I'd have to check again with Scott May but I believe he said some trees were coming down on the left side of this hole. How many, I can't recall.

Would it be possible to see the green from the tee if enough trees were taken down along the creek? Sure, but how many is hard to say. I was standing behind the green with Scott May the other day and I tried to see if I could see the tee box and I believe I asked him if it was possible to see the tee if enough trees were taken out (or if it would be possible to see the green from the tee if enough trees were taken down). I think he said it would be but I don't remember if that was something they were thinking of doing.

I do not even know how Flynn designed that hole---eg if he had a lot more fairway go way over near the creek.

If not, then that would make this hole one where it really wouldn't matter to me what Flynn had there fairway-wise. I think if that hole had a great big wide fairway (leave what's there on the right and just extend it to the creek) where it was completely unobvious where the ideal place to hit the ball was, and if the golfer could see the green from the tee down inline with the creek and he could hit it in a direct line with the green thereby flirting with the creek I just think this particular golf hole would be at least twice as good as it is now.

I just love holes that appear to bend even if there's nothing much that makes them actually do that and if the golfer can see his eventual target off the tee in a direct line and off the bend if that direct line is as well guarded as the creek guards the direct line from the tee to this green.

Thought I would post some work regarding the Master Plan at MGCC.  We recently added a back tee on hole #5.  The  men's member tee yardage went from 378 to 410.  The back tee moved from 412 to 435.  The tee was sodded one week ago today and hopefully will be available on Opening Day this spring.  Enjoy the pictures.

Scott May

Scott,

If those are the pictures, you should have waited till the snow melted  

At least I cannot see any photos with my browser (Firefox)

Scott:

Is that the new back tee sodded? If so, you guys do some pretty fast work.

But next time I see that photo I want to see those 3+ trees down by that bunker gone.  

Lucky I saw the place last week with Scott.  I can't see squat now--I guess because my server won't let me.  Either that or Scott put me on double secret probation  

Scott,

Are there any plans for the back tee on 12? Has the bunker near the green on the 7th been removed yet?

The pictures posted over the past few months have been excellent. I'll try to get some before pictures up from a few years ago.

Kyle
#12 Tee has been extended to 525 from the back tee - about a 260 yard carry over the three right side fwy bunkers.  We added about 20 yards.  You are standing directly over the quarry from the back tee.  It's pretty cool looking.  The men's member tee will play about 510-515 yards previously it played 485 from these tees) .  The 7th green surrounds have been taken back to 1925 - the right green bunker removed with fairway cut chipping area around the entire green; the front approach bunker removed and fairway through the green; also, the green has been recaptured in the back left.  There are at least 3 new pins with this "extension."

Wayne,
Thanks for the pictures.  If you could please email me those so I can put them into my files I would appreciate it.

"However, you could right click on each photo and click on "Save Image As" and whoop there it is, right on your hard drive."

Wayne:

When you right click and hit "save image as" does your computer actually go "WHOOP?"

Cool. This technology today is something else, isn't it?

Is there an option to make it go WHOOP-DEE-DO?

Mayday malone

The two greens have not been an issue at all for MGCC due to the fact that the upper green was so severe that the members rarely played it in recent years.  In fact, the upper green was not included on the scorecard - except for special occasions and the pro shop would print out scorecards for the event.  This past April the green was rebuilt to more managable slopes (7.5% to 2.5 and 3 %'s).  The upper green reopened for play this October and the lower green construction was started the same day so the jury is out.  We are hopeful with computers that the scorecards will be set up in a way that members can easily post scores from either green they played on any given day.  Hopefully it all goes smooth and our members can enjoy the green they care to play that round.

With some patience you will see the club return some of the natural elements that have been hidden for so long.  It takes a while to undo 75years over over planting.

Scott May

Scott

mayday malone

I wasnt offended by "It has always baffled me that these courses with interesting terrain and natural features like a quarry would cover them up with trees" and apologize if I sounded that way.  I feel the same way.  If anyone needs more "patience" with the tree removals it is me.  I would like to see faster progress but fiscal sanity and club politics dictate we take a more measured approach to our tree replacement program.  Anyway, I would love a chance to see Rolling Green again sometime and if you wanted to take a tour of MGCC we would be glad to have you.  Take care.

Scott

Mayday

Give me a call sometime and we can set something up.  Tom and Wayne have my contact information or you could IM me.

Scott

That just makes me smile. The bunker between lower 18 and the fairway to upper 18 came out looking great.

Dan,

While there were not any groups that tried to prevent the work, there was a small, vocal minority that certainly were (and a few still are) unhappy with any of the tree removals.

The green committee was very thorough and measured in communicating the tree replacement program (we have planted overs fifty hardwoods throuout the property).  The USGA Green Section aided with respect to poor turf health, increased fertilizer usage, increased water usage, and increased pesticide usage because of the tree situation.  Forse Design aided with the playability and aesthetic isuues regarding our trees.  We also documented the many trees that were in poor health due to areas of over planting.  It probably did not change the opinion of this group but at least the club made every attempt to educate the membership.

We are three years into the master plan and I believe the vast majority of members are pleased to see the changes every spring.  It is almost like a new course every April.  

Scott