[Rick Emerson]

Good Day fellow GCAers. I was just granted access to the discussion forum and wanted to introduce myself.
My name is Rick Emerson. I am 35 years old and have been playing golf since I was 11. I grew up in Maryland in the suburbs of Washington DC and a country club membership was too expensive for my family so starting in High School I worked at my local municipal to support my habit. I moved to Texas to attend Baylor University and continued working at courses in College and Graduate school. I have done everything from carts and range, to a short order cook at the snack bar, to even a pro shop assistant. After Graduate school I became a worship Pastor and I continued to play golf regularly but had little time to travel for golf. This all changed last year when I became the Choir Director at an international school in Tianjin China. While I now have much less time to play and practice, I do get time off which allows for travel. I immediately wanted to use this resource to travel and play golf all over China and other places in this part of the world. I started trying to research courses in China and found that there is very little information about Courses here in China even though most new courses are being built here. The spark of inspiration struck and I decided I needed to travel and write reviews of Courses here in China. However, despite a love and knowledge of the game from a playing standpoint, I was untrained and lacked the tools to describe what made me like or dislike the courses I played. I quickly realized I needed to gain a better understanding of golf course architecture. I started voraciously reading on the subject books like Method's of Early Golf Architecture by the golden age greats, Doak's Anatomy of a Golf Course, and C.B. MacDonald's Scotland's Gift. I also found Golf Club Atlas during this time and the wealth of information has proved invaluable. In fact, it was so invaluable I decided to donate. This put me in touch with Ran and now I am privileged to be a member of this discussion board. I hope that I can continue to learn from all of You and maybe provide some insights into golf in China. I have a blog I have started and I recently published my first review about the three Stone Forest courses designed by Brian Curley in Kunming China. Here is a link.
http://playinggolfinchina.blogspot.hk/2015/07/stone-forest-golf-international-country.html
I hope to publish reviews of both courses at Spring City Resort in Kunming, The Dunes at Shenzou Peninsula, All 10 courses at Mission Hills in Haikou and The Pete Dye Binhai Lake Course here in Tianjin in the next few months.
I also have a trip planned for more Chinese courses in December, a trip to the Sandbelt region and Barnbougle planned for February and I will be home in the states for two months next summer with hopes to play some great courses on the East Coast and in the Midwest. I look forward to discussing architecture with you. Blessings!

[RJ_Daley]

Welcome to GCA.com, Rick.  Well... you certainly started out your commentary here with a bang!  I don't think I ever remember anyone on GCA mentioning this Stone Forest complex of courses.  It appears in your photos as if it isn't a real place, rather one of those photos or paintings of someone's fantasy holes.  It may not be my cup of tea with what seems like no recovery or even finding an errant shot among the labyrinth of rock outcroppings.  It seems like Engh's Fossil Trace on steroids.  Yet, I would love to have a go at these courses if not just for the visual eye candy.  It is without a doubt, unique.  One wonders just what the construction and labor costs were for such a site.   

One other question... we had heard how the Chinese government had shut down some 60 high profile courses for exceeding permitting rules.  This one survived apparently.  Are there others in that area that you know of that were shuttered?

[Rick Emerson]

   One other question... we had heard how the Chinese government had shut down some 60 high profile courses for exceeding permitting rules.  This one survived apparently.  Are there others in that area that you know of that were shuttered?

I have been fortunate enough to have quite a few email conversations with Brian Curley and I am sure costs were very high to blast through all this Rock, but apparently it was nothing compared to either Mission Hills Complex. At the first Mission Hills on the mainland they leveled a mountain and filled a valley. At the second complex on Hainan Island they trucked in tons of Sand and cut blasted and shaped everything on top of Lava Rock.
Stone Forest has been around a while and was built before the government disallowed golf courses. It is legal as far as I know.


From what I hear about government intervention, the closing of many golf courses recently was because many developers got golf courses approved by local officials and went ahead with construction even though no permits for new golf courses were being given by the central government. Developers were building courses without national permission and then the government cracked down and closed the courses. They have even stopped allowing courses to be built on Hainan Island which was one of the only places golf courses were still allowed by the central government. It is crazy. This summer I visited friends in Shenyang in North East China and there was a golf course right on the river in the middle of the city that has been turned into a public park with Children playing in the bunkers like a sandbox and people jogging, playing ball and flying kites on the fairways with a demolished clubhouse turned into a parking lot because it was built without central government permission.


As far as stone forest it is quite playable. I am a 5 handicap, but higher handicaps will still find the A and B courses quite playable. Only the C course has forced carries and stone features regularly in the line of play and it is a members only course and they know what they are getting into when they play it. Also, difficulty, length, and "tournament courses" with par 72, 4 par 5's, 4 par 3's, a difficult par three 17th and long par 4 18th are what the people paying big money want and what is popular here. A good business person caters to the consumer and I seem to be one of the few consumers here who would like to see more Golden Age style courses. Brian Curley built 2 shorter courses at mission hills. One is inspired by Northeastern united states golden age architects and one that is on manufactured sand dunes with wild links inspired undulations on fairways and greens. They were my favorite courses to play at Mission Hills. The caddies, and Brian himself both said they get the least play.

[Mark Pavy]

Welcome Rick.

Generally speaking, there's not too much discussion on this forum about ANY Asian courses. The specific courses that are discussed tend to be the ones the majority of participants have played- North America, Britain/Ireland and Australia/NZ.

Mission Hills Hainan is quite remarkable, I thought 3 of the courses were review worthy, with the Blackstone () being the pick. I'm Australian and the course at MH that's marketed as being 'like' the Australian sandbelt courses is quite amusing.

I look forward to your reviews.

[Rick Emerson]

Black stone is very cool. The sand belt trails course was closed when I visited. I'm looking forward to playing the real thing this February on my Australia trip. Where do you live in Australia?

[Mark Pavy]

I'm on The Central Coast of NSW (it's the area between Sydney and Newcastle). I think there's a few guys on here from Victoria.  Both courses are great at Barnbougle, whilst many gush over the sandbelt courses, I personally prefer the Mornington Peninsula courses. The problem is determining which courses you should play, there's probably 30 you should play in that region of Australia (Melbourne, Mornington, Tas and now King Island)

[Rick Emerson]

Golf is so subjective. It is funny because some say only Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath are must plays. I've also been told the national moonah would also be worth it. It seems that you have a similar opinion, but I've had others tell me that I shouldn't miss victoria and metro. To be honest, I'm just excited to get out of China into warm weather and play the courses at a time of year when the should be at their firmest and fastest. It's definately going to be a bucket list trip for me.

[Michael Goldstein]

Rick, welcome. It will be good to have some more insight into China.

Personally I am ill at ease visiting and now reading about Stone Forest.  I don't think anyone should be blasting through a UNESCO world heritage site to create golf courses.

[Rick Emerson]

Rick, welcome. It will be good to have some more insight into China.

Personally I am ill at ease visiting and now reading about Stone Forest.  I don't think anyone should be blasting through a UNESCO world heritage site to create golf courses.

It definately creates issues and thoughts to consider. It does seem similar to putting a golf course in the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. The stone forest is a huge site and just touring the natural park in Kunming is great too. There are huge environmental issues to consider in China. They are creating islands off the coast, air pollution and adequate use of natural resources like water, farmable land, and fossil fuels. It doesn't matter where you live, It might be China, the USA or someplace else, the government will have issues.
An interesting thread might be "where do we draw the line." Where is it ok to build a golf course and where is it not ok. Many of the courses of the Classic period that everyone talks about so much on this site might not have been allowed to be built in their locations by today's governments.

[Tom Allen]

The title alone was funny enough to get me to read.  Well done.

[Bill_McBride]

The title alone was funny enough to get me to read.  Well done.

You were thinking Rolling Stones?  Me too if so!

[Jason Topp]

Rick - you will be a terrific addition to the board.  It is always a challenge to discuss courses that not many people have played but having even a rudimentary understanding of what is taking place in China will be very helpful.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Welcome Rick..as for learning from us..not so sure about that   but you will feel the pulse of passion and love for the game as we all personally think it should be built and played.
I was in Australia in late March and April and from my experience must plays were both course at RM..Victoria for absolute certain..Metro,Commonwealth, Barnbougle Dunes and above all Cape Wickham which is going to become in my opinion one of the worlds top 50 within a short period of time.


I also liked St Andrews beach, enjoyed Yarra Yarra and of course I forgot about Kingston Heath another must see.....so in other words plan a great long trip

[Rick Emerson]

The title alone was funny enough to get me to read.  Well done.

You were thinking Rolling Stones?  Me too if so!

I'm glad you liked the title. I have a silly sense of humor. I was thinking rolling stones and it is also a quote from Austin Powers.

[Sam Morrow]

Welcome, since you're a Baylor guy Mike Beene and I would like your thoughts on Cottonwood Creek, Ridgewood, and a pat on the back if you've played Battle Lake.

[mike_beene]

You must agree that Ridgewood in Waco is the most underrated course in this part of the world.Probably the prettiest first hole in golf rolling down to the lake.

[Jon Cavalier]

Wow, Rick - those photos are magnificent. Loved the review too.

Welcome to the board. I'm very much looking forward to more of your posts.

[Rick Emerson]

Welcome, since you're a Baylor guy Mike Beene and I would like your thoughts on Cottonwood Creek, Ridgewood, and a pat on the back if you've played Battle Lake.

I like cottonwood creek. I like how wide open it is for the most part but then the greens require a lot of accuracy. It is really fun in late summer when it's really dry and the wind is up. They put in new greens a few years ago and they are fast, firm and true. My only issue is the extra trees they have planted on some holes, especially 10 that seem unnecessary.
Ridgewood is great. I didn't get to play there much since I worked at lesser courses like lake Waco and Battle Lake. I actually treated myself to a round there as a going away present before I moved to China. Bent grass greens in Texas are special. I always got a kick out of seeing the grounds crew endlessly hand water them whenever I was lucky enough to play there in summertime. The Baylor Men's team puts a hurting on Ridgewood because of the short yardage. I was at Baylor the same time as Jimmy Walker and the rumors were always that he shot under 65 there in his sleep. For a mere mortal like me it was plenty challenging.
Battle Lake would be my pick for the Dog Track I love to play thread. I worked there the summer after I graduated college and played and practiced there constantly. My handicap was the best it ever was when I worked there. I got down to a +2 and missed qualifying for the Texas state amateur at a qualifier at Ridgewood by a stroke that summer. I would close down the pro shop at dusk and then turn on the putting green lights and practice chipping and putting out there till midnight sometimes.
You are a true Waco golfer if you've played in the money games at Rolling Oaks (that place had a bunch of other names too.) in Woodway. That group still plays at cottonwood now I think. You also knew you were a really good golfer when you got invited to play in the Monday afternoon game that rotated around with all the scratch and better players. I got invited a couple times but I didn't make enough birdies to hang with those guys.
I also enjoyed playing at James Connally Municipal.

[Sam Morrow]

Those are acceptable answers!

[Steve Curry]

Rick - Welcome!  It appears you have found what most of us have known, the tremendous value of this site for furthering ones golf knowledge.  I for one look forward to seeing more of golf in China through your blog.

Cheers,
Steve

[Keith Grande]

Rick, welcome!  How have you enjoyed summers in rangoon, wearing meat helmets?

[Rick Emerson]

Rick, welcome!  How have you enjoyed summers in rangoon, wearing meat helmets?

Ha!

[Tommy Williamsen]

The title alone was funny enough to get me to read.  Well done.

You were thinking Rolling Stones?  Me too if so!

I liked David Clayton Thomas of Blood, Sweat, and Tears version better.

[Ryan Farrow]

Rick, welcome. It will be good to have some more insight into China.

Personally I am ill at ease visiting and now reading about Stone Forest.  I don't think anyone should be blasting through a UNESCO world heritage site to create golf courses.

Michael to be fair, the "South China Karst" covers 175,000 Hectares with plenty of development, roads, airports, and farmland sprinkled throughout. I was not on-site during construction but from my understanding, no large rock outcroppings were destroyed. Most of the blasting was through rock below ground.


Anyways, welcome Rick. I lived in China for about 5 years, stay safe!

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