What I like about Merion-East's "Flow" is that the course seems to fit flawlessly into the landscape, and not remembering if someone said it in one of their posts, (I was busy scolling past all of the usual Bull to really get into it.) it all fits together just like the best jigsaw puzzle.
The East Course hugs the sides of the hills perfectly, and utilizes the naturally obvious places for tees and greens. It is a lesson in Routing 101, brought to you by Professors Wilson & Flynn. when I say this, I think of #2 tee, #3 green, #4 tee, #4 green #5 tee, and one of the greatest lessons in how to place a green on the side of a hill and make it work, #5 green. I could go on further about the rest of the course, but it would bore some of you and Pat would undoubtedly disagree!:)
Look at holes #10,11,& 12. Do those holes not perfectly fit the landscape of the site? And while #10 is one of the big focal points in question regarding the ridiculous length issue, that hole is perfectly placed in the round. Imagine losing the front nine in a Nassau Match, and quickly getting the jump out of the gate by winning #10! Because honestly, it is a perfect hole for Rabbit to get back at a Tiger.
You have the 11th to keep you going, and then, the challeging back up the hill of the 12th. Walk across Ardmore and you have this wonderful little 100 yarder that will rip the legs off of both of you and your opponent, and judging by the looks of the depth of the current bunker, which I have to say is not paticulary right in terms of the hole, (Man-made gobbldeegook)
Redanman nailed it when he said to me once that final five holes might be one of the toughest stretches in Classic American Golf. They're tough demanding holes that build the character of champions, but they also teach the weaker player that intracacies of playing the hole to your strengths, and this is where I think one's biggest victories can come from. There are so many ways to play those final five holes, and because they are sort of the only stand alone holes on the course, (meaning that they don't come in close in proximity to the others, in comparison to the first 12, It proves that this piece of land may be the best type of topography for which to build a golf course on--at least in terms of getting everyone to agree on the same page.)
That knowledge didn't come from moving tons of earth either, it ame from recognizing features that provide the challenge needed.
Go ahead and attack this one Pat.
With that standing, I have to ask, and this is an honest question, I'm not trying to be disingenious....."What kind of golf course would any of the big name designers build on the same plot of land on which Merion East resides?"
What are your thoughts?