Random Thought on Blue Mound versus The Moderns

[Mike Hendren]

I have admitted a bias for classical golf course architecture and have committed to see more modern courses to test/soften my bias.  That said, I was totally blown away by Raynor's Blue Mound last week and would rank it above those courses I've played among the lower 80 of Golfweek's Top 100 modern courses, and arguably as high as 17th, leap-frogging Kingsley Club and Chambers Bay (that I've played).

There are those for whom I have great respect (you know who you are) that believe some of the greatests courses in the world are being built today and I have little doubt that Sand Hills, Pacific Dunes and Ballyneal - to name the Golfweek modern top 10 that I've played, fit that bill and run little risk of migrating down that list as others have done.  But beyond that I just don't see it. 

I might be wrong and welcome your thoughts.  If LuLu is my girlfriend, Blue Mound is my mistress.

Bogey

[Jeff_Brauer]

Mike,

I won't get into rankings, but as a Raynor lover, Blue Mound was a special treat, for sure.  It certainly has more charm than Chambers Bay and close to the charm of some of the top moderns, at least to me.  As I said on a previous post, it fits the "you could play it every day and not get tired of it" mold of so many older clubs, which isn't a bad thing to say about a golf course. 

[Mike Hendren]

Mike,

... it fits the "you could play it every day and not get tired of it" mold of so many older clubs, which isn't a bad thing to say about a golf course. 

Jeff, that is precisely what I fear I place too much emphasis on. 

Bogey

[Jeff_Brauer]

Why would you fear that?

[Billsteele]

Bogey-I'm a sucker for almost anything Raynor. However, the Midwest is relatively Raynor starved. How does Blue Mound compare to other MacRaynor courses? While some tire of the template concept, I have always found the routing of the golf course to be the true genius of MacRaynor. What are your thoughts about the routing at Blue Mound? What is it about Blue Mound that presumably sets it apart from other MacRaynors that you have seen?

[Mike Hendren]

Greetings Bill. 

Blue Mound's routing is sensible and efficient.  The first nine is routed clockwise along the property's periphery with a slight switch back at the 6th.  The first three holes are tight to the property's boundary, but the tees are set hard against the property line so the holes are slightly oriented away from OB.  The switchback at the 6th takes advantage of an elevation change at the northeast corner to yield a nice downhill Short at 7 (very expansive toilet-seat green) and the necessary uphill climb for the Alps at 8 (artificial punchbowl rim and two cool spines running from 2 to 7 o'clock and 8 to o'clock that each encroach about 2/3 of the way across the green - something I've never seen before).   

The second nine is a bit more complicated and a textbook in triangulation as virtually every hole is oriented at a 45 degrees angle from its predecessor. 

I so wish I had taken photographs, but did sketch the contours of six greens on my scorecard with the 10th being the darnedest thing I've ever seen.

Bogey

[John Engelbrecht]

Michael, "10 was the darndest thing that you have ever seen"; is that good darndest or bad darndest in your opinion?

[Andrew Cunningham]

Blue Mound is a very special golf course/club that every GCA bluff should be so fortunate to visit in their lifetime.  When I played it a few weeks ago the course conditions defined firm and fast which made numerous fairways hard to hold.  But as with many great courses, Blue Mound has some of the most challenging, fun, unique, and special greens around.  With their large size and the speed they are kept at, shot placement becomes incredibly important.  The greens on #3, #6, #8, #10, #13, and #18 should be the study of all future (and perhaps current) golf course architects.  This 6 handicapper hit 11 greens, managed to three putt 7 of them, carded 41 in total en route to a 85 - and loved every minute of it!

Andrew

[Mike Hendren]

John,  good darnedest.

Andrew, I hear ya - I had some of the longest second putts in my 38 years of playing the game at Blue Mound. 

Bogey

[Chip Gaskins]

I so wish I had taken photographs, but did sketch the contours of six greens on my scorecard with the 10th being the darnedest thing I've ever seen.
Bogey

Bogey

Here you go...

Blue Mound is awesome.  Would love to be a member there and play that track every day.

A few holes

#1
A bit of a Redan on the Par 4 opening hole


#2
I suppose would be Double Plateau


#3
A great Biarritz with the front pad at fairway height


#4 green
We called this the 1976 Trans Am Spoiler green.  Nice ramp at the back


Forgot which hole?  Sorry



#8
The Alps hole Bogey was talking about


Short


Redan


Blue Mound is a hidden gem.  I can't believe it doesn't get more recognition.

[RJ_Daley]

The Milwaukee metro area is a golf course architecture rich environment on both the private and open to public side. 

My two plays at BM and attending and watching very closely the play at the Wis State Am some years ago was a true delight.  As luck of the weather would have it, I didn't get to play BM in ideal firm and fast conditions.  But, as stated above, the greens alone are worth the price of admission (or high private guest green fee  ).   

When you pair the Milwaukee CC and BM, for anyone that would be so fortunate as to score invites to both on the same trip or visit, you'd have a hard time finding a better golf experience.  I'd take on play on either of them to 5 at Erin Hills.