Mike S:
I always enjoy your comments -- even the offbeat ones.
I was asked to play the course and I simply go where I am invited. Simple as that.
I also answered previously that if I played there at a different time that I would not mind paying the fee for 1-2 rounds per year. I do have a budget like most people and I try to play my golf at places where my time and pocketbook are considered.
I don't hold price against Pound Ridge -- I don't hold it against Pebble ior Pinehurst #2 either. Unfortunately, many of the superior golf experiences do charge a hefty fee or require networking of the inner sanctum variety to gain access to the more elite private clubs.
If you choose not to play there I respect your decision - however, I do state that walking a layout and actually playing one is a big time difference in getting a much thorough familiarity with the course. I plan on playing there again when the metro writers play there on July 22. It will be interesting for me to see if my initial comments were spot on or misplaced. I will certainly share them with the group.
Mike, the playpens of the rich have always been private clubs. CCFAD's have generally avoided many of the areas you have mentioned because the folks there, for the most part, opt to play at private clubs. Mr. Wang has seen fit to provide a public option -- albeit an expensive one.
I also mentioned -- the event you missed it -- that building a CCFAD in seasonal locations like Nantucket or the Hamptons would be foolish because it is the rich who are the transient types and since they have their playpens the ordinary folks will look for cheaper golf options.
Locating PR smack dab in the heart of the immediate greater Greenwich area may just work for the reasons I mentioned previously. I find it amusing that people don't like the idea that outsiders like me have outlined the vast array of exquisite castles and other toys that permeate the landscape in that very unique area of the USA. I salute the folks there who have the deepest of pockets because that's the likely market that Mr. Wang is looking to catch. Will he succeed? The jury is out on that one for now.
Glad you played Galloway -- you didn't say definitively if you liked it as much, better or less than Hidden Creek. Also, I can't recall if you say you enjoy the type of golf that Dye (all family members included) provides.
In regards to the 15th hole -- there's sufficient room for an approach to land there. The "visual" element -- which the Dyes excel at -- is to make the golfer BELIEVE the landing area is that much smaller. Playing mind games is what works at Pound Ridge and as I said at the outset it's the nature of the "visual terror" that you must rise above in order to score well when playing.
I've said there are issues I have with the course -- it's not perfect by any means. But having the Dyes in the greater NYC metro area is a plus because of the fanfare this type of course will cause. Our discussion here and likely others will have is proof of that.
Michael H:
Hold the phone amigo -- my analysis comes from actuall yplaying the hole.
Have you ?
I also mentioned the nature of the type of shot that would be played and the distance required. It's very much within acceptability and reasonabless.
Michael -- do you hold the same logic for the 17th at TPC / Sawgrass ?
The Dyes gave players at the 15th at PR room to escape the nature of the water hazard -- if you hit the rock you likely have over hit by two clubs. Hello -- how much room do people need on a short hole. Have we forgotten the merits of accuracy.
From the middle tees the hole is 151 yards - you make it sound like the hole was 250 yards and the rock was still in the same position for such a longer hole.
Michael, if you actually play the hole you will see that there's more than enough room and that, as I said previously, the pin will only be placed in the far left corner during special situations. Hope this further info helps your understanding.