Brad: I played in that Publinx qualifier last year. The course was set up very tough...mostly difficult pins. But here is my two cents.
The Ross bones are spectacular. The restoration was spearheaded by Joe Leary, then Director of Golf for the two state owned courses...Ponky and Leo J. Martin in Weston. I know Joe from when he was an assistant pro at my course, George Wright in Boston (previously reviewed by Ran right here). Joe saw what could be done at a great old Ross course, and his type "A" go-getting personality kicked in at Ponkapoag.
The state had been engaged in a long term battle with the Town of Canton over wetland issues on the course after a number of drainage pipes had burst and the course fell into disrepair. Finally, with Joe the catalyst, negotiations were held and a plan was drawn up. The deal meant that as part of the restoration, some NEW wetland areas would be added to the course. Old Ross drawings and plans were unearthed, and Brian Silva was hired with clear instructions to follow the Ross plans down to the type of fescue that was planted around the bunkers.
I got to play the course in the late fall (first week of November) 2015 when they opened briefly for preview rounds. It was extremely exciting to be able to play the stretch of holes that had been closed for 15 years. There are some real beauties in that bunch. the 4th, 5th and 6th...wonderful mix of winding and challenging par fours. Then there is the incredible par 3 12th, a 165 yd hole with a staggeringly sweet green complex.
I played that first round with rose colored glasses on. Just so great that this championship Ross course was open again. It was young but would clearly grow in.
I returned last summer to play my practice round for the Publinx qualifier. It was amazing that the Massachusetts Golf Association would award a qualifying site to the new and untested course. But everyone in the region was excited about the re-opening.
GULP! I had a feeling it would be a tough slog as soon as I got to the third hole. The course had grown in. Greens were good, just a little inconsistent. Fairways were sweet. Traps beautiful. But what had really grown in, however, was the grass/weeds/hay from the tree lines to inside the tree lines. Jungle city.
My friend Joe Leary had also lost his job over the winter. He was a victim of the new Republican governorship of Charlie Baker, and was replaced by a political patronage hire. If Joe had not been replaced, he would never have allowed the rough/undergrowth to become so neglected.
So here's what happened. The average round for the qualifier was five hours plus. Guys were grinding and hitting wayward shots. If you did not keep it inside the tree lines, it was an automatic lost ball, but of course players would go in to look for these balls. Then back to the tee to reload. Aye ya!
On top of that, the new wetlands that have been added are parallel to fairways and are very penal. The following holes now have a bowling alley feel to them...3,8,11,13, and especially #7, a downhill dogleg left that has a postage stamp of a landing area off the tee. On the day of qualifying event, all three guys in my group hit the fairway. The rules official told me that it was rare for anyone in any group to have hit that fairway that day. Not good.
So, qualifying scores were way high. I shot 82 with six three putts, and figured I had no chance. I was surprised get in, but in hindsight, not really considering the difficulty factor.
The course is full of incredible holes. The ones with the new wetlands are an unfortunate sacrifice to the local conservation commission. The only other bad hole is the 18th. There is almost NO good place to hit the ball from the back tees where they had us for the tourney, at about 400 yards. They need to blow those up and build a new tee box up around 280/310. so that it is a drivable par 4. It has a SPECTACULAR, wild, huge green that runs away from the front to back with severe undulations. Way cool!
I have not been back, but only because of a busy schedule this year. I am so sad to hear the conditions have fallen into disrepair. The state must not realize what a pearl they have. Time to write a letter to Governor Baker.