Aerial of the Day #100

[Mike Nuzzo]

For the commerative 100th issue I wanted to get close to the home of golf.
Thanks Scott.

[SPDB]

The hills are alive with the sound of terror.

[redanman]

Interesting comparison.  

[Mike_Cirba]

The home of golf, or the home of a ruling body?

It looks awesome.  Can't wait to play there someday.  

I know BillV's alias would like to see if the second hole matches expectations.

[redanman]

Agreed, Mike

The course looks well-seasoned.

[Mike Nuzzo]

It should have been named the Amy Alcott race track.

[Jeff_Lewis]

How wonderful that trees were never allowed to encroach upon the nine at the top of the screen. I can NEVER get straight which is the front and which is the back, as they seem to change that all the time around here. Any opinions on which is better, or does it even matter?

[Bruceski]

Okay, guys. Sorry for my ignorance,    but I want to learn more. Please say the name of the course...

[Mike Nuzzo]

Bruceski-
The AOTD was started as a "fun" quiz.
Generally it gets revealed by many of the clues throughout
the day.  
If not I'll shed the light on this course beautiful.
mike

[ChipOat]

Bruceski:

Not until after 1:00 EDT.  Clues only until then.

Jeff:

The treeless nine is the front.

Clues:

Known as quirky; alleged to be an unchanged original
although something must have been done over the years;
18th as weak as the 2nd is strong; Alcott - si, Lopez - no;
club president lost on 9/11 (I believe); strong connection
to...............whoops, too obvious - better save that one for later.

Comment:

The short par 3 across the pond in the lower left isn't as scary as it looks - still a fine hole, though.  

[Mike Nuzzo]

I haven't been keeping with the 1:00 rule but here goes anyway....

Somerset Hills Country Club
A.W. Tillinghast - Architect
Founded 1899
Course opened 1917

GCA writeup:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/somersethills1.html

Par 71 - 6572 yds
71.8 - 129 (rating - slope)

"When the USGA moved it headquaters, museum, and library
from Manhattan to Far Hills, NJ, several of its officials soon
realized an unexpected bonus - their new office was just a
few miles away."

"the front side originally a links laid out over barren terrain on
the old Olcott race track."

Amy Alcott won the 1973 USGA Junior Girls Championship here.

#2 is the Redan.

My favorite clue.....

"The Course Beautiful" is a compilation book of tillie articles.

See also:

http://www.tillinghast.net

Cheers.

[Coral_Ridge]

Viewing what I consider to be number 18, it looks like quite an interesting Par 4 (left and slightly below the Clubhouse).  Anyone who has played there care to describe it, and if that type of hole has name, call it.

[ChipOat]

#18 at Somerset Hills pretty anti-climactic for a finishing
hole IMO.  Drive and short iron uphill; sort of like Olympic,
Inverness and original Bethpage Black.

Best hole is probably #2 (Redan) although all the par 3's are
pretty good.  Back nine is wooded, front nine more open
and "old fashioned" looking.

Curtis Cup held there within the last 10 years or so.

A wonderful, quiet old low-key club.  Sort of like Myopia Hunt
with a better golf course.

Looks nothing like Winged Foot, Quaker Ridge, Baltusrol, et al.