your balanced opinion of rees' style...

[PG]

  fourteenth hole, par four

[Peter Galea]

Notice the maintenance facility in the first photo.

[Mike_Cirba]

Scott,As a member of a course that I've heard from several knowledgeable people is among Rees Jones's best, I'm glad and heartened that you found my summation of his work to be fair, accurate, and somewhat comprehensive.I started into a long post about how sensitive I am to be lumped as a "basher" of ANY architect, and how nothing disturbs me more.  Then, inadvertedly, I bumped the "Clear Fields" button while typing, and my post was gone.Perhaps that's all for the better.  Instead, I'll just let your very kind words speak for themselves and hope that others find my comments to be objective, thoughtful, and worthwhile.  

[Mike_Cirba]

Scott,I did forget to mention that I WILL certainly make it a point to visit Albany next year, and hope to play Olde Kinderhook with you and Paul, if we can schedule it.  Pete,Thanks for sharing.  Those pictures look really good to these tired eyes, and certainly something very fresh and yes....DIFFERENT from what I've come to expect based on playing quite a number of Rees Jones designs.  Anyone who happened to read and agree with my post on "convex" versus "concave" golf holes and features will immediately notice the startling difference, as well.Frankly, I think it's very exciting and encouraging that one of the most prominent of our modern designers seems to be willing to adapt his style.  Brian Silva is another who comes to mind.    

[TEPaul]

Scott:I was reading this a few hours ago and was going to ask if you could call back with this topic in about a month since we've almost been mounded to death and sort of overReesed Reese-ntly, but I had to go out to dinner.But when I looked back in here there were a few posts and some photos. Since they're only photos I can't make any specific comments on them since I haven't played the course or even walked it but I will say I like what I see. I would love to play the course sometime but in the meantime I hope this post is not considered "bashing". If it is, I apologize!

[Tim_Weiman]

Gene:I'm of the opinion that to really capture Friar's Head with photographs will take some work.Many courses have the "wow" photo opportunties.  Friar's Head obviously will do so as well.But, with Friar's Head, won't the trick be to also capture the changing moods as you make your way around the property?

[Mike_Cirba]

Jeff,Having had the pleasure of walking Tom Paul's routing, I can say without reservation that Tom didn't work too hard to save the 13th hole.  The potential was incredible.In fact, if we had our clubs with us, all that would be needed was a hole cutter and tee box, and we could have spent the rest of the afternoon attempting to each play it in about 10 different ways.  It truly was one of the most interesting landforms for natural golf I've ever seen.By the way, I've really enjoyed your thoughtful, well-reasoned posts on this thread, as well. As for your agreement that the modern era will someday compare favorably with the classic era, let's just say that I'm still hoping that the best courses of this era are ahead of us.  

[R.S._Barker]

Finally,Someone actually speaks of the best course in Ireland...and shares the same sentiment that I've held all along...that Portmarnock's finishing holes are top-notch...and that the green complexes are worthy of high praise.This course has sung to me like no other in the world...other than perhaps Muirfield Village and Pine Valley.The 15th still remains as fierce a test for a par 3 as I've seen...and I thouroughly agree with Ben Crenshaw in his statement "...that the 15th is quite possibly the finest par 3 on the planet "...and Arnold Palmer's words..." ... the 14th and 15th holes at Portmarnock stand as a testament to the strength of this course...one that surely reigns as a top 10 course in all the world ".Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the jewel of Irish golf. IMHO one of the finest true tests of golf on the planet.R.S. Barkerr_silverleaf@yahoo.com

[Tim_Weiman]

Mike Cirba:I would not consider your summary of Rees Jones' style "bashing".Part of avoiding "bashing" is providing a DETAILED account of your views.  You've certainly done that.What disturbs me is when people say things like "typical Fazio" or "typical Rees".  I dislike it because such statements don't add to my knowledge - or demonstrate the writier's knowledge - of a particular venue.By contrast, explaining in detail what one has found at a site - even if the comments are very critical - simply isn't "bashing".Finally, I can't imagine Scott Wood, a member at Olde Kinderhook, quoted you for the purpose of bashing Rees Jones.Pete Gelea:Thanks for the pictures.  Looking at the pictures, I would not have a clue who the architect was.  I'm attracted to the site, not who ever did the work.

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