RTJ and executive courses

[David Stamm]

I just played a course yesterday that I've wanted to play for a long time in my neck of the woods, Tecolote Canyon. Sorry, I'll take pics next time as I forgot my camera. I rarley find myself in that area of the city so I had some time and played it and it was alot of fun. It was designed by RTJ and Sam Snead. There are some pretty pedestrian holes but some really good ones as well. Conditions were pretty good. Has anybody heard of RTJ doing other execs?

[Dan Kelly]

There used to be a "children's course" at Hazeltine, between the sharp-dogleg-left opening hole and the sharp-dogleg-left 9th hole.

It was eliminated when Rees J. took the doglegs out of those holes.

I don't know if RTJ designed the children's course.

[Tony_Muldoon]

David there was one at Celtic Manor resort but it's gone

http://www.celtic-manor.com/The_Montgomerie_Course.aspx


Was a lot of fun with 300 yard down hill par 4's where the ground funnelled a ball forward out of sight.  A par 3 with a huge drop.   However it was really designed for carts and for a chance to play a second 18 after a long slog around the main course.  I guess this means that they now don't expect anyone to be able to play 36 in a day.

[Jason Topp]

This is an enjoyable RTJ Sr.  course on an island that has 11 or 12 holes.  Many of the greens have 2 flags and the holes play pretty differently depending on whether it is your front or the back nine.

http://www.madelineislandgolf.com

[Andy Troeger]

There used to be one in Fort Lauderdale, FL as well that I played when my grandparents used to live there on spring break trips. I believe it is long gone as well, but was called American Golfers Club. Had a pitch and putt par three course as well that was great fun for a little guy!

[Robert_Ball]

David, 30 minutes up I-15 you'll find another RTJ/Snead executive at Colton GC.  And it's lighted, for those late night practice rounds!

[Ben Stephens]

Theres a RTJ executive course in Bermuda - St George Golf Course - http://www.stgeorgesgolf.bm/

[Forrest Richardson]

Mr. Jones did a bunch beginning in the 1960s and through the 1970s. RTJ2 (Jr.) told me that one of his first assignments was El Dorado Hills (18 Exec) in about 1962. El Dorado closed at the beginning of 2007 because the developer could not continue to make it profitable. It remains closed north of Sacremento. We helped complete a study for the local municipality to see if they could make it work — answer: Probably not...at least not without a lot of $$$ and commitment.

I am not sure the number, but I have heard that as many as 20-30 were created during this period.

[Jason Connor]

I'm sure by then he didn't truly design them, but a number of sites on Alabama's Jones Trail have par 3 courses.  

Grand National in fact has an 18-hole par 3 course.

[Tim Leahy]

Mr. Jones did a bunch beginning in the 1960s and through the 1970s. RTJ2 (Jr.) told me that one of his first assignments was El Dorado Hills (18 Exec) in about 1962. El Dorado closed at the beginning of 2007 because the developer could not continue to make it profitable. It remains closed north of Sacremento. We helped complete a study for the local municipality to see if they could make it work — answer: Probably not...at least not without a lot of $$$ and commitment.
I am not sure the number, but I have heard that as many as 20-30 were created during this period.

One of the courses I learned to play on was Eldorado Hills. It was a great executive course, par 61, eighteen holes on hilly rolling terain with multiple elevated tee par threes and great greens. It is a shame that the county couldn't make it work. We played out highschool matches on that course and noone ever came close to breaking par, very challenging, even the short par 4-5 holes.

[Forrest Richardson]

Tim — It is a tough layout. Too tough if you ask me!

[Peter_Herreid]

Either father or son, or some combination, was involved with the Executive Course up at Incline Village, Nevada.  When we lived there, I always found it a pretty enjoyable alternative to playing the main track.  It is this type of course I wish I made more of an effort to play now that my iron play has disintegrated, as there were quite a variety of par-3's, and even 4 par-4's thrown in to give one a chance to hit a few drivers if one wished.

I don't know if they still call it the Executive Course, as I bet they have some high-falutin' name for it now, like "The Aerie at Diamond Peak at Incline" on something...