Re: WPB muni reno...
* played it many times when working in pb in the early, gasp!, 80's (Hogan's great line -'Never grow old')
* played it maybe 3yrs ago after the reno
* when playing after the reno, was no longer a GD Panelist
* there was no one in shop who could give details
* there were some news clips on the wall
* course features some terrific land movement, especially for that part of fl
* there are several areas off-site that are 'commercial' or less than favorable viewing
* there used to be many large trees that bordered and framed holes beautifully. What type? Never knew, but the trees DID NOT infringe on greens
* they cut 'em ALL down. Perhaps they thought that the craze started by Oakmont (and, IMO, very appropriate in the proper circumstances) would look great
* installed huge amounts of sand to create giant waste areas throughout the course (where the trees once stood)
* the sand seemed non-native, very fine, and had blown out of the waste areas and into roughs, creating some sort of half grass/half waste areas. And it appeared the sand migration was continuing, narrowing grass playing corridors
* the stripped land now allows several of those off-site eyesores to appear
* the range was not addressed and was a dirted-up parking lot with 3 tufts of grass on the ravaged tee
The course once was almost resort-like. Now, it feels like a beat-up muni.
It seemed that the city was suckered into a concept that would be (and is) great for Pinehurst #2, but totally inappropriate for them. That's the beauty of golf...for almost every aspect....everything is right. But, is it right for YOU! In this case, IMO, the answer is NO!