I recently played Indianwood Old, and really, really liked it. The place played great. It reminded me a lot of the Kings Course at Gleneagles only faster and less gorse.
[/size]I know some think the greens may be too similar/punchbowl/boring, but I felt they were a nice balance to how tight the place is now playing since many of the fairways have been reduced, and native grasses pinched along the edges. I really liked front side, holes 2, 4, 5, 6 green and 9. The back was routed over really cool land. I think Indianwood Old is very under rated in an area of top quality golf.
So, my topic is based on our obsession with bentgrass fairways. It was obvious the course has reduced the amount of fairways, most likely over time, and most likely to reduce costs. The course seemed prime for a turf conversion to the new low mow bluegrasses, cut at a half inch or slightly less, and allow the width to be restored. And, if costs could be reduced in managing bentgrass fairways (assuming they are on a modest to high chemical budget and don't pay exorbitant rates for water), then they could even look to restore many of the greens that have also shrunk. I would contend that expanding the envelope, plus restoring the greens back to their original size, with some additional chipping swales and short grass around the complexes, would not only make the place play even better, but also give it a new sense of what it may have been years ago when it was more highly regarded.
Hopefully more courses will follow the lead of Stoatin Brae, and go wall to wall bluegrass (other than greens).