Mike Young thinks you are all a bunch of idiots...

[Ed Oden]

...well, not really.  But he did throw down a full blown challenge.  Mike sent me some course photos and wagered that no one on this board could name the location and architect.  Of course, I accept the bet since (a) I have full faith and confidence in the intelligence of the members of the DG and (b) he was foolish enough to tell me the answers so I can easily steer folks in the right direction if necessary.  I would prefer not to pull a Mickelson and violate the spirit if not the letter of the rules by pursuing option (b), so please prove to the esteemed Mr. Young that you are indeed smarter than a fifth grader.

Here goes:















Mike, we did not discuss the stakes.  If the DG lets me down and I lose (which is near impossible - see Mickelson corollary), I will be happy to host you at Carolina GC in Charlotte.  I will leave it up to you to decide what I get if the DG comes through and I win (virtual certainty - again, see Mickelson corollary).  Of course, if you need a suggestion, I've never played ANGC.

Ed

[Chip Gaskins]

Somewhere in Central America...let me think

[Eric Smith]

The World Course in Tian Jin, China

Philly Mick - designer

[Chip Gaskins]

or China....

Wow, that doesn't look the China I have been too...where is the smog?  Joking of course, China is a big place

[Charlie Goerges]

It's clearly the signature style of Davy Jones of "Monkees" fame. The second and third images are of his "This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day" template. The last image is of a hole called "Your Auntie Grizelda".

[Bill_McBride]

It's rich to think we couldn't get this one, we'll coast to victory -- and hang around the old hacienda drinking cerveza!

[Mike_Young]

Bill,
It's not one of mine..I don't do wiggly bunkers especially fake ones

[Tom_Doak]

I was going to guess it was the new Nicklaus course in Nicaragua.  However, those tall vertical rocks in the third-to-last photo do look more like somewhere in China.

[Mike Cirba]

The bunkers look to be a cross between Dana Fry at Hamilton Farm and Raymond Hearn at Sea Oaks.

So, I'll guess Ron Fream/David Dale.

[JC Jones]

Cirba, I think you're right.

I'm going with Hurdzan/Fry Oak Valley Country Club on Hainan Island, China.

[Ed Oden]

The correct location has been mentioned.  But the architect hasn't.

[Mike Cirba]

Ok...second guess.

Fazio or Curley/Schmidt, in some far-flung kingdom where they are still building golf courses.  

Wait...Is Mexico considered central America?

[BCrosby]

Boy, that bunker filigree stuff is really, truly awful.

I saw these picture somewhere recently. I think this is China.

Bob

[JC Jones]

C&c are also on Hainan Island. 

[Ronald Montesano]

Mexico is North America, along with Canada and USA.  Belize, El Sal, Hond, Guat, Pan, Nic and Costa Tico are Central America.

[kurt bowman]

Weiskopf near Hong Kong, China

[Tom_Doak]

Kurt:

Now that you mention it, it looks very similar to the Weiskopf course I saw on Hainan Island last summer, down near Boao.  I didn't see these particular holes, but they were building 36 holes there.

[Jim_Kennedy]

.

[Mike_Young]

Tom D,
I think it will be years before you see the Nicklaus course in Nica....

AND you and Kurt travel too much.....gee....

[JC Jones]

Comgrats to Ed for winning a round at Augusta, be sure to take lots of pictures!!

[Ed Oden]

Thanks Kurt and Tom for rewarding (both literally and figuratively) my faith.  It is indeed the Weiskopf on Hainan Island, China.  And I didn't even need to pull a Mickelson!

Seriously, is there a course in the world that would escape the collective wisdom of this board?

[Bill_McBride]

I still like the creativity of my guess, even if it was wrong!   

[Alex Miller]

Is it a good thing that this course looks like it has hole from central america, mexico and dare I say in one of them, Canada?

Bandon Trails is one that I've played that transitions different environments well, but these are WAY different. Thoughts?

[Ryan Farrow]

Not only did the group name it, it sounds like at least 2 of us were already there! Eat your heart out Mike Young.


This was a really cool site and there are plenty more great ones in China. This Discussion Group wont be able to ignore China for too much longer.

[Ronald Montesano]

"Seriously, is there a course in the world that would escape the collective wisdom of this board?"

There might be, just maybe...where golf is played...sounds like a thread.


"This Discussion Group wont be able to ignore China for too much longer."

Sure it will, since most of us will not have the opportunity to travel there.  Qualification/Clarification:  few of us will be able to discuss it with first-hand experience, which is most precious.