Typical....I am sorry to say that I had hoped that this thread would start some interesting thought about how great this course could turn out, but as I had feared, it is just going to turn out to be a Jack hate-feast as most threads concerning Jack on this site are. You guys are so blinded by your distain for the man, you wouldn't know if he was designing great courses or not.
Tom,
I think there is more to it than what you described. This site does not talk about money and economics much, but I think it is relevant here. The Nicklaus design fee of $2.0 million obviously gets passed onto the consumer, and I am a consumer.
To date, I have only played 1 Nicklaus course - London Golf Club - International, which may have been one of his sons as the name designer. I liked it very much and had an enjoyable day. It was a business thing, so price was not really a factor after a 6 hour flight.
Living in NYC, there is not too much Nicklaus around. I have not gone to Mansion Ridge yet. I have heard very mixed on the course from a variety of people. My basic view is "nice course but pricey." If you take the Nicklaus design fee out of the equation and bring in a architect who charges $500,000 or less and moves less dirt and thus has lower construction cost, is Mansion Ridge now a fairer price?
I have always wanted to go up to St Andrews (NY) because of its history, but many people do not like the Nicklaus redo. I know one or two members (not well), so I never felt a need to pursue it.
Great Bear Golf in the Poconos sounds nice, just have not made the trip, as it does not sound like a "must play."
When I was in Hilton Head, I passed on Harbour Town, which is why you started this thread about a Nicklaus/Dye collaboration, as it was a family vacation, and I did not want to spend $250 each for my son and I to play. We went to Palmetto Dunes to play an average George Fazio course that was something like $80.
I never played the old 5th hole at Pebble Beach, and I really liked the Nicklaus 5th.
The Nicklaus courses that would like to play via pictures would include May River and Dismal River.
With Sebonack, someone I thought would pick on the course flaws after a walk through, found very few and raved about the course. No matter how well I do in business or lotteries that I win, there is no way I am asking my wife for that check! Yes, I am a modern man with a 50/50 partner.
Most who play with me know that I have no problem with paying what it cost to play great courses. Once thay drop off that list, I really don't like to pay "great course" rates for "nice" or "very good" courses.
In Huckaby fashion, I would play any Nicklaus course with a group of friends any day, I just don't seem to be that excited to make special trips and pay big numbers for his courses when there are better and cheaper options out there.
As a business guy, I understand the value of Nicklaus design. Last night a 3some was auctioned off at a charity auction that I attended, and Sebonack was the clear leader when I left over all the others which included Bayonne, The Bridge, Quaker and Westchester.
His name sells, and I just don't want to pay for that except for instances where the architecture and fun of the course match the price.
Hope you stay around, I do enjoy your post.