MikeC:
Read your post -- couple of points to make.
First, I believe it's fair to say that you prefer courses that have less of "man's hand" involved (i.e. Hawk Pointe, Beechtree, etc.). I, on the other hand, see no reason why man cannot shape features (i.e. Bulle Rock, Pine Hill, Crystal Springs) as needed provided this is done without distorting the prime directive on any course -- the good shot rewarded and the poor shot penalized proportionally to the manner in which it is executed.
As far as the comments regarding the distinctions between Hawk Pointe and Crystal Springs a couple of quick points. First, Crystal Springs is located on one of the most difficult pieces of property to situate a course. The course is routed through a series of small access ways (bracketed by wetlands and a power line) and to the architect's credit most of the holes attempt to fit what the land gives. It doesn't work at all times, but it's something to keep in mind. Clearly, Crystal Springs is not blessed with the open and available acreage you get at Hawk Pointe.
Also, remember that when Crystal Springs first opened it was EVEN more severe than it is today. At that time back in 1991(?) the course had a series of moguls throughout the course that were overly abrasive. That has been softened considerably since then.
What makes Crystal Springs unique in my mind is that the golfer cannot simply stand on the tee and swat away with impunity -- you must properly gauge your ability to hit the ball straight. Mike, as you know, I can hit the ball a decent ways off the tee, and I like to play a course where you have a chess match in deciding what you must do off the tee. Crystal Springs has many of these types of holes.
The first two holes at Crystal Springs are very demanding. The 3rd needs a major adjustment given the slope of the hill and the manner in which the driving zone is overly corsetted.
I'm not a fan of the 7th hole and I actually think that if Crystal had one less par-5 and par-3 holes there would be a better sense of overall balance. Also, having at least one, maybe two, really long par-4's would add to its depth.
The management is aware of a number of items and is planning on having Director of Golf David Glenz be involved with making further course modifications. How that turns out is still up in the air. Also, realize Crystal Springs will be re-routed in the very near future with the old 18th serving as the 1st hole and the rest of the layout to follow as it does now. There is talk about making corrections to the 17th which is really poorly designed in my opinion with its three-level green. If the re-routing takes place the concluding hole at Crystal Springs will have to be significantly modified to end the round in high fashion.
But, Mike give the course it's due too. You have a number of excellent public holes such as the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th and the previously mentioned 18th. In fact, I will argue all day about the merits of the 10th, 11th and 15th holes -- they are clearly demanding and give you a variety of challenges to overcome. Crystal is clearly more penal than just about any public course in NJ. If the wheels come off your tee-to-green game you will need a calculator to add up your score. Some people don't like that and clearly there are issues of slow play which really the club has not made major inroads in combatting. But, Crystal Springs makes the golfer adjust to what the course is and if you should play appropriately the rewards are there.
The greens at Crystal Springs also have contours that are not easy to deal with -- witness, the 9th hole. Put the pin in the front left and you have as tough a pin position as you can find.
Your argument on behalf of Hawk Pointe is laudable. I will certainly be interested in seeing the course again this summer. However, Mike, a few points. The layout gives the golfer too much space in which to hit tee shots. Yes, it's a plus to provide width but just how much width is enough? Give an example, good players will routinely cut off the corner of the 1st hole and have an easy time getting near the green in two shots. Yes, I know it's the 1st hole and many times the architect wants to ease you into the round. But, where's the penalty for the mis-hit? If there was any course that could really blossom with more rough (not immediately adjacent to the fairway but just as a visual component that will grab the really errant tee shot) to serve as a contrast to the closely cropped fairways it's Hawk Pointe.
At the 2nd you have two ways to approach the hole from the tee but why does anyone need to challenge the tiny opening on the left side of the fairway. The green is so big you can gain just as much access and angle from the right.
Another example is the 5th -- what's the penalty for just bombing the ball down the extrete left side. I know of plenty of players who don't even think for a minute in executing the tee shot this way. Just adding one or two fairway bunkers / or high fescue rough, on this line would keep the player honest and protect the integrity of the hole.
The green shapes you mentioned are very good in spots -- i.e. 6th, 7th, etc. I would further add that the 6th is probably the best short par-4 among public holes in New Jersey -- a grand hole with plenty of bite for its length and the par-5 7th is also a gem of a hole. You didn't mention the par-3 13th which has one of the most unique greens in public golf in NJ and #9 is also a good one when the pin is placed in the rear portion. But, keep in mind the shot values required at all of the par-3's are fairly similar. A bit more variety is needed. The spread range of all four holes from the tips is just 12 yards.
As far as the other holes are concerned I often wonder why a separate alternate fairway was provided at the par-5 15th? It really never comes into play from the times I've played Hawk Pointe. What about also including a fairway bunker deep down the left side of #18 to keep people from just bailing out against going too far left to avoid the water right. Also, the green on the last hole is really just ordinary -- I'd love to see some real of the contouring you get at some of the earlier holes.
One last point -- Hawk Pointe also suffers from having no less than six medium length par-4's that play in the tight range of just a spread of 10 yards. To wit -- the 3rd (389), 8th (397), 11th (394), 12th (385), 14th (383) and the 17th (387). Since the land is there why not some real variety in the par-4' s -- the meat of any course?
I look forward to seeing Hawk Pointe plus a full range of public courses this year in NJ to see how they're progressing. Let's plan on playing a few of them together and any other person from GCA who cares to come along.
Finally, my point on how quality daily fees have failed to make inroads to be among the best courses from the states listed is still true in my mind. Yes, Mike we have plenty of courses in the 4-5 range, but few that can make the grade at 6.5 or higher and compete with the best in their respective state. Given the $$ these developers / management companies had and the prime land many could get I just think a golden opportunity was wasted. Hopefully, future public courses coming down the line will learn and realize that making s quick visit to many of the grand private ones (i.e. Plainfield, GCGC, Somerset Hills, etc, etc.) and seeing what the grand masters of design did will pay off for them when they build the next line of daily fees in NJ, NY and PA.
Hope this helps ...
