Aerial of the Day #53 (and 54) - 22 Mar 2002

[Scott_Burroughs]

If it wasn't timely and this course didn't have certain features that make it obvious, I think this course might be tough to figure out.  Maybe it's just me.  This aerial's a little difficult to look at at first.



This one, though, is one of the most pleasant surprises I've seen doing this aerial thing.  I barely knew the name, and knew even less about the course, but this aerial is one of the most impressive LOOKING courses from above I've seen.  I'll wait to hear if the course lives up to it's aerial.

Hardly a tree on the course and that tannish pink color between the holes is "heath", usually tall fescue.

And BOY, that has to be the largest green I've even seen, just above the clubhouse.  It's about 3 times bigger than any other green on the course, square footage-wise.  That would be an interesting story behind that one.  It doesn't appear to be like the putting green/18th green combination at Oakmont.

Enjoy!



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[redanman]

Both of these courses have a variation of the Muench "Scream Bunker".  Same architect?  

Scott, do you really think #1 would be all that hard with the exposure it has had over the years?

[THuckaby2]

That is odd coloring and shading on #1.  But it just happens to have what has to be one of the most recognizable holes on earth, as seen from the air.  And yes, it is timely!

#2 looks very cool indeed.  I sure as heck don't know what it is yet!  It does look strangely familiar to me though...

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Upon further research, that mammoth green is the 18th green.

Bill,

Other than 16-18, what else is obvious?  The only other hole I recognize is 14.  I guess I say this given that I don't really watch that much Tour golf, other than the majors, and sometimes not even those.  Sometimes I see more majors on Thursday and Friday coverage because weekends are always busy.  I saw virtually nothing of the two recent Opens at Shinnecock, the recent Open at Oakland Hills, not much at Oakmont in 94.  Didn't see the massacre at Pebble in 2000, I was travelling (to play golf).   I see more of the British Open because it's on in the morning before we get busy.  The Masters has T-F coverage.  The only PGA coverage I remember seeing much of is Tiger-Bob May playoff.  Didn't see DL3 at WF.  

A little off-topic, but my explanation.

[THuckaby2]

Scott - all you need is one recognizable hole to identify a golf course!

This one has 3, as you say.

But you're right, block out those and I wouldn't get it.

TH

[Mike Cirba]

Might a fellow with the last name of "Reid" be responsible for the second course?

[Scott_Burroughs]

That large 18th green above is 21,000 sq ft in size and supposedly has an "elephant" buried in the middle.  Has anyone heard of a green near that size that isn't a double green a la The Old Course?

[redanman]

Bill,

Other than 16-18, what else is obvious?  

That's enough, isn't it?

[Tom Steenstrup]

I'd say all four par 5s are easy to pick out on the first one. That is a great collection.

Is the second course a new layout? It certainly has a large number of tee boxes.

Tom

[Scott_Burroughs]

#2 is an "old" course, though it has had some work done fairly recently.

Mike,

 

[ChipOat]

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the first one - can't understand why it's not in every magazine's Top 20.

[Scott_Burroughs]

#2 is the first course from it's state that I've shown.  It has hosted (at least) a couple of majors.  It is part of a 36-hole complex.

[Will E]

Scott,
If you ever get up to my neck of the woods, "I WOOD" be glad to show you around #54. It reminds me of a mini-Shinnecock. The 18th green is really that big, it is not a practice green a la Oakmont's 9th.
Today's aerials are of two of my favorite courses, thanks!

[SPDB]

shooter - where is your neck of the woods?

[kilfara]

Oddly enough, I figured the first one out (the first of these I've even come close to getting, of the ones I've looked at) because of no. 11 - for some reason the islands in the fairway bunker immediately struck a chord. Funny what tricks the mind can play on you!

No idea about the second...

Cheers,
Darren

[Scott_Burroughs]

#1 of course is TPC@Sawgrass.  If you don't know this, turn in your password!    See other thread for more info, and any golf mag site has plenty.

#2 is the Old course at Indianwood G@CC, in Lake Orion, MI, between Detroit and Flint, MI.  Designed by Wilfrid Reid and William Connellan in 1925 and "renovated" in 1988 by Bob Cupp for the 1989 U.S. Women's Open in 1989.  It also held the Women's Open in 1994.

The sister course (New) was also done by Cupp (and Jerry Pate) in 1988 and is more parkland and I think has some housing.  Both courses are tough at 74.7, 141 (Old, only 6798 yards) and 75.2, 150 (6916) from tips.

The Old has been or still is on several Top 100 lists.

[THuckaby2]

First course from the great state of Michigan?  I didn't realize that... VERY cool.  I watched each of the women's opens there - looked damn good on TV also.  Add this to my here's hoping for, some day list!

TH

[Will E]

spdb,
My neck of the woods for the past 5 years has been Ann Arbor, I'm in the process of moving to Chicago.
Indianwood is one of the great 36 hole complexes around. I'd even choose IW over Oakland Hills (for 36, not 18).

The new course at IW is a typical "BIG 80's" course, lots of contrived mounds, really tough, forced carries, etc.. I'd say it looks like Jerry Pate was trying to create his version of the bear in SE MI. It's a little over the top at times, esp from the back tees. Not my favorite, but a strong 5.  Like Nicklaus I think Pate has gotten better over time and if brought back could make this a lot better (softer).

The Old course is really cool. As I said before, think mini Shinnecock. It plays fast and the grasses give the place a stunning look in the summer, otherwise I think the aerial speaks for itself. Number 4 in the lower left hand corner is wonderful, the tee shot plays into a hill and the second shot is semi-blind, playing to a green that is similar to what is found at NGLA.