Lets see if I can overload the system again and create a thread so long that I have to break it down into a couple. I recently got to see the restored Aronimink and loved what I saw. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view I had never had the opportunity to see the bastardized version it had become over the years.
I was told that as they went to undertake this restoration and started putting all the information together, they learned that the completeness and detail of Ross's drawings for Aronimink were absolutely unbelievable. Supposedly they may be second only to Pinehurst No.2 in their thoroughness. It is thought by the members that this is a sign that Ross intended this course to be one that would be of highest championship caliber. Whether this is true, or just overzealous pride in their own course, I guess only Ross will ever know. But I do know that what they have on their hands now is a wonderful course to contest major championship level golf.
Over all I think they have done a spectacular job with the restoration here. They have made good use of the extensive information that they have, and they have tried to stick to Ross's plans exclusively with the slight exception of adding a little length here and there. Ironically, some of the new back tee boxes that were put in I was told were originally on Ross's blueprints, but were never put in until now. It is almost like he put them in for future use if the distance of the modern game dictated it. There are a couple holes where some bunker complexes were moved forward slightly to keep a proper perspective on today’s tee shot yardages, but when they were moved, they were kept in the same configuration, relative to one another, and the appropriate contours were maintained as well as possible.
Another thing that they are just beginning to undertake here (again true to Ross's plans) is to allow the tall wispy fescues to grow up between many holes, and in numerous locations all over the golf course. This is the final piece to compliment the tree removal that has been and continues to be ongoing. Although there is some dissention among some of the membership the greens committee has been strident about maintaining Ross's original intent and design. In fact they have written and voted into place a long term plan for the course, which should prove to make sure that nothing happens to the true Ross design and intent of the course. They have hopefully taken in out of the hands of the spurious whims of future tinkering.
The 1st hole here at Aronimink is a 430 yard Par 4 from an elevated tee box located just below the clubhouse, the tee shot is downhill probably 40-50ft, a very spectacular tee shot. From there the second shot plays uphill to a green protected by greenside bunkers left and right.
The 2nd hole is a 412 yd par 4 a slight dogleg left uphill to an interesting green complex. It has a top shelf area in the back right that falls away to a closely mown chipping area behind the green, very interesting options from there.
Number 3 is a 446 yard par 4, with a lot of very interesting bunkers starting about 100 yards short of the green. The green site is protected by bunkers right and left.
The 4th is the number 1 handicap hole here at Aronimink is a 466 yard par 4. The driving area is pinched on the left by a fairway bunker. The second shot has a Bunker short and left about 120yds short of the green. A greenside bunker to the right guards the hole as well as a grassy bunker on the left-hand side. The green slopes from both edges towards the center and slightly from back to front.
5th is a 176 yd. Par 3. Well protected by some dramatic mounding and bunkering on all sides. The green also has some great subtle undulations to it. A good difficult mid length par 3. Just gorgeous mounding surrounding this greensite.
The 6th is a par 4 of 400 yards. Your tee shot must avoid fairway bunkers on the right hand side to find the proper line in the fairway. From there the hole slides slightly to the right after your drive
The 7th is par 4 of 393 yards from the back tees.. The 7th Green is tucked back and to the right into the hillside, down below at the bottom of the hill to the left is the old farmhouse on the property. The green has some great undulation and is well protected from any miss by some difficult bunkering as well as the rough and difficult slopes caused by the green being cut into the hillside. A visually memorable hole and a good test of your shortgame.
The 8th is a 237 yards par three downhill with a spectacular stonelined lake short of the green about 40 yards. The tee shot is guarded by some lone trees to the right of the green. A difficult hole due to its length, but certainly one you will not soon forget playing. The memorability and aesthetics of the hole are tremendous.
No. 9 is a 556 yard par 5, slightly uphill the entire way returning to the clubhouse. Although the slope is not very dramatic on the tee shot, the fairway cants to the right on your second shot and slopes uphill to the green.. Your second shot must either played short of a bunker on the left side which cuts into the fairway, or over it. To carry it would probably require a 200-220 yard second shot.
The 10th is a downhill par 4 of 454 yards. Like the first hole, this tee shot is a spectacular dropshot from a teebox located directly adjacent to the clubhouse down to the fairway of this par 4. From the tee you can see the pond short and left of the green which will dominate the strategy of your approach shot. A group of bunkers and a series of small mounds with long rough guard the right side should you decide to bail out a little wide right because of the lake. A closely mown chipping long and left of the green provide some interesting options there.
The 11th is a par 4 measuring 412yds from the back tees. Fairly straightforward the second shot plays slightly up hill. This is one of the greens where they are starting to let the fescues grow up on some of the greenside mounding in anticipation of doing it all over the course.
The newly restored 12th may be the most spectacular hole on the course here at Aronimink. A par 4 measuring 465 yards. From the teebox this hole is just beautiful with the bunkers zig-zagging their way right and left of the fairway the entire way. There are bunkers short left of the driving area, one to the right of the driving area about 260 yards out from the tee, and another bunker right more in the 300 yard range. Additional bunkers left and right further up the hole complete the look of this impressive hole..
The 13th is a 393 yard Par 4. About 150 yards off tee there are some spectacles bunkers, and the slightly elevated fairway starts hole immediately behind them. Those bunkers should not be in play, but they obscure any view you would have of the fairway, they create a great optical intimidation. Two fairway bunkers on the left-hand side actually do come into play and pinch the driving area. Your approach to this beautiful greensite should then be with a mid to short iron. The green is protected by greenside bunkers right and left.
The 14th tee is located directly to the right of and up a small hill from the 13th green. The short walk although just slightly up hill provides just enough elevation to give a nice view of this wonderful hole. A difficult par 3 playing 218yds from the back tees. The holes plays to a well bunkered green with nice undulation.
The 15th here Aronimink is a 499 yard par 4. The tee shot should carry too small spectacle type bunkers short of the fairway, again these should really not be in play, but are dramatic and intimidating to look at from the tee. From there the hole is long and uphill to a green protected by greenside bunkers left and right on the front edge, and an additional bunker short left about 30 yards. From the tee position that we played that day it was likely somewhat over 500yds. That is the first time I have ever played a par 4 of more than 500 yards, I guess I should make note of that in my diary, as someday it may be more common. But anyway I thought the hole was tough, but still fair it requires too good (and long) shots, but there in not anything overly penal awaiting you.
The 16th hole turns back and parallels the 15th. A par 5 of 549 yards. A fairly straightforward hole.
The 17th is a par 3 of 227 yards from the back tees all carry over a lake. There is a little apron/lay-up area short right, however short and left there is a shaved bank. Balls hit there will most likely roll back into the lake. Although the yardage and the lake seem daunting, the green is large in size, and provided you can carry the lake there are pars and even a few birdies to be had here.
The 18th at Aronimink is a 436 yard par 4. A pretty hole which like #9 which parallels it on the right climbs gradually from the tee box back to the clubhouse. There are a line of trees well left of the fairway the entire way on the edge of the property coming in, and while the right hand side may seem like a more open and inviting side to favor, the thick deep rough and random stands of trees between the 18th and 9th fairways are no bargain either if you miss over there. A beautiful green site framed well by bunkers right and left concludes your day here at Aronimink.
Again I look forward to seeing how the course looks and plays for the Senior PGA next year. I also look forward to seeing how the work is recieved by all of the critics and how it stands the test of time. I think it will do well.