Strantz updates

[A.G._Crockett]

1. Tobacco Road has announced that the course will soon be under Troon management.  I think this will ease the burdens on ownership, and I'm also guessing that there might be some economy of scale advantages for a standalone course like TR by being part of a large network, which Troon certainly is.

2. Tot Hill will reopen sometime around Labor Day after completing a 4 month renovation project under the new ownership.  Most significantly, the greens are being converted to Prism Zoysia, which has been specifically developed for use on greens and approaches.  Again, as a guess, I suspect this is done most often when there are issues with shade that make Bermuda difficult, and Tot Hill certainly has that!  The course has struggled with green conditions for years now, so I'm hopeful this is the answer, especially on greens like Tot Hill's where the slower speeds might even enhance play.

3. On a personal note, I got to play Bulls Bay two weeks ago, which was the only Strantz design I had NOT played (other than Monterey, which doesn't really count if you live on the East Coast!  ).  I loved Bulls Bay, and it just underscored again the uniqueness of each of his courses; it looks nothing like either True Blue or Caledonia, despite being near the coast.  I think my fondness of Tobacco Road is well known here, and it's still the place I'd go if I had one round left to play, but beyond that I would never try to rank the courses, even for my own purposes; they're all too cool to suffer by comparison with the others.

4. Lastly, as a personal impression:  There is a sense of "stewardship" among the management groups that I've met at the Strantz courses that isn't quite like anything else I've come across.  I get the feeling that they know the uniqueness of the small group they are in, and that there is value placed on the architectural significance of their course(s).  I've had several people at various Strantz courses tell me, "Well, if you're ever in Monterey..."   That's a different ethic, I think.

[Rob Marshall]

1. Tobacco Road has announced that the course will soon be under Troon management.  I think this will ease the burdens on ownership, and I'm also guessing that there might be some economy of scale advantages for a standalone course like TR by being part of a large network, which Troon certainly is.

2. Tot Hill will reopen sometime around Labor Day after completing a 4 month renovation project under the new ownership.  Most significantly, the greens are being converted to Prism Zoysia, which has been specifically developed for use on greens and approaches.  Again, as a guess, I suspect this is done most often when there are issues with shade that make Bermuda difficult, and Tot Hill certainly has that!  The course has struggled with green conditions for years now, so I'm hopeful this is the answer, especially on greens like Tot Hill's where the slower speeds might even enhance play.

3. On a personal note, I got to play Bulls Bay two weeks ago, which was the only Strantz design I had NOT played (other than Monterey, which doesn't really count if you live on the East Coast!  ).  I loved Bulls Bay, and it just underscored again the uniqueness of each of his courses; it looks nothing like either True Blue or Caledonia, despite being near the coast.  I think my fondness of Tobacco Road is well known here, and it's still the place I'd go if I had one round left to play, but beyond that I would never try to rank the courses, even for my own purposes; they're all too cool to suffer by comparison with the others.

4. Lastly, as a personal impression:  There is a sense of "stewardship" among the management groups that I've met at the Strantz courses that isn't quite like anything else I've come across.  I get the feeling that they know the uniqueness of the small group they are in, and that there is value placed on the architectural significance of their course(s).  I've had several people at various Strantz courses tell me, "Well, if you're ever in Monterey..."   That's a different ethic, I think.

AG,
The only Strantz I've played is Bulls Bay. Loved it from start to finish. Great elevation for the low country. I assume it was all man made. Wish I had retired earlier when it was possible to get in.

[A.G._Crockett]

1. Tobacco Road has announced that the course will soon be under Troon management.  I think this will ease the burdens on ownership, and I'm also guessing that there might be some economy of scale advantages for a standalone course like TR by being part of a large network, which Troon certainly is.

2. Tot Hill will reopen sometime around Labor Day after completing a 4 month renovation project under the new ownership.  Most significantly, the greens are being converted to Prism Zoysia, which has been specifically developed for use on greens and approaches.  Again, as a guess, I suspect this is done most often when there are issues with shade that make Bermuda difficult, and Tot Hill certainly has that!  The course has struggled with green conditions for years now, so I'm hopeful this is the answer, especially on greens like Tot Hill's where the slower speeds might even enhance play.

3. On a personal note, I got to play Bulls Bay two weeks ago, which was the only Strantz design I had NOT played (other than Monterey, which doesn't really count if you live on the East Coast!  ).  I loved Bulls Bay, and it just underscored again the uniqueness of each of his courses; it looks nothing like either True Blue or Caledonia, despite being near the coast.  I think my fondness of Tobacco Road is well known here, and it's still the place I'd go if I had one round left to play, but beyond that I would never try to rank the courses, even for my own purposes; they're all too cool to suffer by comparison with the others.

4. Lastly, as a personal impression:  There is a sense of "stewardship" among the management groups that I've met at the Strantz courses that isn't quite like anything else I've come across.  I get the feeling that they know the uniqueness of the small group they are in, and that there is value placed on the architectural significance of their course(s).  I've had several people at various Strantz courses tell me, "Well, if you're ever in Monterey..."   That's a different ethic, I think.

AG,
The only Strantz I've played is Bulls Bay. Loved it from start to finish. Great elevation for the low country. I assume it was all man made. Wish I had retired earlier when it was possible to get in.

During a lengthy lightning delay, a charter member told me that no dirt had been brought in or taken out at Bulls Bay.  The hill that the clubhouse and the 9th and 18th greens sit on, which is now the highest point in the area, was built with dirt from the excavation of drainage/irrigation ponds around the course.  (FWIW, I thought 18 was just a fantastic hole, and I was playing it in the rain at near dark!)


As to membership, on the BB website under membership, they say they are not only full, but are no longer even adding names to their waiting list!  That's a pretty good place to be for a standalone club.

[Rob Marshall]

I like the 18th too. I also liked the third shot into the par five (12?). Narrow green with the creek in the front. I know it's the one hole talked about here that no one likes. I thought it was an interesting short iron or  wedge shot in the green.


My Son and sister live about 10 minutes from there in Mt Pleasant. Would be a great retirement spot.

[cary lichtenstein]

I played all of his courses, my favorite is Tobacco Road, he was a great architect, I enjoyed every course.

[Tim_Weiman]

AG:


Back in the pre GCA Traditional Golf days we had a get together in Pinehurst and the group really enjoyed Tobacco Road. I remember Dick Daley was hoping he could get Strantz to join us. He wasn’t able to pull that off, but the group still had a fun time.

[Dan_Callahan]

I remember when I first played Royal New Kent and Stonehouse. I loved both creativity and the uniqueness of both courses. I played Tot Hill Farm not long after and enjoyed a bunch of holes but it clearly had some issues ... both in design and maintenance. When I first played Caledonia and True Blue, I liked Caledonia and loved True Blue. And then there is Tobacco Road.


I've been back to play all of those courses since ... most recently RNK, Caledonia and True Blue last March. As much as I appreciate what Strantz was trying to do, Tobacco Road is the only one that stills holds up for me. TR is one of my favorite public courses in the country. The others ... I'm not sure I would go out of my way to play, unfortunately.


It'll be interesting to see how the renovation goes to Tot Hill. It definitely needs it, but I feel like on top of improved conditions many of the holes need more than minor alterations. Having said all that, if 20 years from now TR is the only one of those courses still standing, it would still be a remarkable achievement. There is nothing else like it.

[John Kavanaugh]

AG:


Back in the pre GCA Traditional Golf days we had a get together in Pinehurst and the group really enjoyed Tobacco Road. I remember Dick Daley was hoping he could get Strantz to join us. He wasn’t able to pull that off, but the group still had a fun time.

Did Crusty Jim Lewis attend?

[Wayne_Kozun]

AG:


Back in the pre GCA Traditional Golf days we had a get together in Pinehurst and the group really enjoyed Tobacco Road. I remember Dick Daley was hoping he could get Strantz to join us. He wasn’t able to pull that off, but the group still had a fun time.

Wasn't there one of these about 15-20 years ago at a Dixie Cup in Pinehurst where Forest Fezler spoke about Strantz?

[Tim_Weiman]

AG:


Back in the pre GCA Traditional Golf days we had a get together in Pinehurst and the group really enjoyed Tobacco Road. I remember Dick Daley was hoping he could get Strantz to join us. He wasn’t able to pull that off, but the group still had a fun time.

Did Crusty Jim Lewis attend?

I think so

[John Kavanaugh]

Is this the same Jim Lewis? I think of him every time Tobacco Road is mentioned.


https://pinestrawmag.com/the-way-we-were/

[Tim Martin]

I remember when I first played Royal New Kent and Stonehouse. I loved both creativity and the uniqueness of both courses. I played Tot Hill Farm not long after and enjoyed a bunch of holes but it clearly had some issues ... both in design and maintenance. When I first played Caledonia and True Blue, I liked Caledonia and loved True Blue. And then there is Tobacco Road.


I've been back to play all of those courses since ... most recently RNK, Caledonia and True Blue last March. As much as I appreciate what Strantz was trying to do, Tobacco Road is the only one that stills holds up for me. TR is one of my favorite public courses in the country. The others ... I'm not sure I would go out of my way to play, unfortunately.


It'll be interesting to see how the renovation goes to Tot Hill. It definitely needs it, but I feel like on top of improved conditions many of the holes need more than minor alterations. Having said all that, if 20 years from now TR is the only one of those courses still standing, it would still be a remarkable achievement. There is nothing else like it.

Dan-I wasn’t a fan of Royal New Kent. I thought it required too many “hero” shots where even marginal misses gave you X with recovery options usually ending up lost or unplayable.

[Tom Bacsanyi]

I played Tobacco Road for the first time this past November. I don't know how to properly articulate it, but I felt as though the same care was given to the shaping of fairways and fairway bunkers as was given to the greens and surrounds themselves. Meaning just as great greens are intricately and creatively detailed, so were the fairways and adjacent hazards, just at a greater scale.


But 16 though. Not good.


All that said, instantly wanted to play again after I finished. Alas, a business trip and no time to do so. I will be back.

[Craig Disher]

AG:


Back in the pre GCA Traditional Golf days we had a get together in Pinehurst and the group really enjoyed Tobacco Road. I remember Dick Daley was hoping he could get Strantz to join us. He wasn’t able to pull that off, but the group still had a fun time.

Wasn't there one of these about 15-20 years ago at a Dixie Cup in Pinehurst where Forest Fezler spoke about Strantz?

Yessir. Dinner at Pine Needles w/Forest Fezler. It was the first time I'd played TR and have returned many times, often with friends who thought it was beyond their understanding and asked me to never take them back. They're still friends though.

[Dan_Callahan]

But 16 though. Not good.

I'm with you on 16. I actually like the tee shot. It's a nightmare the first time you play it, but after that it's more blind intimidation than anything because you don't have to hit more than a hybrid, and the landing area is big. It's the second shot that should be changed. And I've got to believe that if Strantz were alive today and stood on that hole for a weekend, he would want to raise the front of the green or add some contouring so that it isn't so easy for balls to roll all the way back down the hill. I've reached the point where I aim at the sideboards on the right or left and don't even care if I get on the green. I just want to stay at the top of the hill after having one really good round ruined by watching three shots roll 100 yards down the hill, all of which started well into the green. I'm ok with luck as an element of design, but that one shot favors luck way more than skill.

[cary lichtenstein]

I bet its 25 years since I played Tobacco Road and I still rave about it

[Tom Bacsanyi]

But 16 though. Not good.

I'm with you on 16. I actually like the tee shot. It's a nightmare the first time you play it, but after that it's more blind intimidation than anything because you don't have to hit more than a hybrid, and the landing area is big. It's the second shot that should be changed. And I've got to believe that if Strantz were alive today and stood on that hole for a weekend, he would want to raise the front of the green or add some contouring so that it isn't so easy for balls to roll all the way back down the hill. I've reached the point where I aim at the sideboards on the right or left and don't even care if I get on the green. I just want to stay at the top of the hill after having one really good round ruined by watching three shots roll 100 yards down the hill, all of which started well into the green. I'm ok with luck as an element of design, but that one shot favors luck way more than skill.

Agreed. I am fine with the blind tee shot. I went over the back on my 2nd and had to chip back to the front. There was simply no way to ease the ball down off the back tier and get it to stop on the lower front tier. Not possible. I ended up with nearly a full wedge back in from the fairway and picked up as it randomly started pouring and my playing partners were all finishing up.


Yeah there's some ways to fix, I would offer leaving the green as is but just growing in a rough cut like a beard in front. So if you came up short or went long you would run off the front but you'd be chipping, not playing a near full wedge back.Then you could leave the green alone.

[Peter Sayegh]

16 at TR is the least appetizing tee shot I've ever played. Just beats me.
Regardless of position, I'm convinced the second shot has to be played left of the green. As others have posted, the front section is too severe.

Hopefully, Tot Hill will be finished soon.
I saw some tree culling in May but I'll be interested if they actually restored some of "Strantz's original design."I'll be there late September/October.

[Steve_Lovett]

The 300-yard cart trek from 14 green to 15 tee is disruptive to the flow at Tobacco Road. The 1st 14 holes are an awesome journey that falls apart from 14 to 15 and I always wonder if there was a better way......

[Bill Gayne]

Played Tobacco Road last week. Fairways and greens were in excellent shape. The purist scoffs at declaring all bunkers to be played as waste areas and not providing rakes with a local rule to lift and place the ball in the bunker. I guess it saves money helping to reduce green fees. Agree with comments on 16 and walkability. With the multiple tee boxes, fairway and green width, angles matter at Tobacco Road.