[Mark_Fine]

If you look at the plans for Cherry Hills, Flynn calls for "plantings" on many of the holes but how many of them are "strategic"?   Maybe the question we need to address is "what is strategic" when it comes to planting trees.  I'm sure Flynn had some strategy in mind when he suggested planting some.  At the same time, I don't think any of the plantings make or break the golf hole.  Most are more for visual pleasure and accenting of the property.  

At a site like Cherry Hills where there originally were very few trees (remember there are only three or four species that are native there anyway), people have a different perspective of trees.  A tree is almost sacred out there because you don't find them everywhere.  In the Northeast, we take trees for granted because they are everywhere.  That doesn't excuse them for being in the wrong places on golf courses, but it is something you have to take into consideration when making assessments.

[TEPaul]

redanman;

HVGC's #12 green really doesn't have a shade problem although #6 green behind it generally does and #7 green has always had a shade problem. On the latter two that probably has as much to do with how they're both set into really sloping topography as anything else. The tree removal on the latter two would probably have to be massive to have much effect with increased sunlight due to that really sloping topography!

[A_Clay_Man]

Forrest- Why don't you share yours and your associates rule for the use of trees? Since I have the luxury of only guessing, I would assume most of the archies that designed, with an abundance of trees, never thought about trees as a strategic concept, more so as penal. They didn't use them for shot testing, they appear to have used them because they wanted to prevent something.

To me, there's a fundemental difference between the trees we are referring to as strategic, versus the Lon Hinkle tree, or the greg Norman tree at Kemper, which were planted to prevent certain shots.

Preventing is a negative influence, dictating a specific shot or creating the framing, is a positive one.

So, to answer your question, who said everything needs to have a rule, since  some of the best creations break all the rules? If an archie wants to stifle the golfers creative ability, to negotiate the task at hand through the use of trees and only trees, that's a bad thing.

I know all you want me to do, is step into a big pile of shit, and I'm happy to oblige, as long as you can articulate where my observations have gone astray. If they are astray from the accepted norms, I would hope you try to understand my meaning. Me, being such a neophyte, I consider my remarks to be from the mouth of a babe.

What's your rule for tree usage?

[TEPaul]

Patrick:

The use of an existing tree or trees by an architect like Flynn, even for strategic purposes and the complete misuse of trees by later green committees and such are two entirely different subjects and should be treated and discussed as two entirely different subjects!

[mike_malone]

 Some further reflections based on Indian Creek plans:
    Mark
      I think much of what you just said was borne out in viewing these plans.I understand not only weren't any trees here;there wasn't any land!!.So,Flynn's design could go wild for trees.There were proposed clusters of trees on most holes.

   But they seemed to start beyond the dot Flynn put on his centerline to indicate the landing area.So,they were more of a visual thing.Wayne was telling me yesterday(before the chokehold) that he was studing the issue of "framing" as more visual for Flynn rather than the staightjacket concept of today.
    This makes sense to me.Trees can provide much in the way of affecting how we see a hole,which certainly affects how we play a shot.

  In fact they can be a wonderful addition.I remember at Portmarnock they had placed posts way out in the rough to help people find their balls.Sometimes it's a bit much to have no perspective.

  There also is the Flynn concept of "variety".Since we have taken down some trees on our course a few holes have almost a "skyline" effect now.This adds a new interest to the course.

   My favorite trres can be seen from our#7 and#11 tees.They are beautiful hardwoods--particularly wonderful in the fall.  They are A MILE FROM THE COURSE!!
     Now i am going to play---afterall that's what this is all about.

[Mark_Fine]

Bill,
I agree with you 100% on the cottonwoods.  They grow fast and die fast.  As far as #4 and #7, both holes have tree issues to be delt with but it doesn't stop with just those two holes.  Thousands, particularly pines, have been planted all over the golf course.  
Mark

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()