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Tiger_Bernhardt

  • Karma: +0/-0
Queenwood golf Club
« on: March 19, 2012, 04:14:04 PM »
I have not played there or seen the course. It has a team along with Lake Nona, Albany and Ilsworth today. I am a bit puzzled how Kidd got a job in that location with so many great courses within 10 miles of it. Does anyone know much about it other than very expensive and great service?

K. Krahenbuhl

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2012, 04:22:49 PM »
Does anyone know much about it other than very expensive and great service?

John,

A few guys from Houston that you may know from the club flew over there with the new owner of our baseball team and played while on a whirlwind trip a year or two ago.  They loved it, but when I asked them what was great about it most of the answers could be summarized by your quote above.

Tiger_Bernhardt

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2012, 05:25:18 PM »
Kyle as you know whether in Houston or New York access to private aviation and owning a pro team does not give one knowledge of golf architecture.

Steve Okula

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2012, 06:09:08 PM »
I visited Queenwood in April 2004 when it was still fairly new. I was with the architecture study group from the Edinburgh College of Art. We only walkd the course (didn't play it) guided by then then (maybe still) course manager, one of the famous McMilllan family, but I don't recall which one exactly, like the Maples of Pinehurst, there are just too many of them to keep straight.

Queenwood was unique in my experience as it was the first and only course I've seen that was a manufactured "heathland". The site was originally forest over clay soil, with some pasture and farm fields. The whole course was capped with sand, up to one meter in depth, we were told, to replicate heathland soils. Large amounts of heather and broom were imported to enhance the appearance. At the time, it was still a bit raw, the heather plantings hadn't coalesced and looked unnatural, but I've been told by expert witnesses that it has since matured and blossomed. Vast sums were spent, with the goal to create one of the most exclusive clubs anywhere. The day we were there, the course was open, but we did not see a single golfer.  I don't know how it's working out today.

The course was impressive. I especially liked the green complexes, which were shaped with understated, elegant, flowing lines sure to arouse the excitement of any GCA buff.  It was in immaculate condition. I've got some photos on an old disc somewhere and if I weren't so lazy I would look for it to share them. Again, I don't know how it might be today.
The small wheel turns by the fire and rod,
the big wheel turns by the grace of God.

Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2012, 07:03:02 PM »
Outside London and ultra high end.  So high end in fact that you can't access the GUEST area of their website without a password!

Here's Tavistock Cup info from Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavistock_Cup

C. Sturges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2012, 07:15:15 PM »
Tiger,  I had the great fortune to play there in 2008.  The course was in great condition, as would be expected.  The course felt like it had been there along time, like many of its neighbors.  What I found was the greens felt larger and had more movement .  Not as bold as The Castle course, but more than Bandon to compare.  If you can get on I would play it in a heart beat. 
After the round I went to hit balls on the range, and was asked not to bother any of the members.  About ten minutes later I heard very loud golf shots, hit very hard and well.  When I turned around , Els was hitting balls just down the range.  Just another member.
Chris

Jaeger Kovich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2012, 10:37:37 PM »
My website and blog have the only photo tour and review (from someone who has actually played the course). I wrote about 2+ years ago and should probably be adjust a touch as I have learned more and the greens were resurfaced and new rootzone was installed last summer along with a few other changes. I've played the course about 6 times now, the most recent was a week ago saturday and I will be wearing my green shirt again tomorrow!

Sam Morrow

Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2012, 10:38:52 PM »
Kyle as you know whether in Houston or New York access to private aviation and owning a pro team does not give one knowledge of golf architecture.


But he owns a course. ;)

Doug Braunsdorf

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Queenwood golf Club
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2012, 05:00:20 AM »
Outside London and ultra high end.  So high end in fact that you can't access the GUEST area of their website without a password!

Here's Tavistock Cup info from Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavistock_Cup

Bill- I saw that, too; I had no idea about these other team names and things.  Tavistock was originally one thing, two clubs, and now this addition of teams, to promote a different club and an island resort-club. 

I'm iffy on the shirts that look like soccer/football jerseys.

Could we do the same thing, with Dixie Cup?  My development, a few miles from Twisted Dune, is known as Cedar Crest. 

I saw this "Albany" (the resort, not the Capital) has a course designed by Els.  (And who else, no pun intended?)  There are some shades of sandbelt, I see the routing on the website but the way the lines are drawn, it leaves me wondering. 
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction."