Aerial of the Day #416 - 15 Oct 2003

[Scott_Burroughs]

Here's a first for AOTD.  Within the past year, Mapquest has
started using the USGS's infrared (I think) images that are in
B&W on Terraserver in areas that MQ otherwise doesn't have
their own GlobeXplorer color coverage for.  Because the
bunkering was a little harder to make out in the B&W version
of this course, I chose to use the MQ IR(?) version.


How did this course get mentioned twice in a Gyrocolumn quiz
earlier this year?

[Scott_Burroughs]

Perhaps Mars.  A breeding ground for some of golf's beloved
figures.  One by pseudonym of a fictional figure and the other
(whole family, actually) with one sweet site.

Another multi-course complex.  3 courses at this club.  One
at another location.

Members refer to the club informally by the name of this
course amongst the 3.

[Scott_Burroughs]

In a state capital that was a former regional capital.

Large employer in this area is showing TV ads that basically
denounce what this company sells (they were
forced/coerced to do it).

Town namesake former NASCAR driver who lived life on the
edge and died because of it.

Another town namesake was member of Run-TMC.

[Scott_Burroughs]

"In like" this architect.

Yes, Ma'am, there is a Santa Claus, but I ain't afraid of any Woolf.

Ms. Wade, your tennis made you come a long way, baby.

[peter_p]

It's strange that he isn't associated with the courses, which has been "loving"ly restored. The original course sounds like it should be near NGLA.

Most famous member has won the US and British Amateurs

racer drove the old "25" Folgers.

[Scott_Burroughs]

This is the River course at the CC of Viriginia, in Richmond,
VA, designed by William Flynn.  The other two courses are the
Tuckahoe course (across the street to the west) and the
Westhampton course, closer to downtown.  I think the
Westhampton course is the original course at CCV.

CCV is the boyhood stomping grounds of the Morrissett
brothers and dad, Ed.


other clues include:

"How did this course get mentioned twice in a Gyrocolumn
quiz earlier this year?" = Gib used CCV as possible answers in
a quiz he gave in his column earlier this year.

 "A breeding ground for some of golf's beloved figures.  One
by pseudonym of a fictional figure" = GCA's "R_Junah",  "and
the other (whole family, actually) with one sweet site." =
Morrissett's, with this sweet site by "SiteSuite".

"Another multi-course complex.  3 courses at this club.  One
at another location."

"Members refer to the club informally by the name of this
course amongst the 3. " = "The River" is what a couple of
members referred to it as when I played with them elsewhere this year.

"In a state capital that was a former regional capital." =
Richmond, capital of VA and the Confederacy.

"Large employer in this area is showing TV ads that basically
denounce what this company sells (they were
forced/coerced to do it)." = Philip Morris and their
(forced) "dangers of smoking" ads.

"Town namesake former NASCAR driver who lived life on the
edge and died because of it." = Tim "Richmond"

"Another town namesake was member of Run-TMC." = former
Golden State Warriors trio, Tim Hardaway, Mitch "Richmond",
and Chris Mullin.

"In like" this architect. = Flynn

"Yes, Ma'am, there is a Santa Claus, but I ain't afraid of any Woolf." = "Virginia", twice.

Ms. Wade, your tennis made you come a long way, baby =
Virginia, twice again, Wade and Slims.

"The original course sounds like it should be near NGLA" = Westhampton

"Most famous member has won the US and British Amateurs" =
Vinny Giles.  Former USGA president Harry Easterly is also a
member.

racer drove the old "25" Folgers. = Tim Richmond.

[Lester George]

Scott,

Nice photo!  It is the one I used to ID some turf and shade problems at CCV before starting a major renovation of the James River Course which will be finished next month.  

Interestingly, I produced a 1937 aerial photo that the club did not have in their archives to justify the restoration of most of the course.  As you may know,  the "River" was renovated in 1993 by someone else and I am currently restoring many of the features lost in that renovation as we speak.  

In any event, it does not look like the photo seen here any more, but it does closely resemble the original Flynn strategy now.  One interesting note,  the club asked me to assess the tree planting on the course.  During my research, I found documentation that in preparation for the 1955 US Amateur, the club actually advertised the fact that they had 397 trees planted on the course to add framing and strategy.  Those trees did 90% of the damage of the original Flynn course which was further "enhanced before the 1975 US Amateur by many of the same "experts".  How times change.

I am proud of the current leadership of the club for recognizing that it was not too late to reverse some of those trends and push forward with restoration, instead of further "tweaking".

Talk soon.

Lester

[wsmorrison]

Lester,
Please check your email.  I have the original Flynn plans for the course (he actually designed 2 18-hole courses, the Hill and the Valley).  Ran and his family are looking into them and are sharing them with some members.  I should have them back in about a month's time.  If you like, I can have copies made and you can help us figure out what's what.  It appears that the final 18 holes of the James River Course may be a composite of the two 18-hole courses that I have.  If you wish to help, please contact me through the info I provided in the email.  Copies of any documentation, aerials, correspondence between the club and Flynn, and subsequent changes would be most appreciated.  Look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Wayne Morrison