I'd also like to know if John Kirk is picking up any sort of vibe of similarity to what he sees here on CK's green complexes and bunker relationships and placements to BallyNeal. It seems to me that the bunker shaping and style of smaller pots bored into the hillsides at a sort of angle into the higher well contoured green sites reminds me a bit of Bally.
Thanks RJ,
That's a very good question. I think you are probably right but bunker placement and orientation was not one of the similarities I focused on. I'm sure Tom has specific philosophies regarding bunkers, some of which he is happy to share.
#13 has similarities with #11 at Pacific Dunes. About the same length, green higher in back, deep bunker left catching errant shots.
I focused on the general aesthetic appeal of the shaping, and I especially focused on the way the ball rolled around. More than any other characteristic, I think Tom has refined the beauty of a rolling ball better than other modern architects. In the last hour, both Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan shook their heads, smiled, and said "Wow." Nothing beats a Doak course for watching the ball roll.