Noel:
Once again -- you go off half cocked. You're the guy who throws bricks at what I know about golf and then take umbrage about what I said in response.
Let's start from first base shall we.
I mentioned the 12th at Alpine could have the flexibility to be a par-3 hole -- no less than what The County Club does with the 2nd hole there. That's not an earth shattering situation. The existing tee would remain as is for the 99.99% of the time the hole is played there.
Let me also point out that I have been the one -- more so than you good buddy -- who has said that Alpine is STILL too far wet and still has too many trees in key locations. Does that sound like someone who is off the "deep end" as you describe?
Noel -- The Falls is just a suicide death march with the manner of its rollar-coaster ride on the back half -- frankly the better holes exist for the first seven holes before you get the silly redundant dropshot par-3 8th and the carnival replica finish with the 9th and 18th holes on each side. It is pure schlock beneath the collective talents Weiskopf has demonstrated elsewhere IMHO. You embrace it while condemning Wolf Creek.
For the average Joe Sixpack the views are stunning but the slow play riddles will only mean more time searching for balls. You give The Falls a 5 on the Doak scalke. I'm holding my gut in laughter at your generosity -- I guess Wolf Creek would be a 1 or 2 in your book.
Wolf Creek is a quirk design. Unfortunately, Noel you apply a TLC formula for quirk when it's on the other side of the pond but when done here in the States becomes subject to your classic school design critiques. I think people can enjoy the match-play elements the course provides no less than what you see with any number of quirk courses I have played in the UK and Ireland.
Wolf Creek has its sets of flaws and if you took the time to really read what I said -- I did mention the idea that the forced carry on the 9th is a bit much and that the juxaposition of the silly waterfalls you find with the 18th is also out of character with what the course does provide. I also mentioned that the 10th and 11th holes are merely pedestrian creations when compared to the others you find at the site. I never said Wolf Creek would be everyone's cup of tea but I think there's enough there to present some serious challenges that the open minded golfer -- those who don't hold their noses to anything accept classic designs -- would appreciate and enjoy.
I value the opinions of Tommy and Geoff -- but I reserve the right to disagree with them given the fact that I have played a much more wider and representative number of layouts in the area being discussed -- and that includes you.
How many Weiskopf course have you played partner? Try a quick visit to Lahontan and Silverleaf and let me know how they stack up against the likes of The Falls and Seven Canyons. The Seven Canyons layout is merely forced fed into an area of available land that abuts the glorious sites that are present off the property. Talk about perfect location. There's nothing inside the Wesikopf design WHEN STACKED UP AGAINST HIS OTHER MORE THOUGHTFUL AND COMPREHENSIVE DESIGNS that says anything new. It's merely a golf course located next to a wonderful setting. Nothing more and I would think someone of your keen sense of real architecture would see it. Look at the holes and the strategic elements and when COMPARED & CONTRASTED to other Weiskopf efforts you will find what I say is true. It's nothing more than replicated half-hearted holes. Yes, there are a few of note but how would you know if you have only played a mere handful of what Weiskopf has done previously.
This idea that a small cognoscenti has the only inkling on what makes for great golf courses is true ego at its finest.
Yes, Noel you do travel a good bit but my plate for seeing golf courses across the globe is not to be dismissed out of hand because it doesn't fall in line with a small internal grouping that sees it differently. I have given credit to a far deeper array of courses than just the perverse stereotyping that you and others employ. And guess what partner -- am I to just lay back and take this drivel without being outraged by your continous one-way oriented thinking of what I like?
Noel -- you're right -- stick to the facts. NOT THE CONJECTURE that feeds into your seriously flawed analysis. You have applied a convenient 24 / 7 label on what I like in course architecture. I don't appreciaste it because it's far from true. Unfortunately, because I don't walk in LOCK STEP AGREEMENT with the thoughts of others I become the punching bag for your application of what constitutes the one true way of looking at golf courses.
I simply said Seven Canyons for me would rate a dumb blond award and if you took the time to play a much more representative sample of what Weiskopf has designed you may even see the reasoning of what I said. You then throw back to me this drivel about my solilioquy to you. Noel -- look in the mirror before you throw the invective you claim has been thrown at you.