French Lick Restoration

[Eric_Terhorst]

I visited the "Donald Ross Course at French Lick" for the first time last weekend.  Unfortunately, I can't comment on the fun of playing the Ross greens that apparently have been restored to their approximate original sizes, because they were punched with quarter-sized holes and heavily sanded (in contrast to what I was told when I planned the trip).  But the course looks fantastic and like it will be great fun next season.  

The scope of work and personnel are described here:
http://www.frenchlick.com/_files/_pdf/Course_tour_release_2_24.pdf

Mostly, the work consisted of restoring bunkers, expanding greens, and planting new turf--Bermuda on the fairways and bent grass on the greens and collars.  The tees also look new, and I presume the 7,013 yard set didn't exist in the original 1917 design.  There are also 6517, 5971, and 5050 tees.  For students of architecture, the clubhouse has framed Ross drawings hung on the walls outside the locker rooms.

It appears to my untrained eye that the restoration work has been well done.  I'd be interested in the experts' comments on these pictures.

#1  401 yd par 4  (all distances "Ross Tees" 6517 yd course)



#4 194 yd par 3


#5 461 yd par 4


#5 Bunker and green


#6 210 yd par 3  (note cart path has been thoughtfully relocated)


#8  368 yd par 4 Restored fairway bunker on the dogleg


#10  374 yd par 4  


#11 345 yd par 4 from the tee--one of my favorite holes on the course, though you'll notice the cart path is a little too close on the right side


#11 from the fairway



View of #13 green from #12 fairway.  This 228 yard par 3 (252 from the back tee!) has trouble right, deceptive bunkering and a more severe green than appears in this picture.  An awesome hole.


View of #14 409 yd par 4 looking back

[John Kavanaugh]

Eric,

Thanks for the pics.  I called the resort and asked for the pro shop this monday thinking I would play this week.  They quickly told me that the greens had just been punched and also informed of their amazing winter rate schedule which takes another drop November 1st.  I hope I don't blow it by saying this here...but I was told starting in November the rate will be $50 including carts.  The casino is shooting for an opening of November 3rd....We are currently putting together a group for the 5th.

My local friends and I tend to travel in groups of four but would be happy to fit any straglers in if you want...Just don't play the don't when we are at the rail..

[Jeff Johnson]

It's too bad they feel they need to have wall to wall cart paths.  Great photos.
Jeff Johnson

[John Kavanaugh]

pepper,

This course is real world unwalkable and has always suffered some drainage issues.  The people who will be playing the course need the paths...You can get some all world rides down the middle of those fairways...of course what they allow a guy to do may have change since the 70's..

[Mike Hendren]

First impression is I don't care for the curviture of the fairway cuts.  

I kinda liked the forgotten / shaggy look of the course before the new work, but that's probably a stupid bias.

That said, I can't wait to get back up there and play those marvelous greens.  

Barney,  a perfect venue for a Hillbilly Tour reprise, perhaps an "event" next year?  BTW, I walked and carried there 25 lbs. ago.  No big whoop.

Mike

[John Kavanaugh]

Mike,

Sure anyone reasonably fit (you 25lbs ago even) can walk the course.  It just isn't real world walkable in that cart fees are included and it is now a destination casino resort.  Round these parts it is the standard when discussing if or if not a course could be walked by people who insist. (on the not side)

They are currently setting the place up to be very, very expensive with in season room rates of $200 and $110 greenfees.  I know casinos love to give away rooms and golf and can only hope that is their plan...otherwise any Hillbilly outings will need to be during these winter rates.

Here is a neat video of the course and the work done...You will see the paths well referenced:

http://frenchlick.com/resoration/golf_video.asp

[Mike_Cirba]

I have no idea who performed the restoration work, and I've never seen or played there prior, but to my eyes the work looks very, very well done.  

11 looks tremendous.

[Dan Moore]

Eric,

Thanks for the pics.  Looks like some very good land.  A destination for next Spring.

I believe the work was performed by Lee Schmidt of Curley Schmidt.  

[Eric_Terhorst]

They quickly told me that the greens had just been punched and also informed of their amazing winter rate schedule which takes another drop November 1st.  
My local friends and I tend to travel in groups of four but would be happy to fit any straglers in if you want...Just don't play the don't when we are at the rail..

John,
I wasn't aware of the Winter Rates so thanks for pointing that out and for the notice on your trip.  Please keep me in mind if you need a fourth, but you should know I find the don't hard to resist unless there's a beautiful female holding the dice.

Re the comments on walking, the course struck me as eminently walkable, but I agree the resort has no choice when they will be hosting a bunch of casino yahoos (present company excluded).  The cart paths are a necessary evil.

Also, Director of Golf Dave Harner quickly offered to comp me 2 free rounds when I expressed my disappointment about the condition of the greens, and you called them the day after my wife and I played--and apparently were the only golfers on the course all day!

[michael j fay]

The concrete cart paths are necessary and are a great improvement over the macadam they had before. It looked like an extension of I-65. The drainage is very good as it has held up very well during the recent rain. Two days before the openung it rained 6 inches in 48 hours and the course wad fairly dry. Certainly dry enough to run the carts on the fairways.

The green expansion is very nice, all original excepting a small modificatiion of the eighth green.

It astounds me that Walter Hagen walked this golf course 36 a day for a week to win the 1924 PGA. If you intend to walk ask the pro shop if the defibrillator has arrived.

[John Kavanaugh]

See video: http://frenchlick.com/resoration/golf_video.asp

[Bob Barriger]

Mike, I believe Lee Schmidt of Schmidt and Curley was the principal on the renovation

[PThomas]

nic pics Eric...looks great

and welcome to GCA from a fellow Illinoisian

[T.J. Sturges]

These photos look terrific.  I can't wait to get back to French Lick!

TS

[Mark Chaplin]

When I saw the title to this tread I was expecting to read about a new way to recover after a round....mmm

The course certainly looks to have some fine holes and been well restored, I must agree with Eric on the cart path right by the green on #11. Surely a path should not be so close to a green as be able to influence a mildly poor shot.

[michael j fay]

When Alexis deToqueville was quizzed about a trip through Indiana he commented: "The geography of Indiana is confused; North Hanover is to the south, South Bend is to the north and French Lick is not at all what I expected".