Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Adam Lawrence on September 19, 2016, 04:04:50 AM
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As many here will know, Tom Doak isn't the only architect who has been working on a reversible course of late. Frank Pont has _two_ reversible projects in Europe that he expects to start building this winter, and Dan Hixson has been creating one too -- Silvies Valley Ranch in Oregon. I stumbled across the website for the course just now... it looks rather appealing.
http://www.silviesvalleyranch.com/golf.php (http://www.silviesvalleyranch.com/golf.php)
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Adam:
I invited Dan Hixson to come play in the Renaissance Cup at Forest Dunes, and he did! He told me his course is quite different from The Loop - with a lot more topography to sort out, he built something like 27 greens to get two separate courses with some shared (reversed) fairways and greens. I will try to make a reciprocal visit in the next year or two when I'm out west ... but when I looked at the map to find it, I smiled that people think Forest Dunes is out in the boondocks!
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FD is fairly simple to get to. Anything in Oregon is a PITA unless you live there.
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Adam:
I invited Dan Hixson to come play in the Renaissance Cup at Forest Dunes, and he did! He told me his course is quite different from The Loop - with a lot more topography to sort out, he built something like 27 greens to get two separate courses with some shared (reversed) fairways and greens. I will try to make a reciprocal visit in the next year or two when I'm out west ... but when I looked at the map to find it, I smiled that people think Forest Dunes is out in the boondocks!
Yes, I looked at the map and had a similar reaction!
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I have been following the progress of SVR for a while now, and am very excited to see it someday. It is a beautiful part of the country, but it is definitely WAY of the beaten path.
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Way off the beaten path is right!
I lived in Oregon for 9 years and never got close to that part of the state (and I drove through much of Oregon).
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And here I thought the neighboring course Bear Valley was a must play. Pete Pittock has played it. Slag Bandoon has played it. Even my buddy Bruce has played it. ;)
Pete might get on this thread and let you know when it'll open.
The area where Silvies Valley is is a magical mountain meadow IMO.
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I believe our good friend Slag was involved in the building of Silvies Valley. His bunker work at Wine Valley is terrific.
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I believe that means he played Bear Valley every Thursday evening with men's club.
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first I've heard of this
it's a long ways from anywhere, yet that is the beauty, just like many other well known modern courses
we'll have to see as it looks to be a hybrid of reversibility in that it has many shared fairways but many independent greens
the golf season may be March -November
interesting! hope they have deep pockets
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the golf season may be March -November
Dan said April, not March ... I was asking if I might get up there if I was in Bandon this winter.
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the golf season may be March -November
Dan said April, not March ... I was asking if I might get up there if I was in Bandon this winter.
well at least I was only one month off being a non-"architect", LOL
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I think our own Slag Bandoon actually *worked* on it. Hopefully he chimes in with his experience and insight.
Peter
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all I have is an unsubstantiated rumor about an opening. My reading of Hixson's writing on the website is construction is complete, and is at grow-in stage. It is too late in the season to open this year. I heard that the ranch does not want to open the course until the other activities and amenities on property are available. That is all I know except it is a longer trip than to Bandon for Portanders.
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This post makes me wonder how many more 'secret' courses are in the works out there that I have never heard of. Does anyone keep a good, comprehensive list of new courses under construction or development?
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This post makes me wonder how many more 'secret' courses are in the works out there that I have never heard of. Does anyone keep a good, comprehensive list of new courses under construction or development?
I know a new course opened in the Toronto area this year - Lebovic, a Doug Carrick design. I know little more about it, but it is surprising that a new course could open in such a thriving and popular area and not get mentioned on here.
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This post makes me wonder how many more 'secret' courses are in the works out there that I have never heard of. Does anyone keep a good, comprehensive list of new courses under construction or development?
I know a new course opened in the Toronto area this year - Lebovic, a Doug Carrick design. I know little more about it, but it is surprising that a new course could open in such a thriving and popular area and not get mentioned on here.
Doug had been working on that course for over twenty years! He said he first drew up plans for it in 1996, but planning issues delayed it by two decades!
I believe he had another opening this year as well, can't quite remember where.
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This post makes me wonder how many more 'secret' courses are in the works out there that I have never heard of. Does anyone keep a good, comprehensive list of new courses under construction or development?
I know a new course opened in the Toronto area this year - Lebovic, a Doug Carrick design. I know little more about it, but it is surprising that a new course could open in such a thriving and popular area and not get mentioned on here.
Doug had been working on that course for over twenty years! He said he first drew up plans for it in 1996, but planning issues delayed it by two decades!
I believe he had another opening this year as well, can't quite remember where.
20 years will likely beat the Union Bay project by a decade.
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This project has been a long time in the works precisely because Dan Hixson wanted to do it the right way. He and Norbert have been diligently working away (in between horrible weather and crazy Malheur "occupier" incidents! LOL) for what seems like about 5-6 seasons now.
If I recall correctly, Dan said he had a ton of land to choose from and there would be no excuses for cramped or tight quarters. When making comparisons, he felt amongst modern gems the palette at Silvies reminded him a lot of Tom Doak's Rock Creek Cattle.
I consider Dan to be a soft spoken and tactical self promoter. He's not much for grand proclamations and big braggadocio, but I bet he's pretty pleased with how the course turned out.
The reversible course idea gains steam, although there's no doubt that Burns, OR is definitely BFE.
(http://www.silviesvalleyranch.com/gphotos/Picture4.png)
(http://www.silviesvalleyranch.com/gphotos/Picture1.png)(http://www.silviesvalleyranch.com/gphotos/Picture13.png)
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July 2017. Kemper Sports.
The Silvies Valley Ranch website http://silviesvalleyranch.com publishes an occasional newsletter, and you can sign up on the main page. The latest issue was yesterday. In addition to the above news there are a lot of pictures.
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God darned Lawrence should pay attention to the great golfing website of the mighty Niagara...
http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/2015-interview-series-with-dan-hixson/ (http://buffalogolfer.com/wordpress/2015-interview-series-with-dan-hixson/)
I'd wanted to get to Wine Valley when I was out west last fall, but it rained buckets and buckets, so I went to my last name, instead:
https://peregrinoverde.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/return-to-healthy-mountain/ (https://peregrinoverde.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/return-to-healthy-mountain/)
I loved Bandon Crossings (Hixson, as well) and think that he is a talent and a half.
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I dont see any cart paths. Is it walking only?
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Don't know with 100% certainty. My guess is there will be carts.
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Really excited to get out there and play this. Been looking for an excuse to drive east for awhile :)
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Completely off topic: watch your speed on that lonely central Oregon highway that gets you to Burns. It seems like every time I drive it, someone blows by driving much faster than the posted 55 mph speed limit. Invariably, I see them later pulled over by the highway patrol. Once I was driving west at a very reasonable 65 mph (on cruise control) and got passed by a cop who ignored me. That must be an acknowledgement that 55 for a uncrowded western highway in perfect conditions is just too slow. Also their limit of tolerance for how much.
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Others might have already mentioned this, but I see that Kemper Sports will be managing Silvies Valley Ranch (SVR) golf course here in Oregon.
This is also the first I have heard of the 8-hole McVeigh's Gauntlet and the 9-hole 3 par Chief Egan course at SVR. I'm looking forward to checking it out after completely enjoying my time at Hixson's Wine Valley last year.
http://www.kempersports.com/about-us/news/Press-Releases/1/143_SILVIES-VALLEY-RANCH-OPENS-NEW-FRONTIER-RETREAT-DEEP-IN-THE-PURE-WEST#pr (http://www.kempersports.com/about-us/news/Press-Releases/1/143_SILVIES-VALLEY-RANCH-OPENS-NEW-FRONTIER-RETREAT-DEEP-IN-THE-PURE-WEST#pr)
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Another article on Silvies Valley Ranch
http://golftodaynw.com/silvies-valley-ranch-golf-return-dan-hixson/
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The article Steve cites includes a schedule. The two courses open this year in July. The short course near the clubhouse will open later in the year. The McVeigh's Gauntlet hillside course will open in 2016.
I read a recent article that intimated this year's opening would generally be geared towards generating publicity. Found the article at http://btimesherald.com/2017/02/08/court-discusses-retreat-at-silvies-valley-ranch/ (http://btimesherald.com/2017/02/08/court-discusses-retreat-at-silvies-valley-ranch/). The two sentences that stood out are
This summer, The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch will host reporters from golf magazines who will write about the retreat and surrounding communities. Marshall said that, in the second year, the retreat will focus on recruiting destination tourists who are “looking for that unique, frontier, Western experience in Silvies Valley
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hope to go next year or thereafter, thanks
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Found that article and it is included in Reply 27.
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I drove 395 north from Burns. past what I gather must be the course (tho saw no notice or signs etc,) last October.
One of the most beautiful drives I've ever done.
In fact I've driven it twice, actually, and it's splendid country, if you like rolling ranch land.
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There is a website! http://www.silviessimplyamazing.com/ (http://www.silviessimplyamazing.com/)
Not much there, but its a start. No pricing listed but it should be similar to Bandon costs. I do know it is daily fee for unlimited play. No on-line booking, but you can call for reservations at 877-6-SILVIES. Too many numbers. 1-800-745 8437 or 541-573 5150.
If you click on the activities page they have total eclipse of the sun packages for 3($1800pp) or 4 nights($2100pp). That includes two days of golf. plus a Marathon Coach eclipse tour. Do not know if they are full.
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Matt Ginella visited the course this week.
"Quite the scouting trip to @SilviesRetreat (https://twitter.com/SilviesRetreat) for Dan Hixson's impressive and super fun reversible routing. (Now open for preview play.)"
Related tweets....
https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889924047655628805 (https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889924047655628805)
https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889930298032439296 (https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889930298032439296)
https://twitter.com/WorldGolfer/status/889929488066379779 (https://twitter.com/WorldGolfer/status/889929488066379779)
https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889932351085592576 (https://twitter.com/MattGinellaGC/status/889932351085592576)
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Hmm, I wonder how Matt got from Bandon to Silvies Valley Ranch. I guess he could drive, or fly from Eugene to Portland to Bend
If you were trying to get from Bandon to Silvies Ranch, it looks like a 6.5 hour drive.
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Scott,
That's the bitch of Oregon. If you're going to Portland, its super easy and convenient, but getting to pretty much everything else is a PIA.
Its a fact of life living west of the Mississippi...
P.S. The closest big city to Salt Lake City is Vegas...6 hours away.
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I hope a couple of posters from our site will get to this place soon, so we can stop linking the p.r. stuff and actually hear a first-hand report on the course. I enjoyed talking to Dan Hixson about it at The Loop last summer. The two courses are very different, but it looks like he had a really dramatic piece of land to build on.
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I hope a couple of posters from our site will get to this place soon, so we can stop linking the p.r. stuff and actually hear a first-hand report on the course. I enjoyed talking to Dan Hixson about it at The Loop last summer. The two courses are very different, but it looks like he had a really dramatic piece of land to build on.
Pete Pittock was to play when first opened. Haven't heard back about it. Guess he has been to busy fending off my Sagebrush critisms.
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Was going to as soon as medical issue clears up. It will be without pictures for the meantime.
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Was going to as soon as medical issue clears up. It will be without pictures for the meantime. Spent the last two hours getting an attack on my computer closed down didn't help.
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I expect to go there in September. Will fly into Boise - slightly less than three hours from there.
I worked with Dan (and got to know Slag) during the opening of Wine Valley. Dan is a smart and talented guy, and I have no doubt that Silvies is an incredible golf experience. Like Tom D, I am eager to begin hearing the tales of actual visitors!
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Bear with me. After some issues I am about 1/6 done editing/labelling the pictures. There are two ways I can design the thread. Would you like to see the courses from beginning to end, or focus on one section of both courses, for example 1-3 of Hankins is also 17-18 Craddock and then continue to the next section. That could go sideways when the routes diverge.
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I'd go sequentially for each course, as you'd experience it if playing one, then the other.
But that's just me ;)
Thanks for photos!!
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Pete, I appreciate your time and effort in providing us a window in to Silvies Valley's course(s). It is an interesting question you pose. I'd agree with Brad that going sequentially as if played makes the most sense. It will be neat to reference back (e.g. 1 Hankins / 18 Craddock) when reviewing to pick up on how Dan worked through the design/playability issues. Wonder if it warrants different posts that could be linked one to another by paired course holes?
I'm still hopeful to get out there before the winter hits us!
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In any case you will have to refer to the map on the Silvies website. No map on the scorecard, no yardage book available at the time of the visit. The Hankins course was previously named the Grant course.
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Some related stories...
http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/retreat-at-silvies-valley-ranch-16514.htm (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/retreat-at-silvies-valley-ranch-16514.htm)
http://www.bendbulletin.com/lifestyle/5488349-151/silvies-valley-resort-builds-tourism-in-harney-and (http://www.bendbulletin.com/lifestyle/5488349-151/silvies-valley-resort-builds-tourism-in-harney-and)
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Golf Digest makes a visit to Silvies Valley Ranch...
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/silvies-valley-ranch-retreat-and-links-prepare-to-be-fascinated-by-a-remote-oregon-golf-course-and-its-not-bandon-dunes (https://www.golfdigest.com/story/silvies-valley-ranch-retreat-and-links-prepare-to-be-fascinated-by-a-remote-oregon-golf-course-and-its-not-bandon-dunes)
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(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e69/rsfpar/silvies%20valley%20ranch/craddock%20course/038_zpstogldl89.jpg) (http://s37.photobucket.com/user/rsfpar/media/silvies%20valley%20ranch/craddock%20course/038_zpstogldl89.jpg.html)
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This is the Craddock Loop. I was fortunate to play both loops and several weeks earlier played the loops at Forest Dunes. Both are sensational courses but only similar in Loop capabilities. Silvies Ranch is similar to Rock Creek, whereas I felt like Forest Dunes was closer to Walton Heath in the fall. Obviously this should be taken as a feel for the property, not as design copy. Silvies Ranch is around 4000 elevation, so the ball flies a good 15-20 more on the drive. Pretty certain that it will try to play as firm as Wine Valley once the grass has matured.
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