Spectacular Sand Hills! (Photo Tour - 18th Hole Now Posted)

[Tony Weiler]

We discussed that quite a bit, but it did not take away from my experiences there at all.  Is it the nicest clubhouse or accomodations, not by far, but certainly not why I went.  Hell, I'd pitch a tent on the entrance road to play there again.   

[Eric Smith]

When in your life, other than Christmas morning, have you ever felt so giddy at 6:00am?

Matt B. nails it in the title of his epic thread: SPECTACULAR.

Tony, it was 2 days I will never forget.  Thanks for making it such a great time!

Eric

[JC Jones]

why is the guy with the two hip replacements in better shape than everyone else?

[George Freeman]

Nothing has changed from my first experience at The Sand Hills to my last, which was this past weekend.


                                                           The place is timeless.


The first time I played it I was alone waiting for friends to arrive from the west coast. I played the first two holes and then...

...stopped.


It was midweek and I was the only one on the course so I put my bag down (no caddies hired there yet) and sat down at the back of the 2nd green.

I simply sat there and gazed at the vast expanse behind this green at what surely must be the edge of this world, completely overcome by what I had just experienced on those first two holes.

I had to allow some time to pass because I knew if the holes were to continue in this fashion that I would in all likelihood be playing the greatest course in the world. I wanted to soak it all in as I didn't know if I would ever be allowed back again or make the trip to this remote locale.

So I sat there for an hour.

I also thought about other things besides golf, assuredly a fine spot for reflection, which highlighted then as it does now the spiritual nature of a visit to the Sand Hills Golf Club.

I continue this practice today, periodically breaking away from the group during post round refreshments, usually as the sun is setting and play a 6 or 9 hole loop, what I term "church nine," walking on the most peaceful ground  this earth will offer.


I left three days ago.

And the place haunts me.

It haunted me in exactly the same manner and intensity 14 years ago as it does this very moment.

It haunts me during the winter months.

And when I sleep.

And when I allow my mind to run adrift for a few short moments during the day.

For me it is the most compelling golf course and land on which a golf course rests in the world.


And obviously others feel the same.

I just had someone text me saying June 11th wasn't good for him NEXT year and to PLEASE include him and try to arrange our golfing retreat  on any day but that one.

And he is one of many.

One of many who has had a spell cast by some golfing ground in the middle of nowhere.
    

Gene,

Thank you for the post.  There have not been many times I have gotten chills reading a post on GCA.com, but that one did it.  Your unequivocal love for the place shines through spectacularly.  Spend as much time there during your life as you possibly can.

- George Freeman

[Carl Rogers]

Mr. Plumart, Mr. OHalloran & others that did not appreciate my previous post,

I believe that it has been well documented that C & C went through a large number of possible routing schemes with all the revisions, hair splitting, self doubting and consternation that goes with that quality and quantity of effort.  The individuals that shaped the course did the same.  The effort more than shows that.  The client paid for that.  It was worth it.  Sand Hills now has an international reputation.

But are the buildings worthy of the course?  Example: Shinnecock Hills and Stanford White's Clubhouse on the hill.

I like the understated entry gates and the bent iron logo a lot.  
Oddly enough the size and program of the structures are not at issue.  What is at issue is the thorough and disturbing lack of imagination and vision.  I see 2 options:

Option 1:
Use decidedly regional forms and combine them in a way reminiscent of how towns were initially organized in the West.

Option 2:
Half bury the buildings into the side of the hill(s) to make them as invisible as possible.  Shape and bunker the surrounds similar to the course.

Last thought is the severe climate.  The building(s) really need to hibernate from October to May.

[Tony Weiler]

why is the guy with the two hip replacements in better shape than everyone else?

JC, the guy is just a physical specimen!  Also, I realize brown is NOT slimming.

[Mac Plumart]

JC & Tony...I am unsure if a "phyiscal specimen" is how I would describe myself.  I am sure many on this site have a more proper description for me.   



Carl...I appreciated your last post and I meant what I said in my last post.  We all value different things in our travels.  You are an architect, therefore I assume buildings and architecture are a hot button for you. 

Like Tony mentioned, we discussed the housing and dining area at Sand Hills.  I'll just say they are Spartan.  You say those buildings aren't memorable.  I disagree.  They were very memorable.  I'll never forget opening the door to our cabin and seeing our accomodations.  This was especially memorable having just come from Dismal River.  People say the Sand Hills is all about the golf.  People go there to play 36 or 54 hole days.  Well, I can't do that.  18 is my usual...but I'll go 36 every once in awhile...but it wears me down.  Given this, I like nice accomodations to chill out in and enjoy.

With that in mind and for the record, I think you are correct.  I think that portion of the club could have been done better.  I have no expertise in that arena, so I cede to your recommendations. 

But even with that taken into account, I still loved the place and the people at Sand Hills.

[Scott Szabo]

Mr. Plumart, Mr. OHalloran & others that did not appreciate my previous post,

I believe that it has been well documented that C & C went through a large number of possible routing schemes with all the revisions, hair splitting, self doubting and consternation that goes with that quality and quantity of effort.  The individuals that shaped the course did the same.  The effort more than shows that.  The client paid for that.  It was worth it.  Sand Hills now has an international reputation.

But are the buildings worthy of the course?  Example: Shinnecock Hills and Stanford White's Clubhouse on the hill.

I like the understated entry gates and the bent iron logo a lot.  
Oddly enough the size and program of the structures are not at issue.  What is at issue is the through and disturbing lack of imagination and vision.  I see 2 options:

Option 1:
Use decidedly regional forms and combine them in a way reminiscent of how towns were initially organized in the West.

Option 2:
Half bury the buildings into the side of the hill(s) to make them as invisible as possible.  Shape and bunker the surrounds similar to the course.

Last thought is the severe climate.  The building(s) really need to hibernate from October to May.

Wow - I thought the clubhouse and accomodations were just PERFECT.  They absolutely FIT what was trying to be done - an understated genuiness.  No pretention, and I think they nailed it.  They are what the ownership group went with and I think they ABSOLUTELY fit in with the rest of the club.  I doubt you'd hear any complaints from any of the 170 or so members.

[Jim Colton]

Can someone with some insider knowledge answer this for me...how many of the blowouts were just sitting there before the course was built?  The reason I ask is I read recently that the only manmade bunker on the entire course was the front bunker on 8.  But I seem to recall contrary information to that in threads here many moons ago.  What's the real scoop?  From my perspective, manmade or not is irrelevant since they all look like they've been there forever.

[Keith OHalloran]

Carl, I always appreciate other people's point of view. The fact that we disagree makes the discussion group possible.

[Carl Rogers]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for letting me post. 

My previous posts should only be taken in the within the context of SH being in the top 2 or 3 most important courses in the world created in the last 25 years.

[Ben Kodadek]

Mr. Plumart, Mr. OHalloran & others that did not appreciate my previous post,

I believe that it has been well documented that C & C went through a large number of possible routing schemes with all the revisions, hair splitting, self doubting and consternation that goes with that quality and quantity of effort.  The individuals that shaped the course did the same.  The effort more than shows that.  The client paid for that.  It was worth it.  Sand Hills now has an international reputation.

But are the buildings worthy of the course?  Example: Shinnecock Hills and Stanford White's Clubhouse on the hill.

I like the understated entry gates and the bent iron logo a lot.  
Oddly enough the size and program of the structures are not at issue.  What is at issue is the through and disturbing lack of imagination and vision.  I see 2 options:

Option 1:
Use decidedly regional forms and combine them in a way reminiscent of how towns were initially organized in the West.

Option 2:
Half bury the buildings into the side of the hill(s) to make them as invisible as possible.  Shape and bunker the surrounds similar to the course.

Last thought is the severe climate.  The building(s) really need to hibernate from October to May.

Wow - I thought the clubhouse and accomodations were just PERFECT.  They absolutely FIT what was trying to be done - an understated genuiness.  No pretention, and I think they nailed it.  They are what the ownership group went with and I think they ABSOLUTELY fit in with the rest of the club.  I doubt you'd hear any complaints from any of the 170 or so members.

Scott, I think that Carl's post brings up an interesting thought.  It may be safe to say that Carl is "in the minority (in a good way Carl!)" on GCA with regard to non-golf architecture, just as the rest of us are "in the minority" on a GCA level compared to lush/green, beverage carts, cart gps, waterfall lovers, etc...golfers of the world.

It's all about perspective.

[David_Madison]

Carl,

I've been fortunate to be able to experience Sand Hills one time, fairly recently in fact. I can't help but believe that the accommodations are absolutely perfect for the entire experience. Anything more plush would take away from the experience. I'd guess that the vast majority of the people visiting SH have a petty high degree of luxury in their lives. Not that SH is anything like a YMCA, it's far from it, but there's a real value in getting away from an overly comfortable environment and doing a little roughing it every now and then. And if there's gourmet quality food, a comfortable bed, and a shower that'll blast your skin off, that's just dead on for clearing your mind and refreshing you in the way that the creators of the place intended.

[Carl Rogers]

Mr. Madison & Group,

It has been difficult for me to explain myself. 

Plush by any definition is the polar opposite of what I am trying to describe.

If the structures harkened back to a regional look and feel back in the pioneer ranching and farming days (when life was a lot lot tougher) is what I am getting at.

I assume that the remoteness of SH means you travel by car from Denver or Omaha.  During that journey what did you see?

[Mac Plumart]

Carl...

I think I get you.  In fact, here is a copy of what you wrote...

Option 1:
Use decidedly regional forms and combine them in a way reminiscent of how towns were initially organized in the West.

Option 2:
Half bury the buildings into the side of the hill(s) to make them as invisible as possible.  Shape and bunker the surrounds similar to the course.

Last thought is the severe climate.  The building(s) really need to hibernate from October to May.

Not being into architecture like you are, I simply can not appreciate it like you can and/or see better options like you can.  I think it is akin to when we did the GCA golf course design contest awhile back.  I tried to do it, but couldn't see green sites, routing options, etc. just from a topo map.  However, Tom Doak said he could...which is to be expected I guess since he is one of the great golf course architects. 

You are a building architect.  You can see things that, perhaps, many of us can't.  I think you are correct that the buildings there could have been done better.  I don't have the expertise to say how it could have been done better, I just felt like the buildings didn't fit the greatness of the course.  Which you touched on.

I think your ideas make sense, but I have a tough time visualizing them.  Perhaps others have this issue as well.

[Terry Lavin]

Matt,

Thanks again for this great post.  This thread is a real gift to those who haven't had the opportunity to play this magnificent golf course.  I haven't played most of the Top 100 courses, like some hereabouts have, but I've played a hefty share and I can honestly say that Sand Hills is my absolute favorite.  There's something beguiling about the "discovery" of the place as you approach Mullen.  The feeling builds as you drive your cart 3/4 of a mile to the range, which really does look like a range, and then your mind just explodes (hyperbole supplied) when you walk up to the first tee.  The excitement meter didn't go down for me until our car had left the sand hills topography and leveled off toward North Platte.  Eighteen great holes in a most surprising environment.  For me, the fact that it's in the proverbial middle of nowhere elevates the course and the experience to the point that I enjoyed Sand Hills more than I enjoyed Cypress Point.

[Matt Bosela]

Thanks to everyone for their extremely kind and complimentary words both here and in PMs about this thread.  I take great delight in the fact that it has generated this much discussion and my entire goal for this exercise was to share what the Sand Hills experience is like for those who haven't played the course while also giving those people who have played it a chance to reminisce.

As anyone who has put together photo reviews for this site knows, it's a lot of work but when you get this much debate and discussion it's worth every minute of effort.

Thanks again to all that participated in the discussion and I truly hope it continues...

[Steve Strasheim]

What a great thread, thanks again Matt.

As far as the cabins and clubhouse go, I'd say they are a perfect fit. Given the timing of when they were built and the logistics of building them, I'd like to know who could do any better. I certainly could not.

[Eric Smith]

Matt,

Your thread is an instant classic and I thank you for the effort. It served as an invaluable roadmap for our recent visit.

I've added below a few photos from the trip.  

Thanks again.

Eric


----------



Rise and shine.


Mac @ 1


Strolling towards 3 green.
 

Bunker @ 7
 
 

Tony @ 7
 

8
 

My heroic drive at the 8th -- before three jacking for par
 

Clouds mimicking bunkers or vice versa?


13 green


JakaB's 1 iron at 14
 

Again, clouds and bunkers...amazing really.
 


15 green
 

Behind 15 green -- to infinity and beyond.  I stood and stared out here during all three rounds.
 

Speaking of clouds....reminded me of Independence Day!
 

Blue moon
 

Running down the 16th
 

Bunkered at the 17th
 

17. Short little hole that can deliver a good kick in the shins before the epic finish at 18...
 

Perfect finish.  I'm out of breath just typing, remembering my dreadful play at this hole -- all three times.
 


Some odds & ends....

[Scott Szabo]

Matt, Eric and all who have provided pictures - thanks for doing so.  SH is my favorite place in all of golf and I never tire of seeing pictures of the place. 

[Matt Bosela]

My apologies in advance for resurrecting a thread that is seven and a half years old but Ran's yearly "State of the Union" post got me thinking about some of my old photo threads, especially since I hosted all of my pics on Photobucket in the past but moved away from the site when they started charging for the privilege.


I wanted to avoid having this post purged from the site, as it likely qualifies as my biggest contribution to the site and the comments and discussion that resulted are really quite interesting, including one GCA'er who proclaimed the course to be a "Doak 5" before kindly amending that to a Doak 6!  Needless to say, battle lines were drawn!


I've gone and fixed all of my dead photo links in order to save the thread from extinction and allow it to remain in the archives.  It's still my favourite course in the world and I think the 14 pages of passionate discussion are worthy of preservation.

[Morgan Clawson]

Matt,
Thanks for updating the photos.  It's a time consuming process.
I can't remember reading this thread, and I'm looking forward to spending some time with it!

[Brian Finn]

Matt,
Thanks for updating the photos.  It's a time consuming process.
I can't remember reading this thread, and I'm looking forward to spending some time with it!

My sentiments exactly.  Looking forward to going through the entire thread.  Thank you!

[Morgan Clawson]

If you're looking for a little more Sand Hills immersion, give The Fried Egg podcast interview with Supervisor Kyle Hegland a listen:  http://www.friedegg.co/podcasts/episode-52-kyle-hegland

[Scott Szabo]

Thanks for the link Morgan.  A great listen.  We're lucky to have Jared Kalina at our club, who worked with Kyle for a few years at Sand Hills.  These guys get it.