Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Scott Warren on February 17, 2010, 09:59:35 AM
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For a proper course tour, see: John Mayhugh's excellent thread (http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,43049.0/)
They say if you walk off the 18th green and want to head straight back to the 1st tee, you've just played a very good course. So what does it say that I walked from the 36th hole of the day thinking that if I headed back to the 1st tee I might get manage another two or three holes before darkness fell?
Swinley Forest is simply a special place in golf. If religions have cathedrals, mosques and synagogues to celebrate their traditions and faith, golf has courses and clubs like Swinley Forest. If the Old Course at St Andrews is the St Peter's Basilica of golf, then Swinley Forest is Sainte-Chapelle: smaller, less well-known, but no less spiritual.
Below: the 4th and 5th
(http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4440/p2160327.jpg)
Harry Colt's course might not look daunting at 6019 yards (5504m) with a par of 68, but a brilliant set of par threes (probably the best I have ever played), a mixture of par fours measuring between 285 and 455 yards (the shortest and longest played back-to-back at the 11th and 12th) and some wonderful greens combine to thrill and test the golfer in equal measure.
Among the course's many strengths is the fact that the similar holes are spaced perfectly: long par fours at the 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th; par fours with a downhill tee shot and uphill approach at the 1st, 9th and 18th; holes along flat ground at the 3rd, 6th, 11th, 14th and 16th; par threes at the 4th, 8th, 10th, 13th and 17th.
Below: the 13th and 14th (heading to the left of the shot)
(http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4397/p2160314.jpg)
Ample heather provides a penalty for missed fairways, and while many holes are isolated in their own corridor through the towering pines, the trees rarely interfere with play. Yet despite the fact the course is carved through a forest, there are many wide open vistas to be enjoyed from high the high points on the site.
The bunkering is also a masterstroke, from those short of the 7th and 10th greens that cause distance gauging issues to the fairway bunker at the 1st that obscures your view of the green and on to the severity of those on many of the par threes.
Below: From the driving zone, it appears the 7th green is just behind the bunker...
(http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1468/p2160289.jpg)
... when in fact there is 60 yards or more between them
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6067/p2160290.jpg)
As well as the fantastic and at times downright cruel sand bunkers, Colt's beloved grass bunkers are also well used here - as at Canterbury and Royal Wimbledon - ranging from narrow, snaking channels to large "bathtubs". The course also draws on some unconventional hazards in the form of narrow heather-clad ridges set perpendicular to the line of play at the 7th, 9th and 15th.
Below: A heather-covered ridge crossing the 15th about 80 yards short of the green
(http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5507/p2160319.jpg)
Below: A snaking grass bunker left of the 2nd green
(http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6673/p2160345.jpg)
While a glance at the scorecard shows some similar distances on certain holes (the 2nd, 14th and 18th all measure within two yards of each other and the 6th, 9th and 16th have less than 20 yards separating them), Colt's routing of the course up, down and across the rolling slopes ensures each has its own character and challenge.
The 12th and 15th holes - at 455 and 450 yards (uphill) - are two of the best half-par holes you will ever play, with two of the trickiest sloping greens on the course.
The variety of the par fours is a real strength of Swinley Forest, but it's the one-shotters that steal much of the glory: the Redan 4th with its left side defended by caverns of sand, the 8th - played to a green set beside a fearsome 15-foot slope that somehow tempts you to flirt with it, the 205-yard 10th over a valley of heather to a hogback green boasting some vicious pin positions, the drop-shot 13th defended in front by sand to catch the golfer who underclubs and - perhaps best of them all - the wonderful 170-yard 17th, with its pulpit green and deep bunkers.
Below: the 17th
(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4568/p2160332n.jpg)
They combine to call for a range of shotmaking skills, with greens that can be approached wisely by a golfer happy to play short or wide of the green in the right place and try for an up-and-down par.
I commented as we were ushered from the clubhouse at closing time: "I'm like a kid at his friend's birthday party, who doesn't want to go home, even though it's over!" You can have your modern 7000-yard par 72 "championship" courses: Swinley Forest is golf as it was meant to be played.
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Scott,
Thanks for the photos. Well done.
I've never been to England, but if this is the standard look of your courses in the middle of winter, then I am very impressed. In the other thread when you said you were going to post photos today, I never expected the playing conditions to look this good.
If I hadn't know that you guys played there the other day, you could have told me that these pics were from the middle of summer and I would've believed it.
How fast was the course playing?
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Where are the satyrs? ;D Seriously this place looks almost storybook (in my mind anyway.) Love the look of it.
Great pictures Scott.
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Where are the satyrs? ;D Seriously this place looks almost storybook (in my mind anyway.) Love the look of it.
Great pictures Scott.
I could not agee more. Love the isolation. If accomodations are close is there another place in the world that woulkd provide that much relaxation?
Anthony
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Scott,
Is there a rain filter built in to your camera?!
Sadly I don't think any course could have played firm and fast given the rain that was hammering down. That the course was playable at all is testament to the quick draining soil. Most courses would have been closed.
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If I hadn't know that you guys played there the other day, you could have told me that these pics were from the middle of summer and I would've believed it.
How fast was the course playing?
The course was a wet due to heavy rain, so green surrounds weren't really ripe for the bump'n'run, but the greens remained pretty quick despite the rain, with false fronts and tiers still doing their job rolling the ball everywhere you didn't want it to go, rather than letting the ball hang up on the slopes.
Swinley has more pine than a lot of other English courses I've played, so while most trees here are deciduous, the evergreen pines make Swinley look a bit different to other courses in winter.
Tom: I took most of those towards the end of the first round and during the afternoon round. I said early in the day that I wouldn't bother with pics because of the rain, but still ended up with 90 shots from the day!
The great thing about my camera is that it's waterproof. So even when it's pouring, I can just leave it in a pocket ready to grap quickly when I see a shot I like.
I agree re: the draining. It was amazing how much standing water had disappeared while we ate lunch, despite a little shower then.
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Unbelievable contrast to the seasons! The contrast and textures really make the holes and contours pop. One of the only times I've seen a course look better in winter than peak season.
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Scott,
I'm really glad I posted my photos before your comments, because otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to be compared to you. Great job encapsulating what a round at Swinley is about. The Sainte-Chapelle comparison is perfect.
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They say if you walk off the 18th green and want to head straight back to the 1st tee, you've just played a very good course. So what does it say that I walked from the 36th hole of the day thinking that if I headed back to the 1st tee I might get manage another two or three holes before darkness fell?
It says that they were lucky enough not to be last out and probably didn't have a 2 and a half hour drive home ahead of them! ;D
Joking aside, great pics for such a miserable day, and some great observations of what makes Swinley Forest such a special place.
I'll post some of my pics shortly when I've got them onto Photobucket.
Cheers,
James
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I cant really add anything new regarding Swinley Forest, other than to echo what John, Scott and many others have already said about this fantastic course! But here are a few extra pictures and observations from a rather wet day…
Colt created plenty of great vistas at Swinley Forest. Here is the view from the 2nd fairway, back down the 1st hole
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06754.jpg)
or looking back down the 15th from the 16th green, complete with bench for relaxing (not on this day though) and bowl for your 4 legged friend to drink from
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06819.jpg)
As on many of Colt's courses the par 3s are a great collection. Here is the 8th, showing the bank off to the right
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06785.jpg)
The greens have a great mix of subtle contours and bold false fronts or slopes. Here is the 15th green
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06818.jpg)
Or the 18th seen from the 1st tee
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06746.jpg)
Colts use of the existing paths across the forest as hazards is very effective. This is the ridge short of the 6th green. The approach is from the right, with the green on the left and you can see how the ridge of the path or track creates a good bank to build the bunkers into and also a tricky little dip short of the green
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06779.jpg)
The heather covered ridge Scott mentions on 15 is actually also the side of a track running across the course, and the drop off to the right of the 17th is another track.
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06827.jpg)
Scott has already mentioned the grass bunkers like this one on the 2nd (photo chosen to show the standing water on the greens)
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06756.jpg)
Or this one to the right of the 9th seen from behind the green. You can’t see this one from the fairway and with such a sharp dogleg if you aren’t brave enough on your approach or you block one a little this is where you will end up
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06791.jpg)
Other quirky features include this ditch / cops mound to the right of the second
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06757.jpg)
and the private driveway to the nearby houses that runs behind the 18th green, that plays as an integral part of the course leaving an interesting downhill putt (did anybody mention it was raining by the way?) ;D
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06832.jpg)
Cheers,
James
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Thanks for the photos guys - one can never get enough of Swinley Forest !!
The course looks in pretty good nick despite all the weather reports that I've heard from the 'old dart' this winter ?
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Tom - to be honest the front nine in he morning wasn't playable, the greens were pretty flooded.
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Tom - to be honest the front nine in he morning wasn't playable, the greens were pretty flooded.
Mark,
We probably went off 1hr 20 minutes behind you (there was a 30 minute gap between 1st and 2nd groups!) and the greens were fine on the front 9. The fairways held water (but were always playable) but I was impressed how quickly the greens drained. Who needs USGA spec?
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Mark P: There was also a squeegy crew helpfully following us around the course so the rest of you would get better greens ;D
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Tom - to be honest the front nine in he morning wasn't playable, the greens were pretty flooded.
As you were in the first group Mark I guess you were bound to see the worst of the standing water on the greens. To be fair by the time the rest went out the greens were all pretty clear with just the odd patch of water that you could negotiate over or drop to the side of.
I know that plenty of other local courses would have been closed on Tuesday with those conditions and as Tom rightly said it is testament to the turf and the green keeping staff that Swinley was presented so well.
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Fine pix gentleman. Though I believe they hide how wet it really was out there. I think the course was just about playable and very awkward because of the wet. The fairways were squiggy and difficult to get clean shots off. Many chips just stopped dead. Lets put it this way, not many people would have been happy with a comp card in their hand given the conditions.
Does anybody wonder why Colt didn't get a really good par 5 out of this property? Okay, the 5th has been mucked with and it is not very attractive to look at from the tee, but the hole isn't special anyway.
The 8th, did anybody else find this hole perplexing? There is something bout the angle, shape and mounding which makes people go right? I even tried to hit the fat rear part of the green and failed miserably.
Ciao
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I agree re: the 8th, Sean.
Is it that the severity of the slope is partially obscured from the tee?
Is it the mounds left that looks like an awkward place to chip from?
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I think it's simply that it is very difficult to look at a pin only 130 yards away and make yourself play away from it.
I don't agree regarding the conditions, by the way. I may have played poorly in the morning but I don't recall wetness being a problem, other than it being very soft around the green, and a couple of chips skidding on, rather than grabbing. In the afternoon I was in an area of standing water in the 15th fairway but the nearest relief was unattractive (and yards away), so played my shot as it lay and was surprised how clean contact the wet fairway provided.
I have real reservations about how heathland courses drain and hate wet, sloppy, muddy fairways but was very pleasantly surprised. Perhaps, having arrived around the water course that the M25 had turned into, I just had low expectations?
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Good pics Scott and James. James, I did not notice a few of those features you pointed out. I am especially intrigued by Colt's integration of the existing walking path on the Sixth. The Sixth was one of my least favorite holes on the course. However, if I examined this feature again, I believe I would appreciate it much more.
As far as the wetness goes, I did not think it was bad at all. The greens were on the slow side, but they needed to be with some of the pin placements. I could not imagine putting on the greens on 1 or 7 at higher speeds. Additionally, the greens were very true. Putts were rolling well, and it was not impossible to make a few.
The fairways were a little soft, but they still allowed for the bump and run. I played a 8-iron chip shot into several greens with no problem. I never had problems with mud in the fairway and played the ball down the whole day. That being said, many of the holes at Swinley would be much more fun in dry conditions. The approach to the 12th was very wet and boring on Tuesday, whereas I imagine it would be the most exciting approach shot on the course in dry weather.
Overall, I was really impressed by Swinley Forest. No part of the course, with the exception of the 15th green, is really dramatic or bold. However, I cannot find anything wrong with the course. The indifferent holes (1, 5, 6 come to mind) were still solid golf holes. At the end of the day, Swinley is a collection of solid holes that add up to a nearly perfect layout. It would be an ideal course to play every day.
I have played two great courses in England thus far: Royal St. George's and Swinley Forest. RSG has more "all-world" holes and thrilling architecture. However, I feel that I have to play Swinley Forest again at the end of my semester. I did not get that feeling with Royal St. George's. To me, that makes Swinley Forest the more timeless and more desirable layout.
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A beautiful course anytime of the year, but I was fortunate enough to play it with the Rhododendrons in full bloom and it was jaw dropping in places.
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A beautiful course anytime of the year, but I was fortunate enough to play it with the Rhododendrons in full bloom and it was jaw dropping in places.
Speaking of rhodos..did folks notice how close that bank of rhodos was to the 7th green? What is that all about? Surely there has to be a better way to protect those on the 13th tee.
Ciao
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Sean,
I think they're a great hazard. How many balls are left short in the front right bunker and how many players face a scary chip from left of the green, towards them, because a golfer knew he had to avoid the risk of losing a ball in there? I don't actually think they protect the 13th tee at all, that's a little before the green, isn't it?
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I thought so, Mark. I'd have said they protect the 12th green more than the 13th tee.
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Sean,
I think they're a great hazard. How many balls are left short in the front right bunker and how many players face a scary chip from left of the green, towards them, because a golfer knew he had to avoid the risk of losing a ball in there? I don't actually think they protect the 13th tee at all, that's a little before the green, isn't it?
Mark
My problem with the rhodos is there is no play out of them. The approach is also obscured with the land feeding that way. You can't see where it enters the rhodos and so there is fooling around for a drop (assuming the ball is found) or go back - it slows everything down when another hazard could be used to make the point. No, rhodos don't do it for me - just as gorse doesn't that close to play. In fact, these are two of the worst hazards I can think of - even worse than long rough. Finally, most of the year its just a green wall which adds nothing in terms of texture. Blah.
Ciao
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Swinley without rhodos would be like a blonde without breasts.
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Swinley without rhodos would be like a blonde without breasts.
MMM...Rhodo's are more like implants. They catch the eye but are not the real deal. Imported by Victorians they are environmentally unsound and in heathland they are officially a weed. I would side with Sean if they were everywhere but... I can live with them on these courses.
Anyone else think the small bunker at the front right of the seventh green is to stop balls running into that bank of Rhodo’s?
I wonder if this new accessibility will actually hurt Swinley and it may fall back in the rankings. I went to “Swinley Special” to see old photo’s there were very few poor quality. I consulted Darwin’s Guide to courses of GB&I and it’s not mentioned. Check out the Old golfing mags via the LA Foundation website and there’s not a single mention of the course. I suspect that part of the allure of the place was how little was known about it and how difficult it was to get on. Rye has a similar aura. Now it’s easier to get on will people start to question its place at the top table.
For my ability and the kind of golf I love its right up there, but if better golfers than me aren’t challenged will they stop rating the place so highly?
i.e. Are there a few too many blah drives? 5,6,7, 14,15,16?
With James (?) saying he kept his Driver in the bag in wet conditions, doesn’t that mark the place down a bit?
Two more questions
Should the fourth really be thought of as “redanish” – the tilt of the green being all wrong? Perhaps a discussion for another thread.
Did the look from the tee on 18th sit uneasily with what had gone before? Too fussy with the (New?) bunkers to the left and stream to the right.
Having said all that. “I’d go back there tomorrow, but for the work..."
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Tony,
You beat me to it on pointing out the imported nature of the Rhodos.
I know Ben kept his driver in the bag, not me! I'm the one that hits it short and straight so I did needed a driver in the wet conditions. Ben is the one that hits it a mile but not always in the right direction, so he needed to stay out of the Rhodos! ;D
Will the new accessibility hurt Swinley? I can see where you are coming from, but from what I've heard a lot of the groups and societies that play tend to be rather well to do, and not your average golf society?
And I certainly agree regarding the 4th. An awesome golf hole, but its not a Redan!
Cheers,
James
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Swinley without rhodos would be like a blonde without breasts.
MMM...Rhodo's are more like implants. They catch the eye but are not the real deal. Imported by Victorians they are environmentally unsound and in heathland they are officially a weed. I would side with Sean if they were everywhere but... I can live with them on these courses.
Anyone else think the small bunker at the front right of the seventh green is to stop balls running into that bank of Rhodo’s?
I wonder if this new accessibility will actually hurt Swinley and it may fall back in the rankings. I went to “Swinley Special” to see old photo’s there were very few poor quality. I consulted Darwin’s Guide to courses of GB&I and it’s not mentioned. Check out the Old golfing mags via the LA Foundation website and there’s not a single mention of the course. I suspect that part of the allure of the place was how little was known about it and how difficult it was to get on. Rye has a similar aura. Now it’s easier to get on will people start to question its place at the top table.
For my ability and the kind of golf I love its right up there, but if better golfers than me aren’t challenged will they stop rating the place so highly?
i.e. Are there a few too many blah drives? 5,6,7, 14,15,16?
With James (?) saying he kept his Driver in the bag in wet conditions, doesn’t that mark the place down a bit?
Two more questions
Should the fourth really be thought of as “redanish” – the tilt of the green being all wrong? Perhaps a discussion for another thread.
Did the look from the tee on 18th sit uneasily with what had gone before? Too fussy with the (New?) bunkers to the left and stream to the right.
Having said all that. “I’d go back there tomorrow, but for the work..."
Tony
We will have to agree to disagree about the rhodos.
I recall many people liking the stretch of 6-8 at least for its long avenue effect. The 6th along with the 5th may be the weakest two holes on the course, but it is a pity to say this because the 5th has a good green. In any case, I don't really like that long view up the hill for #s 6,7 & 8. It seems like something should be showcased - dare I say there should be a vista? The view just fizzles out, but what does become more noticeable is the road noise.
Scott
I want to spend a few minutes walking around the 8th and hitting shots to it. I have ended up in the same place, down right, everytime I played the hole.
It is wonderful that the trees don't really have any influence on the strategy of the holes - with the exception of the 12th. I didn't remember trees in really in play here before, but they are. Imagine back in the day when the corridors were even wider. Well, I don't think they were much wider, but now there are rhodos, bushes and the odd tree here and there. Below is evidence of their invasive nature.
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06757.jpg)
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06785.jpg)
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06756.jpg)
I think the 9th was much wider left originally - essentially the width of the rhodos.
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2010%2002%20Swinley%20Forest/DSC06791.jpg)
I am surprised nobody mentioned the 18th. I really like this hole and while the new bunkers could have been done better (one cans see how they really stand out from the green), at least the centre-line one is well positioned. My only real beef is I think they should have created fairway all down the left as a sort of red herring.
Does anybody think the 16th may play better as a par 5 with the tee shot needing to be shaped to have any chance of reaching the green in two? I also think the second might be more challenging. I was also thinking I wouldn't mind the 5th as a par 4 from tees below the back tees. It would bring the stupid pond in play off the tee.
Ciao
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Sean,
Regarding the 2nd playing tougher? After hitting a decent drive and a wedge to a couple of feet and walking off with a 3 ;D I was suprised that I had a shot and 4 points. Tom pointed out that when wet you can just throw a wedge at the green, but in summer the drive can bound on leaving a tricky pitch to a green sloping away from you, with a ditch to catch anything to short and a bunker over the back, making it a lot tougher in the summer.
I probably agree with you regarding the 5th as a long par 4, but not sure about 16 as a par 5?
Cheers,
James
ps We were on the 17th green while you were on the first and shouted across, but you probably didn't hear us for the noise of the rain on your brolly ::)
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Scott,
In my one visit to Swinley, I played 36 in just under 6 hours. It was firm & fast (May?) and was one of the finest golf experiences I've ever had. I was treated exceptionally well - was expecting a little pretentiousness based on privacy rumours but got the opposite...VERY laid back. I simply made a phone call (I was living 20 minutes down the road), pulled in - could easily have missed it - through the gate, walked into the clubhouse to check in and I was on the first tee within 5 minutes. they unexpectedly comped me when I gave a little of my background in the industry and I don't think I saw another soul all day! Truly special. I hope you are able to play it again under dryer conditions.
Cheers
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SWAG
Below is the aerial of 1 & 18. While I agree the bunkering is messed up, the concept of the centreline bunker over the stream in combo with the bunkers short right of the green is very good. All the club needs to do is
1. Remove the first fairway bunker.
2. Create fairway to the left of the second bunker.
3. Remove left greenside bunker.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/jmayhugh/swinley%20forest/sfaerial118.jpg)
Ciao
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I wonder if 18 is pushed right due to problems with properties down the left? I'll try and find out.
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I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.
When I played it several years ago, I surprised myself when, looking up the fw and the creek running diagonally through it, it brought to mind the 9th at Chastain Park in Atlanta (a/k/a North Fulton), a muni course designed by Chandler Egan as a WPA project in the 1930's.
Both are wonderful holes, both for the same reasons.
Bob
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I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.
When I played it several years ago, I surprised myself when, looking up the fw and the creek running diagonally through it, it brought to mind the 9th at Chastain Park in Atlanta (a/k/a North Fulton), a muni course designed by Chandler Egan as a WPA project in the 1930's.
Both are wonderful holes, both for the same reasons.
Bob
Bob,
I agree that 18 is fine as is - I don't see how it doesn't fit with the other 17 holes. While I think Sean's proposal is interesting, I really don't see any need to even have that discussion given the overall charm and greatness of the club as a whole. I live in Atlanta and have only driven by Chastain - I work in Vinings at The Lovett School - but will have to sometime now! If you ever want to get out, PM me!
Cheers
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I would like to hear what it is about the 18th that people dislike. I think it is a terrific hole. And beautiful to boot.
I liked the 18th too. It's the desktop on my computer at the moment. Maybe not the best hole there architecturally, but I love the looks of it.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/jmayhugh/swinley%20forest/sf18f.jpg)
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Will -
You gotta play Chastain. It now plays very short, it's not maintained very well, but several wonderful holes still shine through. I've thought for a long time that the 9th is one of the best par 4's in the city. It has a couple of par 3's that also deserve more recognition.
Bob
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What a wonderful place... I have a bunch of great photos from here (and elsewhere from the massive UK summer trip) but just haven't had time to post many of them on here. I will have to get to it one of these days. But I at least needed to put a couple of the 2nd as I too thought the cops to the right and the grass bunker area front left green side were quite unique and memorable. Just one of the many great holes out there...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/Turboe/GCA%20General/6584cc9c.jpg)
close up of grass bunker feature front left of green. Winds along kind of looks like a dry creek bed basically lined with grass.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/Turboe/GCA%20General/0b23fd49.jpg)
Wonderful setting of the par 3 4th
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/Turboe/GCA%20General/5c539e97.jpg)
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Wow, I never read this thread back when it was posted. But after my trip this summer and the chance to play Swinley I just finished reading it with much interest. Great details, and pictures, I have a ton of pics myself, but probably not a lot to add to John's. I may post some more on here eventually, but I just wanted to echo others comments on here when I said thank you for the time and effort putting this together.
It brought back a lot of great memories from our day there.
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No worries. Thanks for the kind words, Daryl.
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Scott,
The I read both this thread and John's original one with great interest the last few days. You both helped me while away some leisure time on Thanksgiving Day (alas that is something I don't seem to get much of is just a couple hours to lounge around and read posts from GCA anymore) As I said it meant much more to me now having seen Swinley a few months ago. I actually meant to post the comment I put above on Johns original thread to bump it up since it is buried much deeper in the archives. Thankfully your thread had already recently been brought to the forefront last month so that it came to my attention. I think I will repost the previous comments on Johns thread to bump it back up as well as I think they both have such good information on such a special place.
Thanks again for your and Johns great postings. Maybe when it gets colder here over the winter I will post more of my Swinley Forest (and other places) pics on here.