Maridoe

[Paul Carey]

Has anyone gotten a chance to see the or play the new Smyers course in Plano?  Thanks

[Mike_Young]

I was out there for a couple of days the week before Christmas and it was extremely cold.  Ate lunch and spent some time with the owner and supt.  I  tried to ride with the supt but didn't have enough clothes.  My son rode a few holes with him and really liked the course.  I liked what I saw a lot and am going back out to play in the spring. The supt, Shawn Westacott, is the GCSAA National golf championship winner this year.  I thought Steve Smyers did a good job but it is a lot of golf course...

[mike_beene]

Just to be clear, Maridoe is not in Plano but perhaps Addison or Carrolton. It is on the grounds of the Columbian Club, which was the Dallas Jewish club. In its prior life it was a good Ralph Plummer course which set on the land in a beautiful way. One of the best routings ever. The redo is getting a lot of praise, and I know several people who have joined.The two married pros Martin and Garina are moving there. I think a major championship is the goal. Kind of competing with Trinity Forrest as the course that could handle a U.S. Open. I saw the construction and played the old course frequently. When I get to playing a little more I am anxious to see if it came out like others are saying. There is enough room on the property to have really nice practice facilities.

[Derek_Duncan]

Has anyone gotten a chance to see the r play the new Smyers course in Plano?  Thanks

I did a podcast with Steve Smyers recently and we spent some time talking about Madiroe (and Trinity Forest). The course was designed with the intention of being able to hold significant competitions and be a strong players club.

[Trey Kemp]

Like Mike, I really enjoyed the old layout when it was The Honors Club and before that the Columbian Club.  I saw the new course twice during construction and am looking forward to getting out there soon to play.  Everything about the course has changed and is geared towards the better player, however I think if you played it from the correct tees it would be fine for everyone.  I do know from the Plates (tips) the course is over 7800 yards long with a course rating of 80.5 and a slope of 155.  The practice facilities are very nice and they have a great teaching pro.

[jeffwarne]

Like Mike, I really enjoyed the old layout when it was The Honors Club and before that the Columbian Club.  I Everything about the course has changed and is geared towards the better player, however I think if you played it from the correct tees it would be fine for everyone.  I do know from the Plates (tips) the course is over 7800 yards long with a course rating of 80.5 and a slope of 155.  The practice facilities are very nice and they have a great teaching pro.

Can't wait to play read about the 10,000 yard 4th version.......
from the proper tees of course

[Lou_Duran]

I agree with Mike and Trey regarding the original Columbian CC and its variations as the Honors Club.  A great, economical routing using the site's unusual elevation changes and natural features to provide excellent variety, challenge and playability.  It was a hidden gem that many knew about, but still flew under the radar.

Only volunteered for a day event at Maridoe (USGA Senior Am qualifier), but got to see play on all 18 holes.  It is definitely a brand new course in nearly every respect.  To illustrate its challenging nature, a former college player, 10+ time club champion at two well-known Dallas private clubs and contestant in several USGA amateur events, shot 95 from the 6700 yard tees in a cool (for Dallas) summer day.  78 played off for the alternate spots.  Smyers (the designer) was in the field and began the round on #10 with two birdies, posted a 78, but did not hang around for the play-off.  On another day, a mid-30s former college player with a + handicap didn't break 90 from around 7000 yards, with much of his difficulties occurring on and around the greens.

A well-heeled owner with a strong commitment to competitive golf and a good player himself probably means that the course will get the attention it needs as it matures.  He has said that he doesn't care about ratings or how it might compare to Trinity Forest.  The two courses are very different and are allowing non-member play through the reciprocal pro-to-pro process.  The owner is also making Maridoe available for some outside events with the TGA, USGA, and other organizations.  It will be interesting to see how the course and club develop over the next several years.   

 

[Chris Kurzner]

I have played this property innumerable times under its prior iterations (several member-guest tourneys as well).  The old course had some of the best bentgrass greens I've ever seen in Texas.  While the course wasn't terribly challenging it was a lot of fun and had great routing.


There is virtually nothing about the new course that resembles the old one, other than a few green sites that are generally the same.  Even so, those greens are completely different from the ones they replaced.


I've played the new course 3 times now.  The best way I can describe the course is "challenging" and that is an understatement.  Having played it and Trinity Forest I currently prefer Maridoe but I would like to play TF another time or two before reaching a firm opinion on that course as it compares to Maridoe.


I also know many of those associated with the new club and am hoping to see it take off with membership once they finish the renovations to the club house. 


I think once the course has another year to grow in it will be spectacular.  I just hope my friends who are members will keep inviting me out to play.