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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Coral_Ridge on August 21, 2004, 02:02:42 PM

Title: The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: Coral_Ridge on August 21, 2004, 02:02:42 PM
Last week I played "The Gold Course" at the Wigwam Resort, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.  I enjoyed it very much, and in every way.  The greens varied in shape and size, but did not offer too much contour or undulations.  This may be because the golf course is part of a plush resort and its perceived guest demographic.  I don't know.  Still I liked the course overall in spite of the "not too difficult greens".  Last year I played one of my favorite golf courses in Florida - Coral Ridge CC.  The greens there were a little more challenging that at Wigwam.  What I am getting to it this.  In the opinion of the widespread readership here, which greens of the late Robert Trent Jones were his best, and is it that part of his design that will always keep him from being remember as an even greater architect than he is now?
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: Martin Del Vecchio on August 21, 2004, 07:39:25 PM
Jon, I can't answer your question, but I can add a little.

Last year I played a qualifier at Wollaston Country Club, a private club outside of Boston.  The design is credited to RTJ Sr. and RTJ Jr.  The greens had quite a bit of undulation, and were firm and fast.  They caused the players some fits.
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: Coral_Ridge on August 22, 2004, 06:08:22 PM
With today's WGC-NEC Invitational at Firestone in Akron, isn't Robert Trent Jones, Sr. the designer of those greens.  Bert Way's (possibly others) original design is all but changed after Jones came in and redesigned the course back in the '50's.  Could Firestone South be RTJ's best greens?  Or maybe Peachtree, Point O'Woods, or maybe another of his many redesigns.
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: A_Clay_Man on August 22, 2004, 07:44:44 PM
I wouldn't know enough to compare them to all his others, but Spyglass Hill's greens, are truely works of art.

David Copperfield could learn a thing or two from these deceptive faces.
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: JSlonis on August 23, 2004, 09:22:57 AM
Another great group of greens can be found at RTJ's Wilmington CC, South Course. (Delaware)

For the most part they are very large with quite a lot of internal contouring.  Many of the greens are an example of the "green within a green" design concept.
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: Coral_Ridge on August 23, 2004, 09:25:01 PM
The 14th Green at The Wigwam - Golf Course

(http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B653%3B523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D64%3A%3D558%3DXROQDF%3E23235%3B55862%3C8ot1lsi)
Title: Re:The greens of RTJ, Sr.
Post by: Jason Mandel on August 23, 2004, 10:04:29 PM
i second jaime's thoughts on wilmington south, i was out there for a few days at the us am, and really enjoyed the greens.  like jaime said, a lot of "greens within greens".  it was particularily interesting in watch the match play, because it seemed once the players got on the greens, the real match begun.

jason