I have not played at either course, and I have friends (I think ) who are members of both. Which one should I play next Spring/Summer; Golfween Modern #13 vs Golfweek Modern #45 ?

Mike -

I don't have time to get into a long discussion as to why, but I would go with Victoria National. I loved that place from start to finish (even though I did not play particularly well that day AND I had the pleasure of playing with JB). I liked Cuscowilla a lot too maybe a 7.5 Doak scale, but VN would be closer to an 8.5-9. It was cool.

Kent,

Don't mind Barney.  He enjoys being provocative but means no offense.  He also tries to provide some balance to the herd mentality which afflicts most social interaction.

I am sorry that I was unable to make it to your Harmony Club site.  Due to the slow play at Cuscowilla and the "mandatory" hickory club match, there just wasn't enough time.  BTW, as Barney's partner in the six hole event that went into dark, I was singularly responsible for running our team straight into the ground.  And I thought that most folks were just crying wolf when it came to modern technology.

God speed on your project.  We need dreamers like you to achieve real progress.  The materials you provided describe an exciting prospect.  And the routing looks very promising.

The only thing that would concern me is the emphasis on service and exclusivity, but I am probably not representative of your target audience.  Me, I would prefer pulling into the parking lot, grabbing my own clubs, and marching forward to whatever tee is open.  Also, if Barney wanted to play and I couldn't make it, I would want to give him access under my membership.  What is the use of having a world-class golf course if only a select few- a good percentage which would not get it anyways- would ever play on it?

Mike:

C'willa, hands down (spoken by one who has never played Vic. National).  

I'm with Dan, play both baby!

Oh, and when the Doak course in Eatonton becomes reality, it's going to really place that area on the map (as if it weren't gathering speed already).  

Mr. Kavanaugh,  I just want to be sure to get the spelling and location of your residence correct before I place you in my book of people who will never set foot on the "Doak pipe dream in Eatonton".
Did you take 30 min. out of your weekend to come see what the pipe dream is looking like?  Do you have any conception of what Tom is going to do w/ Harmony to make it stand above and apart from C'willa?
Nice pot shot Kavanaugh.....it will not be fogotten.
Kent Hassell
Founder of the Dream

Aren't you going to look and feel like an ass when this course becomes a "must play" and you never get a taste.

Kent,

Please don't take this as an attempt to get back in your good graces or off of your Harmony Blackball list....but....I owe you an apology.....pipe dream was a strong term and I'm sorry.  

John Kavanaugh
1803 Collins Ave
Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439

Not trying to stray too far from the stated topic of this thread I will tie in C'willa.  

On the Harmony exclusivity issue, I will say from personal experience that Kent and everyone else I met at Harmony were the epitome of gracious without a hint of  pretention, something sometimes associated with exclusivity.  

Remember, Harmony will provide those in the Lake Oconee area with a truly private club option, something entirely lacking there now.  In comparison, take C'willa which I liked so much that I bought a little cottage there and got my membership on the spot and even played in the member/guest the next weekend, which was awesome, and everyone we met were good guys not unlike our GCA experience there the weekend prior, but no matter how you slice it C'willa is a resort course with a private golf club within it getting the best tee times, etc. (that may be the longest run on sentence I've posted).  

Every great and very good golf course serves a purpose IMO and C'willa gives anyone the opportunity to tee it up on a very special tract of classic style GCA.  This I admire greatly.  In fact, I heard mention that Friar's Head was planned to be a very similar resort type facility (which would have been a gift from the gods) but town boards got in the way.  

I think Harmony will serve a different purpose and enable some an opportunity not readily available these days (completely unavailbe on Long Island, for instance).  There are a few projects and/or new private clubs that are being built as a golf club first, for a membership but pure golf without pretense, and, in addition, projects or courses that remain a viable financial option for those with net worths below $10M.

Harmony will certainly be one of those admirable few.