Tom D.
I had heard about your extensive or shall I say your efforts to retain the natural and even enhance some of the more subtle contours at Sebonack. Chris Munoz, who I believe was an asisstant super during much of construction had some insight to the methods taken, especially during clearing and your patience to carefully remove trees and other vegetation so as not to disturb the surrounding contours and character. Naturally, having the sandy soils and decent existing slope will certainly help your cause.
Curious, do you think at the at time, now looking back, that Jack N. really believed in what he said or was he peforming just a bit after having heard you speak about and execute this approach to building? I realize that he has obviously seen and experienced this characteristic overseas for years, but prior to Sebonack, I wouldn't have thought he would have even given it a second thought?
"I think Jim Lipe nearly fainted." Evidence making me think Jack never thought of the imperfections as something valuable here in the U.S. until Sebonack.
"The fairway contours at Royal St. George's next door were just as extreme but it seemed to me the scale was just enough larger that they wouldn't be subject to scalping as easily" Brent, that is right...there is a point to which we can keep or create contours that can be maintained and be playable the way we want and the scale you recognized makes a big difference. To me it is more about the combination of scale, proportioning and tie-in of the contour that makes it fit the eye and the maintenence as well. Once again and evidenced by Tom and the Renaissance Team, C & C with their talented crew and others who are control freaks or who understand that the details are simply that important, the time on site is critical to achieving the best results.