17th at RCD

[Matthew Hunt]

17th at County Down is the biggest disappointment I've experienced. I guess the water has to go somewhere, but that hole looks like it comes from another country.

I think this hole would be best if the pond was replaced with a burn like Pat Ruddy has done with the European Club's 18 th.

The Pond is not even the lowest point of this strech of land. The lowest point is the 3rd on the Annesly Links.

The burn should be used to turn the hole into a Risk/Reward hole.The Burn on the left side should start 25 yards before the front of the current pond and on the right be level with the front of the current pond.

If you take on the burn and land on the left you would have apox. a 7 iron in, over no hazards with a clear view of the pin.If you don't cross the river and goe to the right you have aprox. a 5 iron in, over a bunker with a no view of the pin.

Do you think this is a Good Idea or just Bonkers

[Jordan Wall]

Matthew,

Would a burn fit in with the rest of the course?
Does the water hazard?

If not, then would the hole simply be better without any water at all?

[Tommy Williamsen]

Seventeen as it is doesn't bother me nearly as much as eighteen.  I find the pond a little out of place but changing it wouldn't help the hole. The biggest problem was that to get back to the clubhouse the course had to be routed over land that just can't compete with the first 16 holes.

[Paul Jones]

Would anyone have a picture of the 17th hole with the pond to post?  Ran's review does not show the pond that most people talk about.

Would it be a good/great hole on another course?

Thanks,
Paul

[Ian Dalzell]

It doesn't look like it is even a hole at RCD, so posting a picture wouldn't do any good - you would think someoone posted the wrong picture.  It is a weak finish to a good cours,e yet does not get as much "weak" press as Royal Portrush, which I think at least fits the land and the rest of the course

[Matthew Hunt]

Matthew,

Would a burn fit in with the rest of the course?
Does the water hazard?

If not, then would the hole simply be better without any water at all?

Well the water has to go some where. You have a point and I suppose it could be taken Under-Ground but I have out-lined above a very dour hole into very fun strategic Hole.

The Burn would not look out of place unless it had Pete Dye/St Andrews style railway steeper edge, it would be aesthetically if the sides were let to grow over (Like in nearby Kilkeel).
 
Tommy is right in saying the land don’t fit in with the rest of the course(The 17th is build on Farm land not Links land ) This got me thinking it would be better using the land currently occupied by the 15th on the Annesley Links (The Land in Between the 12th and 17th on the Championship Links)

Although it is only 350 yards long I have drew a sketch for a 400y+ hole (No working scanner in house or would Post it)
that finish just beside the Current 17th Green. This would fit into the current Routing, you just go left at 17 not right and you end beside the 18th tee.

Do you like this Idea or do you have your own Suggestion.

[Dan Moore]

That pond is not some man made intrusion.  It has probably been there since Old Tom walked around the place.  Like it or not its an historic part of the course that should stay IMHO.  

From Tee


From FW


photos from Frank Pont's wonderful website http://www.golfarchitecturepictures.com/

[TEPaul]

The pond on that hole really is ridiculous but the good news is that green is very good. It's subtle but very good. And the drive being semi-blind is OK too.

[JESII]

ridiculous perhaps, but natural I presume...much like the pimple on Cindy Crawford's cheek. Not quite enough for me to mark down the course in total. But then again, #13 is one of my favorite holes anywhere...

[Paul Jones]

Dan,

Thanks for the pictures.  

From the tees the pond just looks like a hazard (cannot tell if it is a bunker or water).  Especially if it is natural part of the land, I do not understand why people do not like it.  Is it because it is a hazard in the middle of the fairway or is it the only pond on the course?

I have a trip to Ireland planned for next year and cannot wait to play the course.

[JESII]

Paul,

You'll love every second of the golf course...it really is one of the best you could ever play in my opinion.

The only reason to dislike the pond is it forces a layup off the tee. If it were a bunker it would probably be widely praised on here as a "center-line hazard", like a few other things with GCA.com, "center-line hazards" are pretty much untouchable so long as they offer "recovery opportunities"...or "options"...

[Matthew Hunt]

Bump

[Tony_Muldoon]

RIP The triangular pond.


Currently a bunker but there are (unknown) plans afoot for this winter.

It doesn't look like it is even a hole at RCD, so posting a picture wouldn't do any good - you would think someoone posted the wrong picture.  It is a weak finish to a good cours,e yet does not get as much "weak" press as Royal Portrush, which I think at least fits the land and the rest of the course

Interesting.  The changes at Portrush are a great success and I wonder if that has had a bearing on the timing of this decision.




PS Real reason for bumping this is I thought there was a thread with pics about the changed Annesley - which is really what I want to talk about.  Can anyone find a link?

[Emil Weber]

RIP The triangular pond.


Currently a bunker but there are (unknown) plans afoot for this winter.


Interesting.  The changes at Portrush are a great success and I wonder if that has had a bearing on the timing of this decision.


PS Real reason for bumping this is I thought there was a thread with pics about the changed Annesley - which is really what I want to talk about.  Can anyone find a link?

Tony,
exciting news, do you have any photos or further information on those changes to 17?


I did a photo tour thread on the Annesley in 2012 or '13, but I don't know if the changes you mention were before or after that.


Cheers,
Emil

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Tony,


Emil's photo tour has some posts on the second page with links to drone videos (posted by Thomas).
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53841.0.html
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