Huck -

Let's keep in touch .

It gets plenty hot, I grew up 120 miles from there.  Last month Holyoke had 8 days 90+ and 5 days 100+.  It's the hot wind zaps your strength, I would walk in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon so I would be re-freshed for an early evening round.

Pity the caddies!

Reminds me: This past August, my daughter and I were Up North on the hottest weekend of the summer (maybe the hottest weekend around there, ever!), getting ready for her to play in a tournament. It was about 98 degrees, and about 95 percent humidity, when we went out to play a practice round on a course unfamiliar to us -- a course that turned out to be very, very hilly. We took a cart, it was so hot.

She was miserable. She thought maybe the tournament organizers would change the rules (no carts, no caddies).

I said: No, I didn't think they would.

She thought they would -- and pointed hopefully to the sign that said: "CARTS ... 90 degree rule in effect."

That's my girl!

I've only quickly read Whitten's review of both courses but I do give him a salute for saying that Jack indeed "does get it" with his work at Dismal River.

For those who are critics of the course there is little, if any, real indepth counter analysis that I have seen offered to date.

Dismal River is clearly a major triumph for Nicklaus and his team and if / when the 13th is corrected the totality of what is there will certainly grow in stature.

In regards to Ballyneal I concur with Whitten's take on Doak's work there ... "He's (Doak) more prolific, for one thing, and is more daring, taking more chances, trying more variations of the minimalist theme."

In addition, as I mentioned previously on my comments on Ballyneal, I believe the overall demands Doak and team have added to Ballyneal have gone beyond the mere "look" which has always been his clear talent and now have added holes of distinct and rather unique challenge -- especially for the better player. I also agree with the comment Ron offers when he says the greens "fit" so well at Ballyneal -- they clearly do and the fun aspect is front and center with each of the targets encountered.

Both courses are clearly making their own mark and frankly I see that as a very positive item given what Sand Hills is about.

P.S. One last thing -- Whitten makes comments about Links of ND and I have to wonder how this layout ever got placed in the top 100 beyond the fact that it's located in Ray, ND?Isolation alone doesn't ensure stature of the type it has received.  

Adam,

How fast are the greens now compared to what they were earlier this summer ? (They were 5-6ish when I was there in June).  I would think at 9 they would be perfect.

One big reason for no carts is that it gives the fescue mix an opportunity to be sustainable.

If carts were allowed, then the turf would require a lot more water (otherwise the tire tracks from the carts would remain for weeks). And those moister conditions would encourage poa. Poa isn't part of the plan!

Quote from: Jim Franklin on September 19, 2006, 05:51:15 PM

JB-

I am 45 and have 1, 5, and 7 year olds. I will be 65 when they are through school . I'll need a cart.

Dammit - Jim has me barely beaten.  I am 43 with an infant.  I will be 64 when he's through school.  Put me on the cart with Jim.

 

since I'll be 45 soon and my youngest is 9 I can only hope this means I'll be kicking both of your asses when we get older ...

Is that why your partner drove it 400 yards on #9 into the back bunker?