the Architects Golf Club NJ

[frank_D]

i am looking for a response / review / feedback from those of you who have played on this course - i intend to play NOV sat 29th 2:10PM and sun 30th 8:50AM - weather permitting

thank you

[Steve Lapper]

Frank,

    I've played it at least 6 times. It is fun, well conceived and an earnest attempt to replicate the essential styles of those Archies attempted. I don't agree with Redanman about some of his disappointments(CB) but his other comments are spot on. It is always reasonably well conditioned, however this year might be a bit suspect with all the rain the area has received.
  I would add one small choice for you and that would be substitute the 2nd round there for one at Hawk Pointe (10min) away. It is a very well executed and strategic track that provides a solid test. Either way, enjoy the last days of 2003 NJ golf.

Slapper

[Matt_Ward]

frank D:

The course starts v-e-r-y slowly. When you get the 5th the qualities start to rise and by time you get to the 7th (a Tillinghast replicate hole) the game is on. The hole is a solid four-par and it requires two well-played shots.

The long 9th is IMHO one of the best public holes in the entire Garden State. If the pin is back left be prepared to play a first rate approach.

The entire back side is quite good save the final hole which replicates the Robert Trent Jones design style and is really an anticlimatic finish IMHO.

A top ten public coursein NJ for sure.

P.S. I agree with Slapper -- if you can play Hawk Pointe that's a fine choice. Keep in mind that High Bridge Hills which is even closer to I-78 is also a worthy substitute.

[Paul_Turner]

The Colt hole is useless; he rarely built dropping par 3s and certainly nothing like that one with its enormous green.

1) Old Tom's was boring.

2) CB contouring was quite interesting.

3) Hugh Wilson was v good.

4) Emmet(?) pretty good.

5) Travis neat green.

6) Colt boring.

7) Tillinghast, a tight squeeze.

Raynor deadly boring.

9) Ross very tough and good.

10) Thomas good.

11) Flynn very good tee shot approach pretty good.

12) Banks good, but not very Banksy.

13) Mackenzie rubbish and ugly.

14) Maxwell good particularly the tee shot.

15)  Ross OK.

16) Dick Wilson OK

17) Stanley Thompson good

18) RTJ OK.

[ian]

How close is this to Allentown?

[Mike_Sweeney]

How close is this to Allentown?

20 minutes, very fun course to play for this group.

[ian]

The Architects Golf Club Features:
1) Old Tom
2) CBM
3) Hugh Wilson
4) Emmet
5) Travis
6) Colt
7) Tillinghast
Raynor
9) Ross
10) Thomas
11) Flynn
12) Banks
13) Mackenzie
14) Maxwell
15)  Ross
16) Dick Wilson
17) Stanley Thompson good
18) RTJ

Why two Ross's when there are so many great architects not done. Here are some of the architects that are not included:

Willie Park Jr
Herbert Fowler
James Braid
Henry Frownes
George Crump
William Langford
Tom Simpson
Alex Russel
Pete Dye
(Charles Alison should not be combined with Colt)

Willie Park Jr. and Pete Dye are two of the better architects in history. Pete I understand because he is alive. Park Jr. is the obvious big miss. If you include Wilson, how could you not include Crump or Frownes? Langford would have been so much fun to do. I personally have played a number of really great Braid courses and his style would have been easy, especially when you consider Gleneagles.

What architects should have been in this list, who should be out?

Mine is Park Jr. for second Ross
Langford for Emmet

I'm not convinced Banks should be in (and I like his work too). I'm not sure how you can have Hugh Wilson without Frownes and Crump. Isn't it an all or none on principle

Your thoughts?

[Steve Lapper]

The real Architect's Light:

Fazio
Nicklaus
Player
Faldo
Palmer
Baby Fazio (Trumped)
Love
Miller
Rees

Mix-up and repeat for the back nine!

[Mike_Sweeney]

Your thoughts?

Ian,

Willie Park or rather than 2 Ross holes, who most people see on some public course or resort, I would have argued for another Hugh Wilson or Flynn. It is right in the Jersey-Philly corridor and most people do not get to see Merion and few would appreciate Cobbs Creek. However, Cobbs is mentioned on the description of the Wilson hole.

[John Foley]

Played there last week. While not the most difficult course around, it is extremely enjoyable. Very few bad spots to get in off the tee. Defenetly designed w/ the daily fee player in mind and not the low handicaper.

While I liked the Colt hole, it felt way too easy. The green may be one of the biggest on the course. Liked the Tilly hole. Thought the Mack hole was a poor attempt to interpet #13 @ AGNC. Liked the Maxwell hole especially the green contours. They seemed to get that one down. Liked the Flynn tee shot and the Ross Greens

How true is #17(the Thompson hole) to his style?

Kind of surprised that people don't like th 12th Banks hole. Is it not true to his designs? While the sharpness of the drop into the right side bunker is not dramatic, it appears to be a fine interpetation of his style.

As for Dye not being there, i recall seeing somewher that Whitten & the developer wanted to stop at RTJ and not enter into the "modern" era.

[Dan Herrmann]

I agree that it's a very fun course.  The management is first-rate too.  I met the "owner" late one Saturday - we drove over Olde Homestead in PA.  He was so proud of his course - he insisted we take a cart and get a feel for the course.

We ended up playing 9 holes for $30 at 5pm that day, and we've been back several times since.

My favorite holes are 7, 9, 11, 12, and 16.  

There are also some nice views of the big hills just to the east of the course.

One note - the course can get a little wet with rain - and it's certainly supposed to rain here today and tomorrow.  Don't be surprised if it's cart paths only because they really want the  conditions to be first rate.

I think it's also a very walkable course if you prefer...

[Matt_Ward]

As an FYI -- the only "architects" selected for consideration for holes at the club were those who are deceased. I believe part of the issue in not using current / live architects is the possibility in not appreciating that their name is tied to another group's project.

[Big B]

Frank...

If you're planning on teeing off at 2:10pm, it's going to be tight to get 18 in as it's getting dark around 4:30/5:00pm.  I would recommend moving your tee time up if possible.  

Another course in the area to try is Great Bear.  It doesn't get a lot of press, but it's one of the better "mountian" layouts.  By the name of the course, you can guess who designed it.

Have Fun!

[Matt_Ward]

Big B:

Good choice in mentioning Great Bear!

Great Bear is vastly overlooked by many people. It blows away everything that exist in the Pocono region and IMHO is the best course north of I-80 and east of I-81 in Pennsy.

[Big B]

Matt...

Have you ever played Shawnee-On-Delaware (Tillinghast) in the same region?  If so, how good?  I want to schedule a round there in the future because of the history (Pro events in the early 1900's & 1938 PGA Championship).

 

[Matt_Ward]

Big B:

I've played Shawnee -- sad to say IMHO the layout is more a testament to golf from the past. It's still worth a look, but don't think you're going to be playing Tillie at his ultimate best. I've also played the course when the turf conditions were only marginal. I'd include a round there if you have the time and desire but like I said before you won't find a junior league version of Winged Foot or Somerset Hills there.

Great Bear is simply delicious stuff -- and best of all being located in Marshalls Creek you can access it so quickly from I-80. Sad to say the layout is not really known by many people from Jersey or New York.

[Steve Lapper]

Matt,

   How far from Architects is Great Bear?

Slappy

[John Foley]

209 can be a very trying drive, in the best of conditions. The other thing is, Once you are on 209 actually finding the golf course is not the easiest. I think there is one sign (and I missed it).

[Matt_Ward]

slapper:

The ride should be about 60-75 minutes depending upon the route you take and local traffic. I don't doubt for a minute what others have said regarding finding Great Bear. They don't have countless signs to steer you there.

Nonetheless, it's a solid design and the fees are very reasonable given what one would pay at The Architect's Club and other Jersey upscale daily fee layouts.

I have not played it in quite some time and when next season rolls around I'd certainly like to go back. Maybe we can hook up for a game there with a few others.

[Steve Lapper]

Matt (and Bill)


I'd certainly love to go there and see it. Let's do it.

Slap

[SPDB]

Count me in as a fan of Great Bear. Wonderful movement throughout the course, and an excellent example of how to incorporate ridgelines into a course, e.g. #8, (i think, i can't recall since it started off with the screwy routing).  I wonder who at JND is responsible.

[Big B]

Count me in for Great Bear as well, replay rates are also extremely low (apx. $30).  So for $80, you can 36!  I have not not played it in a couples years and it would be nice to meet some of the Philly area GCA boys.  

I liked #5 (short par 4), dog leg to the left going around the ridge of the mountian in a valley like setting.

[Matt_Ward]

redanman:

This "pussy" has to head to Florida   for some high octane golf.

Hey big guy remember this -- when it goes cooooooooold in Pennsy you count yourself lucky if you start the next season with all ten fingers!

[frank_D]

thank you all for the info as i requested - frank_D

[frank_D]

Bill (redanman)               MON NOV 24 9AM

to join me call JOHN 908/213-3080 at the club who indicated there is availability on the following times i've confirmed -

SAT NOV 29th NOON (NOTE - i've changed this from my original time of 2PM on the advise of a response on this thread indicating a 2PM time may not allow an entire round as it gets dark by 5PM)

AND

SUN NOV 30th 8:50AM

looking forward to meeting someone on the other side of my computer screen

- FRANK

PS don't tell Matt Ward i'm comming from FLA to play in NJ

[Tags:]

Tags: