[Ran Morrissett]

... under Courses by Country and Architecture Timeline.

When you speak with Kyle Phillips, his Lead Design Associate Mark Thawley or George Waters, they light up at the mention of Wilshire CC. It’s not hard to see why – this place as well as Southern California was a virtual think tank of design during the Golden Age.
 
Kyle Phillips Design Group poured over countless aerials from the period to clearly understand the 'Macbeth Course.' Then, they set about enthusing much of the original character back into Wilshire. After the removal of undistinguished trees and a proper re-grassing, the dramatic barranca is fully displayed and its impact clearly felt as it winds through or along thirteen holes. Restored bunkers are deeper than ever and help lend this 6500 yard course an appealing bite.
 

One of the aerials used by Kyle Phillips Design Group demonstrates Macbeth's magnificent use of the barranca at the 16th and 18th greens found lower right. Also, the size of those greens (18 was 60 plus yards long) and the mammoth 3rd in the middle of the photo highlight Macbeth as one of the innovative designers of the time.
 
While wandering down memory lane, wading through past threads I have been struck by the many unique viewpoints that have created this Discussion Group's rich tapestry of golf course architecture. Among my re-discoveries are Tommy Naccarato's rants on the devolution of golf in Southern California and his wistful musings about Pasadena, Lakeside, Royal Palms, Midwick, Norconian, Bell’s El Cabellero and other desecrations. Many years ago he first uttered Macbeth's name on this web, like most east coaster's, I had never heard of the man. Threads about Wilshire gained momentum only after Kyle and his merry band got going there in the fall of 2008. Wilshire has ultimately become a GolfClubAtlas.com darling. Just last Thursday Joel Stewart and Michael Robin called to sing its praises as they drove away.
 
So few places exhibit an intelligent design that holds your interest. Here, your brain expands because you see things that you haven’t anywhere else. Tommy's vintage black and white photos make it quite clear why the LA Open was conducted here 4 times in a 17-year span.
 
Before George Thomas’ mid-1920s burst and his great triumvirate of courses changed the LA landscape, Wilshire might well have been the best course in Southern California. Who would have thunk it?! Have a look at its course profile and see for yourself!

Best,

[Mark Bourgeois]

Hmm, reminiscent of Mackenzie's use of the barranca at 11 and 12 Pasatiempo....I think.

[Patrick_Mucci]

I found Wilshire to be one of the most interesting, challenging, fun golf courses that I've ever played.

It's the kind of course that you can play every day and look forward to playing it again tomorrow.

What a wonderful, if not brilliant, use of a single creek that meanders through the property.

If you're in L.A. try not to miss it.

[Brian Finn]

I found Wilshire to be one of the most interesting, challenging, fun golf courses that I've ever played.

It's the kind of course that you can play every day and look forward to playing it again tomorrow.

What a wonderful, if not brilliant, use of a single creek that meanders through the property.

If you're in L.A. try not to miss it.

I could not agree more with Mr. Mucci.  Wilshire is incredibly fun and plenty challenging. I'm very excited that I should be returning soon to learn more about MacBeth's masterpiece.  The new profile gives an excellent sense of this great course and club. Additionally, it comes as no surprise that their head pro, Rick Rielly, is one of the classiest guys in the game.

[Joel_Stewart]

One of the best reviews.  The quality of the reviews on GCA have improved dramatically, I know understand why you purged some of the earlier reviews.

Regarding Wilshire, it's short, 6,500 yards but doesn't play short.  The greens are a great defender like so many classic courses.

If they restore the barranca around the 16th and 18th holes, it will be herald as one the great restorations in American golf history, along side of LACC, Pinehurst and Cal Club.

[Thomas Dai]

Very fine profile, very impressive course. Shows what can be done only using 104 acres.

Fine old photos as well - oil derricks behind the 16th green that Jim Barnes in putting on, trenches around greens (trenches remind me of those at Herbert Fowlers Beau Desert).

atb

[Ronald Montesano]

Picking nits: "Bell’s El Cabellero" would be "the hairdresser." Should be "El Caballero."

[Jim Eder]

Ran,

Terrific review, thank you for highlighting this special place.

Wilshire is very special, the golf course is spectacular. Your review and pics really capture what a pleasure it is to play that great course. Even with high expectations, I think the course will exceed those high expectations. As Pat says, one could honestly play it every day and be very happy.

I second what Brian wrote, Rick Reilly is the consummate professional. A total class act, friendly, knowledgeable. Just a great guy always willing to talk about the golf course and the history. Great guy.

The Super keeps it in great shape as well.

Los Angeles golf has made a nice jump into the upper echelon with all the recent work at several golf courses led by The Los Angeles CC. I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy the recent terrific work at many of these great clubs and courses.

Thanks again Ran.

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

I have been fortunate to have played Wilshire from 1977-80 for during high school,  and a couple times a year since.  The scope of the restoration has really brought out the best features of the course.  The only things remaining are the expansions of 16 and 18 greens, and bringing the centerline ridge on the 3rd green back to life.  The 3rd green has been rebuilt twice since sometime in the 1980's, and along with 10 might have been the only greens in the late 80's that were very close to their original size.  With massive tree removal, the course has been playing firm and tricky the past few years.  Hopefully, this along with LACC will prove a catalyst for more SoCal courses to restore lost features and better manage tree forrest impulses.

[Joel_Stewart]

Photo courtesy of Kyle Phillips.   

[Jordan Standefer]

If they restore the barranca around the 16th and 18th holes, it will be herald as one the great restorations in American golf history, along side of LACC, Pinehurst and Cal Club.

Joel,

Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I can chime in, but I think restoration of the barranca around those greens is nearly impossible due to either the stabilization work that took place or water drainage or both.

I would agree that having that barranca back would be a great thing, but I'm not sure it's feasible.

[Joel_Stewart]

Jordan:

I am the wrong person to ask and have no knowledge of the details at Wilshire.

I have heard different rumors, one being that corp of engineers does have a problem with a renovation plan of the barranca as it is crucial to the drainage of storm water in the neighborhood.  To me it doesn't make sense since restoring it will enlarge the area and allow for greater runoff?

The other aspect is that this entire project has been done in phases due to budgeting.  The last phase is a restoration is the 16th and 18th
greens and will move forward when the club has the means to do so.  As you mentioned, to properly restore it, the barranca will need to be stabilized so it doesn't deteriorate.   

[Tommy Naccarato]

First, I have to give credit where credit is due!

I had never even seen Wilshire until an invite by our own Adam Clayman, who had a friend that was a member there.  I do believe Adam and I played there twice, but the first time I just kept on telling Adam, "This is a links course!, or something close to it at one time!" and honestly, while its isn't on sand dunes, when you look at Wilshire's movement; subtle in spots to surprisingly wild in others, it was all about the routing and what a routing it was! Its just perfect use of land, albeit now, with urban sprawl; surrounding houses, neighborhood, etc. Its hard to really see unless you really get down and dirty and can look past all of it, imagining the land and what it looked like in that image with the oilfields in the distance.

[Daniel Jones]

Another outstanding profile of a course and designer which I previously knew little about. To say the restoration looks outstanding is surely an understatement.

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Can someone explain what exactly barranca is and how it is different from what we in the Midwest call a creek?

I see it referenced all the time during the LA Open, as if it is  some type of feature unique to Southern California.

Thanks

[Brian Finn]

Can someone explain what exactly barranca is and how it is different from what we in the Midwest call a creek?

I see it referenced all the time during the LA Open, as if it is  some type of feature unique to Southern California.

Thanks

I would say the defining features of a barranca are the depth and steepness, i.e. they are a more severe gash in the land.  I think there are plenty of creeks in Southern California that you would not call barrancas.

[Tom_Doak]

Barrancas are also inclined to go dry for part or much of the year, due to the nature of the arid southwest.  I don't know if that is part of the official definition of a barranca, but it certainly has a significant effect as to how they play as golf hazards.

[Howard Riefs]

Can someone explain what exactly barranca is and how it is different from what we in the Midwest call a creek?

In Midwest parlance, you'd call it a ravine.

[Morgan Clawson]

Fascinating course!

It's truly an urban oasis.

The barranca emerges on the north end of the course, runs though the course, and then disappears at the southern border of the course.  I assume it gets piped underground north and south of the course.
 

Here's a satellite photo of the north end of the course:


Satellite photo of the south end of the course:

[Patrick_Mucci]

Morgan,

I think the use of that creek is one of the most brilliant architectural uses of a creek that I've ever seen..

I understand why the course is named "Wilshire", but it could easily have been named: The Creek"

It's pure genius



Fascinating course!

It's truly an urban oasis.

The barranca emerges on the north end of the course, runs though the course, and then disappears at the southern border of the course.  I assume it gets piped underground north and south of the course.
 

Here's a satellite photo of the north end of the course:


Satellite photo of the south end of the course:

[Tommy Naccarato]

Of Spanish origin, the word or term Barranca means a deep gully or arroyo with steep sides.  I think it's safe to call Wilshire's creek a Barranca, since we were once Spanish-owned!   . Ole'!

[Tommy Naccarato]

Pardon the raw flying technique, but at the time, this was the second time I flew my new toy, albeit the first time I had flown on a golf course.  It allowed one of Wilshire's greatest assets, esteemed Director of Golf, Rick Rielly and myself to be laughing it up pretty hard as we avoided trees that weren't even supposed to be in our flight path!

Much thanks to USC's Women's Golf Coach, Andrea Gaston for standing in as the on tee model.

Click here for the footage of the 4th:  http://youtu.be/njLrnL7NA_U

[Steve Okula]

Can someone explain what exactly barranca is and how it is different from what we in the Midwest call a creek?

I see it referenced all the time during the LA Open, as if it is  some type of feature unique to Southern California.

Thanks

From the unabridged dictionary of the Spanish language published by the Real Academia Española:

barranca f. barranco m. Despeñadero, precipicio / Quiebra profunda producida en la tierra por las corrientes de las aguas o por otras causas.

That is to say it’s defined as a cliff or precipice or deep, broken ground created by running water or other causes.

Kyle Phillips must be at least as good as any architect practicing today.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pardon the raw flying technique, but at the time, this was the second time I flew my new toy, albeit the first time I had flown on a golf course.  It allowed one of Wilshire's greatest assets, esteemed Director of Golf, Rick Rielly and myself to be laughing it up pretty hard as we avoided trees that weren't even supposed to be in our flight path!

Much thanks to USC's Women's Golf Coach, Andrea Gaston for standing in as the on tee model.

Click here for the footage of the 4th:  http://youtu.be/njLrnL7NA_U


Tommy,

That's pretty neat.

The early morning shadows hinder the presentation, but I think there's a great future for drones and GCA.

I loved everything about Wilshire and started some threads about it shortly after playing there.

For too long it's been under the radar and under rated.

It's FUN to play

And the use of that creek has to be the most brilliant use of a creek anywhere in golf, especially when you consider on how many holes it comes into play.

If and when I return to L.A. Wilshire will be a must play

[Tommy Naccarato]

Please remove the "if"!

Agreed on all accounts with exception to the small mistake of time.  This was done late in the evening with the low sun of the approaching solstice confusing matters as such.  I'll surely try to add more drone work later. It's a fascinating, but more fun way to study the beauty of architecture!

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