Kyle, Good post. That was a fun day--thank you, to Steve and Cory for setting it up/joining us.
I agree with Kyle-there are a few good holes there. To say conditions are "scruffy" is being generous, but there are possibilities. Two basic settings for holes--those in the "lower" part of the property routed around or across the Cobb's Creek, and the holes that climb, descend, or tack back and forth across the hill(s) on the property.
From what I understand, the jury's still out on the Hugh Wilson connection--e.g. no hard evidence, but there are a number of features that had to have been designed by someone with a knowledge of golf architecture.
I didn't think #1 was necessarily bad, just ill-defined in its current state. A more clear delineation between "fairway" and "rough" would improve this. I kind like the Cobb's Creek at 230 yards out--it provides a challenge for golfers to either lay back or try to fly it. Green fairly pedestrian.
#2 was good as well--par 4 of about 365/370, creek at about 270 or so if I recall correctly. Good green site.
#3 is a rather short par 4 currently; I think we all played it with mid iron tee shots. I would be interested to discuss possible bunkers on the inside of the dogleg--there is a natural ridge there, perhaps directing play to the outside of the dogleg. I would also have widended the fairway to the left, which is the best line into the green. That was about where Kyle and Steve were with tee shots. From the middle of the fairway, where I was, I could see the optimal angle was from the left side of the fairway. Not that that's a problem!
#4 was interesting as well. 175-ish par 3. Many stone walls reinforcing the land in this part of the course--how much does the creek rise and fall annually?
I'd be interested further in the history of these said walls.
#5 was great. Mid-length par 4, creek running the length right down the middle of the hole! Unfortunately, the trees ideally removed are the larger, specimen ones, although they do direct play to the left fairway. The right fairway is equally good, although it's not maintained as fairway, it provides a look straight at the green.
#6 a little choked with trees, but it's a short par 3. Could be improved with tree removal and a relocated tee box.
#7 a good long 4/short 5 par, with green set at an angle to the line of play.
#8 rather pedestrian flat par 3 of about 190, but dangerous, what with the driving range hard left!
#9 a short 4 uphill--driveable. 18th/19th century crackhouse/opium den (actually, structure probably dating from late 1800's/early 20th century, now a graffitti art gallery) to the right of the fairway, not in play. 9 starts the climb up a hill that most of the back nine plays across.
#10 a short 4 uphill as well--presence of mounds framing the fairway is interesting. Not seen on other holes. Also more bunkering surrounding this green front and rear.
#11 is a moderate, narrow par 4 hard by West Philly apartments. Watch your wallet!
#12 a great green complex on this mid-length par 4, rather like a redan. Fairway begins to sweep right to left about 150 out. Green is situated effortlessly on the hill, and good bunkering with it, although unkempt. Cory hit a great iron that swept right to left across the green surface.
Kyle, "Aflac!" and "A banana makes no noise...you're lucky"
#13, short par 4, drive across a small depression.
#14, LONG par five, downhill. Some great shots all around on this hole! Great par by Steve here!
#15, interesting 4 uphill. Tee is set adjacent to aforementioned 'crackhouse' and #9 fairway. Claustrophobic tee shot, and a difficult approach--green is set at an angle to the line of play on the side of the hill. Interesting thing here is the presence of several "strip" bunker footprints about 300 yards out, to the sides of the right fairway, at a slight diagonal to the fairway, but not in play. I wonder if this green was approached from a different angle at one time.
#16 a good, short par 4 on top of the hill. Left to right orientation to the hole and fairway, also features a bunker footprint to the outside of the dogleg. In this case, sand should probably be flashed up.
Location of #11 green to #16 green is deceiving in a good way on the tee shot--the golfer sees a flag in the distance and may play on that line, which is actually the wrong line for the hole, and leads one to the vicinity of the left bunker.
#17 a great par 3. Green with great back to front contour, and large bunkers. A little out of character with other holes, but design of green makes one think of possibilities.
#18, a shortish downhill par 4. Blind tee shot and views of West Philly, professional sports stadiums and oil refinery.
Green is very interesting--it sits on the land extremely effortlessly in a manner I would associate with William Flynn. Good slope in this green.