Big B:
Appreciate your comments. A few responses.
Scotland Run's front nine is not in the same category with TD's front side. The 1st at Scotland Run is nothing more than a non-descript opening hole. The 2nd is clearly one of the better ones -- no doubt -- especially with the pin on the left green! But what about the large green at the short par-3 4th! I mean if you can't hit that green something big time is very wrong. Should a green of such short distance be so large?
The rest of the holes are good but top five in Jersey? No way!
The back side is where Scotland Run picks up the pace considerably and I think you could make an argument that it may be even-up with TD. Love to sit in on that 19th hole discussion but I'd still give the nod to TD. I do concur big time with you about the quality of the 14th hole -- one of Jersey's best public holes without doubt.
You say wide fairways at TD and my counter to that is positioning is still prevalent among all the fairway. Give you an example -- take the 5th hole. If you want to hit a 3-wood or 1-iron or so you can play out to the right and be safe. When the pin is tucked right you only increase the demands on your approach. The bold play is to take driver down the left side and open up the green to all locations. The issue? Don't overcook it left because sand and deep grass awaits. I can go on with a number of other holes to make similar type points.
In the ratings article the issue about the lack of quality sand is indeed mentioned and from what was told to me by Tom McCarthy, the GM for the club, there will be USGA spec sand in these area very shortly. But let's understand that a hazard is indeed a HAZARD. It is not suppose to be user friendly in all situations. We also mentioned the lack of quality sand at NJ National.
I would also add that if you played The Ocean Course at Kiawah you would find similar difficulties with varied lies in and around the putting surfaces similar to TD. There is no such a thing of "guaranteed" lies when you hit into hazards or the high grass that encircles many of the greens. The thinking should have been done BEFORE not after you land there!
The issue for any player at TD is not to attempt to get too frisky. I hit the ball a decent ways off the tee and everytime I'm at TD I have to catch myself from just bombing away without thinking which side of the fairway affords the best angle.
Let me also mention one aspect you didn't -- the wind. It's always a factor at TD and on some occasions calls for great dexterity to play a wide variety of shots. In addition, new championship tees are planned for a variety of holes and one is being built now at the 9th -- which turns this easy hole into a more demanding one for the longer hitters.
Please help me understand one thing -- what would your top ten be? The top five mentioned in Jersey Golfer are clearly one notch above the next grouping of five courses. I don't know how many times you've played the courses on the list but I know I've seen all of them and countless others on a number of occasions as well as some of our other staff people.
One last note -- I have great respect for Stephen Kay and just finished playing his recent new layout -- McCullough's Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor. Wonderful and imaginative routing and a course that doesn't take two Visa cards to play. I'll be seeing it again later this year before writing a review in Jersey Golfer. Lots of interesting stuff at the course mixed with some pedestrian. The replica of the famed Lido hole is indeed a sight to see!
Let me also mention Stephen's work at The Architect's is also solid unfortunately the daily preparation of the layout runs counter to the firm and fast concepts of the architects they have sought to pattern the holes after. If that condition can change then the standing of the course will likely go up.
One last note -- wide fairways bring into play a range of choices. I get very bored with extremely narrow fairways that simply say -- only hit this club and play it safe. The element of risk and reward is bastardized in my mind when I see this. Ditto when too many trees are on the line of play. This is what one sees at Crystal Springs and it's one of the chief reasons why the course dropped like a Nasdaq stock. Too penal and too unforgiving on even the slightest error.
Let's also keep in mind we are talking about p-u-b-l-i-c golf. The management needs to keep people moving without absurd searches for lost balls and other side adventures.
Hope what I have provided helps. Clearly, South Jersey is making it's mark in a rather bold way with TD, BHP / East, Pine Hill, Scotland Run and Sand Barrens within the top 9. Who would have thought such a thing 10-15 years ago.