Question about the Orchards

[Dan_Callahan]

Does anyone know how the renovations are going at the Orchards, site of the 2004 Women's Open? I played there toward the end of last summer, and the course was in rough shape. It was a difficult summer in New England with an unending deluge of rain, the result of which was eroded bunkers and grassless fairways.

The layout of the Orchards is spectacular (a great 1920s Ross design), but I can't imagine an Open being played there without drastic improvements. (Especially after seeing the quality of Pumpkin Ridge last year.) It looked like they were rebuilding a number of tee boxes, and I was wondering what else was being done to bring the course into championship shape.

[DTaylor18]

Dan, Brad could speak to this much better than I can, but here are some of the improvements that have been made:

improvements were made to the 6th fairway (uphill par 4 with a pond on the left which is in play on the tee shot)

the 10th and 11 tee tops were re-sodded

work was done on the 17th tee box and fairway up to the pond on the right

drainage improvements on the 18th side of the fairway

damaged turf was re-sodded  where needed

as you said, it was a hard winter last year, but i have no doubt it will be looking great come the Open.

[Dan_Callahan]

i have no doubt it will be looking great come the Open.

I hope so. The Orchards is one of my favorite courses in New England (or anywhere, for that matter). It just seemed like there was a long way to go. The first fairway, for example, was really bare—if the snow sticks around through March, it will be a real challenge.

It will be fun to see how the women play the course. Especially the 1st (whether they try to carry the hazard), the 7th (if they can hold the green with a 5 or 7 wood), and the 13th (which is near the top of my list of best holes in the Northeast).

[DTaylor18]

I'm glad you like it, it's one of my favorite's too.  I too am anxious to see how they play #1, a great first.  The only players I saw try to fly it were some of the contestants in the championship flight of the club championship, and none of them hit the fairway when I was watching (there's some nasty rough to the left over the stream).  7 is a brutal par three.  I'm anxious to see them play 10 too, that green is devilish.  16 is going to be a par 4 in the open, even though it is a par 5 for the members.  I stream in front of the concave green could lead to some big scores.  18 will be fun to watch too as they'll be coming in with long iron/fairway woods on their second shots into an uphill par 4. Let's just hope for a mild winter and peak conditions come July.

[Brad Klein]

The Orchards is one of my favorites and I've been playing it since 1976. I have a detailed article on US Women's Open preparations forthcoming in Golfweek and SuperNews.

[higkgins]

Having played the last day The Orchards was open
(Nov 23rd), I can attest that this course has come full circle from the horrendous conditions experienced most of 2003. (I'm fairly well connected with some of the more senior members, who's collective opinion was that it hadn't been in such serious shape in recent memory). It's also strongly rumored that no carts will be allowed next spring in preparation for Women's Open, and it's very obvious that all the work done to date has made a significant difference. I don't see any reason why this course shouldn't be in peak condition come June/July 2004, and those watching will witness a truly special layout .... looking forward to Brad's write-up        

[DTaylor18]

I spoke to the Pro today and he said you woudn't even recognize the course from last summer.  There are new tee boxes on, i think he said, 9 or 10 holes.  Brand new state of the art.  Also, #16, a par 5 for the members was originally slated to be a par 4 at the Open.  however, it has now been changed back to a par 5.  And for those that know the hole, they are planning on using the left side tee box, which requires you to work the ball more or a longer carry over the trees.  Also, some holes have been lengthened, most notable #17, a shortish par 3 that now can be played 20 yards longer from about 189. #9 has also been moved back, making it an even tougher drive, as it is a chute out of the trees, one of the toughest drives on the course.  I think the setup is going to give the women all they can handle.

I look forward to Brad's writeup.  

[DPL11]

I look forward to watching the Open on TV. I was fortunate to play there several times during my college days at UMASS. It was wonderful back then, and I can't wait to see the improvements.

DPL11