MERION GC EAST- Just the Course

[Anton]

The longtime super retired prior to the 2016 season and moved to Palm Beach.  2016 was a rough maintenance year for the Merion staff to adapt in his absence and the course struggled a little.  2017 they brought the retired super back for consultant work (putting him up in a dorm) and the conditions have never been better.  He knows the turf better than anyone and the turf listens to him    .  I have not been informed of SubAir but who knows, it could happen someday. 

[JESII]

Anton, are you certain of those dates? Press reports (and here) had Matt retiring this winter/spring.

[Anton]

100%   

[Jason Harrison]

Good Afternoon Gents.  Sadly I do not post much on here but I read and look often.  Knowing Merion intimately as I do.  The golf course was in great hands and now with the new Director of Agronomy that started in late March it continues to be in great hands.  The changes there from an an Agronomic perspective will continue to improve for sure.  Also the retired Director of Agronomy still helps out a couple days a week to stay busy.  Will he move to Florida, ahh maybe one day but he is still very much in Pennsylvania and never was in the intern dormitory set-up.  The gentleman that did move to Palm Beach was their long term course set-up guy that was a former superintendent at another Philly club and he has since come back.  Sorry to come across the way I did I just wanted to clear up the inaccuracies posted above.  Excited to see what Merion does with their renovations and they can not have a better Director of Agronomy to see it through.

[Ed Brzezowski]

Well I have heard 12-15 mil on a complete redo. All greens come up and are regrassed as is most of the course. The Sub Air I saw mentioned will be some new system that almost sounds like a heat pump? The ability to heat and cool the greens as needed. One person mentioned the 11th green would be raised 18-36 inches to try to make it less  exposed to high water.

It seems almost like a done deal. The members I have spoken too are suspect if the greens will ever have the same feel and character as the current ones, and I think that is a very valid concern. Pushing up 11 will just kill the look of the hole IMHO.

[JESII]

Thanks Jason, matches my understanding.


Who knew there was a dedicated role of tee and hole placement?

[JESII]

Ed,


I was typing as you were.


It's certainly an interesting decision. Hope for the best!

[Ed Brzezowski]

I would put 5 and 18 in with any long par 4's I've played.

they are great par fives too.

[JESII]

Yes...which is what makes a great long par four IMO.

[Sean_A]

I would put 5 and 18 in with any long par 4's I've played.

they are great par fives too.

Maybe I missed something, but the 18th didn't do a lot for me...its a long, hard hole with little charm.  I don't remember the 5th being a long 4...long enough for sure...but nowhere near a slog.

Ciao 

[Ed Brzezowski]

I would put 5 and 18 in with any long par 4's I've played.

they are great par fives too.

Then you fine Sir are a much better player than me, as are most folks. I got to rate the course and played 5 & 18 from the back tees, it was no fun at all.

Maybe I missed something, but the 18th didn't do a lot for me...its a long, hard hole with little charm.  I don't remember the 5th being a long 4...long enough for sure...but nowhere near a slog.

Ciao