[Mark Saltzman]

Honor Box in use today...




The 2,650 yard par-34 has 3 par-3s and a single par-5.  The 320 yard first hole offers the largest elevation change on this drop to the first green:




A 90-degree dogleg right at the second.  The approach is played over the first of many rock walls to a green that falls off on all sides:




The 3rd is an uphill par-3 of 175 yards and once again is played over a rock wall.




The only par-5 on the course measures 460 yards and plays hard against the course's boundary on the right.  Holes 4 through 7 are laid-out back and forth, though for mine it is the pair of east facing holes at the 5th and 7th that are the most interesting on the course.  The 5th is the second par-4 on the course at 376 yards and the golfer must navigate a minefield of rock mounds and rock walls:






The 6th is a 430 yard par-4 with a green set against out-of-bounds...




And a stunning view from beyond the green:




At the 360 yard 7th, there is a series of diagonally bunkers and a unique 'U' shaped bunker with a grouping of rocks in its centre:








Both the 8th and 9th are par-3s requiring tee shots over rock walls.  The 180-yard 8th is an uphill par-3 with only enough opening on the rock wall to see the pin (and my well-struck tee shot!):






And the 115-yard 9th is as daring a hole as any at Marion, with a tee shot over a bunker/rock wall combination and a very fun punchbowl green:

[Michael Moore]

Is this course any good? I know it taps into a certain primitivism that some find exciting, but if it did not say George Thomas on the scorecard, would anyone have heard of it?

[Mark Saltzman]

Is this course any good? I know it taps into a certain primitivism that some find exciting, but if it did not say George Thomas on the scorecard, would anyone have heard of it?

I played not knowing George Thomas had anything to do with it.  I drove in, saw the 9th green protected by the rock wall, and decided I had to play it even though it would be a rush as the sun was setting.

Is it good?  I don't know, but it was fun.  It's definitely unique.

[jeffwarne]

Michael,
While not the quality of say a North Haven, it has some really cool features, and I must say Mark's pictures are outstanding.
I played it 6-7 years ago, and again this June.
I will say I was less impressed this June.( I was bit tired after playing a morning event at nearby Kittansett)

It DEFINITELY is worth seeing for some of the quirk, interesting features, and history, but gets a little back and forth feeling at times.
The second green is really cool

[Sven Nilsen]

Marion pre-dates 1900 (and the 1904 date attributed to Thomas).  I doubt the course has changed much in the last century, as the yardage was listed at 2,600 as far back as 1917.

[David Harshbarger]

At first the course looks a little tree-bound, until you see the 5th.  In that minefield, as Mark says, of random rocks and bunkers, the random trees don't seem too foreign.  I mean, that is as bizarre a golf landscape as I've ever seen. But I like it.  

We have a primitive course around here and it is like PBR, the irony is fun once in a while but do you really want a steady diet of it? No, if you can afford Sam, Dogfish Head, or better.  

From a GCA perspective you have spectacle bunkers on 1, and the earthen covered walls are the steeplechase jumps from an early period.  Definitely worth a play to see what those are like.

[Mark McKeever]

Sure seems unique and worth a play!  Did you play Kitty too while you were in the area?

Mark

[Mark Steffey]

did not a GB&I walker cup team show up there once looking to get in a practice round and see the course before the tournament (which was held at kittansett.... WHOOPS  )

[Mark Saltzman]

Sure seems unique and worth a play!  Did you play Kitty too while you were in the area?

Mark

I did 

[Pete Lavallee]

Is this course any good? I know it taps into a certain primitivism that some find exciting, but if it did not say George Thomas on the scorecard, would anyone have heard of it?

I grew up 15 minutes from here and it was definetly not highly regarded by the locals; it was commonly refered to as "the Indian Burial Grounds", because of the numerous mounds. Certainly no one in New England knew anything about George Thomas during the 70's, hell we didn' even know half of our municipal course was a Donald Ross! So you are dead on it saying that the Thomas asscociation is the only reason for the current popularity of this quirky 9 holer. That being said it is short and quick to play so it would still be quite popular with those not wishing a championship test and those who enjoy a quickly paced game.

The real issue is why did Captain Thomas build what amounts to a steeple chase golf course? Surely he was in Marion because of its connection to the sailing world. He also would most likely be familiar with Myopia Hunt Club, which also has many of its hazards either perpendicular or parallel to the line of play. But there is not even a glimer of the strategy he instilled in his California courses. Did he learn these skills while serving in the Air Corps in England during WWI? One might think he got the feel for a more diagonal style of architecture while touring courses in the UK.

[Bill Shotzbarger]

I love the green site at 7

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