Ben Hogan NJ:
The par-5 you refer to on the front is the 3rd -- it plays about 499 yards and Ruddy saw fit to end the fairway and box the tee shot possibilities with high mounds that flank the drive zone. My only issue with this is that it's repeated a few times on the course.
If they do in fact extend the hole it might make it play a bit tougher but where's the charm in doing that alone -- the course already plays over 7,300 yards now?
When I read that The European Club cracked Golf Magazine's top 100 I was truly interested in seeing how it compared to the elite courses of Ireland. After playing it there is no way -- not in my lifetime -- that the existing layout rates even a footnote of attention to the others. Like I said before you get an eyeful at Old Head and there are a number of outstanding holes there even though the design of the bunkers appears right from an American resort and a few of the greens are just large discs with little contour interest.
The European Club is a fine test of golf -- it's not easy when the wind is blowing but serving meat on a plate without any pizzaz is just that -- it satisfies the immediate hunger but leaves you wanting so much more. I wanted more from TEC and was really let down.