The Orchard

[Steve Curry]

Berkshire Hills 13th and 14th were routed through one and we still have a couple of the trees left.  Down to the last now, but still producing is one pear tree that was a wonderful distraction for many years.  People would lose half their clubs in the fall trying to break free one of these delicious pears.  I was at Somersett the other day and saw that they have restored their orchard on the first and third holes.  Do you like this idea?  Do you know of other courses that have done the same?

Steve

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I've an inkling that the terrifying drive on the 6th at Royal Liverpool is over part of an old orchard - whether it still produces fruit I cannot say.  I remember playing at a course in North Wales, Padeswood and Buckley (I don't suppose anyone on GCA has ever played it - there's a challenge!) and the second hole is a long par 3 running beside the line of an ancient hedge.  When I played there (in October) the green was littered with crab apples and the scent of embryonic cider was unforgettable.  I thought of Hagen's instruction not to forget to smell the flowers along the way.  Gorgeous!

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I've a feeling that one of the courses near Valencia in Spain runs through an orange plantation (Escorpion or El Bosque, perhaps) and there were certainly olives on the Donald Steel course I played in Cyprus some years ago shortly after it opened, Tsada.  

[Dan_Callahan]

Although it's been a while since I've played there, I think the RTJ course at Lyman Orchards (in CT) runs through an apple orchard. All of the holes are named after a different kind of apple (macintosh, red delicious,  granny smith, etc.).

[Jim_Kennedy]

Steve,
One of the nines at Apple Greens in NY is routed through an orchard and they encourage you to pick a few while playing.

A few holes of the new holes at Red Hook CC, also in NY, ran through an Orchard but condos now grow instead of apple trees.

[Steve Curry]

Orchard Creek in Altamont, Ny is run through an orchard and they still operate as one.  It’s a great combination.  The question is more of it being a restoration concept.  I feel it is wise to maintain the historical integrity?

Steve

[Michael_Stachowicz]

The cool thing about golf is the journey that is taken during the play of the game.  So whether it be throught the mountains, a wine vineyard, along the ocean, or though an old orchard it is worthwhile.  Anything you can do to restore the original journey, should be done.  This also adds the much coveted but often elusive  trait called character.

The journey and setting can trump the design, that is how important it is.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Steve,

Apple Ridge, in Mahwah, N.J. was built through an apple orchard, and some of it remains intact.

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