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Mark_Rowlinson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Olympic as I played it
« on: June 17, 2012, 12:54:51 PM »
I was lucky enough to play Olympic Lake back in 1998 or 9. I was then playing off 13 at Conwy and a lot less feeble than I now am. The amazing thing is that I didn't find it a difficult course. The trees were much more intimidating than they now seem to be, but with collars of rough around every green my inaccurate approaches held where they might otherwise have bounced down into perdition. I was then hitting about 240 yards from the tee, with no forward roll on landing - it was damp, even though not misty. I didn't find it difficult to drive on these holes, but I found the second shots on so many of the longer par-four holes out of reach. I never got into the terrible trouble that awaits the inaccurate in this US Open, but I rather suspect that that is because, when I played the course, it was set up for average member play. Apart from the routing and the distant views, this is a very different creature from the course I played way back then. What gorgeous memories and what respect for those players now battling for the title!
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 01:02:20 PM by Mark_Rowlinson »

Adam Clayman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic as I played it
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2012, 01:14:35 PM »
Mark, There's no doubt that the course the pros are playing is not the same one, day in day out. I know I would prefer to play this course, as the bounce and roll of the ball would be way more exciting and in keeping with what I consider proper golf.
"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic as I played it
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2012, 01:26:25 PM »
Mark -

The Lake Course has changed a fair amount (for the better, I think) over the past 10 years. This is the 3rd USGA Championship the Lake Course has hosted since the turn of the century and all the work done on the course since then is coming to fruition this week.

The thinning & removal of trees has opened the course up visually and has let in more sunlight, which has improved the quality of the turf. It also has increased the exposure of the course to the wind. In addition, the course underwent a steady program of sanding the fairways over a 2-3 year period probably 6-8 years ago. The course drains better and plays firmer than it did 10 or 20 years ago.

In addition, the greens were converted to poa to bent grass. Lastly, the 8th hole was replaced.

In many ways, it is not the same course you played 12-13 years ago, even for member play.

DT        
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 01:31:47 PM by David_Tepper »