Bumping this thread.
I'm a born/bred/reside Cincinnatian. I never thought the opportunity to play Camargo would fall into my lap. It's interesting how some things work out.
Here are my random thoughts from an excellent day of golf:
My prior Raynor experiences were Midland Hills and CC of Charleston. It was interesting to see similarities and differences between some of the holes. In hindsight, I'm glad that I had prior Raynor experience before playing Camargo, as it allowed me a much better perspective and to better appreciate of what laid ahead.
The course really just has the feel of being larger than life. Camargo is on an enormous property. Fairways are plenty wide. And the greens. Oh my, the greens. I play a course in Cincinnati with pretty small greens, so it's a complete game changer to play a course like Camargo. The 18th green at my home course is small, built for a three shot par 5. I'm certain that 3.5 of that green would fit in one of Camargo's greens. As such, just hitting the green is often not good enough.
I disagree with anyone who says the greens are boring. The contour, on the whole, is very subtle; Double Plateau excluded. Where I really had to be careful with putting was the rollout. And anyone who says a mid-capper can't appreciate architecture is just wrong. First, I saw Tiger Woods play Muirfield Village in his prime in person. I know what the best can do on a golf course. Secondly, when we reached the Redan, with a pin tucked waaaaay back left, I told my playing partners, "I'm going to play this Redan the way it's meant to". I aimed at the right side of the green, and low and behold, the ball funneled back to the center. It was a fun part of a round I'll remember for a long time.
The first revelation of the Eden and Short holes are nothing less than spiritual for a golfer. It's all you can do to focus on the hole at hand.
I always wondered why, with rolling topography Cincinnati has, why it doesn't have as many or more great courses like other Ohio cities do. I'm starting to form the opinion that perhaps the land is too severe. My home course certainly is. Hyde Park, Maketewah, and Clovernook all require walks up and down steep ridge lines. Camargo was severe in places (don't be right on #3), but also had the softer type of land movement you often see at better courses. Camargo is on a great property for golf, and took full advantage of it.
I discussed my favorite courses with my host during the round. As I told him, for what I've played, Prairie Dunes is still the best course I've played; however, it's not the one I would want to play day in/out, because I'm just not that good. Before this round, that distinction was designated to White Bear Yacht Club. After this round, I think Camargo gets the nod. Very playable for a player like me, yet the greens really make it interesting for those trying to score low.