Lederach GC( Kelly Blake Moran) - Joe Logan's review

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Are the greens overly severe for public golf? Are the centerline bunkers contrived? Is this a course that makes you want to return? Should a golf writer return for a second visit before writing a review? Is Lederach quirky and enjoyable or contrived, confusing and confounding? Here is Joe Logan's review:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/14460839.htm

[Craig_Rokke]

I think the course is definitely quirky, but not overly contrived.
I feel that KBM definitely was not out to build a predictable, ultra-fair yawner, and in that regard, he succeeds.

Some parts I was not all that enamored with. I, too, was scratching my head on 11. On 8, Logan's playing partner's criticisms about placing a hazard "where a perfect shot" would go will be echoed by others. I say hit it to the left or right, and if you can't do that, hit it short or long. (A golf course is supposed to test your skills, and your strategy, right?)The green on that hole was a tad over the top, as I don't recollect that an approach could have been placed in the same neighborhood of the cup on the day we played.
 
Some high handicappers may feel frustrated here, but I think many others will delight in some features they are not used to
reckoning with.

What does everybody think about the slope rating from the 6550 yd +- blues? I believe its 126, but I think it warrants a
couple points higher.

[Kyle Harris]

Mandatory Carts all day (on weekends).

No, thank you.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Craig

I was told by the head pro that they are appealing the rating/slope
numbers. I think it's 125 from the blues and 119 from the 6100y greens.

Steve

[redanman]

Unfortunately the golf media (writers and local cable) in and near Philadelphia don't understand nor appreciate the whys of the great golf courses in their neighborhood.

After all, Fazio is from Philadelphia and he is revered as a god.  Perhaps that provides some perspective. Some have lamented the loss of trees at Philadelphia CC and some think that Pine Valley is great because every hole is splendidly isolated.  

Bad thing is that Joe Logan is one of the better ones.

#11 at Lederach certainly has some problems and will be tough, the land wasn't there but that's as far as I will go; there is some really fine golf architecture to be studied out there that few public yet municipal course can offer.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Here's my email to Joe Logan:

 Is Lederach quirky and enjoyable or contrived, confusing and confounding?

I'd say quirky and enjoyable for better golfers but confusing for other golfers, at least until they play the course a few times. Is it contrived because of centerline bunkers? Fazio's Shadow Creek is totally contrived- a manufactured golf course. Lederach did not involve moving much dirt. Sure the centerline bunkers there are manufactured. So what? Otherwise, T. Fazio would not be in business. He's building a new course in Palm Springs area that required moving 3M cubic yards of dirt. Moran took what the land gave him and he gave the golfer options. So what if a "perfect shot" lands in a bunker. In my book, that's not a perfect shot. I landed in the centerline bunker on 9. I then hit out near the green and missed my par. A "perfect shot" on 9 is left or right or long or short of the bunker.
I do think 9 green is overly severe for public golf. I think the course is fairly generous off the tee so the greens are the defense of the course.
I'll be back.I may even return before the carts are off the paths. The $40 senior rate M-Th is a big draw. Compared to playing Center Square, Limekiln, Horsham Valley, 5 Ponds and even Jeffersonville, Lederach is a breath of fresh air and significantly better golf architecure.