...under both In My Opinion and the Architecture Timeline.
Apart from the interesting and varied way that he tackles this subject, what really shines through is the sheer passion with which he evidently tacked this project - it is inspiring, to say the least.
Jeremy notes at the start that "those familiar with the Reverse Course are of the opinion that this second course is at least as good as the Grand Old Lady, if not better." Not having played The Reverse Course, my only opinion on it comes from Jeremy's work and after reading it, I'll be curious to see who agrees with that bold assesment. While the Reverse 1st, 5th, and 15th look particularly appealing, I just don't see enough "great" holes to rival such ones as the 2nd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes on The Old Course. What do you think?
Regardless, the concept of designing a course that could be played in reverse (or in different configurations ala the Sheep Ranch) is an interesting one to be sure. The silly mounding that acts as a frame behind many modern greens would have no place and instead for instance, greens that slope from front to back would be re-introduced into the mix. Multiple central hazards would be needed. For example, a central bunker like the Principal's Nose is in play for the 16th on The Old Course for the tiger but a different, otherwise innocuous central hazard would be in play on the 3rd hole on The Reverse.
As an aside, it's interesting to think of the repercussions if the powers-that-be had opted to play the course in a clockwise motion as opposed to today's counterclockwise one. Gone I suppose would be the Eden Hole from Garden City GC and from about 50 Raynor/Macdonald courses. Wonder if the Reverse Course would have impacted MacKenzie and/or Bob Jones in a similarly powerfully way?
Congrats to Jeremy for all the time and thought that surely went into this most welcome tour de force addition to the site.
Cheers,