“God obviously intended this to be a golf course”

[Thomas Dai]

Another side to where golf can be played and what kind of equipment can be used. An extract (as recently posted on social media) by 1902 Open Champion Sandy Herd.
atb

[Rob Nydick]

One that immediately comes to mind is Royal Hawaiian Golf Course on Oahu. The course is routed mostly through a dense jungle situated between mountain ranges.

The course was built during the early 90’s golf boom on the island by a Japanese developer who had grand plans for 36 holes and a residential development. Like several other courses, including Ko’olau, the full plan was never realized due to the economic downtown.  The Dye family was involved although it’s unclear exactly who spent time here.

Royal Hawaiian is plagued by its location that receives over 120” of rainfall annually.  Poor soil conditions exacerbate the rainfall and the jungle setting means the the course is continually battling the encroachment of the jungle itself.  Fairways typically end abruptly with severe fall off into the surrounding jungle habitat.

While other courses mentioned on this thread are built in locations where golf courses are typically not found or routed in a manner that requires a golf cart, modern technology has enabled us to overcome most unnatural environments. Royal Hawaiian, however, is actually up against nature and the massive amount of rainfall that contribute to generally unplayable conditions most days. In the words of their superintendent, it’s a “maintenance workers nightmare” where they are unable to use mowers in many areas of the course, have to spray fungicides weekly on the greens, and aggressively keep the jungle from consuming the course.

While I’m sure there are ways to throw money at some of their problems, Royal Hawaiian is simply a course should not have been built in this environment.

[Tom_Doak]

One that immediately comes to mind is Royal Hawaiian Golf Course on Oahu. The course is routed mostly through a dense jungle situated between mountain ranges.

The course was built during the early 90’s golf boom on the island by a Japanese developer who had grand plans for 36 holes and a residential development. Like several other courses, including Ko’olau, the full plan was never realized due to the economic downtown.  The Dye family was involved although it’s unclear exactly who spent time here.

Royal Hawaiian is plagued by its location that receives over 120” of rainfall annually.  Poor soil conditions exacerbate the rainfall and the jungle setting means the the course is continually battling the encroachment of the jungle itself.  Fairways typically end abruptly with severe fall off into the surrounding jungle habitat.

While other courses mentioned on this thread are built in locations where golf courses are typically not found or routed in a manner that requires a golf cart, modern technology has enabled us to overcome most unnatural environments. Royal Hawaiian, however, is actually up against nature and the massive amount of rainfall that contribute to generally unplayable conditions most days. In the words of their superintendent, it’s a “maintenance workers nightmare” where they are unable to use mowers in many areas of the course, have to spray fungicides weekly on the greens, and aggressively keep the jungle from consuming the course.

While I’m sure there are ways to throw money at some of their problems, Royal Hawaiian is simply a course should not have been built in this environment.

That was a Perry Dye project, mostly.  On most of Perry's overseas projects his dad was paid to spend a few days as a consultant.

[Tim Leahy]

Spyglass Hill.  Jones built a classic on land that was there, dunes and forest.

[Garland Bayley]

Spyglass Hill.  Jones built a classic on land that was there, dunes and forest.

Tim,

Did you bother to read the first post to learn what this thread is about?

[Tommy Williamsen]

When I played Lost Canyons the Sky course, I thought, "God must be surprised that there is a golf course here." I can't imagine anyone looking at the site and thinking, "Boy this is a perfect place for a golf course." I kind of feel the same way about some CO mt courses. Who could look at Red Sky Ranch and think, "Perfect land for golf?"
But I think the most surprising course I have played that took foresight and imagination to build a course is Bayonne. Who in their right mind would think about a course on an old dump?


Some people have more imagination than others.


I think the ones that bother me most are bland courses built on great sites.

[Terry Lavin]

When I played Lost Canyons the Sky course, I thought, "God must be surprised that there is a golf course here." I can't imagine anyone looking at the site and thinking, "Boy this is a perfect place for a golf course." I kind of feel the same way about some CO mt courses. Who could look at Red Sky Ranch and think, "Perfect land for golf?"
But I think the most surprising course I have played that took foresight and imagination to build a course is Bayonne. Who in their right mind would think about a course on an old dump?


Some people have more imagination than others.


I think the ones that bother me most are bland courses built on great sites.

I’ve had similar thoughts about Chicago Highlands, which was built on an old dump. The only “highlands” were created largely by bulldozers.


The club is absolutely thriving on every level, and the dump was also alongside an interstate highway. Who woulda thunk it!

[Garland Bayley]

...
I think the ones that bother me most are bland courses built on great sites.

Florence Golf Links, aka Sandpines