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Phil Burr

  • Karma: +0/-0
Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« on: October 25, 2020, 01:43:41 AM »
I’m having a Google Earth infatuation with this course.  As a new GCA member I apologize if this thread has already been started.  Is this a Leeds design worthy of discussion in the same conversation as Myopia Hunt and Kebo Valley?  Looks special from space...

Michael Moore

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2020, 09:23:24 AM »
I recently asked a very well-traveled gentleman about this course, and he said "too many rocks". I believe this course is under the radar for a reason, but I would still like to see it.
Metaphor is social and shares the table with the objects it intertwines and the attitudes it reconciles. Opinion, like the Michelin inspector, dines alone. - Adam Gopnik, The Table Comes First

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2020, 09:38:17 AM »
I recently asked a very well-traveled gentleman about this course, and he said "too many rocks". I believe this course is under the radar for a reason, but I would still like to see it.


At least he didn't say "too many bass"
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Cob Carlson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2020, 10:02:14 AM »
It is a sweet little quirky, funky, seaside course. The wind always factors in. It has hosted many MassGolf qualifying events. When they drop the blades, the greens can be treacherous. I once played in a qualifying event with a Scottish ex-pat who was enthralled with the track.


One benefit of living in the Northeast is the abundance of off the radar lovely old courses like this one.

Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2020, 10:06:52 AM »
Plenty of quirky aka charming holes on this 6000 yard effort. There are five sub 350 yard par fours with one more fun than the next. The knock on the rocks is misplaced as they are well integrated into the design and add intrigue on both tee shots and approaches in addition to the chocolate drop mounding throughout the course. The routing takes you toward the water, flanks the water as well as turning and taking you away. It’s in tough company on the North Shore with the likes of Myopia, Salem and Essex County but jump at the chance if you get to play it.

Phil Burr

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2020, 11:37:46 AM »
If 50 yards were shaved off the scorecard, would it deserve a place in the discussion of great courses under 6,000 yards with a par under 70?  Such courses are common in GBI but too often shunned in the U.S.  What others would be part of the conversation?  Longshore comes to mind but I would love to learn about others.

MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2020, 11:42:28 AM »
You had me at "Herbert Leeds".
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2020, 11:59:44 AM »
You had me at "Herbert Leeds".


yep-what a resume
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Brad Tufts

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Bass Rocks, Gloucester MA
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2020, 08:58:57 AM »
Bass Rocks is fun, but I wouldn't call it great even if it was sub-6000.


There are tons of old-world features like rock walls, chocolate drops, at-grade greens, and plenty of routing oddities.  Everyone always says "too many rocks" because some of them exist on the far side of blind shots, meaning a shot can ricochet into oblivion without being seen every now and then, which is annoying.


The biggest effect on BR's evolution was the deletion of a couple road crossings and neighborhood-proximity issues with the removal of a few holes and the addition of 3.5 holes in the center of the front nine in the early 2000s.  I'd say it was commentary on the increased litigiousness of our society, but some of these features were downright wild that they lasted for 100+ years without change.  The new holes fit generally, but they have a modern feel.


The original version fit more completely with Leeds' design, but the current version is still a blast.  I wish I got to play the full original version, but I only played the old front nine twice in High School.  The removed holes are still in evidence as no property (I think) has been sold...they are now the driving range and practice chipping green next to the clubhouse.
So I jump ship in Hong Kong....

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