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John Kavanaugh

Honestly, I care more that Walter Hagen won a PGA than who designed the course.  French Lick is going under a restorvation and if it is true or not to the original design is an interesting conflict.  Currently the eighth green is too crazy for 90% of the golfing public and the par threes are too long for 95%.   The course now has a casino as an owner and new found money after 40 to 50 years of neglect.

So...Why would a guy like me care what is left if the course is better now than it was before the casino was nice enough to invest in our locale..What might constitute the dreaded "lost opportunity"..

note:  Never been a huge fan of Ross design philosophies...But I have played French Lick now for over 30 years and loved every minute of it..
 

Glenn Spencer

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2006, 04:13:22 PM »
Good Question. I have always wanted to play that course and I am disappointed that I haven't yet. Sounds like I missed my opportunity.

John Kavanaugh

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2006, 04:18:59 PM »
Glenn,

I'm sure you will play it next year when you come to visit me...It will be the best place to stay the weekend in this region when completed.  This will be a serious Mid West destination resort for guys looking for fun when you add the new Pete Dye course to the mix. I plan on spending the night there during many of my trips to Victoria even if it is an hour away...I'm really pulling for this place to be great.

George Pazin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2006, 04:32:42 PM »
note:  Never been a huge fan of Ross design philosophies...But I have played French Lick now for over 30 years and loved every minute of it.

How do you resolve this paradox?

As for your original question, I'd be surprised if you did care, but I will say, you should care A LOT about who is doing the restoration.
Big drivers and hot balls are the product of golf course design that rewards the hit one far then hit one high strategy.  Shinny showed everyone how to take care of this whole technology dilemma. - Pat Brockwell, 6/24/04

Tony_Chapman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2006, 04:33:20 PM »
John - You should probably only care if they take out or remodel all the features you love and don't make them fun anymore.

You mention the 8th green. Do you love putting on it? If it's restored will it be even more fun, or if they soften will it not have the charm that is has today. I'm not sure, I've never seen the place.

Is it known if Ross ever set foot on the place or did he just draw it and send it to a construction manager? I guess I'd only say it's a missed oportunity if they fail to recognize why people love it now and don't capitalize on that.

Who is doing the restoration/facelift?

Glenn Spencer

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2006, 04:36:20 PM »
John,

I didn't know that we had a trip planned, sounds fantastic though. ;D You still need to get over and play NCR one time. So, you are expecting good things? I will keep my eyes peeled then, I did not know about what is all planned. This could be great, you are right. Was 8 really that treacherous? Is it among the toughest you have played?
« Last Edit: July 11, 2006, 04:36:37 PM by Glenn Spencer »

John Kavanaugh

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2006, 04:45:02 PM »
I'm planning on the work turning out great considering the head of the Donald Ross Society is a paid consultant on the project.  Schmidt of Curley and is the primary.

Yes, the eighth green is the toughest I have ever seen...

Mike Hendren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2006, 04:48:14 PM »
John,

You care because Donald J. Ross championed the design philosophy of defending par around the greens.

You care because a big hitter such as yourself can let it rip there and have a distinct advantage on the one shot holes.  

You care because the severe tilt of the greens suggests a maximum stimp of around 8, requiring one to actual "golf his ball" on the greens.

You care because you know your second at the 8th must be precise or you'll be trying to get up and down for bogey from the the valley after your first putt.

You care because you still have some work to do to negotiate the three tiers of the 13th green notwithstanding a stellar long-iron approach.  

You care because when you look down the hill at the 14th green, you cringe to see such a pedestrian potato-chip replacement that sticks out like a sore thumb.

You care because the 16th is a short hole that Seth Raynor would love to claim as his own.  

You care because Ross could do more with less than any architect who ever lived.

You care because this is cross-country golf at its finest.  

You care because you love playing golf more than anybody I've ever met.  

Mike
« Last Edit: July 11, 2006, 05:00:03 PM by Bogey_Hendren »
Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

Mike_Young

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2006, 05:52:35 PM »
I'm planning on the work turning out great considering the head of the Donald Ross Society is a paid consultant on the project.  Schmidt of Curley and is the primary.

Yes, the eighth green is the toughest I have ever seen...

John,
Would the Yankees win the world series if the fan club president was managing????
"just standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"

TEPaul

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2006, 08:01:36 AM »
"So...Why would a guy like me care what is left if the course is better now......"

Knowing you Johnno, there's not a single good reason I can think of.  ;)

John Kavanaugh

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2006, 08:05:44 AM »
TE,

The problem is that after being on this site for oh so long I am convinced I won't know if it is better or not until somebody tells me...

Glenn Spencer

Re:Why should I care that Donald Ross designed French Lick...
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2006, 09:36:39 AM »
TE,

The problem is that after being on this site for oh so long I am convinced I won't know if it is better or not until somebody tells me...

This really is the funniest thing I have ever read.

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