Thanks for your comments on my replies to your initial views and Tony & Mark accepting my remarks on the watering. Until such time as the insurers make their final decisions we can do no major repairs but they did tip up £10,000 to effect temporary repairs which was encouraging that we do have a valid claim and it was not an uncovered act of God! As for the flowers I know where you are coming from but all I would add is that over the last 5 years we have tried to eliminate some of the uglier patches of brambles etc round the course (in front of the 17th tee a good example) and generally tidy the place up; where that ends and making it look like someones prize garden is a mute point!
Lynn firstly I am in Pinehurst but the mound in front of the 14th green has always been there. With regard to lengthening the 16th I doubt if we would have done it by just pushing the tee back further as half the object was to make use of the magnificent dunes where the new green now is. There is no doubt that the closing 3 holes are tough into wind but I can think of Littlestone where the last 3 are really difficult into the prevailing wind and isn't it a feature of great courses to have a tough finish? I have to say that is one reason that I find the finish of Dornoch so disappointing with 3 really weak closing holes which detract from the wonderful front 9. In fact I think the 18th there is one of the poorest closing holes on any course I have played. Compare that to the 18th at Boat of Garten!