Off the Radar Screen

[Dave_Miller]

Here's a few:

Sakonnet and Point Judith in Rhode Island

Winchester and Charles River in Massachusetts

Rolling Green in Springfield, Pa.

Cheers,
Dave

[Scott_Burroughs]

Dave,

Rolling Green is #62 on Golfweek's Top 100 Classic list.

[Jeff_Lewis]

Geoffrey, I agree about Siwanoy, which was opened up nicely on the work they did about 3-4 years ago. Do you recall who did that project? For some reason, Ken Dye comes to mind for me. He did some work at Old Oaks, for which Allison sometimes gets credit and also Tillinghast. I have not seen that result, but I am told it is a fairly good job, with some significant bunker work.

As I think about the unranked top 10 of the NY Metro Area would be pretty darned good, wouldn't it?

[Mike_Cirba]

I believe Arthur Hills was responsible for the work at Siwanoy, believe it or not.  

[Jeff_Lewis (Guest)]

Hmmm. Really. Mike, have you seen the work? Do you agree that it was a pretty good job?

[Mike_Cirba]

Jeff;

No, I haven't seen the work, but I know that GeoffreyC & BillV played the course post-work, and both raved about what they found there.  I was somewhat shocked to later read that the work had been overseen by Hills, who has done some rather controversial "restorations" in the DC area.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike Cirba,

Are you positive it was Arthur Hills ?

[TEPaul]

It was Art Hills!

I don't know the restoration but maybe this would be a good time to realize any course and any restoration should be looked at on a case by case or course by course basis and not get into condemning something ONLY because a particular architect did it!

[Patrick_Mucci]

TEPaul,

Are you suggesting an unbiased evaluation based upon the analysis of specific courses, sticking solely to the FACTS, and not hearsay, or preconceived predisposition ?  

You sure have come a long way  

[Mike_Cirba]

Patrick;

I don't know the extent or nature of Mr. Hills recent work at Siwanoy, but I thought I stated "I believe it was Art Hills" in my original post, indicating some degree of uncertainty.

Turns out it was.  From Hills website comes the following;


Arthur Hills / Steve Forrest and Associates has worked with over 100 courses throughout the United States on golf course renovation and improvement programs. The scope of work can vary from course to course depending on the age and condition of the course. Following are examples of course improvement programs:

Master Plan- an overall plan of improvements for the entire golf course that is within the framework of the existing course routing.

Minor Renovation- may be working with just one component of the golf course such as rebuilding the tee complexes, bunkers, or adding an irrigation pond.

Major renovation- normally includes the complete rebuilding of the greens, extensive bunkering enhancements and may involve changing the routing of some of the golf holes.

Restoration- restoring the original character as designed by a noted architect such as Donald Ross yet within the context of today’s design standards for distance and playability.
 
Some of the clubs we have worked with most recently:
 
Barton Hills Country Club, Ann Arbor, MI Kenwood Country Club, Cincinnati, OH
Burning Tree Golf Club, Bethesda, MD Milwaukee Country Club, Milwaukee, WI
Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, MD Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, PA
Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, MD Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville, NY  
Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst, NC The Club at Pelican Bay, Naples, FL  
Half Moon Bay Golf Links Half Moon Bay, CA University of Kentucky Golf Club, Lexington, KY
Inverness Club, Toledo, OH Westmoreland Country Club, Wilmette, IL
Hermitage CC, Richmond, VA

I should also add the C&W indicates that Tom Winton, RTJ Sr., and Geoffrey Cornish/Wm. Robinson all made some revisions over the years, but I don't know any of the details.

Patrick;

Do you have evidence to the contrary?

[SPDB]

Ran should remove the flags, and/or picture of Banff on the front page and replace it with the following quote, in boldfaced 32 point type

BTW - it was def. Art Hills.

any course and any restoration should be looked at on a case by case or course by course basis and not get into condemning something ONLY because a particular architect did it!

[GeoffreyChilds]

We were told that Art Hills did the most recent work at Siwanoy.  THere are a number of photos in the aerial of the day thread on Siwanoy.

The work at Siwanoy should continue.  Several greens need to be expanded to their original size.  On the first hole it is obvious that some mounding and interesting contours were originally green space. They are now chipping areas.  While there isn't a severe problem with trees, many could still be removed to improve vistas and lines of play.  The worst feature at Siwanoy is the stupid pond with a stone wall surrounding it  on the 12th hole. I believe Hills created that pond from the lovely stream that is so well utilized on the remainder of the property. Siwanoy is a place that Ross fans and golf architecture fans should try to see.