VK - Thanks... here is some more of my comments on the holes...
Pat - I'd say the par 5's fall somewhere between good and mediocre. #1 is a good hole, it works really well for an opening hole, not hard until the green. Offers a chance for birdie, and the easiest shot on the course is the 2nd (layup). #14 is mediocre, but could be excellent if restored properly.
I've said before I don't know the historical facts, but if you think about each of the holes, just about all of them show direct relation to Tillinghast design theory... If Tilly actually made the plans to be like this, not exactly sure, but it sure seems at least the got some really good impersonators to me!
#1, 510 yard par 5. There is a hole nearly identical at Ridgewood Country Club... Plays uphill at the end. Huge bunker 60 yards short of the green making the hole play as a true 3-shotter. I have only seen this green reached by pros, and top-amateur players. The green slopes hard back to front. Bunkers on both sides, grass bunker on right side of fairway has been grassed over and 2 "chocolate drops" on left haven't always been there.
#2, 405 yard par 4. OB Right, a great example of "Tilly" using a dominant tree to define the hole. The large tree on the corner of the dog-leg right forces a fade of the tee to gain distance. A good drive down the left leaves you in the trees. Two tiered green, with bunkers on both sides. "Dominant" tree behind green.
#3, 413 yard par 4, par 5 for women. OB Right, what you see is what you get. Bunkers on both sides of the fairway and green. Green slopes mostly right-left, but dont be surprised if your putt goes the other way. "Dominant" tree behind green.
#4, 384 yard par 4. OB Right Split fairway, forced carry. No problem for most men, extremely difficult for women. You are a fool if you play to the right. Big tree on left blocks out shorter hitter if not accurate. 2 "chocolate drops on left" shared with 12 haven't always been there. Fairway slopes hard right-left in approach. There is a pond on the left (has been expanded over the years) and a squarish green that falls off steep on the left. Bunker on left covers the entire side and wraps around on the front making a forced carry if going for a left pin. Bunker right is shorter than it appears (Tilly deception trick?!) Ridges running down middle of green, when in doubt, it goes towards the water! New/original specimen tree will be planted soon.
#5, 151 yard par 3. OB Right, Water hazard in front. Classic "Tilly" short hole. He never minded a cross hazard on a short hole, bunkers behind the green, and on both sides. The pond has changed over the years, pond has been expanded and wall has been built. Big ridge splits green, so it plays like two. The most misread putt on the course is hear... It will break up the hill on the left! Bunkers were changed last year by Gil Hanse, and there is fescue way left. "Dominant" pine tree behind green, shares with 6 tee.
#6, 434 yard par 4. #1 handicap and most talked about hole on the course. OB Right and Long and creek on left for first 300 yards. Trees have been taken out left by the creek over the years, 2 bunkers have been grassed in over the years, one short of the big tree, the other 110 yards out. I'm not sure if the tree has always been there either, but it clearly dominants this hole, and there is another one at the end of the creek, so you must fade your drive off the tee, carry the tree with a hook, or hit a brilliantly straight drive! Green plays uphill, over the bunker on the left and around the tree, big deep bunkers on both sides of the green. The bunkers have changed over the years, the one on the right may have been grass mounding, and the left bunker may have come down much further in the fairway. Green slopes right to left. Bogey feels like par, I have only made 1 birdie here.
#7 419 yard par 4. the second most talked about hole. OB Right is clearly in your mind on this tee, creek must be crossed, but is very short, only co. The "Tiger-line" can cut off the trees, like at Bethpage #1, "Tilly?!" Trees are in the drive zone left as well, including a "dominant tree"! Long drives not up the right either catch the slope or go through left. Accuracy is rewarded just as distance is because of the angle to the uphill green. A forced carry, most lay up short of the creek, 125 yards out. Bunkers on both sides of the green, and 2, just beyond the creek must be carried. A helping bunker beyond the green protects from Griffen Ave and OB. Front to back Green.
#8, 335 yard par 4. OB Right for the last time. Rough mounding in the middle that split the fairway.They appeared in all the photos I have ever seen, 1925 and on! Easily carried by scratch players, left side is safe, but the ride side gives you the best angle. "Chocolate drops" on either side of the fairway exist now, but not always. Bunkers on both sides of the green, reshaped last year by Hanse. Flattest green on the course. Some might tell you all putts break towards Griffen.
#9 143 yard par 3. Clearly inspired by the redan, a "Tilly trait", this triangular shaped green is fortified by bunkers. Slopes hard right-left and front-back past center. You cant play to front pins. 3rd bunker left sometimes appears in photos, Hanse changed the back bunker pair to a single bunker last fall. Trees have been taken out, but a clear "dominant" tree off the right corner is the target. Right side has changed with addition of 10th tee 1/2 way house and clubhouse renovations. I wonder if "Tilly" designed the cartpath that goes around the back too!!!!
#10 186 yard par 3. The George Washing Tree. "Tilly" has a number of examples where his holes are sighted for historical reasons, ex. the Duel Hole. Surrounded by bunkers. Huge green, Tilly says long par -3s should have bigger targets, fairway for those who cant reach and variety. Recent changes by Hanse
#11 372 yard par 4. Clear example of Tilly's master pit. Forced carry at the green. The wall over the creek has changed and trees have come out right of the green, which slopes towards the water. Tree defines the hole with the master pit, play down the right side or get blocked out on a short par 4. Bunkers short and back left. Hanse changed single fairway bunker to set of 3, more changes to come this fall.
#12 403 yard par 4. Plays very long up the hill. Used to be a chute of trees to drive through, fescue has been added, and a creek must be crossed, not really in play, but pond from 4 and 5 catches snap hooks. Bunker on right side of fairway, just expanded, and trees everywhere. Grassed in bunker 60 yards short left has just been revived with sand by hanse. Both greenside bunkers were just renovated and grass bunker also on right, but I have only seen 3 balls in here ever! Steepest green on course, front to back is the real defense for this hole.
#13, 209 yard par 3. Reef hole with Birritz styled green. Clearly "tilly" here. 2nd bunker on right has been grassed over, looks like it could have been the hole from the tillinghast association logo. "Chocolate drops" left have changed over the years and bunkers are currently being reshaped by hanse. More fairway is also being restored here.
#14 508 yard par 5. Double Dog Leg with a great hazard style forced carry, this hole is clearly related to Fenway 3, Baltusrol 17, and Bethpage Black #4 and many more. Bunkers and trees have changed dramatically over the years. Hogs back green slits into a right and left portions. Classic "Tilly"
#15 375 Yard par 4. The green complex for #15 on WFW is only about a 3-wood from this tee... and they might as well be the same hole! This green is smaller and defined by a large elephant. Dominant tree forces accuracy on tee. Classic "Tilly"
#16 417 yard par 4. Two tee areas. Creek left. Bunkers on both sides of the fairway. Two tiered green with bunkers right, back and left, approach is bent to the left. Long Demanding and straight forward. Dont be long.
#17 344 yard par 4. Dominant tree shared with #15 behind green. Doubles as the driving range in the morning, Bunkers on both sides of the green, forced carry on this short hole... Smells like tilly ideals to me.
#18 410 yard par 4. Drives must negotiate the trees, but a good drive is rewarded with extra distance down the hill. Fairway bends around big tree left. Fairway has been changed by Hanse, as new/original bunker was added 55 yards short right. Bunkers both sides of the green to the biggest putting surface on the course. Plays back to the clubhouse. Long, hard and straight forward finishing hole.
You guys tell me... This place just stinks like Tilly! its one of the best walking courses I have ever played. it has changed a lot over the years, but for some reason it fits what we think his very adaptable design style was. I have a theory that he repeated the same holes at a number of courses and you can see it here. #1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, all fit my definition at least! As Ken Venturi said "Its the best course you will never play!"
Quaker has been like a home to me, and I am very thankful!