Stanwich Club vs Round Hill... The Mid-Am

[brad_miller]

Which course will the Mid-Am's prefer, qualifying for match play to take place with one round at each, match play at Stanwich.

Stanwich 1963? (Gorden)
Round Hill 1920's? (Travis)

Hope they are both as F&F as can be, but don't bet on it. My vote is for RH with a great rounting, fine mix of holes and wonderful ground features thru the green. Maybe Ran's brother John can fill us in. Both courses could use some chainshaw work, but then again what NY Metro area parkland course couldn't.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Brad,

I've always been against Stanwich as a Mid-am site.
I think the greens are too severe, especially if they're stimped up for a USGA competition.

I can't comment on Round Hill as I've never seen the golf course.

[jluke]

I now live in Texas but grew up playing Round Hill and love the course.  I have only played Stanwich once.  Stanwich is definitely more difficult, so the players will probably prefer Round Hill where they will be able to score more easily (only about 6600 yds from the back tees).

However, my father tells me that the super at RHC has been watering the course heavily, so F&F will probably not be the case.  That is a shame, because the greens are quite small with some great features - its the short game that make a good round at that course.  Stanwich is a solid track, but somewhat unmemorable.

[GeoffreyC]

Brad

I think you know my answer- Round Hill is the better course by far but my guess is that the players will prefer Stanwich.  Why- because its straightforward with obvious strategies.  Even the severe greens are somewhat repetitive and a practice round or two will suggest where to miss and where you can be more agressive.  Those newly planted willows that line every water hazard in driving areas are really poor.

Round Hill on the other hand is a hidden gem in Connecticut.  The Travis greensites and greens are wonderful and its filled with variety, quirk and fun.  Its on a really good property (but so is Stanwich) as well. Round Hill might not have quite the brawn as Westchester CC but its cut from the same mold with its own unique features.

[SPDB]

I think RHC will hold its own. It's primary defenses, the knobs in the fairway, the numerous uneven lies, and the countless blind shots, will drive some of the players nuts. Astonishingly, I don't find some of Ken Dye's work there as nauseating as some of his other redesigns. RTJ's stamp was made with the requisite par 3 over the water, which I believe I have seen in two spots in NJ.

[John_Conley]

If Smyers shoots high scores, will he blame the architect?

(I'll go on record for predicting he WON'T shoot high scores.)

[corey miller]

GCA'ers Round Hill 70%-30%
mid-ams  Stanwich  70%-30%

Stanwich does not make my top five in CT.

[TEPaul]

I've always heard Stanwich is a really long track--is that true? Well even if it isn't all that long I was talking yesterday to one of those young guns from here who qualified for the MidAm and I told him it was really long!

He's never been to the place, doesn't know anything about it and he thought about that for a second and just said; "No Problem!"

This guy really flatout kills it--everything, driver, 3 wood, all his irons! It would be nice to go into a tournament with that mindset on a long course!

Luckily, the only club in his bag he doesn't hit forever is his putter!

[brad_miller]

Does the book "Golf Courses of the MGA" have scorecards? If so maybe someone will scan in.

Tom, long from the tips, not that long from member tees, I believe they will be playing a mix.