New Mike Nicklaus course now open - Chester Co, PA

[Dan Herrmann]

FYI - It looks like the Applecross (PA-M. Nicklaus) course construction is underway.  Way too early for my untrained eye to be able to tell what type of design it'll be.

Anybody have a contact over there?  It'd be an interesting walkthru type tour if they're open to that sort of thing.

[Joe Bausch]

Dan, I have no contacts over there.  Here is about the only thing I could find out about it on the 'net:

http://www.clubcorp.com/applecross.aspx

If only we could get Google to point their satellite at that area and snap an updated photo we could perhaps see how it is taking shape!  Right now one can only see old farmland in the area I think the course will be:

[Mike_Cirba]

I know they're trying to sell houses already and that they really aren't pointing out that it's Mike, not Jack "Nicklaus" who is doing the design.  

[Dan Boerger]

I can't imagine Chester County PA could support yet another golf course (but I also admint ignorance to the course/house/membership financials).

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Mike,

It's a Nicklaus Design. What more do you want?  


Couldn't they have come up with a better name? Applecross, Applebrook...what's next in Chester County? Applefield, AppleVillage?

[Phil Benedict]

The Chester area needs another course based on my experience of playing Tattersal with a client.  Forced carries and fescue everywhere.  A festival of lost balls.  Worst choice for client golf that I have ever made!

[Mike_Cirba]

AppleSauce Country Club and Golf Links at Chester Mews.  

[Powell Arms]

The Chester area needs another course based on my experience of playing Tattersal with a client.  Forced carries and fescue everywhere.  A festival of lost balls.  Worst choice for client golf that I have ever made!

You mean even with the name change to Broad Run, it hasnt gotten better?   I guess they should have used "apple"  

I haven't been out there since the change in ownership, but I had heard that one of the goals of the new team was to make the place more playable.  Has that not happened or did they just not go far enough to soften?

[Joe Bausch]

The Chester area needs another course based on my experience of playing Tattersal with a client.  Forced carries and fescue everywhere.  A festival of lost balls.  Worst choice for client golf that I have ever made!

You mean even with the name change to Broad Run, it hasnt gotten better?   I guess they should have used "apple"  

I haven't been out there since the change in ownership, but I had heard that one of the goals of the new team was to make the place more playable.  Has that not happened or did they just not go far enough to soften?

Powell, I just don't think there is any way to lessen the forced carries that makes Broad Run difficult for the casual golfer.  I went there recently and took many photos if you need to remind yourself of the layout!

http://darwin.chem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/Broad_Run/index.html

There are forced carries on 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 14.

[astavrides]

Acropolis GC, Apocalypse GC

[Powell Arms]

The Chester area needs another course based on my experience of playing Tattersal with a client.  Forced carries and fescue everywhere.  A festival of lost balls.  Worst choice for client golf that I have ever made!

You mean even with the name change to Broad Run, it hasnt gotten better?   I guess they should have used "apple"  

I haven't been out there since the change in ownership, but I had heard that one of the goals of the new team was to make the place more playable.  Has that not happened or did they just not go far enough to soften?

Powell, I just don't think there is any way to lessen the forced carries that makes Broad Run difficult for the casual golfer.  I went there recently and took many photos if you need to remind yourself of the layout!

http://darwin.chem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/Broad_Run/index.html

There are forced carries on 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 14.

Thanks, Joe.  Great photos.  I agree, you can't get rid of the forced carries.  I did think they would cut back the fescue. I think Joe Logan wrote about this effort.

[Dan Herrmann]

I know there are some private clubs in Chester Co (not mine) that are not in good shape and may be forced to close.  Doesn't seem prudent to add another new course.

But back to Applecross.  There is a lot of earth moving going on out there.  I noticed some really strange looking features - like a punchbowl-type green area, but Trump sized.  Of course, this could be very early shaping that isn't anything like what the ultimate result will look like.

[Personal opinion time - Unfortunately, Applecross looks it'll bring the ugliness known as the "gated executive community" to our area.  Just what we need - more 4500 sq ft "estates" out here.]

[Powell Arms]

I know there are some private clubs in Chester Co (not mine) that are not in good shape and may be forced to close.  Doesn't seem prudent to add another new course.

But back to Applecross.  There is a lot of earth moving going on out there.  I noticed some really strange looking features - like a punchbowl-type green area, but Trump sized.  Of course, this could be very early shaping that isn't anything like what the ultimate result will look like.

[Personal opinion time - Unfortunately, Applecross looks it'll bring the ugliness known as the "gated executive community" to our area.  Just what we need - more 4500 sq ft "estates" out here.]

Given the softness in the residential market, I am shocked that they would be starting construction now.  I would figure that they would delay by one of two ways.  Option A: If they own the land, just hold it until the market recovers.  Although it involves interest carry on the land, at least you are not putting out more money when your income source of home sales is less than robust.  Option B:  If you don't yet own the land, then entend the closing date in your contract to purchase, or, if forced to, buy and utilize option A.

[Rob_Waldron]

Applecross is part of a large residential community being developed by Pulte. A portion will be age-restricted. ClubCorp came to the table with $$$ to build the golf course. This may be their first course in the Philly Area if I am not mistaken.

Dan: Call them up. Maybe they would be interested in French Creek... or Inniscrone!

[Randy Thompson]

Ok let me get this straight, Jack signature is around 2.5 million, you can get Jack for less but not signature Jack, then for half of this you get Jack Junior and as the kids get younger, the price contines to go down? Is Mike the youngest? When his daughter got married, did her husband take her last name and if he did does that have another price. Where does Barbara his lovely wife fit in, does she demand higher fees then say, Jack Junior? Just curious!

[Dan Herrmann]

Back to Applecross 3 years later.  This Mike Nicklaus design opened in the last month.

I drove by today to take a peek and I got a on-course look at a few.  I wasn't terribly impressed - the greens complexes looked a bit boring and I had some "huh" moments when I saw how Mike used the wetlands.



Of course, this "survey" was completely cursory and I could be way off.  

So - has anybody been out there?   What did you think of the architecture?

Also- it looks like Mike has six courses open for play - anybody know about his work elsewhere?

[D_Malley]

The course will be managed by the same company that runs Talamore
members will have access at both courses

[Mike Cirba]

Dan,

Thanks for the update..

Are all 18 holes open?

[Dan Herrmann]

Mike,
Yep, all 18 are open.

I think it's currently open to the public for about $100.

[Mike Cirba]

Dan,

Sounds like a steal. 

[Jeffrey Conners]

In case you were wondering, this is from the Talamore website FAQ section:

What does Applecross mean?
The origin of the Applecross name comes from a peninsula off the West Coast of Scotland. This area, known for
its peaceful landscape is a reflection of the pristine rolling hills of East Brandywine. The 840 acres that comprise
Applecross follows this heritage and will be transformed into an elegant golf course community that boasts beautiful
homes, charming neighborhoods, stunning views, and a premier country club.

[Mark McKeever]

A good friend of mine played it recently and described it as 16 good holes and 2 goofy ones.  I will have to talk with him in more depth and get some details.

Mark