Chris:
As race caller Bill Collins - the 'accurate one' used to say, ..."too early to call ... but hold onto your hat!" That
said, PN has everything in place to get ahead in life. But
what competition it will face from the plethora of courses around and those coming on stream; not necessarily in quality, but in 'noise' value.
I am very fond of Mike's work at Portsea, and without being dismmisive of Ranfurlie, view the 'work in progress' on the North Course as his finest effort to date. Similar empathetic treatment of the opening four holes should only cement the claim.
Also what is intriguing is the classification. It cannot be called restoration, is not the usual modernisation in the sense of building back-breakingly long holes to curb the 'big ugly three' - shaft, pill and head, is not retro-fitting, but seems more of an appealing make-over. Hopefully, this 'softly softly' approach to renovation becomes a new trend in Australian golfing circles.
By contrast, MC's great work at Victoria GC has much more of the restorative air about it.
Chris, is MC listed on the Stock Exchange?