Biltmore Forest (Photo Tour)

[Ed Oden]

Sean, while I agree in concept, most of the trees in question are actually in back yards rather than on the golf course.  So I'm not sure the club has control.

Bruce, the 8th fairway is beyond the 2nd green.  So the house you see is actually on the other side of the 8th fairway, probably a good 200 yards past the 2nd green.  I have no idea how long its been there, but it doesn't look new.

Thad, thanks for the picture of #3!  I can't believe I didn't get one.  

Chipoat, its hard to see from my photo, but the creek on #17 actually cuts across the fairway at an angle.  From the tips its about 275 yards to the bridge on the left side, about 300 yards straight away to the end of the fairway and roughly 325 yards to reach the creek down the right side.  I am not sure what qualifies as a forced layup for big hitters these days since some of these kids can knock it so far.  I'm guessing that a lot of them just blow it straight over the bridge and reach the other side of the fairway beyond the creek.  

Jay, I agree that, for the most part, the course doesn't feel overgrown other than a few trouble spots like #2.  The playing corridors are generally plenty wide enough.  But, as Sean Arble noted, tree clearing would likely open up interior vistas throughout the property.  I'm guessing it would be stunning.  Oh, and you are right, the neighborhood is VERY nice.

Ed

[Patrick Hodgdon]

Ed-

I really liked your photo tour and I think the simple commentary is wonderful.

Biltmore Forest looks like a great Ross gem. Interesting to see a handful of front-to-back greens as well. I grew up caddying at Interlachen and one of my favorite holes is the downhill par-3 #13 which plays a little like a redan as a result. I'm wondering though if I would like the hole as much if there were 4-6 other front-to-back greens on the course though.

The only hole that really didn't fit my eye was #18 especially with the cart path cutting across. What was your impression playing it Ed?

[Ed Oden]

Patrick, there are only 2 greens (#7 and #11) that run front to back.  What I find interesting is that in both instances the downhill nature of the approach makes it appear that the green is back to front when it is in fact the exact opposite.  A nice bit of deception by Ross. 

As for #18, I like the hole, although I will admit the cart path is an eye sore.  Its hard to get your bearings from the tee.  The preferred line is partially blind.  But there is plenty of room in the landing zone.  So the tee shot is more a mental test than anything else.  The approach is a very good one.  And the green is one of the "subtlely baffling" variety I mentioned in an earlier post.

ED

[Patrick Hodgdon]

Patrick, there are only 2 greens (#7 and #11) that run front to back.  What I find interesting is that in both instances the downhill nature of the approach makes it appear that the green is back to front when it is in fact the exact opposite.  A nice bit of deception by Ross. 

As for #18, I like the hole, although I will admit the cart path is an eye sore.  Its hard to get your bearings from the tee.  The preferred line is partially blind.  But there is plenty of room in the landing zone.  So the tee shot is more a mental test than anything else.  The approach is a very good one.  And the green is one of the "subtlely baffling" variety I mentioned in an earlier post.

ED

Thanks Ed. I guess two was so many I thought it was more like 5. I think the deceptively looking 3rd looked like another one but as you mention it is indeed back-to-front.

I imagine that #18 is a hole that is one of those that you learn to appreciate more and more over time.

Certainly though something could be done with that cart path. It's one thing to have a blind tee-shot and another altogether to have a distracting cart path on top of it.

[Bill_McBride]

I just sent an email to Philip Gawith, who's a member of Huntercombe (Willie Park ~1900) alerting him to this thread.  I played there right before the BUDA two weeks ago.  It's just west of London outside of Henley-on-Thames.

Like Biltmore Forest, all the greens at Huntercombe are basically flat on the ground and are extensions of the fairways leading into them.  There is literally only one green that isn't built up and it is out of character with the rest.  A good hole but different.  All those 'flat on the ground' greens have a lot of contour, it just all follows the slope and contours of the fairways.

I love that style, and think Biltmore Forest looks really good too.

Thanks for the tour.

[Philip Gawith]

Bill, I see the similarity, but i think there are a few differences. Huntercombe, with the exception of holes 2 and 3, is mostly fairly flat, whereas this course has a lot of undulation. Also, Biltmore appears to have a fairly standard amount of bunkering, whereas most holes on Huntercombe have no bunkers, especially not around the green (there are  a few exceptions). The combination of these two factors mean the courses end up looking pretty different - though the grade level greens is common! 

[Bruce Wellmon]

I was told recently that Biltmore Forest had just reopened after some work by Brian Silva. Anyone know any details?

[John Cowden]

Awaiting all responses, Bruce.  This is on the short list for retirement, and a tremendous COL advantage over  Pasatiempo.  As are The Cliffs options.  Welcoming all thoughts and suggetions.  Cheers. 

[Ed Oden]

I haven't had a chance to see the finished results yet.  I'm eager to do so.  The scope of work included (i) expansion of lost green space and softening of certain severe greens to allow for more pinnable locations, (ii) restoring the kick plate on the "redan" hole, (iii) rebuilding all the bunkers and restoring a few lost bunkers, (iv) improved irrigation and drainage systems, (v) incorporating fescue into certain green and bunker surrounds and rough areas and (vi) conversion of fairways to zoysia.  It will be very interesting to see how the choice of zoysia plays out.