AOTD #279 (and 280) - 16 Jan 2003 (Olympia Fields)

[Scott_Burroughs]

Probably a few waiting for this one.  I captured this one quite
a while ago, but then Mapquest updated it with a larger
version, though not quite as colorful.  The course may have
opened a few changes as well...




The stumper for today is yet another B&W aerial, though
supposedly a very good course for its type.  I know that
this course has been altered since this photo was taken.

Interesting tidbit on both aerials today is that each has 10 consecutive parallel fairways, with a road in there on #2.

[Ken Boltz]

#1 is the grander of its 2 venues. Willie should be proud of how it still stands up. I suppose we'll see very soon.

[Scott_Burroughs]

As Ken stated, #1 has a sister course, not shown, which is
also a quality layout.

You might think that this might be governor's and senators'
home course in Washington (state), on open land, but it's
not.

Directionally speaking this is the more noted of the two
layouts, but not by much.


As for #2, this course has been labelled by several on this
site as the best coruse of it's specific kind, relating to
someone referred to in yesterday's thread.

It's also a wonder why I've never played it.

Is Dante's Peak located here?

[Scott_Burroughs]

A little surprised at the lack of response for #1, a prominent course.

Two previous AOTDs have a very similar name to #1.

How do you snag The Big One here?  Host the older one first
to see if you can do it and the players approve of the course.

Did Arnold Schwarzenegger win here seven times?


Is #2 Screen Gems' home course?

Have the celebrities who vacation on the private ocho-shaped
isle near here rented pullcarts at this ultraaffordable venue?

Mr. Multi-AOTD builds one for the townfolk.

[Scott_Burroughs]

A few RTJ, Sr.-like pinched fairways in #1.

Don't worry, you'll see a lot more of #1 come mid-June.



#1 has had two previous AOTDs with a similar name and #2
has had one previous AOTD with the exact same name (other
than the type name of club).

#2 is nearby a private club named Pine Valley.

[Matt Dupre]

#1 actually has some nice elevation changes (primarily in the lower right hand corner) considering it's in such a generally flat midwestern area.

The trees help with the wind a little, but not much!

And I'm near Pine Valley, and I still have no clue regarding #2...

[Mike Benham]

For #1, why is there a void of trees in the northwest portion of the course, where the eastern side is dense, similar to "Olympic-Lake"?

[Anthony Nysse]

Hi-Ho, Chicago...who needs corporate tents when you have a clubhouse of that size!!

[SPDB*]

Nice ruse on the Pine Valley clue.
i think i got it. I hear that the bunkers are simply devane.

[Scott_Burroughs]

#1 will be on TV in June a LOT.

Both of today's courses have GCA profiles.

MDupre,

I didn't say which Pine Valley...

Doug W,

Our folks live near #2.

[Scott_Burroughs]

#1 is the North course at Olympia Fields CC, in Olympia
Fields, IL, just south of Chicago, designed by Willie Park.  It
will host the U.S. Open in June.  It also hosted the 1997 U.S.
Senior Open.

My reference to probable changes made since aerial was
taken refers to usual USGA modifications for U.S. Opens.

A My Home Course write-up of OFCC, with pics, can be found
near the bottom here:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/mhcd.html

The club web site is here:

http://www.olympiafieldscc.com

Here's the original aerial capture I had done of OF (N):




other clues include:

U.S. "open"

"see it mid-June"

"has a sister course", the South, that is quality (hosted 1928
U.S. Open, though that doesn't necessarily mean quality).

"might think it's governor's and senators' home course in
Washington (state)" refers to WA capitol of "Olympia"
and "on open land" = "fields"

"directionally speaking"..."two layouts" = "North" and South
courses at OFCC.

2 prevous AOTDs with similar name refer to Olympic (Lake)
and (Ocean).

"snag The Big One" (U.S. Open) by hosting "older one" ('97
Senior Open) first.  Pat Mucci mentioned this in another
thread.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger" was a "7-time winner" of
Mr. "Olympia"

"Chicago"

"has GCA profile"



#2 is Wilmington Municipal GC, in Wilmington, NC, designed
by Donald Ross.  WM has been referred to here by several as
Ross best municipal layout, easily.

My reference to knowing this course has been altered since
this 10 year old pic refers to the restoration of WM in the
recent years.

The GCA write-up, with pics of course, can be found here:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/wilmington1.html


other clues include:

Ross was referred to in yesterday's Taconic thread

My folks live in Wilmington, NC and yet, unfortunately, I've
never played this course.  Probably the free golf on my folks'
course....

"Dante's Peak" is a movie about a volcano.  #4 here is
referred to as the Volcano hole.

"Screen Gems" movie studios is based in Wilmington.

"celebrities who vacation on the private ocho-shaped
isle near here" refers to nearby posh Figure-Eight Island,
where celebrities stay and live, even Al Gore and family.

"rented pullcarts at this ultraaffordable venue" refers to a muni.

"previous AOTD with same name" = "Wilmington" CC's South course.

"Mr. Multi-AOTD builds one for the townfolk" = Ross muni

there is a private club in Wilmington called Pine Valley CC.

"GCA profile" on WM

[Scott_Burroughs]

Just bringing Olympia Fields back to the top for U.S. Open
week.  It didn't get much commentary the first go-round.

An abundant number of pinched fairway landing zones.  I
predict many irons off the tees (Tiger has already said he will
do this after his recent round there w/MJ).

The revelation post above has a link to the GCA write-up of OF(N).

[Nigel_Walton]

Is anyone else bothered by the lack of a par 5 on the back 9 with this special re-routing? Is a need to re-route a course for a tournament a sign of weakness?