Admitting I've never played Hope Valley, and acknowledging I really enjoy Donald Ross courses, I don't get very excited about the prospect of playing a course where the majority of the holes seem to play between housing corridors. Granted, it appears there is ample room and it's well done, but since Ross courses in general seem more plentiful and accessible than some of the other great designers, I'd have a hard time picking Hope Valley based on aerials alone.
Andrew,
If you or anyone else opted NOT to play Hope Valley because of housing, it would be a mistake of the first magnitude, IMO. There is width on every tee shot on the course; it is vintage Ross in that regard. The homes are set far back from the golf course, and don't intrude at all on the scenery, much less play.
HVCC follows the original Ross routing, with great restoration/renovation work being done by Brian Silva, and it stays in near perfect condition. It's the best course in the Durham area hands down, and at least the equal of any course in the Triangle area.
AG,
We did have the chance to play Hope Valley on getaway day of our recent trip to the sandhills, and it was definitely a worthwhile experience. The conditioning was near perfect, particularly the greens, and there were several strong holes, as Ross was certainly more willing to display a dramatic uphill 2nd shot than most modern architects.
That said, it's still hard for me to have this course competing for a top 100 classic spot, as there is something to me about every hole playing on it's own corridors through housing. It also seems to me a couple holes were made a little too awkward in the name of finding 6,800 yards, particularly #17 tee just doesn't seem to fit.
Andrew,
I'm glad you got to play HVCC; it's in fabulous condition always, and never better than right now.
I don't think I've ever advocated considering HVCC for a top 100 classic spot; correct me if I'm wrong. I simply said that, from the original list on this thread, it was easily the top choice. That's based on several things, most of which are of great historical interest; an unchanged Ross routing, and at that one of the courses where he likely spent the most time, the site of one of Nelson's 11 straight wins, and an excellent example of what can be done with quality renovation work.
We'll have to agree to disagree about the housing; I've probably played 40+ rounds at HVCC over the last 30 years, and have just never felt like the houses intrude in any way.
As to the 17th tee, I think it's been in that spot since 1926, and it forces you to make a decision and execute at least one really good shot. If you want to try to cut the corner to have the shorter approach, you had better hit your drive really, really well or you'll be blocked out. And if you want to play it safe and stay away from the corner, you're going to have to hit a long club into an elevated green that won't necessarily hold the shot.
Really, the only tee that's really had to be moved back is #15. I could be wrong about this, but I think 15 may have originally been a par 4 and #16 a par 5. But everything else is pretty much like Mr. Ross drew it, and there just aren't many of those left.