirky small town country clubs. 

[Nigel Islam]

Reed, where from in SW Indiana? I've lived most of my life in Southern Indiana including Corydon, Jasper, Bloomington, and currently Evansville. I remember the old Hill course at French Lick too! In fact My friends and I still call it that. Of course it's pretty hard to get a time there anymore.

Nigel

[PCCraig]

Welcome Reed!

Indianapolis is a great golf town if you like under the radar golf courses.

[BCowan]

Welcome Reed

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Hi Reed, I'll be a first timer too at the 5th Major - look forward to meeting you.

They have a deal to play Victoria National - $500 for 2 rounds and a night stay to check out the membership. Is it worth it? I'm only about 2 hours away.

Ryan

[Nigel Islam]

Hi Reed, I'll be a first timer too at the 5th Major - look forward to meeting you.

They have a deal to play Victoria National - $500 for 2 rounds and a night stay to check out the membership. Is it worth it? I'm only about 2 hours away.

Ryan

Ryan, I think that is the unaccompanied fee for the Vic.  ($250 a round) Basically you are getting the cabin free for two rounds of golf.

[Reed Kemp]

Nigel -  I was born and raised in Boonville, but l have many relatives in Corydon.  My older brother is the superintendent at Cambridge in Evansville, and was formally at Quail Crossing.  I worked at both courses as well before leaving the area. 

[Nigel Islam]

So would you consider the Boonville CC to be one of those quirky country clubs you love? You can plead the fifth if you want, but Ill admit that I actually like the front nine there.

[Reed Kemp]

Jason / Nigel -

One of my favs is Carmi (Illinois) Country Club, haven't been there in several years.  Nine holes, probably 5800 yds from the tips.  Tree lined fairways, a couple quirky doglegs, and tiny push up greens with some major back to front slope.  All the green surrounds cut to approach height for some interesting short game options.  Keep the ball below hole at all costs.  I used to play in a two day tournament that drew some of the best players in the area - at 5800 yds, even par for two days was usually a winner. 

I'm also a fan of Hooisier Heights in Tell City, Indiana.  Another 9 holer with lots of elevation.  At least three greens are benched into hillsides, creating a Punchbowl effect.  Makes for some crazy bounces on approach and chip shots.  Again, above the hole is no good.

In general, take me somewhere that puts an emphasis on the short game and I'm happy. 

And yes Nigel, I have a soft spot in my heart for BCC (sometimes against my better judgment)  - many formative years spent there!

[Nigel Islam]

I've played Carmi CC. Have not been able to talk my way on to Hoosier Heights though. It's about the only thing south of SR 64 I have not played.

[Paul Gray]

Welcome to the club.

[Andrew Buck]

Welcome Reed,

I have very fond memories of my grandparents taking me to French Lick in my High school years and playing the Ross course many times.  Wonderful setting.

I'd love to get back someday in the future.

[Stephen Northrup]

I've stayed at one of the "cabins" at Victoria National before.  I wish I lived in a house with the amenities of those "cabins"!

[Nigel Islam]

Welcome Reed,

I have very fond memories of my grandparents taking me to French Lick in my High school years and playing the Ross course many times.  Wonderful setting.

I'd love to get back someday in the future.

They actually use chlorine in the pool at FL Resort now!!!!!! Andrew you wouldn't recognize the place. I've been going to French Lick since I was ten. Its the one of the few things that has gotten better as I age though.

[Josh Tarble]

Hey Reed,
Welcome!  We need more Indianapolis locals, glad you're on board. 

I'm guessing you've played quite a bit in our area....what's your favorite course in town (private or public)?

And I too love French Lick, just a really wild and cool course.

[Jason Thurman]

I have grandparents in Carmi. It never seemed like the type of place you'd find a golf course. I haven't been there in a few years, but I've been planning to try to get that way this spring sometime. I'm about six months behind on my goals right now, so it'll probably be fall, but I'll definitely check it out when I do.

I bought my dog a few years ago in Juneau, Wisconsin. The lady I got him from was about to move to Illinois, and I asked where. When she said "Carmi," I was completely dumbfounded. Who lives in a town of 400 people and moves 6 hours away to another town of 400 people*?

Welcome Reed. Sorry about your basketball team. This doesn't bode well for the Olympic golf course in Brazil I'm afraid...

* All number approximate

[Nigel Islam]

I have grandparents in Carmi. It never seemed like the type of place you'd find a golf course. I haven't been there in a few years, but I've been planning to try to get that way this spring sometime. I'm about six months behind on my goals right now, so it'll probably be fall, but I'll definitely check it out when I do.

I bought my dog a few years ago in Juneau, Wisconsin. The lady I got him from was about to move to Illinois, and I asked where. When she said "Carmi," I was completely dumbfounded. Who lives in a town of 400 people and moves 6 hours away to another town of 400 people*?

Welcome Reed. Sorry about your basketball team. This doesn't bode well for the Olympic golf course in Brazil I'm afraid...

* All number approximate

Who knew there was another town named Juneau? Give me a holler if you do play Carmi. I'll drive out there and play with you if I am off. I think Reed's nostalgia might be getting the best of him on this one though.

[Joe Bausch]

Wow, I never thought Boonville CC would be mentioned on GCA!  I played there many times as it was the practice course for my high school in my freshman year.  Just basic golf IIRC.  Need to get back there after a 37 year absence!

[Nigel Islam]

Wow, I never thought Boonville CC would be mentioned on GCA!  I played there many times as it was the practice course for my high school in my freshman year.  Just basic golf IIRC.  Need to get back there after a 37 year absence!

That par 3 over by 61 is a really good hole. #6. If you have not played in 37 years I think you would find a second nine that would actually qualify for a Doak zero. Much like what I perceive to be the newer nine holes at Clearcrest Pines.

[Joe Bausch]

Wow, I never thought Boonville CC would be mentioned on GCA!  I played there many times as it was the practice course for my high school in my freshman year.  Just basic golf IIRC.  Need to get back there after a 37 year absence!

That par 3 over by 61 is a really good hole. #6. If you have not played in 37 years I think you would find a second nine that would actually qualify for a Doak zero. Much like what I perceive to be the newer nine holes at Clearcrest Pines.

Who did the newer 9 at Clearcrest?   I think I know who it was but I'll let you answer Nigel!

[Nigel Islam]

I think I know who did the new nine at Clearcrest, and he has an excellent reputation. Trouble is 1. He had zero to work with & 2. Nobody in Evansville can tell me which holes are old and which ones were new. Perhaps I am being a touch harsh, but there are at least three holes that I are not very good. I had a thread a few months ago about adding a second nine. Clearcrest and BCC were the two courses I thought would have been better left at nine.

[Reed Kemp]

Wow, I never thought Boonville CC would be mentioned on GCA!  I played there many times as it was the practice course for my high school in my freshman year.  Just basic golf IIRC.  Need to get back there after a 37 year absence!

 I was there at BCC 37 years ago (as a one year old) - my dad was greenskeeper and my mom ran the clubhouse for quite a few years in the 70s/80s.  I promise my family fully understands the shortcomings (and charm) of that place!  

This discussion has driven me to the Clearcrest website; I used to play the 9 holer a bunch as a junior, only played the new layout once several years ago.  Nigel, to the best of my recollection, the original 9 hole routing is as follows (for what it's worth):  

#1 - same as new #1
#2 - NLE par 5 playing from #12 tee to #13 green
#3 - #14
#4 - NLE par three that played up toward #17 tee
#5 - #17
#6 - #9
#7 - #10
#8 - #11
#9 - #18

Probably wasted way too much of my life on that little exercise.

[Nigel Islam]

I am indebted to you Reed. I live 5 minutes away, and while I have given up on the course itself for conditioning reasons, the mystery of the original holes is one I have pondered. I owe the renovator a partial apology. I had the course going 1,2,6,7,8, 9, 10, 11, 18 in my mind. The new 12-16 stretch is not the best, and I still contend that the current number 3 is one of the worst holes I have played. Having said that #4, #6, #7, & #8 are some of the better holes which I guess are all new.

N

[Nigel Islam]

With regards to Boonville I agree its charming..........except for the 17th. First time I played it I got invited a month after I moved to Evansville, and the guy who invited me said make sure you don't hit it too far to the left off the tee.  Imagine my surprise when I get to the hole and realized I was actually pin high with my tee shot yet the green could have been in Tennyson and I still would have made 9  

The only other time I played it, I complained constantly about the back nine (before teeing off and while on the front) and then proceeded to shoot a 32 on the back

Hope to catch up with you sometime Reed!