continues to transform a good golf course into a great golf course.
For years the 7th hole at Mountain Ridge had remained a mystery.
It was out of context with the balance of the golf course.
It bore no resemblance to the 1929 field drawings crafted by Ross.
Yet, every other hole/green on the course was built as drawn in 1929.
Many theories were put forth regarding the old 7th green
As green speeds increased, the 7th hole's punchbowl green's cupping area was reduced to a very small area.
Making for a boring putting surface, once reached.
Ron Prichard recently restored the 7th green to reflect it's configuration in the 1929 drawings.
The putting surface is like so many other putting surfaces at MRCC, divided into tiers with spines and contours providing variety and incredible interest.
The bunkering is also in keeping with the bunker style found throughout the course.
Today, the hole is exponentially better than the prior hole.
Previously, Ron had restored the short 12th hole to it's original configuration.
Misguided souls had planted numerous trees, totally altering the playing corridors on # 12, and they had shifted the fairway.
Ron did a really great job in restoring the hole.
But, the following hole, # 13, was dull.
While too many cooks can spoil the broth, the same holds true for golf holes.
Ron has transformed the 13th hole into a very interesting hole by restoring a creek along the right side of a very, very generous fairway and introducing a left side fairway bunker.
Now, the golfer has to consider how to play the hole on his drive and subsequent shots.
In order to avoid the creek on the right, do you play toward the bunker on the left ?
Can you carry the bunker on the left ?
And, for the long hitter, the right side creek crosses the fairway, requiring him to consider club selection off the tee.
Last but not least, the 18th green could no longer accomodate today's green speeds.
The hole is difficult enough with a perfectly flat green, but, a sloped two tiered green wouldn't allow approach and recovery shots from remaining on the green, often ending up 10, 20 and 30 yards back down the fairway.
In general, I'm stridently opposed to altering classic greens for tournaments.
But, in this case, the general membership couldn't handle the green.
Ron rotated the green on it's axis, expanded it and provided a playing surface over the green that's no longer 4 inch rough, but, a fairway length runoff area with but a slight slope.
Individually and collectively, the changes are outstanding and have enhanced the play of the course dramatically.
And, the real beauty of the restoration/alteration ?
You'd never know that Ron was there.
There are no fingerprints or ego markings.
You'd be hard pressed to distinquish Ron's work from Ross's work.
Now, while I was previously opposed to altering the slope of the back right of the 17th green, after seeing what Ron did on # 18, I'm now in favor of a softening of that portion of the green.
At any course, rarely do you find unanimity in acceptance of changes, but, I haven't heard one member speak of the changes Ron crafted, in negative terms. Every member I've spoken with has been enthusiastic and praiseworthy of Ron's work.
In looking for imperfections, I couldn't find any.
For any course looking to find the balance between playability and the retention of the original architects style, Ron Prichard would be amongst my first recommendations.
What a great job !