JES,
Yeah, I see what you're saying about the overall routing. When I found out it was CPO, I thought about walking. Then I realized how moronic that would be at RNK.
I guess for me, it comes down to this: I've seen plenty of holes like 17 and 18 elsewhere (Myrtle Beach anyone?). Whereas I've never seen anything like the holes that precede them, especially the first 14.
And I can't help but feel that if, say, Fazio or Hills or Ault/Clark did #18 that it would be CRUCIFIED rather than excused as art, or whimsy or an inside joke.
But, you know what, I'm already trying to figure out a way to get back down there in October. And I'm thinking my next golf trip should be back to Myrtle so I can do Caledonia and True Blue. Still have to get to Tobacco Road too. But just based on RNK and Stonehouse, I'm a believer in Strantz. From the web site photos Bulls Bay looks cool too. Truly a sad loss for golf.
Have you played Mattoponi Springs an hour up 301 from RNK? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Tim
Tim Taylor,
Thank you for both responses. I'll agree with your playability assessment, it really is a shame and the numbers are not in favor for those of us that feel as you do about brown-ness. Hell, it's not even unanimous on this site.
While not trying to disagree on the continuity perspective I do want to explore it a bit further. I played there in a four round tournament for three consecutive years from 2000 - 2002. When you add in a practice round or two each year I've got 15 or more rounds under my belt, admittedly in competition so not exactly studying the architecture.
I will admit that #18 is a different type of hole than the others (I see more similarities between #17 and the first 16 than do you) but I really felt that each hole was sort of its own piece of art work. The routing brings absolutely no continuity to the course as each hole is not only visually segregated from the others, but geographically segregated as well. The total distance from green to tee must be 3 or 4 miles. to me this was an experiment by Strantz to see just what he could do with each hole, and he did amazing things. I just don't think he was creating a "course" in the sense that the architect tries to create "flow". "Flow" is important to me, very important because I really enjoy walking and it's not quite possible at RNK. I take RNK out of the box of typical golf courses because I love it but in 18 parts as opposed to one whole unit, and I think Strantz did as well.
Thoughts?