Oak Hill West Course

[Ronald Montesano]

The New York State Golf Association announced that the 2011 men's amateur championship will be contested over Oak Hill's West course.  With that in mind, and resident expert JNC_Lyon aboard, I wonder if anyone has commentary on that fine, relatively unchanged Ross course?  Since this beggar can also be a chooser, I'm wondering if a photo series on the West course might also be created by one with the images.  Have at it.

[JNC Lyon]

The New York State Golf Association announced that the 2011 men's amateur championship will be contested over Oak Hill's West course.  With that in mind, and resident expert JNC_Lyon aboard, I wonder if anyone has commentary on that fine, relatively unchanged Ross course?  Since this beggar can also be a chooser, I'm wondering if a photo series on the West course might also be created by one with the images.  Have at it.

Ron,

I think my "resident expert" status has been called into question by several posters as of late.  Since I apparently have little in the way of GCA knowledge, I will try to refrain from too much commentary based on an insufficient sample size of Donald Ross layouts between 1924 and 1926.  Clearly, the hours and hours of reading I have done on this site and in the books of several great golf writers mean exactly ZERO for my expertise in the field of golf course architecture.  Despite my relative lack of experience with critically acclaimed Donald Ross layouts in the Northeastern United States, I will try my best to make a wee bit of analysis on the West Course in subsequent posts, however biased and bigoted and narrow-minded they may be.

I think the West Course at Oak Hill is the best Ross course in Upstate New York, with no clear challenger.  I will post a photo tour as soon as I can get pictures uploaded (possibly by next weekend).  Until that time, posters on this site will have to accept that my sample size is not quite large enough to be deemed credible to make any relevant judgments on the golf course architecture of any certified golf course architect, living or dead.

[Ronald Montesano]

See my PM.  And you toughs out there, stop picking on JNC_Lyon, or we upstaters will find you and attack you loquaciously...you've been warned.

[Sean Leary]

JNC, 

If Arthur Hills does a renovation there, at least your sample size of his work will increase and you will be more armed to try to take down Fazio and Hills.

[JNC Lyon]

JNC, 

If Arthur Hills does a renovation there, at least your sample size of his work will increase and you will be more armed to try to take down Fazio and Hills.

If Arthur Hills does a renovation there...well, let's just say I will not be happy!

Seriously though, let's talk about the West Course at length.  Like I said, I will try to get some picks up within the next week.  I am a huge fan of the golf course.  I know some might dismiss that as home course bias, but I much prefer the West to the neighboring and more widely lauded East Course.  The greens there are nearly flawless as a set, and they are also interesting because all but three are elevated above the fairway.

[Sean Leary]

I have not played it but Brad Tufts sent me a bunch of pics, and it looks fantastic. Does the West get more member play than the East? East looks like a monster.

[JNC Lyon]

I have not played it but Brad Tufts sent me a bunch of pics, and it looks fantastic. Does the West get more member play than the East? East looks like a monster.

Sean,

The two courses get an equal amount of play during the season.  The East, however, has a lot more guest play, tournaments and outings.  However, the West stays open earlier and later in the season.  When there is no snow and it is dry enough, we can play the West.  Ultimately, the West is the true members' course, a layout that it is great to play on a day to day basis.  The East is a fine layout, but it is not a course one can play every day.

[John Blain]

John-

In your opinion what makes OH West significantly better than the Country Club of Buffalo, Monroe or Brook-Lea which is highly underrated in my opinion.

Also, do you think the west course has too many trees and if so on which holes?

-John

[Chris Cupit]

I played both a long time ago in an Amateur. I actually scored much better on the east course but found the west course and particularly the greens much more interesting.  Exceelent facility and many terrific holes. I must admit to not caring for #13,15,17 or 18 on the east.

I still remember a terrific par four on the west. Maybe # 12 or 3 (I can't remember which nine it was).  Dogleg right about 430-445 yards. Drive had to be hit to a slight plateau if I remember correctly and then you faced a longish all carry shot to one ofbthe most severe, interesting, fun and frickin hard green as I can ever recall.  Pretty sure I made a six

[JNC Lyon]

I played both a long time ago in an Amateur. I actually scored much better on the east course but found the west course and particularly the greens much more interesting.  Exceelent facility and many terrific holes. I must admit to not caring for #13,15,17 or 18 on the east.

I still remember a terrific par four on the west. Maybe # 12 or 3 (I can't remember which nine it was).  Dogleg right about 430-445 yards. Drive had to be hit to a slight plateau if I remember correctly and then you faced a longish all carry shot to one ofbthe most severe, interesting, fun and frickin hard green as I can ever recall.  Pretty sure I made a six

Chris, interesting comments there.  I think 13 and 17 are two of the best holes on the East Course, although I certainly agree with you about 15 and 18 being poor holes.

3 is a longish par four (420) that is a dogleg right.  The fairway is not as much of a plateau as it is a continuous climb.  The strategy off the tee is to come as close to the right of the fairway as possible while avoiding being blocked out by the trees. The second shot is all carry over a deep fronting bunkering to a very wild green.  The green falls off on all sides and has very severe interior contours.  It is a very simple green, but it is freakishly difficult.