Golf Architecture in America - Page 69

[Mike Hendren]

Two photographs depict a green identified as the 120 yards 17th at LACC North.  I assume this hole NLE and if so are changes to Thomas' original routing widespread?


The course is quite appealing in the broadcasts.


Mike

[John Kirk]

Hi Mike,

They've got a little alternate par 3 where the tee is a bit left of the 17th green, and the alternate green is nestled into a little ridge right of the 17th fairway.

[Gene Greco]

The alternate 17th green is the original one from Fowler’s design. So it “exists” but not as part of Thomas’ design.

[Mike Hendren]

Thanks.  Good to hear from longtime pals - two of my favorites!  I’d like to know more about Fowler’s design - big fan of his work.  While The Captain doesn’t  refer directly to this hole the surrounding text suggests he was quite proud of it.

[Sean_A]

Doesn't quite a bit of the Fowler routing still exist?

Ciao

[John Kirk]

The alternate 17th green is the original one from Fowler’s design. So it “exists” but not as part of Thomas’ design.

This sort of refutes a thought I had yesterday.

The Stanford University Golf Course, which is attributed to Billy Bell, but thought to be a George Thomas routing, has a par 3 19th hole adjacent to the 18th green.  The hole is steeply uphill and about 125 yards long.  It's typically used as a practice area, but is put into play when a hole on the course is out of service for any reason.

I figured that's the reason the little 17th at LACC North is maintained.  Occasionally you take a hole out of service, in which case you play little 17 after big 17, and then you go play 18.

[Kevin_Reilly]

John,


Tilden Park has a similar short hole...a par 3 near the 2nd green, that has been used that way in the past. 

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