Mike,
Obviously, Applebrook has more funds in their maintenace budget, and it shows. When you look at the initiation fee of FC vs. Applebrook, you can see where the funds come from. And that's OK - both are built on different economic models.
But concitioning @ FC is definitely getting better - I think our ownership saw the deficiencies and is working hard to address them. I've seen marked improvement this year - better equipment, better maintenance staffing, etc.
I think that Gil had better ground for golf at Applebrook - not as many forced carries (I only remember one, and even that one wasn't too bad) or long walks. In fact, I loved how the green --> tee walks were so short. The following teeing area often melded seamlessly from the prior green - very nicely done.
Obviously, Gil had some significant environmental regulatory issues when building FC, and that's why you see it as 3 "islands" of golf. Island "A" is holes 1-2-3-9-10-16-17-18. Island "B" is 11-12-13-14-15. Island "C" is 4-5-6-7-8.
French Creek was obviously a lot more hilly and probably more difficult to build. Interestingly, I think that leaves FC with a more visually pleasing golf course, but Applebrook with the better overall layout.
But we could easily tell that Applebrook was a Gil Hanse design. Some of the flows of the green surfaces reminded me of holes at FC - not that they were duplicates, but you could tell that they were designed in the same vein. Both have a short/quirky/fun hole (FC #15 and Applebrook #3). Both have really a super set of par threes.
But best of all, both are courses that I'd love to play over and over. There is no opportunity for boredom at either course.
I also liked how Gil's As-Builts were framed and hung in the clubhouse between the pro shop and the locker rooms. Shows to me that the membership "gets" golf architecture.
Personally, I feel that Applebrook is a fantastic golf course that should be considered to be in the top tier of Philly area courses. Hopefully, with TLC and time, FC will grow into the same tier - we aren't there yet, but we're making progress
