[Patrick_Mucci]

In the current edition of "The MET Golfer", one of the best golfing publications I've seen, there's an article about Tom Doak's two golf courses in Colorado, "Ballyneal" and "Common Ground", one a private and the other a public course.

What's neat about the "MET Golfer" is that they've broadened their horizon beyond the Metropolitan New York area.

I believe this also broadens the readers exposure to architecture and golf courses outside the Met area.

While I've heard rave reviews about Ballyneal, including the comment that it may be Tom Doak's best work, I haven't heard much about Common Ground.  Has anyone played it and what can you tell us ?

Tom Doak,

Is there anything about the design of Common Ground that was specifically crafted, based on the end user, the public access golfer, as opposed to your design for a private club, like Ballyneal or Sebonack ?

[Jim Colton]

Here's a link to the digital issue. Great article by fellow GCAer Tom Dunne. I like how he described the 6th and 7th holes at Ballyneal: "It's like a kiss on the lips after a punch in the mouth."

http://www.metgolfer-digital.com/metgolfer/20110405#pg74

[John Kirk]

Nice article, Thomas.  Ballyneal is a wonderful golf course.  Challenging and great fun.

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Pat,

The Met golfer article falls under the umbrella of the "Travel" section of the magazine which I believe has been a long time feature.

Yet, they seem to be expanding their repertoire of worthy destinations beyond Myrtle Beach, South Florida and Cape Cod to destinations the GCA membership (but not the clubs themselves) would probably wish would remain less well known . We will see.

[Jerry Kluger]

Pat: We have discussed CG before and it is very special in its own right.  I believe it is a true municipal golf course which is on a piece of property without a whole lot of natural contour and bordered by some pretty busy streets.  The result is of TD's renovation is a very interesting and challenging course with strategic bunkering and some really good green complexes.  The greens have some strong contours without being as challenging as those at BN.  It is truly a course that other muni venues should see and realize what can be done successfully to please the beginner as well as the better golfer at a reasonable fee.

[Ryan Farrow]

I just met a writer the other day, in CHINA!

[RJ_Daley]

Pat, while I certainly know you've seen some of the prairie-sand hill golf, you have only scratched the surface.  You must make two more trips out there in the coming years.  This year you should go via Denver see BallyNeal and make the long interesting trek to see Prairie Club's 2 excellent courses, and DR.  The ride is worth it.  Then, and in 2-3 more years, get back to BallyNeal and DR's projected second courses and throw in Awari Dunes and Wild Horse to boot.  You don't want to go stale with playing NGLA and Seminole all the time, do you? 

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