Like Pinehurst, Winged Foot has always fascinated me. Courses that good that emerge from good but not great land are a testimony to the architects/clubs involved. Very few courses in the world - if any - are so much better than their raw land than those at WFGC and Pinehurst No.2. We are fortunate that Michael Baity has taken the time to pen and then illustrate with first rate photography a detailed analysis of Winged Foot East. In particular, he chronicles Gil Hanse's restoration that has brought back the subtle playing features of A.W. Tillinghast's noble design.
Here is the link found under Architecture Timeline:
http://golfclubatlas.com/winged-foot-golf-club-east/While the West has always soaked up most of the attention courtesy of its Opens and greens like the 1st and 10th, the East may have gotten the short shrift. No more! Everyone who has seen the East since Gil completed his work agrees that the course was markedly improved visually. Michael's 'before' and 'after' photos of the 4th green complex leave no doubt. The bunkers have come to life and their famously stylish sweep up faces enjoy a real pop against the landscape.
All that's great but as Michael points out, it is the subtle ground contours that have been recaptured that will fascinate the purist. He nails it when he writes,
'While much less invasive than the work he performed on Los Angeles Country Club's North Course, Gil Hanse's restoration of Winged Foot's East Course is a brilliant example of how subtle changes in course maintenance and mowing patterns can greatly improve the experience had by golfers of all abilities and should be reviewed continually by superintendents. Special acknowledgement should also be given to Director of Golf Courses, Steve Rabideau, and his team at Winged Foot for their incredible contributions to this successful restoration.' Look no further than the 3rd green as a stunning example. Neil Regan graciously showed me the umpteen benefits of having the high side (the left) mowed tight and having all the corners of the green blown out to their full original size. All of a sudden, the game becomes more intense and interesting.
The quality of golf in the Met area is staggering. More likely than not, something like a third of the true top 100 courses in the United States are in the Met area. Yikes! Even in that brutal neighborhood, the East Course shines. Other courses might have more diverse land but none have better greens. Look at Michael's photos of the 13th or even the 17th - there is simply no good reason for such great par 3s to exist on their respective patches of ground. Yet they do.
Studying a Sand Hills or Barnbougle is very site specific; to me, there is nothing more illuminating than learning about a great design like Winged Foot where the lessons are far reaching. Thanks to Michael, we can do that very thing today!
Best,