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mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« on: September 29, 2013, 07:26:13 PM »
As we walked PVGC today I suggested that the course could hardly be compared to Merion, for instance. The scale of the place, the unrelenting quality and diversity of the holes, the terrain, the green complexes , and more.

I think it is a waste of time to compare Pine Valley to any parkland course.
AKA Mayday

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2013, 07:48:31 PM »
Mayday,

No, but it is in it's own Borough ;D

Pine Valley is unique in many ways and comparisons are difficult.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2013, 07:50:29 PM by Patrick_Mucci »

Ed Brzezowski

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2013, 07:59:07 PM »
Difficult Patrick??  Almost impossible, Merion has a drink called the Pine Valley. I doubt Pine Valley serves a Merion. It's the one course that  I still get goosebumps driving into. However it could be the Vicodin talking but I think comparisons are impossible.

The service, course conditions , the views and the overall experience are out of this world. IMHO
We have a pool and a pond, the pond would be good for you.

Mark Molyneux

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2013, 08:11:51 PM »
From the Crump Cup today, and the Crump Cup last year, and the year before that... and the one time that I played it. Yes! I have played a lot of places (660) and I've never encountered an inland course with the beauty, the scale, the shot values, the pedigree, the conditioning, the difficulty of Pine Valley. Let me thank the membership for sharing their gem once again. They are unfailingly polite and accommodating.

They're like me, showing off Amazing Fantasy 15... proud and justifiably so. My hat is off to the course... the membership... and every designer who has had his input on the design. If there's a harder par 3 than #5, a better par 4 than #13, or a better par 5 than #7, it might be #14 from the back of the tee, #4, and #15 respectively.

Today was a spectacular day from Ms. Madlyn picking us up at Clementon Park in the bus to the end of the championship match at 15! Thanks to all! ... for the record, I didn't walk on any greens and I didn't chew gum on Ms. Madlyn's bus.

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2013, 08:45:29 PM »
Alternate greens make it far from perfect. Have they put in fans yet?

mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2013, 09:19:05 PM »
It is not perfect but incomparable   No parkland course comes close
AKA Mayday

Joel_Stewart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2013, 10:09:22 PM »
Its #1 in my book by 20%.  I haven't played Royal County Down or Royal Melbourne which may be the only courses that could come close.

PGertner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2013, 10:15:59 AM »
If JaKa says it's bad, then it MUST be spectacular.....and it is.....

Patrick Gertner
Potowomut Golf Club
East Greenwich, RI
(formerly of PVGC)

Jay Flemma

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2013, 10:52:18 AM »
Incomparable is a good word, Mayday.  I will say I've seen nothing like it!  ;D

Mackenzie, MacRayBanks, Maxwell, Doak, Dye, Strantz. @JayGolfUSA, GNN Radio Host of Jay's Plays www.cybergolf.com/writerscorner

Chris Roselle

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2013, 11:25:43 AM »
Here are the final reults in case anyone is interested
http://globalgolfpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013CrumpCupResults.htm

archie_struthers

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2013, 11:29:06 AM »
 ??? 8) ;D


You all know that I am one of Pine Valleys biggest fans , and spent almost a decade of my life working there. Loved it from day one to this day. Haven't seen a golf course that is ARCHITECTURALLY superior, so if that's the question Mayday I'm all in with a yes. Hole by hole, green after fabulous green, it's incredible!

I'm guessing that Mike saw it yesterday in full bloom , like few have. Fairways running out, greens rolling very fast and the colors of the course starting to change . It's drop dead gorgeous this time of year.

As to the best golf course ,  it is a question that has no answer. Diversity is what makes the game so intriguing.

« Last Edit: September 30, 2013, 11:31:26 AM by archie_struthers »

Bob_Huntley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2013, 12:26:02 PM »


Back in the Seventies, Riviera had a similar tournament, it was called the Green Monster Day. The tees were back, way back  and the flag positions in the strangest of places. Once a year was enough.

I have just heard that it is still on the Event Card for the year..

Bob


Peter Pallotta

Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2013, 12:33:10 PM »
Mike - it's interesting to me that, when all the details/pros and cons have been listed and all the expert analysis done, architectural minds far greater than mine have for years concluded that TOC stands alone as a links course and PV stands alone as parkland course.
Two very different courses, yet the heart and soul of gca appears to reside in both. There's some kind of excellent essay to be written on what that suggests about the quality of greatness in the art-craft of golf course design.  

Peter
« Last Edit: September 30, 2013, 12:40:48 PM by PPallotta »

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #13 on: September 30, 2013, 01:06:51 PM »
I had a wonderful time at the Crump Cup yesterday.  I met Tim Martin in the parking lot and ran into Mayday there too.  We spent the next three hours walking the course in reverse.  I'll do it again next year, as it is that much fun.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Todd Melrose

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2013, 03:28:01 PM »
It was my first time at PV, and it is everything you've read/heard/seen and more. There is so much interest on every hole, and fits in seemlessly with nature. Truly spectacular.

What's all the more impressive is how Crump & team were able to route/build this course with NO aerial views either like you could today... just hiking around this plot of land over and over to carve out what it is now.

If i never get to play it, i'll be thankful for this tournament and that anyone is afforded the chance to walk it

Carl Nichols

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #15 on: September 30, 2013, 07:01:19 PM »
Here are the final reults in case anyone is interested
http://globalgolfpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013CrumpCupResults.htm

One of the finalists in the championship flight is a member at my home course, and one of the semifinalists in that flight who didn't make the finals dropped a 62 in an event at our course earlier this year.

My invitation apparently got lost in the mail.  

Bill Brightly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #16 on: September 30, 2013, 07:38:05 PM »
Its #1 in my book by 20%.  I haven't played Royal County Down or Royal Melbourne which may be the only courses that could come close.

Joel,

I have played all three and wouldn't know where to begin the comparison between RCD, RM (Shinnecock for that matter) and Pine Valley. I have not played TOC, but these are links or links-like courses while PV stands alone as a parkland course. If not Merion, what other parkland course even be can compared to PV?
« Last Edit: September 30, 2013, 07:39:53 PM by Bill Brightly »

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2013, 07:54:36 PM »
IF Pine Valley matches NGLA in forward or in reverse, I'll be thrilled. If it tops NGLA, I'll need a diapey. I liked Merion but I liked NGLA more. I liked Merion like I liked Shinny and Sebony.
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Paul Perrella

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2013, 10:10:37 AM »
The diversity of the holes, the green complexes and the conditioning put me firmly in the YES camp. I am very close to Joel in my opinion that it is very nearly 20% above my other contenders for #1. I think it also says something that I feel there is very little difference between my next 10 favorites.

Jon Wiggett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2013, 11:34:10 AM »
Well cat amongst the pigeon time :o  PV is great, super greens complexes and looks outstanding from the tee But...

It requires the same type of shot to often and does not allow all levels of player the chance to get round it in standard play. Too many aerial shot are needed and the tree encroachment is really a negative factor. Finally, I am not sure that it is a parkland course nor that it really fits any of the generic course types so maybe it belongs to a type of its own.

Jon

David Federman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #20 on: October 02, 2013, 03:01:39 PM »
I also made it out to PV for the Crump Cup on Sunday and managed to walk the front 9 and 18 with the senior flight. I had only seen PV from the old Shell TV Series when Gene Littler played Byron Nelson. A friend asked me if it was "immaculate." I told him it was rustically beautiful. As I walked along, all I thought was that I would rather be playing than watching. The course probably could not have been in better condition - firm, fast, and gorgeous in every respect. When I am playing well, I am a solid 12 handicap. I was thinking that PV would not be fun for anyone with a handicap greater than around14-15. It would just be torture. I am curious what others think on this - especially those that have had the opportunity to play there. From a playability standpoint, you have to be driving the ball straight and at least in the 225-240  yard range, I assume from the regular tees. If you are not driving well, you are dead. If playing well, I would love the place. I agree with most that PV is incomparable to any other parkland course I have seen.  Did Crump really just spot the property from the train?


Patrick_Mucci

Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #21 on: October 02, 2013, 03:49:49 PM »
I also made it out to PV for the Crump Cup on Sunday and managed to walk the front 9 and 18 with the senior flight. I had only seen PV from the old Shell TV Series when Gene Littler played Byron Nelson. A friend asked me if it was "immaculate." I told him it was rustically beautiful. As I walked along, all I thought was that I would rather be playing than watching. The course probably could not have been in better condition - firm, fast, and gorgeous in every respect. When I am playing well, I am a solid 12 handicap. I was thinking that PV would not be fun for anyone with a handicap greater than around14-15. It would just be torture. I am curious what others think on this - especially those that have had the opportunity to play there. From a playability standpoint, you have to be driving the ball straight and at least in the 225-240  yard range, I assume from the regular tees. If you are not driving well, you are dead. If playing well, I would love the place. I agree with most that PV is incomparable to any other parkland course I have seen.  

Did Crump really just spot the property from the train?

NO, that was a myth that was debunked a while ago ;D




mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #22 on: October 02, 2013, 04:26:21 PM »
I do think that PVGC gets too much of a pass on tree management
AKA Mayday

David Federman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #23 on: October 02, 2013, 04:44:57 PM »
One question - many of the waste areas "turn" into green side bunkers. What is rule at PV re: grounding one's club; removing loose impediments, etc.? Is there a differentiation for the green side bunkers? Is there any demarcation between "waste" areas and bunkers? There also was a lot of foot traffic through some of the waste areas as the walking paths went right through them in some spots.

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Is Pine Valley in its own league?
« Reply #24 on: October 02, 2013, 04:57:41 PM »
I also made it out to PV for the Crump Cup on Sunday and managed to walk the front 9 and 18 with the senior flight. I had only seen PV from the old Shell TV Series when Gene Littler played Byron Nelson. A friend asked me if it was "immaculate." I told him it was rustically beautiful. As I walked along, all I thought was that I would rather be playing than watching. The course probably could not have been in better condition - firm, fast, and gorgeous in every respect. When I am playing well, I am a solid 12 handicap. I was thinking that PV would not be fun for anyone with a handicap greater than around14-15. It would just be torture. I am curious what others think on this - especially those that have had the opportunity to play there. From a playability standpoint, you have to be driving the ball straight and at least in the 225-240  yard range, I assume from the regular tees. If you are not driving well, you are dead. If playing well, I would love the place. I agree with most that PV is incomparable to any other parkland course I have seen.  

Did Crump really just spot the property from the train?

NO, that was a myth that was debunked a while ago ;D




You ate too many of those fried thingies at the Moron-fest didn't you?  I'll bring the big printout again of the 18th green during construction to Moron-fest Part II just as a reminder.   :)
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

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