Mr. Hurricane:
Played the course last year. It was created as another "get-away" layout for a group of guys who belong to a number of long time private clubs in the Pittsburgh area -- notably Oakmont and a few others.
The basics of the course are as follows: plays about 7,200 yards from the tips and rates near or slightly above 75 from the tips with a slope, I believe, around 138-140.
The course is on rolling land that features more woods on the back nine. Unfortunately, the layout doesn't really offer the kind of progression of quality holes found in other Rees Jones layouts -- namely Olde Kinderhook IMHO. The course isn't anywhere near as bad as Tattersall (to be avoided at all costs) -- another Jones course located in the Phillie suburbs.
The stylistic trademarks of Rees Jones are evident -- and for those who rant about such matters it may behoove them to skip the layout. What do I mean? There is a good bit of shaping and the elements of man's hands seem to superimpose themselves on the wonderful western Pennsy layout.
Totteridge is not an easy course by any means -- you must hit it straight and long on a number of holes and there are a few greens of note that have enough contour to keep you guessing.
Is the course worthy of a visit if an invite to the Field Club or Fox Chapel is available (I'm not mentioning Oakmont because if an invite happens anyone would be a dam fool to miss playing there) then I would say you'd be better off seeing those two architecturally more compelling layouts.
Totterridge does have a number of good holes -- the par-5's are all fairly demanding -- you don't get an easy birdie with the play of just one shot. The ending holes on both sides are also somewhat lacking -- not for demands but for originality. They both play in the same direction and as a result it's duplicative and could have been somewhat more imaginative.
For those folks who detest Rees Jones it's best to play elsewhere. For those who want to see a layout that clearly can be testing (depending upon the tee's one plays) and has a number of holes that do provide some clear challenge then playing Totteridge will be something to enjoy.
Overall -- on the Doak scale -- I'd give it a five because like other big name designer courses that have opened in Western Pennsy -- places such as Nevillewood by Nicklaus and Diamond Run(?) by Player the courses have the ingredients of solid golf but the extras one would like to see from a higher combination of architecture and shot values is lacking IMHO.
Mr. Hurricane -- if you want a course that does provide a bit of difference from the big name designers try Birdsfoot which is 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh in the town of Freeport (tel # 724/295-3656 (
www.birdsfoot.com). The course is designed by Ault Clark & Associates and although that firm has designed many pro forma layouts this one is indeed a bit different and special IMHO.
The course has superb turf (the superintendent was an assistant at Oakmont and handled the duties for several years at Quick Silver in Midway) and the holes have plenty of variety to keep just about anyone's interest -- once again the terrain of Western PA is on prime display here! The layout maxes out to just under 7,050 yards and I believe carries a 74.4 rating with a 137 slope.
The best hole may be the closer which plays about 470 yards from the tips and features a superb split fairway that calls upon the player to decide on your line of attack. The green is also well done as it falls off on a few sides. The course is certainly worth a look for those with time to spare and the folks there are nothing but first class all the way. Give it a try if time permits.