While the gang was baking to a toasty crisp in the desert, I had the common sense to go somewhere beautiful, comfortable, hospitable, and where the golf is a true modern classic. That would be, Angels Crossing, just a few minutes south of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our own avid contributor, Big Jim Thompson is "the Man" there because he helped develop the iidea of the course from it's inception, with his brother Bob and some friends, designed by Bruce Mathews, architect, with inputs on design from Jim, with serious construction work from rough grading all the way through to fine tuning the grow-in, Jim Thompson was there every step of the way.
I spent a very enjoyable 3 days playing Angels Crossing, arriving at twighlight for my first round Sunday. I played alone and practically had the course to myself. It was a golden lit, gentle breese "perfect" afternoon that I can honestly say was one of the most tranquil and special times I have ever spent on any golf course. My second day I again played alone on light user Monday. I took video of every hole that I will share with those of you who would like to preview the course (not a cinematic masterpiece, but pretty good scenes)
The last day, I had the honor to be invited to play in the Western Michgan Golf Course Superintendent's spring meeting and golf outting. Yes, our own "grandpa" Joe Hancock was there, and he sure don't look like no grandpa. I was expecting a Grandpa Jones older type guy, and I got a youthful looking guy that should have his own show on the comedy channel.
The course is set on large rolling sandy loam terrain islandlike series of structures, amidst wetlands and a crystal clear stream that 'runs through it' another mile to a lovely lake. The views from anywhere on the course are special and one of the nicest golf properties I have seen. There are housing sites outward and away from the first completed 18 holes of the soon to be 27 hole course. The third nine will be the only real loop that you will see homes on the course. It is so good, I am bringing up with my wife the thought of buying one of the last remaining lots (as I did at Wild Horse). For those of you that know me, that is a ringing endorsement of how good this project is!!!
There are a few isolated views through to the outskirts of the property where you will eventually see some homes - a quarter mile away from the course through the surrounding woods or on only one hole, 5 sites across a substantial span of prairie.
I don't have time for a hole by hole of the course right now. I just wanted to get this thread started, and will add to it later.
But, I ask that anyone interested to discuss this course, who hasn't already read it, to go to Jim Thompson's "my home course" first, and read it. It is a very well and accurately written article, by Jim (who developed and participated in design and build). I'm here to tell you that while one may think Jim is tooting their horn describing his own course, it is a modest assesment of how good the couse actually is.
http://www.golfangelscrossing.com/default.asp?active_page_id=1I have been communicating with Jim Thompson on GCA.com for several years now. Jim has always been one of the most knowledgeable contributors to this site. When you finally meet him and see him in his element, you will come to really respect just how credible Jim is on all things involving golf design, construction, management of the facility from club house to maintenance shop. Jim is a human dynamo of activity, and I hear several townspeople refer to him as just that, a dynamo! He is one of "those" guys that only sleeps a couple hours a night. You will find Jim on the course early or late, working with the crew at any level of job, to welcoming prospective members and out of town guests and golfers, to participating in one of the many other agricultural, and community projects they are involved in. That includes the renovation of an emense old papermill into residential and commercial space. They have a substatial part of the 3rd nine rough excavated, and soon ready to go forward.
They are working currently out of a model condo, with a pro shop. The club house is yet to be built, and there are some minor hold-ups with liquor licensing. So, they still have a big item to deal with as the all important profit center is essential in the long term. Yet, they have a large party tent, and use a caterer for gatherings like the super's meeting and golf outing.
But, how to physically describe Jim?
Well, his name helped me as I thought about that, as I was driving back through that hell hole of a Chicago, they call a toll way system. There in the windy city, it hit me that our Jim is quite like Chicago's famous Jim, with similar looks, humor and temperment, Jim Belushi!
the best thing is that our Jim will also give you his ideas, "According to Jim" just like the hit TV show that Belushi stars in ...
But, this isn't telling any of you yet, what is up with the golf course. I'll fill that in when I have more time. The link to My Home Course should get you started.
And, I will say this... If this group doesn't seriously think about a GCA.com poster gathering at Angels Crossing, then we would be completely missing a real life example and the very reason this on-going discussion has been taking place for several years now. Jim Thompson has absorbed some of the great thoughts that have been expressed within these cyber walls, and he lived the life and experienced the issues we speak of everyday. He directed the birth and overall management of this course with every classic notion, and inspiration of all the great design concepts we have considered here within the ongoing discussion. He gives great credit to many people that helped him to refine his thinking. And, he knows he is blessed with a quality superintendent in Roger Barton, who has been around the turf game for many years and manages the turf to the highest quality standards, with firm and fast always an operational goal.
I'll leave this to be continued later with this thought, Angels Crossing is worth a trip from anywhere to be experienced! If you are in Michigan anyway, with ability to spend a day or two, don't hesitate, do it!