Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Dan Moore on October 22, 2008, 04:19:06 PM
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Quirky good looks, depth of character, a sense of humor, an abundance of soul; what more could you possibly want.
Originally dubbed Lawsonia Country Club, the Links Course was part of a $3.0 million 1,000+ acre resort development on the shores of Green Lake, Wisconsin. The resort was developed by the Stone Company of Chicago which had purchased the property from the estate of Chicago Daily News publisher Victor Lawson. The Green Lake area was first occupied by the Winnebago Indians of Wisconsin who felt Green Lake, Wisconsin’s deepest lake, possessed special spiritual power.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/LawsoniaHotel.jpg)
Built on the open farmland of Victor Lawson’s Estate, Lawsonia is the best preserved course of the underappreciated golf course design and construction team of William Langford and Theodore Moreau. Costing around $250,000, an enormous sum in the Roaring 20’s, the Links Course opened for Play in 1930. Legend has it that Walter Hagen played on opening day.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/GCA%20posts/1aaLMmemorial.jpg)
Their timing could not have been worse. Lots failed to sell and course went into receivership shortly thereafter. During WWII the grounds were used to house 400 German war prisoners and for a period of time the course was used as dairy pasture. Eventually the property, which was valued at $11.0 mil, was purchased by the American Baptist Assembly in the mid 1940’s for about $300,000.
Thankfully, the Links Course survived its early, troubled history largely intact. Architect Ron Forse has been engaged in recent years and a steady program of improvements have been undertaken and carried out by superintendent Mike Berwick. Notable has been the removal of many trees, recapture of shrunken green surfaces, esthetically pleasing addition of fescue areas and expanded fairways with redefined fairway lines more consistent with the flowing fairway lines as originally intended by Langford and Moreau.
Course in 1992. Starting from a centrally located clubhouse, the front nine is to left and back nine on right. Red T’s show where trees have been removed and yellow dots show bunkers that have been grassed over. The P shows a pond that was not part of the original course.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/1ac1992aerialchangesto39copy.jpg)
The following photos were taken over the last three years with several different cameras during various times of the golf season. A couple were cribbed from other GCA postsas noted.
Today the course is 6,853/6,481; it was 6,600 yards when it opened for play. Hole yardages indicated the current yardages from the tips/white tees with the original yardage in parenthesis.
1st Hole 418/407 (465)
Originally a par 5 with the tee located at the back of the current putting green. The drive would have been uphill and blind. Today this is the least interesting drive on the course which probably explains why I don’t have a photo of it. The hole, and particularly the cross bunker, makes much more sense as a par 5.
1st Fairway Cross Bunker This bunker is not in reach for most from the tee and makes more sense strategically for the 2nd shot of a par 5 with the fairway extended out far to the right. (photo Brent Carlson)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/lawsonia1st.jpg)
1st Green Typically large oval green with significant interior undulations
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/1greenfromjustshort.jpg)
1st Green From Behind
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/1greenfrombehind.jpg)
1st Green From 5th Fairway Showing Severe Penalty for those who miss on the left.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia1stIMG_3351.jpg)
2nd Hole 431/422 (425)
My favorite drive on the course, up and over the fairway cop bunkers. The walk through the mounds presents a great view of the Lawson’s Guernsey Dairy Barn; a view I believe was intentionally created by the placement of the mounds. Green has always been awkwardly askew making me wonder if was damaged during the WWII time period.
2nd From Tee: the Proper Line is Over the Right Hand Cop Bunker
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2afromteeenhanced2.jpg)
2nd From Between Mounds Showcasing the Lawson’s 1916 Guernsey Barn
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2barnIMG_3328.jpg)
2nd From Fairway Right Over the Flanking Bunkers
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2bIMG_3332.jpg)
2nd From Fairway Left
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2bIMG_3333.jpg)
2nd from Green Looking Back Showing Possible Ground Approach Over Flanking Bunkers
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2gfairwayfromgreen.jpg)
2nd in 1939
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/2h1939.jpg)
3rd Hole 386/367 (380)
This hole features a superbly placed bunker on the inside of the dogleg inviting the risk/reward of a shorter approach to a difficult raised green.
3rd from Tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/3aIMG_3334.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia3rdIMG_3336.jpg)
3rd Bunker
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/3afromrightbunkerenhanced.jpg)
3rd Green from shade of tree since removed
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/3bfromleftfwcroppedenhanced.jpg)
4th Hole 203/175 (205)
A fine hole, one of two long par 3’s intended to test one long iron and fairway wood play. The holes plays 1-2 clubs uphill to another large oval green whose surface is blind from the tee. With a large bunker at the base of the green giving the hole the look of a Redan, the hole does not posses the right to left angle and cant of the green required of a Redan. It may look like a Redan, but if it doesn’t play like a Redan, IMHO it is not a Redan. Redan or not, it is a great hole, one of the strongest and most unique on the course.
4th Hole Drawing
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/GCA%20posts/4th1930drawing.jpg)
4th From Tee (Brent Carlson first photo)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/law4th.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia4thIMG_3340.jpg)
4th Look Back
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/4cfromgreentoteecroppedenhanced.jpg)
4th From Right Side
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/GCA%20posts/4green.jpg)
5th Hole 487/475 (445)
A funky short par 5 that may have been a par 4/5 as the original course plan shows an up tee and a tee in the current position . Tight drive into a narrow opening. Another large fairway cop bunker protects the left hand approach and deviously hides 70-75 yards of fairway between it and the green. With the green open and welcoming from the far left one is well advised to attack this bunker to leave an approach from the far left. One of the most difficult greens on the course.
5th From Tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia5thIMG_3346.jpg)
5th Left of Landing Zone
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5bfromlroughcroppedenhanced2.jpg)
5th From 200 yds
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5cfromfairwaycroppedenhanced.jpg)
5th Green as approached from right; why its better to be left
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/IMG_0556.jpg)
5th From Green showing opening from left
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia5thIMG_3354.jpg)
6th Hole 439/406 (410)
The 6th is a glorious hole; long, expansive and replete with subtlety and strength. Starting from a tee tucked back and to the right, one is confronted with a huge cross bunker 200 yards from the tee. The green is visible in the distance 445 yards away just peeking out from the top of the cross bunker. The perfectly aligned cross bunker hides not only the angled landing zone but two fairway bunkers which defend the left edge of the fairway; one a double nostriled principal’s nose. The cross bunker is masterful as it provides a measure of blindness, challenge, mystery and treachery on a wide open downhill hole where everything should be right in front of you, yet is not; an amazing architectural feat.
From the tee the hole flows down and to the right with the landing zone moving significantly downhill beyond the cross bunker . A very good drive may leave a slightly downhill lie only to face a green that is down the hill from where you stand yet sitting up, perched on a beautifully manufactured greensite. In fact the final approach to the green is quite steep and often makes an attempt at a running approach stop dead and roll back down the hill. The green is large and welcoming as a whole but is bisected by a large ridge running from the front left toward the back right where it flattens out. This gives the green three distinct sections. The high front portion angled to the right, the flattish back right portion and the lower back left portion. The difficult task of finding the right section of the green with your approach is the key to success.
6th From Tee (photo Brent Carlson)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/law8th.jpg)
The Brilliant Cross Bunker
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/6b2greenfromstartoffw.jpg)
More Tree Thinning Right of Cross Bunker in 2008
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/6bIMG_3360.jpg)
6th From Crest of Hill
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia6thIMG_3361.jpg)
6th From 200
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/6c2greenfrom200yds.jpg)
6th Principal’s Nose Bunker
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia6thIMG_3363.jpg)
6th From 8th Fairway showing tiered green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/6egreenfrom8fwwfescueenhanced.jpg)
7th Hole 161/146 (130)
The famed boxcar hole with nowhere to miss the green; another era’s version of the 17th at Sawgrass.
7th From Tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia7thIMG_3433.jpg)
7th From Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/7fromgreen.jpg)
7th From 8th Tee Area
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/7greenfromblufftoleft.jpg)
7th Site of Missing Bunker Left of Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/7greenfromblufftoleftc.jpg)
8th Hole 339/322 (350)
A short par 4 requires a strategically placed drive to have any chance of getting close to the pin on the deceptively elevated green. As tempting as the direct line to the green may look, the proper play is straight ahead over the cross bunker.
8th Tee Box as Seen From Behind 7th Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5-6-2007-25.jpg)
8th From Tee Pushed far to Right (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/8aIMG_3371.jpg)
8th from left side of tee. Trees between cross bunker and green once blocked direct line to green (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia8thIMG_3373.jpg)
8th From Landing Zone
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia8thIMG_3378.jpg)
8th From Green Looking Back at Tee and 7th Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/8cfromgreenenhanced.jpg)
9th Hole 536/529 (540)
The 9th hole starts a quirky sequence of three consecutive back to back par 5’s and par 3’s. The holes are so different many players do not realize they have just played 6 holes without seeing a par 4.
The ninth features a drive over another cross bunker with a cape-like area of fescue challenging those wishing to cut the corner. The 2nd goes up through a bottleneck at the crest of the hill pinched by two large fairway bunkers. The least built up green on the course is anything but flat.
9th From Tee Fescue Area was littered with trees prior to Ron Forse’s arrival
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/9aIMG_3436.jpg)
9th From 7th Tee with 8th Green in Foreground
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/9cfairwayfrom7teeenhanced.jpg)
9th From Landing Zone of Drive
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia9thIMG_3385.jpg)
9th Through the Bottleneck
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia9thIMG_3386.jpg)
9th Green from 100 yards
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia9thIMG_3388.jpg)
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Dan, as always, you have the best overview of Lawsonia of anyone I know...
Perhaps your photo essay should be offered to Mr. Pont, in his fine photo tour website of great courses...
http://www.golfarchitecturepictures.com/Pages/usa.html (http://www.golfarchitecturepictures.com/Pages/usa.html)
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Dan
This tour has been worth the wait. I am intrigued by several features:
1. The "bottleneck" on the 9th is a great feature especially as it isn't really apparent form further back how damaging a miss right/left can be.
2. The "Boxcar" looks totally wild and it is a shame the trees low left can be cut back a bit to leave what would be a fun recovery for a load of golfers.
3. The Principal's Nose bunker complex is a bit wierd. Is there a decision to make off the tee or for the second which really brings home the importance of the namesake?
4. The width of the course is awesome. I bet folks get caught out being non chalant off the tee and don't really figure out why the approaches aren't working out well. Are the greens kept firm?
5. You are using a curious description of "cross bunker" a few times where there is clear space to go around the hazard. Does "cross bunker" carry a different meaning than what I think of as a purely carry hazard? It seems to me that these are really diagonal wing bunkers. Did fairway used to go both sides of these hazards?
6. The corner bunker on the 3rd fairway - is it a sucker play? It seems like if anything, the left edge or just left of the bunker is the line assuming one can carry the bunker, but not by too much - no?
7. The green complex for #2 is very cool. Did the green used to come closer to the bunker and gulley?
Thanks for posting!
Ciao
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Dan
This tour has been worth the wait. I am intrigued by several features:
1. The "bottleneck" on the 9th is a great feature especially as it isn't really apparent form further back how damaging a miss right/left can be.
"I can attest that being in either of those bunkers is no fun."
2. The "Boxcar" looks totally wild and it is a shame the trees low left can be cut back a bit to leave what would be a fun recovery for a load of golfers.
"The Trees on the Boxcar are nowhere near the green and do not affect play in any way."
3. The Principal's Nose bunker complex is a bit wierd. Is there a decision to make off the tee or for the second which really brings home the importance of the namesake?
"At over 300 yards generally this bunker is out of reach from the newer back tee. At the original hole length I think it would have been in play and something to be avoided though it clearly lacks the strategic role of its namesake. I think it was/is more of a factor for the shorter players who plays way out left to avoid the cross bunker and would have to carry it with their second shot. It does look cool though."
4. The width of the course is awesome. I bet folks get caught out being non chalant off the tee and don't really figure out why the approaches aren't working out well. Are the greens kept firm?
"On our recent trip the greens were quite firm. They have adopted a regime of rolling the greens every morning and its had paid off in the form of firmer and quicker greens."
5. You are using a curious description of "cross bunker" a few times where there is clear space to go around the hazard. Does "cross bunker" carry a different meaning than what I think of as a purely carry hazard? It seems to me that these are really diagonal wing bunkers. Did fairway used to go both sides of these hazards?
"I use cross bunker when the bunker crosses the ideal line of play such as on 6 and 9."
6. The corner bunker on the 3rd fairway - is it a sucker play? It seems like if anything, the left edge or just left of the bunker is the line assuming one can carry the bunker, but not by too much - no?
"Some may be able to carry the bunker but not many. The ideal line is to get as close as you can while staying to the left. If you wimp out and play safe you can add 20-30 yards to your 2nd shot."
7. The green complex for #2 is very cool. Did the green used to come closer to the bunker and gulley?
"No idea."
Thanks for posting!
Ciao
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There's a small handfull of courses that make me yearn to be a superintendent again......this is one of them.
Thanks for the reminder.
Joe
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Dan, Very nice pictures-thanks again for setting up the outing.
Best, Jack
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Sean, Dick calls them gull wings. They do serve multi-functionally due to their placement and angles of orientation. They are a re-occurring motif, used in a variety of situations and manner throughout the course. The one on 6 is likely the best example of the heroic because it is on the line of instinct.
Re 7; Dan is correct that the trees are not an issue. If you look closely the trees are virtually behind the green. Because it would require a full carry that long in order to find them, they are not in play. If someone did pull a club that carried that far, it would be an error so grievous, recovery is deservedly from the tee.
#9 bottleneck; It was amazing going back there after some 17 years and on this shot, I felt the same puckerability as one does on the second shot to the first at Sandy Hills.
I'd agree with Dan's no grey area, not calling the 4th a Redan, if and only if all the level or downhill Redans built are not Redans. Otherwise the fourth is more of Redan than all the others.
Dan's use of 'Cop bunkers' struck me similarly, as you felt about the 'cross bunker'.
Otherwise, Great essay Dan. Thanx. I learned alot of the history. The version I had been told was long ago and not as complete or accurate.
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Dan,
great illustrations as usual. I'll disagree with your comment that the 7th is like the 17th at TPC--if only to remind you that I have twice made par from down below!. Yeah, I know that's a knock on my iron play, but still.
Sean,
insightful comments from just looking at these--it seems it can be done from good pics. In addition to doling out punishment for getting on the wrong side of the fairway, missing greens really hurts on this course, especially in certain spots (like short right on 6), and as Dan observed when the conditions are f&f as we found them on the last visit.
Looking forward to seeing the back nine...
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Dan,
Excellent background and before & after to go with the great pictures.
Was the time of year around fall?
This should definitely get into Art Fuller's photo directory:
http://delicious.com/golfclubatlas/
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Is the 6th as amazing as it looks?
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Yes, I'd say the 6th is that amazing! And, for the really strong player, the newer way back tees makes it doubly amazing. I have no business way back there. The gull wing grass bunker up the right looks like an easy clear. But the length and long angle of it makes the far right side not that easy to carry. Of course the play is over the fat left side and catch the down hill speed slope. But the down hill lie to the uphill two tiered front high to lower back left green with the false front is a hoot. I've seen a very good player rejected twice in a row by an approach that kept coming up a little to cozy and short of a front pin.
Before Ron Forse and Jim Nagle were brought in to consult and restore, there were two red maple trees positioned behind 6 green with they had removed. Those trees worked well as aiming lines for the front right and back left tiers of the green. But, with them removed, more vague yet intriguing approaches are required.
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Without looking at the topic subject or the architects involved and not knowing any better ... I would have guessed the 6th was pure C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor.
Do we know if Langford & Moreau were influenced in some way by the work of C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor? Just curious.
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I stand by the use of the terms cross bunker and cop bunkers; they are the descriptions used by Langford in his writings. He referred to cross bunkers as those in the direct line of play and also referred to another type of bunker located on the sides. He also used another term, "echelon," which I will highlight when we get to the 13th hole. Langford's modernized versions of the cross and cop bunker were artistic improvements on the austere stepplechase variety in vogue at the turn of the century. While I like the term Gull Wing bunkers I doubt that is a term Langford ever heard or used.
Do we know if Langford & Moreau were influenced in some way by the work of C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor?
Patrick, a dissertation might be in order on that question.
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Dan, I've seen in other writing, and personally used the terms "cop bunker" as one that guards a ball from going OB or out into rough, or as a bunker that guards the entrance of a green. I call the big vulcano on the 17th a Whistling Straits, a 'cop'. I don't know for sure that those ussages are correct. I never thought of the two bunkers guarding the entry onto the FW at Lawsonia #2 as cops. I guess they evoke the notion of Mae West bunkers to me... ;) ;D 8)
I had used bunkers en echelon in describing the bunkers on 13 from the first time I described them on GCA, and was never aware that Langford or Morreau actually used that term. It just seemed like the right description. But, not really much of a coincidence as that is just what they are, en echelon.
And, similarly, I just use gull wing for several of the long sweeping bunkers that have a deep and fat sculpted grass mound side behind the sand or turf, that tapers off on the diagonal. I doubt Langford or Morreau used that term, but is just seems the best description I can come up with.
I also call some Raynor and some Langford-Morreau bunkers that are narrowing from both sides of the FW and equal distance and dimensions and popping up mid fairway as 'alligator or frog eyes" like those on #17 Lawsonia, and a few I've seen that are quite similar at Raynor's Yeaman's Hall and CC of Charleston.
The similarity of earthwork features of Raynor and L&M are really undeniable.
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I made a mistake, I meant to say low right of the green, not left. I would be very surprised that nobody hits the right side of the 7th and kicks into the trees/shrub area. The crap must be much further away than it looks.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia7thIMG_3433.jpg)
Dan
Langford's use of the term "cross bunker" is very interesting. I have never heard of one being an optional carry. My impression was that a cross bunker had to be crossed (a forced carry) if one was to get to the hole using the fairway. Was Langford unique in his usage of the term? I notice they seem to be cut at an angle whereby the tiger line to the green requires a longer carry - suggesting they are a bit more strategic than what I think of as cross bunker - assuming one can carry the thing. To me, this style of bunkering is closer to Colt's of turning a cross bunker on its diagonal shooting in from the edge of the fairway and breaking it into to several bunkers. I know the actual look of the bunker is more trench like as we associate with cross bunkering, but the strategy is exactly the same as how Colt used them. I wonder if the look of the bunker was a determining factor in Langford labelling them cross bunkers. Do you have any more info on what Langford had to say?
I am not sure I have ever seen a bottleneck with the sides dropped down like on the 9th. Did Langford use this idea on other courses? Have folks seen it used on other courses?
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia%202008%20front/Lawsonia9thIMG_3386.jpg)
Ciao
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Do we know if Langford & Moreau were influenced in some way by the work of C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor?
Patrick, a dissertation might be in order on that question.
On photos alone many people would guess Raynor.
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Ron Forse told us that Pete Dye upon seeing L/M at West Bend told Ron Whitten about the amazing Raynor holes he found in Wisconsin.
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Do we know if Langford & Moreau were influenced in some way by the work of C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor?
Patrick, a dissertation might be in order on that question.
On photos alone many people would guess Raynor.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opinionchalfant.html
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A few thoughts:
-- On the Raynor/Macdonald connection to Langford. It's one of the more intriguing questions regarding Langford's work. As is obvious from Dan's excellent photo essay, Langford and his chief landscaper Moreau utilized what might be termed a highly engineered style re. their bunkering, pushed-up greens, and internal green contours. One might look at, for instance, this GCA essay of Sleepy Hollow: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/sleepyhollow1.html and think -- there has to be some kind of connection. To date, there has been no historical record (at least among the GCA Langford fans who have looked) demonstrating any connection between Raynor/Macdonald and Langford. But there are some interesting ties -- Langford (like Raynor, a civil engineer by training) studied at Yale, spent time on the East Coast, probably had access (because he was a very good golfer in his own right) to some of the East Coast's best-known courses, perhaps even NGLA, and settled in Chicago, where he ran a golf course along with his design efforts (and presumably knew about, perhaps even played, Chicago GC). It's all speculative, not really even circumstantial evidence, but the similarity of their work begs the question -- could two separate teams of architects/designers come up with such a striking look independently of each other? I have argued that the near-Redan 4th at Lawsonia bears too much similarity to a classic Redan for Langford not to have known about the Redan design concept (and there's no evidence that Langford ever traveled overseas to draw inspiration for his work). I have even argued that the boxcar 7th hole may be Langford's attempt at replicating the design philosophy of a Raynor/Macdonald Short.
-- I'm not sure the second set of bunkers on the wonderful 6th properly qualifies as a Principal's Nose bunker, although as Dan suggests, it plays a different role for golfers of varying ability. For the shorter hitter, the initial cross bunker does suggest a line of play left, in which the second set of bunkers do need to be crossed. But I've always regarded the Principal's Nose concept to be one in which the bolder and riskier play is rewarded with an easier approach, i.e. slotting the drive on TOC to the right of the PN and left of OB right, which leads to an easier approach. To me, there is little benefit at all to be left of that second bunker complex, particularly given the green demands there -- the 6th green has a little shelf of a green area on the left side that (when it has a pin) is best approached from the right of the fairway. The 6th is probably the best par 4 at Lawsonia, and one of the outstanding par 4s you'll find, both in look and its strategic demands.
-- Several of the pictures (on holes 5 and 6) show a beautifully crowned tree that has not been removed, and should not ever be, in my view. GCA contributer Brad Swanson has dubbed this the "aiming tree" in a previous thread, and it can be used as something of an aiming point/reference point for three separate holes -- 5,6, and 8.
-- The 8th is one of my favorite short par 4s, in part because the visuals on the tee (much enhanced by recent tree removal) are so deceptive. Dan suggests the proper route off the tee is over the cross bunker; I've seen it played best when the golfer takes a more aggressive line left of the cross bunker -- the fairway left beyond the cross bunker really opens up (of course, it's unseen from the tee, another marvelous use of blindness by Langford), and provides a much more open approach into the green, which is one of the smallest at Lawsonia and nearly completely surrounded by sand.
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Dan...Possibly the best photo tour that's been posted. Beyond well done.
Played both Yale and Lawsonia for the first time this year. Both were spectacular. While I suspect I am in the vast majority I actually enjoyed Lawsonia more...
BTW despite playing on consecutive days, count me among the 'ignorant' that didn't realize that 9 started a 6 hole sequence without a par 4. Excellent observation. Again, Lawsonia is beyond spectacular, although I do think the front is the stronger of the two 9's.
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Phil,
Interesting.
I wonder if GB has anything on this from his work on CB MacDonald / Seth Raynor.
Paging George...
A few thoughts:
-- On the Raynor/Macdonald connection to Langford. It's one of the more intriguing questions regarding Langford's work. As is obvious from Dan's excellent photo essay, Langford and his chief landscaper Moreau utilized what might be termed a highly engineered style re. their bunkering, pushed-up greens, and internal green contours. One might look at, for instance, this GCA essay of Sleepy Hollow: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/sleepyhollow1.html and think -- there has to be some kind of connection. To date, there has been no historical record (at least among the GCA Langford fans who have looked) demonstrating any connection between Raynor/Macdonald and Langford. But there are some interesting ties -- Langford (like Raynor, a civil engineer by training) studied at Yale, spent time on the East Coast, probably had access (because he was a very good golfer in his own right) to some of the East Coast's best-known courses, perhaps even NGLA, and settled in Chicago, where he ran a golf course along with his design efforts (and presumably knew about, perhaps even played, Chicago GC). It's all speculative, not really even circumstantial evidence, but the similarity of their work begs the question -- could two separate teams of architects/designers come up with such a striking look independently of each other? I have argued that the near-Redan 4th at Lawsonia bears too much similarity to a classic Redan for Langford not to have known about the Redan design concept (and there's no evidence that Langford ever traveled overseas to draw inspiration for his work). I have even argued that the boxcar 7th hole may be Langford's attempt at replicating the design philosophy of a Raynor/Macdonald Short.
-- I'm not sure the second set of bunkers on the wonderful 6th properly qualifies as a Principal's Nose bunker, although as Dan suggests, it plays a different role for golfers of varying ability. For the shorter hitter, the initial cross bunker does suggest a line of play left, in which the second set of bunkers do need to be crossed. But I've always regarded the Principal's Nose concept to be one in which the bolder and riskier play is rewarded with an easier approach, i.e. slotting the drive on TOC to the right of the PN and left of OB right, which leads to an easier approach. To me, there is little benefit at all to be left of that second bunker complex, particularly given the green demands there -- the 6th green has a little shelf of a green area on the left side that (when it has a pin) is best approached from the right of the fairway. The 6th is probably the best par 4 at Lawsonia, and one of the outstanding par 4s you'll find, both in look and its strategic demands.
-- Several of the pictures (on holes 5 and 6) show a beautifully crowned tree that has not been removed, and should not ever be, in my view. GCA contributer Brad Swanson has dubbed this the "aiming tree" in a previous thread, and it can be used as something of an aiming point/reference point for three separate holes -- 5,6, and 8.
-- The 8th is one of my favorite short par 4s, in part because the visuals on the tee (much enhanced by recent tree removal) are so deceptive. Dan suggests the proper route off the tee is over the cross bunker; I've seen it played best when the golfer takes a more aggressive line left of the cross bunker -- the fairway left beyond the cross bunker really opens up (of course, it's unseen from the tee, another marvelous use of blindness by Langford), and provides a much more open approach into the green, which is one of the smallest at Lawsonia and nearly completely surrounded by sand.
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Dan - thanks so much for posting. Sorry I missed out a couple of weeks ago.
I've GOT to get over from mpls to play it.
Shane
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Dan,
What a great write up for a great golf course.
Next time you are in town I'll have to show you an old article from the 60's about how they used to hand mow those steep green and bunker banks at Lawsonia. They had one guy who ran a push mower on the banks and he made himself a special pair of shoes with spikes on them to keep from slipping and falling down those slopes.
You gotta wonder how they maintained those slopes when they were first built, and if they might have played really tough when the grass got long. Imagine those slopes with 4 or 5 inches of grass on them. It makes me wonder if L&M might have designed them with that difficulty in mind.
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As I talk to golfers heading to Wisconsin to play Blackwolf, Whistling Straits, etc., I always suggest a trip to Lawsonia. I am always amazed on how few have have even heard of it nor less played it. This course continues to fall below the radar for places to play for far too many golfers. The course is an excellent example of classic architecture with many outstanding features as expertly pointed out by Dan. Excellent photo essay on a course that really deserves the conversation and attention.
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Mike,
I'm just seeing the link here.
Big thanks for reminding us all to check the obvious first...
Do we know if Langford & Moreau were influenced in some way by the work of C.B. MacDonald / Seth Raynor?
Patrick, a dissertation might be in order on that question.
On photos alone many people would guess Raynor.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opinionchalfant.html
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How does a course that has been on top 100 lists since the inception of top 100 lists fly under the Radar?
I'm 90% certain the first time I ever heard of a top list was standing on the first tee at Lawsonia. We had met a guy who had just sold his coin op Laundry business in Ca. and was traveling across country playing DG's to 75 places to play.
I'd wager, even with that little description, someone on this board would know who that first nut job was?
It was likely 1989-90.
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Dan,
There is a reason I've had that on my top 10 must play list for about 5 years now. Your course tour is fantastic and I look forward to the next nine.
What a fantastic collection of holes. I can't think of many courses that are that bold and on that massive a scale.
Is it as severe as it looks in places?
Are the fairways generous?
thanks for the tour....
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This excellent tour has been added to our photo tour directory at:
http://delicious.com/golfclubatlas/Wisconsin (http://delicious.com/golfclubatlas/Wisconsin)
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Adam,
I'm guessing the answer to being under the radar is ... Wisconsin.
How does a course that has been on top 100 lists since the inception of top 100 lists fly under the Radar?
I'm 90% certain the first time I ever heard of a top list was standing on the first tee at Lawsonia. We had met a guy who had just sold his coin op Laundry business in Ca. and was traveling across country playing DG's to 75 places to play.
I'd wager, even with that little description, someone on this board would know who that first nut job was?
It was likely 1989-90.
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What a fantastic collection of holes. I can't think of many courses that are that bold and on that massive a scale.
Is it as severe as it looks in places?
Are the fairways generous?
thanks for the tour....
Ian:
I'll just add my two cents...
The fairways are quite generous, and notably improved in recent years. presumably with the advice and assistance of Ron Forse (whose work their should not be under-estimated). One of the things that I think Langford accomplished at Lawsonia -- particularly with the course's five par 5s -- was to give the golfer a series of options about how to attack a hole. In a sense, on a number of holes, you can sort of tack your way around them -- Langford liked to give the better golfer a challenge through features like high bunker lips and steep green falloffs, while allowing the lesser golfer a way to take on the hole without feeling overwhelmed (I actually think the boxcar 7th hole -- the par 3 with the extremely pushed-up green -- is an interesting example of this. Like a lot of par 3s surrounded by deep trouble on all sides, the view from the tee is fairly uncomfortable. But the shot itself is in the 150-yd range, and the green is actually much larger than it appears from the tee). The "tacking" approach that Langford used is notable in such par 5s as the 11th, 13th, and especially the closing 18th.
Having said that, the greensites and fairway bunkering can be fairly described in several places as severe. The greenside falloffs and high lips on many of the bunkers are quite penal -- it can be hard to advance the ball forward that much if you're in a fairway bunker, and it's a very tough up-and-down from down below if you mishit an approach and find yourself down one of those embankments. Part of Lawsonia's appeal, to me, is this interesting mix of both generous and penal approaches to the design.
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Lawsonia’s back nine, which consists of an eclectic compilation of holes, is a fascinating example of Langford’s view that “the distribution of length much more than total length determines a course’s character.” Starting with the Herculean 10th which just may be the hardest "long" hole on the course, one confronts 3 par 3’s, 3 par 5’s, two of which are reachable in two, and 3 par 4’s arranged 3-5-3-5-3-4-4-4-5. When looked at from a distance point of view in terms of the final approach shot required, depending on the option taken from the tee or with the lay-up, the holes play like this 10 (long), 11 (long or short), 12 (medium), 13 (medium/short), 14 (short/medium) 15 (medium), 16 (long), 17 (medium/short), 18 (long or short).
10th Hole 239/217 (240)
Ron Forse calls the 10th at Lawsonia one of the three best long par 3’s in the world. This hole tests the strength and accuracy one’s long game as much as any of the long holes on the course. An imposing cross bunker aligned with the surface of the largest green on the course hides abundant fairway between it and the green creating problems with the perception of the length of the hole. The cross bunker hides the wide open and welcoming to a run up to the huge green which contains some very significant internal undulations and imposing pin locations as my recent 3 and 4 putts can attest. A 3 can be viewed as a half birdie and a 4 a half par.
10th From the Bridge behind the 10th Tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/10aIMG_3391.jpg)
10th From Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/10cfromgreentoteeandclubhousecroppe.jpg)
10th at dawn showing open approach to green beyond the cross bunker, tee is out of frame to the far right
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/9-10-2007-17.jpg)
10th Green Undulation and Recapture
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/10cgreenundulation.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/10recapturedgreenb.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/10recapturedgreenc.jpg)
11th Hole 510/482 (455)
One of my favorite holes on the course, the 11th is an ingeniously strategic hole combining penal bunkering with a variety of ways to attack the short par 5. An opportunity to regain ground lost on 10, one will be reasonably happy to complete 10 and 11 in 8 shots regardless of where they are taken.
The 11th is an outstanding example of Langford’s view that “Hazard’s should be placed so that any player can avoid them if he gauges his ability correctly, so that they will make every man’s game more interesting no matter what class player he is, and offer an award commensurate with the player’s ability.” (1914)
11th From the tee the safe play is to the left, the risk reward line over the bunker on the right
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/11aIMG_3395-1.jpg)
11th The Penal Fairway Bunkers must be avoided
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/11bIMG_3396.jpg)
11th From Landing Zone. The staggered bunkering presents a variety of options with serious penalties imposed on those who fail to execute their chosen approach. (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/11bIMG_3397.jpg)
11th Green from short of the green showing a subtle raised green edge that hides the green surface on approaches from inside 100 yards making the short approaches much more difficult to judge. Laying up well short of the green provides a better view of the green surface.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/11cIMG_3398.jpg)
11th Look Back. Just a simple straight hole right!
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/11dfromgreenenhanced.jpg)
12th Hole 183/171 (175)
Located in the middle of an open field without any natural advantages, nevertheless Langford created a hole of merit. Fronting bunkers repeat the bottleneck theme seen on several holes and significant interest is gained from a large San Andreas faultline running through the rear of the green.
12th From Tee Playing slightly uphill with the prevailing wind front hole locations can be very tricky.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/12bIMG_3403.jpg)
12th Green The San Andreas Fault segments the green.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/IMG_0572.jpg)
12th Confronting the Faultline
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/12cIMG_3405.jpg)
12th Looking Back
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/12dlookingback.jpg)
13th Hole 568/556 (560)
The 13th, the longest hole on the course, calls for well considered tactics combined with bold, accurate shotmaking. The need for a strong drive is tested by a series of bunkers aligned en echelon along the left edge of the fairway creating a slight cape effect for those who challenge the bunkers in an effort to gain distance. The second shot requires a well played well placed shot past the tree located 180 yards from the green. The fairway drops off significantly inside 120 yards and one needs to be careful to avoid a down hill lie for the third to the green located high on a bluff surrounded by pines.
13th From Tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/13aIMG_3406.jpg)
13th Bunkers en echelon “ Thus to open up two or more avenues of play on a hole we must build our cross bunkers en echelon (step formation or diagonally across the course, and must allow bunkers built at right angles to the line of play to extend only partially across the course, leaving room to play around them at one or both ends.” Langford 1914 (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/13bIMG_3411.jpg)
Langford’s 1914 drawing showing en echelon bunker arrangement
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/langfordenechelonbunkerscropped1914.jpg)
13th From the landing zone showing the original tree 185 yards from Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/13cfromfairway.jpg)
13th From the landing zone right (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/13cIMG_3415.jpg)
13th A Look Back. Note the ideal lay-up location on a plateau between 150 marker and about 120 yards. Unless you can get all the way to the bottom of the gully anything farther risks a downhill lie to the uphill green location.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/13dIMG_3417.jpg)
14th Hole 154/139 (130)
Another fine short hole with a tilted and tiered green that runs hard from back to front. Hole would benefit significantly from some tree trimming and removal
14 in the 1930’s with no pine trees around the green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia14th.jpg)
14th Green in 1968 surrounded by pines
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/Lawsoniaspauldingarticle14thgree-1.jpg)
14th Green Today
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/14aIMG_3420.jpg)
14th From Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5-6-2007-04.jpg)
15th Hole 394/379 (395)
The 13th is an extremely fine hole. From the elevated tee the bold line is over the tree on the right, but not too far right as the green is tucked just around the corner of the trees on the far right. Dense forest right and a bunker just beyond the tree punish those on the bold line who fail to execute. The bunker is not a double hazard in the sense that once in the bunker the tree is behind you. While the bold line over the tree may cut off distance and place you atop the hill, the better angle to the green is to the left hand side of the fairway. Those playing left for the better angle who fail to carry the crest of the hill (260 yard carry) are left with a tricky sidehill, uphill lie to the raised green. Again multiple options from the tee with a variety of outcomes dependent on the quality of play.
15th From Tee this shot was taken below the elevated tee
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/15aIMG_3423.jpg)
15th 2nd Shot from left showing the open angle from the left
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/15bIMG_3426.jpg)
16th Hole 443/436 (435)
The four finishing holes, and the 16th in particular, provide an example of Langford’s preference for a difficult group of finishing holes “especially the 16th” to provide “good fighting ground for the finish of a hotly contested match.” Playing uphill the entire way, 16 simply requires two very solid, long strokes to get home in two; as it should be on the most difficult par 4 on the course.
16th From Tee. Best line is over the left bunker which greatly opens up the approach to the green.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/16aIMG_3427-1.jpg)
16th Approach to Green Tucked to the Right
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/17lzIMG_3446.jpg)
16th from the 13th Fairway
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/16bfrom13fw.jpg)
16th Looking Back
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5-6-2007-10.jpg)
17th Hole 383/363 (365)
The 17th is a subtle hole on the same flat open area as the 12th where once again manufactured features provide an element of strategy that will reward thoughtful play. Playing slightly downhill two large flanking bunkers only 175 from the tee hide the green from view. As a result the key to this hole is to notice the pin position on 17 from the 12th tee as the pin location determines the proper line of play from the 17th tee.
17th From Tee with the green hidden from view by another example of bottlenecked bunkers pinching the fairway.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/17aIMG_3447.jpg)
17th Green Another stellar green complex with bunkers that beautifully mirror the orientation and form of the fairway bottleneck bunkers.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/17b1IMG_3450.jpg)
17th Green viewed from far left showing advantage gained in attacking a pin from the proper side of the fairway as there is no way to get close to this flag from the right hand side of the fairway.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/17bIMG_3449.jpg)
17th Looking Back From Green with pin in middle of green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/17cfromgreen.jpg)
18th Hole 580/490 (475)
Possibly an ode to the sailboats below on Green Lake, the 18th requires the tacking skills of a master sailor. A short strategic hole, the 18th is a match play dream hole.
18th From New Back Tee. Adding 90 yards completely changes the original character and intent of the hole for the average player, but may return that intent for the young guns.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/18fromnewbacktee.jpg)
18th From Tee Shot Landing Zone showing the green of the this par 5 is very well protected and difficult to attack in two.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/5-24-2007-08.jpg)
18th The view from 150 showing the advantage of carrying the right hand bunker and playing well to the right of the direct line with your second shot
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/18bIMG_3455.jpg)
18th Green at Dawn
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/9-10-2007-15.jpg)
Late afternoon View of the Backnine From the 18th Green
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/18dgreen12inbackgroundenhanced.jpg)
Lawsonia’s Backnine in 1968 before the tree planting program with 12 green in the foreground and the tree on 13 visible in the background
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/troonster/Lawsonia/Lawsoniaspauldingarticlebackninepho.jpg)
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Dan, thanks again.....just a reminder that Lawsonia may be THE best value in all of golf.
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Dan,
great review. The 1914 drawing is a wonder, makes you wish we had much more Langford remaining than we do. And the pic of #14 sans trees makes clear the desired course of action--cut down some more trees!
Looking at the pics of 12, 15, and 17, I continue to be troubled by the best way to confront those greens protected by steep slopes in front and bunkers on the side. Particularly when the hole is set in front near the front opening, well-chosen strategies and well-executed shots are required to leave the ball in a place that more often results in par than in bogey. It's certainly not obvious on the first few times around the course how much accuracy--or good recovery chipping and putting--is required to score well.
I hope Dan's review inspires more of the readers here to see Lawsonia.
Just watch out for the speed trap en route through Rosendale, WI
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/jeffwagner/18547444.html
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Dan,
Thanks for taking the time to put this together - Lawsonia looks like a must play for anyone visiting the area.
I'll take 36 holes there instead of visiting Whistling.
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Dan, one question on that last B&W photo of newly planted pines in (1968)? Somehow I think that date may be wrong. My earliest memories of Lawsonia are from about 59-60, and I'm quite sure those pines were already bigger then. Can you double check that '68 date?
My summer golf hasn't turned out the way I hoped when I started the year, with very nagging back injury. So, now that the season is about done, my one small highlight of the year is a modest one, but meaningful to me, I birdied 13 the two successive times I played it this year. Since I was a young boy, I always had an affinity for that look of those bunkers en echlon. They really are the same from the first I saw them.
Man, I hope some archie has the right place to build that 1914 5 ways to Sunday hole some day. How about another tribute course 'Old L&M" or some such? ;D 8)
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Would it be possible to restore that 1914 design of 13 or would that extra fairway segment put you in the line of play on #11? I've only played there twice so I can't remember the exact routing...
I like 13 but I really do think it would be better with that design, if there were room and of course they removed those trees on the hillside to the right that would be in the way.
I can't claim consecutive birdies there but I made one of those 'recovery from something stupid' birdies I particularly love. My first time around I foolishly tried to murder a 2 iron from something like 255 on a hanging lie and caught it a bit heavy and off the toe and caught those trees on the right, dropping down on the pine straw about 70 yards short. I managed to hook-chip a little grounder out through a tiny opening between the trunks and put it on the green, then sink a downhill 40 foot double breaker to the front left hole location. That's almost better than an eagle because I thought I had 6 for sure and maybe worse when I saw my ball rattling around in those trees! Sometimes you gotta take comfort when the breaks go your way because there were a few other holes at Lawsonia where they most certainly did not :o
I definitely gotta get back there, just wish it was a bit closer so it was a reasonable day trip for me...
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Dick,
The 1968 photos are accurate but it looks like the pines were added around 14 at some earlier time. The trees in the foreground are around 12 green. Tom Spaulding then in his first year as super stated he added 250 trees to help cut the wind.
Did you ever play #1 as a par 5? I'm curious as to when they changed it?
Doug,
The 1914 drawing had nothing to do with Lawsonia so there is nothing to restore. It is a cool looking multi-option hole though and I haven't yet seen a Langford course on the ground that has multiple fairways.
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Doug:
Just my two cents; RJ and Dan probably have thoughts as well...
There might be enough room to duplicate Langford's "five-way" par 5 on the current 13th, but you'd have to take out a bunch of native grass that now sits as something of a divider between the last half of 13 fairway and the 15th fairway, which parallel each other for a good bit. There is some room there, but as Dan mentions, 15 is a hole in which many players will be angling left off the tee (both to avoid the bunker -- the one with the tree in front -- and for a better angle into the green.) You can get a good sense of the land between 13 and 15 on Dan's last photo of 13 -- I believe that's Mr. Terhorst trudging up the hill with his red bag.
And to follow Langford's drawing exactly would also require getting rid of a bunch of pine trees that separate the top 1/3 of 13 and the teeing area of 11. The very deep ravine that must be taken into account on 13 is the same ravine one crosses on the tee shot on 11. The hole does play to some extent like Langford depicted in the five-way drawing -- there are certainly multiple lines of attack with both the tee shot, as well as succeeding shots. (The deep ravine really serves a similar purpose as the large bunker that separates his left and right "fair greens" in the drawing.)
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Great job on the tour Dan. You got some nice light for the back 9 photos in particular.
Brad
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Dan,
Fantastic job with the write up. Your passion for Lawsonia is very evident. And surely it is a fantastic golf course. As mentioned, the conditioning is quite good with firm fairways and fast greens.
Anyone who gets the chance definitely get up there and play it.
Someone mentioned that Lawsonia is the public NGLA. Has anyone played both and is able to verify this? Is it really in the same class?
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Dan,
Fantastic job with the write up. Your passion for Lawsonia is very evident. And surely it is a fantastic golf course. As mentioned, the conditioning is quite good with firm fairways and fast greens.
Anyone who gets the chance definitely get up there and play it.
Someone mentioned that Lawsonia is the public NGLA. Has anyone played both and is able to verify this? Is it really in the same class?
...paging Shivas and all of his brat slippage glory....
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I don't wish to leave the impression that I would desire to change Lawsonia in anyway to present that very cool 1914, 5-way to play hole. But, it would be cool if some archie has a corridor to present and interpret that sometime as a tribute.
Dan, I don't remember 1 as a par 5, specifically. If it was so in '59-60, I would say it didn't register that par was all that relavant to a 12 year old kid... ;D But, I sure remember many pines alot bigger than that photo. The pine woods along right side of 9 was relatively mature, with many of those trees a good 15-20ft, I'd guess.
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Dan,
Great descriptions of Lawsonia.
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Dan - GREAT overview of Lawsonia... I hope I get the chance to play there some day. I can see why you are so enamored with Langford.
I have two small negative comments...
1) I wish something could be done about the cart path intruding on the tee shot on 5.
2) I'm completely opposed to the placement of the cart path on 7. There is no way that path cannot come into play for a ball hit to the right. Paths should not have that much influence on a hole!
By the way... the Riverside course at Greenville CC has been reworked by Kris Spence and looks amazing, with green complexes that have some of the features you expected to see on your visit. I'll get over there soon and take some pictures.
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Mike your cart path comment is well taken. Just brainstorming a little, I'd say that the only way on 4--> 5 would be to bring the path ahead on the left, and have something of a walk-back to the tees. There is a sort of logical cart parking area far right of the #4 green, and immediately adjacent to the 5 tee. Then the path has little room to go out from that 5 tee. The only thing I could think of is have the cart path act as a small pitstop away from the tee on the front left, then immediately cross to the OB line on right, and follow the road. But, really, there is no cart path after the begining of the crest of the hill on 5. Carts disperse. Basically, it isn't all that bad.
On the boxcar hole, the only thing would be to go away from the tee through the native up the far left, and have the path end somewhat above the green complex, forcing cart riders to walk down to the green and even worse, down to where many many balls end up at the bottom of that huge rampart up, some 20' ele. That would lead to most cart riders risking even more injury that might already happen with folks trying to deal with the steep embankment up to the green from those balls that come up short and short right. The property line is just right of where you see the cart path, no where to go there. And, as I stated, the logical most safe way to get to the green, and back to the rear where there is a steep climb to #8 tee as it is, is to go around the big green on bottom right. But, yes, it is unsightly. Just not much option...
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Mike,
Considering they don't have continuous cart paths at Lawsonia, only some paths around the tee boxes and 7 green, its hard to object too much. Seven is pretty severe around the green so unless you want tear up fairway where all the water goes we'll have live with that path. In fact though I can't recall anyone ever hitting the cart path. The pin position in that photo is way far to right, an infrequent position, so I think it gives the impression folks miss down toward the path more than they actually do. The most common miss is short into the base of the hill.
How about #1 as a 465 yd par 5 and #5 as a 445 yd par 4 as on the original plan. #5 playing from the red tee visible in the first photo would be a very difficult par 4 in my opinion.
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Dan,
Great descriptions of Lawsonia.
BTW folks. The 1968 photos of Lawsonia are thanks to Brad Anderson who leant me a 1968 copy of The Golf Superintendent Magazine (the GCSAA official magazine) with an article on the upkeep and maintenance of Lawsonia written by their 25 year old superintendent Tom Spaulding. Tom reported he had planted 250 trees to cut the wind. Among the interesting tidbits reported by Spaulding; the fairways were mostly creeping red fescue with some bluegrass and the greens were mainly seaside and old german bent grasses with some poa annua. The tees and fringes were equal amounts of seaside and poa. He also noted the course was built primarily on sand and did not have any drainage built into the course and didn't need any because of the great natural drainage. Except for the last few feet and the heads, Langford's original lines for the irrigation system, then 38 years old, were still being used. He noted water was stored in a cement 800,000 gallon swimming pool located on a nearby bluff 100 ft above lake level.
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Dan, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to produce this thread. One of the best presentations I think this site has ever seen. My gosh I've got to get to this course. It looks absolutely brilliant! What boldness!
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The '68 timeframe is interesting for the tree planting. I would've thought people had been ruining courses much earlier. ;)
When did golfer's turn into such wimpy wimps, Loathing the wind?
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Thanks for the fine effort Dan. I have only played the course once, but think of it often and clearly remember every hole (always a sign of a great course). I think the front nine is the better side (that pic looking back from the 6th green is now one of my favorites), but the whole track is so much fun to play. I would say that when I played it (late June in '06 I believe) the course(particularly the greens) was a little soft. Tee shots are a little out of balance in favoring the left to right player, but there is enough width to fit a draw in as well. Can't wait to get back.
I was unaware the tree on 13 (of course I hit it) was no longer there. How was it lost and when?
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Dan
Thanks again. It has been a most enjoyable tour and one of the best presented on this site. I have a few comments that I hope you can respond to.
I like the short bunker on #10 a lot. There is something about hiding the landing zone when/if a run-up shot is required that really appeals to me.
From the photos it doesn't appear that there is much difference in space to go around L&M's "echelon bunkers" as seen on #13 and their "cross bunkers" (which btw I can find no other archie who labels cross bunkers the way L&M do) as seen on the front 9. This would seem to leave same choices from the tee for either style of bunkering - assuming they are at a relatively similar distance from the tee. Perhaps the pics are misleading or the fairway to the right of the "echelon bunkers" on 13 has been narrowed.
The choice of laying up or trying to get to the flat on #13 really reminds me of Ross courses. He seemed to do this a lot and to great effect. I do not like that new tree planting in the least.
It is a real pity the trees to the left of #14 (at the very least) can't be taken out. It seems like a fade kicking through the gate is a credible play, but the trees make that shot unnecessarily tight.
The angles used throughout the course look to be very well judged in relation to the green complexes. This reminds me a lot of Beau Desert. In fact, the greens and how they have drop offs is very similar - though I suspect Lawsonia's are purely for interest and perhaps drainage while BD's are mainly to keep the greens puttable because the course is essentially on the sides of a hill.
That 18th is somewhat similar to #14 - a sort of pop up green with the gate on the opposite side of the green ( I guess fair play for righties and lefties). Both look very cool and it must be dead easy for balls kick/run away if a shot is not quite on target.
The course looks to be a stunner and one of the few I see profiled on here which really intrigues me. I would like to get there some day.
Ciao
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Sean:
If this is what you're driving at, I'd suggest there is plenty of room right of the en echelon bunkers on 13 for the golfer who is either short off of the tee or unwilling to take much of a gamble in trying to clear any of the bunkers. This hole is really one of the best at Lawsonia, in part because Langford did such a neat job in blending the natural terrian with features like those trio of bunkers to create varying lines of play and options on how to play it. One of the neat features of the hole is a small shelf area of the fairway coming out of the deep ravine that fronts the greensite. It's a place for the lesser golfer to try to get closer to the green, and a target area for the bolder and better golfer looking to get across the ravine with a second shot. I'm mixed on the new tree -- the quite tall old one was an interesting feature before it died, but now that the newly planted one is less dominant, I can see the argument for simply leaving the fairway completely void of the tree.
I think your comments re. 14 tree clearing are good ones; the tee box on that hole is quite wide, and tee markers set to the left side of the tee can cause problems, as the hole plays slightly downhill and is a short-iron for most.
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Re the tree on 13; Since the proper play is short, laying back at the 150 range for ones third, the tree offers a visual clue on how to properly play the hole for the first timer. It also, protects 15 tee from tugged non thinkers who naturally try to get as close as possible to the green on their second.
Sean, The cross bunker term does apply because they do cross the line of instinct, or are on the inside legs of slight turns. On 13 and other holes they work exactly like Dr. Mac's 3rd at CPC or Pete Dye's 16th on the River course at BWR. They essentially are diagonal cross carries. Call'em a rose, since they play so sweet. Your discussion has taught me not to get too hung up on the terminology. It's the concept, use and application that matter. Thanx.
RE 14; The old photo really does show a much better hole. The current version is a much inferior hole, all due to the claustrophobia.
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Dan,
I didn't think you could do any better ... but you've outdone yourself with the back nine addition. Awesome.
I definitely agree about some of the tree clearing needed. Seems odd too since to a large extent the course is wide open and presents few occasions where the trees encroach. Ron must be making plans to clear a little. Right?
I think what I find really great is how indeed there may be some penal situations ... but it sure looks like you can just about always recover. No water hazards, yet a tough challenge.
Great pre pics as well. I just love this before and after.
I'm thinking road trip next year. Especially with their stay and play. Hmmm...
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Re the tree on 13; Since the proper play is short, laying back at the 150 range for ones third, the tree offers a visual clue on how to properly play the hole for the first timer. It also, protects 15 tee from tugged non thinkers who naturally try to get as close as possible to the green on their second.
Sean, The cross bunker term does apply because they do cross the line of instinct, or are on the inside legs of slight turns. On 13 and other holes they work exactly like Dr. Mac's 3rd at CPC or Pete Dye's 16th on the River course at BWR. They essentially are diagonal cross carries. Call'em a rose, since they play so sweet. Your discussion has taught me not to get too hung up on the terminology. It's the concept, use and application that matter. Thanx.
RE 14; The old photo really does show a much better hole. The current version is a much inferior hole, all due to the claustrophobia.
Adam
I agree so long as everyone knows the course. However, if you were to tell me that a cross bunker is out at whatever distance I imagine a bunker going straight across the fairway creating a forced carry (or damn close to it) - there is no option but to go over the hazard if one wants to play the fairway route. Clearly, L&M offer a choice to avoid these diagonal (rather than right angle) hazards. I also believe this is what was originally meant by the term (hence the name) which is why I am surprised by the L&M take on the word. I stated before that Colt loved to turn his bunkers on an angle and break them up - thus creating a different strategic purpose from a cross bunker (which was in vogue just before Colt and Fowler still used them well after they were out of fashion). The L&M "cross bunker" is strategically akin to Colt's idea.
Ciao
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Sean:
It may be a matter of semantics, but I'll dive in anway. Langford's design scheme almost always provides for an alternate line of attack if one chooses not to take on his large and penal bunkers, "cross" or not. Dan's pictures of holes 3 and 17 are good examples -- one can flirt with inside or (in the case of a right-side pin position on 17) left-side bunkers on these holes off the tee, and be rewarded with better approaches. But the risk is significant -- his fairway bunkers are quite penal, in the sense of being able to advance the ball on a direct line to the pin.
One (more...) thing that is a nice feature of Lawsonia, and Langford courses generally, is the way he uses both blindness for uncertainty on some shots, but also large and obvious features in other areas, to give the golfer a real sense of what he's taking on, and the risks inherent (or not) in certain lines of play.
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From the photos it doesn't appear that there is much difference in space to go around L&M's "echelon bunkers" as seen on #13 and their "cross bunkers" (which btw I can find no other archie who labels cross bunkers the way L&M do) as seen on the front 9. This would seem to leave same choices from the tee for either style of bunkering - assuming they are at a relatively similar distance from the tee. Perhaps the pics are misleading or the fairway to the right of the "echelon bunkers" on 13 has been narrowed.
Sean, Thank you and others for the kind comments.
With respect the cross bunker discussion I think we need to look at when Langford was writing--1915 as I think Langford used the term as bunkering evolved in that period of time. This was right on a cusp of a dramatic evolution away from the "rampart style" cross bunker that extended across the course at a right angle as a mere obstacle to be carried with a more stylized, and this is key, strategic style of bunkering. In Chicago in particular, 1913 marks a significant transition with the arrival of Harry Colt and Donald Ross who collaborated on Old Elm. Old Elm has several diagonal cross bunkers and centrally located fairway bunkers.
In 1915 Langford had this to say about "cross bunkers".
"Thus to open up two or more avenues of play on a hole we must build our cross bunkers en echelon (step formation) or diagonally across the course, and must allow bunkers built at right angles to the line of play to extend only partially across the course, leaving room to play around them on both ends."
And the photos may not show it but there is ample room to avoid the en echelon bunkers on 13 by playing out to the right with a penalty of some distance.
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Dan,
I didn't think you could do any better ... but you've outdone yourself with the back nine addition. Awesome.
I definitely agree about some of the tree clearing needed. Seems odd too since to a large extent the course is wide open and presents few occasions where the trees encroach. Ron must be making plans to clear a little. Right?
I think what I find really great is how indeed there may be some penal situations ... but it sure looks like you can just about always recover. No water hazards, yet a tough challenge.
Great pre pics as well. I just love this before and after.
I'm thinking road trip next year. Especially with their stay and play. Hmmm...
Whether its penal or not depends on how far and how wild you hit it. I managed to lose a few balls there because the landing area is blind on some holes, the further you hit the more landing areas that are blind. If you land in that hay but can't see exactly where it went down, its a crapshoot whether you will find it.
Tee shots on 2, 5, 6, 15, 16, and 17 are most prone to this issue. I'm thinking that when I return I may tee off with my 1 iron on some of those just to increase my chances of 1) keeping it in play and 2) hit it shorter to where I can see it land. That won't help on all holes, but on holes like 5 for instance where you have a little dropoff of about 10 feet out there a ways (270, 280, something like that?) the difference between carrying into the hay just short of the dropoff and doing so just past it is probably 1 shot on average, because you have nearly a 100% chance of finding it if lands short so you can see it go in, and a 50% shot at best if you carry that hill and can't see it land in there.
But no, I'm not bitter about 5, no sirree ;) At least when I lost one on 8 it was because I was probably rather stupidly trying to drive the green and yanked it way left over the tree by the #9 teebox so I couldn't see it land, and on 15 because I just took too aggressive of a line. Those are my own dumb fault, but the thing on 5 really irked me because it couldn't have been more than a few feet offline but I couldn't find the damn thing but had it been a big short of the dropoff I would have been fine.
Its too bad because that grass is (or at least was last year, it looks greener in these photos from this year with all the rain in spring/early summer) not that hard to play from. Its rather like the long grass at Muirfield, you can always manage 80% of your normal SW distance out of it, and if you get lucky with a lie you might be able to dig a full 6 or 7 iron out of there.
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Doug:
Well, 5 is a tight little bugger, isn't it? Short at 487 for a par 5, it has OB down the entire right side and junk left. An under-rated risk/reward hole, because as you note, the "turbo boost" is reachable for the long hitter -- a mid-iron second into the green for some if you reach it -- but blind off the tee, with trouble for the wayward (even the slightly wayward).
I hope folks aren't left with the impression that Langford didn't leave generous room on the fairways with blind or partial blindness. I'd argue he did -- Doug, do you see it differently?
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Phil, Folks? I know of no astute student that has not seen Lawsonia and doesn't want to get there.
Having grown up in the GCA blemished wasteland that was Chicago public golf in the 1980's, No words ring truer to spark a recreational golfer's interest in the topic of GCA.
One (more...) thing that is a nice feature of Lawsonia, and Langford courses generally, is the way he uses both blindness for uncertainty on some shots, but also large and obvious features in other areas, to give the golfer a real sense of what he's taking on, and the risks inherent (or not) in certain lines of play.
The "Hell" like bunkers used on the 5th and 6th holes alone, should open the eyes of someone who never gave GCA a thought.
I do remember the red fescue fairways. In my memory, they were 6 yards wide. But the rough was also matted down and not the typical no fun lush crap found on high end courses. ::)
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I hope folks aren't left with the impression that Langford didn't leave generous room on the fairways with blind or partial blindness. I'd argue he did -- Doug, do you see it differently?
I think I know why Doug may find Lawsonia with less useable width than others. From my recollection Doug likes to work the ball right to left off of the tee, and Lawsonia certainly favors a fade off of the tee. Someone with a propensity to draw/hook the ball off of the tee may have a skewed perception of the width off of the tee due to the majority of tee-shots that favor a fade. Just a guess.
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Doug:
Well, 5 is a tight little bugger, isn't it? Short at 487 for a par 5, it has OB down the entire right side and junk left. An under-rated risk/reward hole, because as you note, the "turbo boost" is reachable for the long hitter -- a mid-iron second into the green for some if you reach it -- but blind off the tee, with trouble for the wayward (even the slightly wayward).
I hope folks aren't left with the impression that Langford didn't leave generous room on the fairways with blind or partial blindness. I'd argue he did -- Doug, do you see it differently?
He did, I'm just more wild than most ;D
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I hope folks aren't left with the impression that Langford didn't leave generous room on the fairways with blind or partial blindness. I'd argue he did -- Doug, do you see it differently?
I think I know why Doug may find Lawsonia with less useable width than others. From my recollection Doug likes to work the ball right to left off of the tee, and Lawsonia certainly favors a fade off of the tee. Someone with a propensity to draw/hook the ball off of the tee may have a skewed perception of the width off of the tee due to the majority of tee-shots that favor a fade. Just a guess.
Well I prefer to play it straight, but as you correctly recall my misses turn left and you are definitely "right" about Lawsonia. There are quite a few holes that ask for a good sized fade that approaches a slice (1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 15) and everything else is probably best probably played with a small fade with the exception of 13, which is really a reverse Cape Hole that works best with a draw.
My big difficulty there isn't the turning but the fact the turning points of the fairways were designed for 1930 distances. Guys who drive it like you and me who want to hit the ball straight have to cut way across the gunk in the corner and hitting the fairway requires not only being approximately straight but also hitting the ball approximately the right distance. That's kind of why I'm thinking I need to give the 1 iron a little workout there next time, since its distance will work better with the location of the turning points of many of those fairways.
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Just wanted to revive this as I had a great time at Lawsonia with Dick Daley and Steve the Marine - who is a Great American...capital G, capital A.
What a great start! I have no problem with the blind drive on 1 or 2...I loved cresting the hill and seeing the hole unfold. Great shaping all the way around. There's a right side to miss and a wrong side, that';s for sure. There are great interior contours on the green, and a strong routing that plays into the most interesting parts of the property.
Fave holes: 1 - it defines the character of the course and sets the stage for what you see all day. 5...thank goodness Brither William didn;t tell me there was OB right because i slugged a driver.
I also like that it doesn;'t take the driver out of your hands, but requires strong drives nonetheless!
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If Lawsonia were on Long Island, it would be among the pantheon of elite courses. I can't even imagine what it would cost if it were a private club there. Thank goodness for the Baptist Assembly, and how they have kept it a public, centerpiece of their resort and retreat complex there in Green Lake. You should have seen the old white lapstrake siding clubhouse-pro shop, and I wish I could have been more mature in the late 50s-60s to fullly realise what it was when it was merely watered with quick couplers and the FWs were baked to the point of cracking soil in hot dry stretches. The ball would run! Come to think of it, I have a fair memory of once having a mere chip to be on the green in 3 at 18 as about a 12 year old. Of course that would not go in today's tech world.
they als
It continues to be a funny proposition that those vast majority of uninformed or casual golfers who plan their day trips and weekend retreats at Green Lake, continue to first book and play the Woodlands course there. Not that the Woodlands is horrible. But, Lawsonia Links for any serious golfer who cares about classic design and play, is a must.
Lawsaonia also has a pubicity shy superintendent who is largely responsible for getting Ron Forse and Jim Nagle in there to recapture much of the original design intent. He apparently has been influential in keeping the oversight committee of the Baptist Assembly informed and understanding of the gen they have entrusted to their care and preservation. They really can't be thanked too much in keeping it avbailable to the public at reasonable prices.
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While it was said above, Dan Moore had done a great deal in keeping Lawsonia on the radar screen of GCA.com followers. His feature here a few years ago really did get to the essense of Lawsonia. I hope Dan is able to get up there to enjoy it many times to come, with his son and friends.
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Just wanted to revive this as I had a great time at Lawsonia with Dick Daley and Steve the Marine - who is a Great American...capital G, capital A.
What a great start! I have no problem with the blind drive on 1 or 2...I loved cresting the hill and seeing the hole unfold. Great shaping all the way around. There's a right side to miss and a wrong side, that';s for sure. There are great interior contours on the green, and a strong routing that plays into the most interesting parts of the property.
Jay:
You brightened my morning by singing the praises of the 1st at Lawsonia! That drive -- the opening shot at a wonderful course -- has been criticized in some quarters as being bland, and it has been changed over the years, as the hole used to play as a par 5 (per Dan Moore's research) with the tee back by the current putting green (evidenced by the fairway mound that would normally play havoc with a second shot on a par 5, but is too far for most drives on a par 4).
I often like it when a course slowly unfolds -- no need for all the bells and whistles to be evident when walking up to the first tee. But turning that corner on the 1st fairway, and seeing both the long horizontal mound and that dramatically pushed-up green, gives the golfer a real sense of what's to come the rest of the round.
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Hey Guys. How were the conditions? When I played there a month ago on the Sunday of the PGA it was a bit rough around the edges due to the tough summer weather. Looked like with a good aeration and some cooler temps, it would recover quick and I think they usually aerate the week prior to Labor Day. Hopefully conditions have rebounded nicely. Thanks.
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Like most areas around here, we had a real bad stretch of disease conducive weather, and most every course shows some ravages of that period of time. Yet, the weather has moderated and most of the turf conditions are getting better rapidly. Lawsonia has always kept the greens cut a fraction HOC longer than most courses and we found it pretty good shape the week of PGA when Jay was here.
I imagine they will stay open until last week of Oct or early Nov. That is the best time of year to play. I'd say it peaks in color, and after a few night frosts by about 2nd week of Oct. If you have a chance to visit there at that time, you will not be disappointed. These are the glory days of golf in many parts of the country. It is a happy time, indeed.
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Like most areas around here, we had a real bad stretch of disease conducive weather, and most every course shows some ravages of that period of time. Yet, the weather has moderated and most of the turf conditions are getting better rapidly. Lawsonia has always kept the greens cut a fraction HOC longer than most courses and we found it pretty good shape the week of PGA when Jay was here.
I imagine they will stay open until last week of Oct or early Nov. That is the best time of year to play. I'd say it peaks in color, and after a few night frosts by about 2nd week of Oct. If you have a chance to visit there at that time, you will not be disappointed. These are the glory days of golf in many parts of the country. It is a happy time, indeed.
Thanks for the report.
I hope to get up there mid-October for a couple days of dawn-to-dusk golf, hopefully the weather will coordinate with a weekend I'm available!
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I thought it was time to revive this thread. I am strongly considering stopping by Green Lake for a game in August. I was shooting for a game at Culver Academies, but that doesn't seem promising. Lawsonia has also been on my short list so what the hell. Has there been any changes...tree clearance...still have beer on tap?
Is the Green Lake Inn still good?
Ciao
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Sean,
You should definitely go. I think that it's the best of Wisconsin's excellent collection of public courses and second only to Pinehurst no. 2 among public courses that I've played in the US.
To make a UK comparison, I'd say that it compares favorably with Swinley Forest...and I wouldn't be surprised if I'd like it more now because I haven't seen Swinley Forest since the recent alterations. The bunkering at Lawsonia is at least as interesting and the green complexes are clearly better. Swinley may have a few more excellent holes but Lawsonia doesn't have anything as weak as Swinley's (excluding #4) opening stretch.
I don't know how good the Green Lake Inn is and I haven't looked through all the pre-tree removal pictures, but there are few trees left on the course, mostly on the front nine in the form of a clump between the first green and fifth fairway, a few (now probably dead) ash trees in the corner of the dogleg on three, and a large oak right of the fifth fairway. The rest of the trees on the front nine are around the perimeter and shouldn't come into play. The only trees left on the back nine (at least two years ago) were some pines left of the tenth green and out-of-play perimeter trees.
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Sean,
If you're anywhere close, it's certainly worth a stop.
The Green Lake Inn is a fine spot to spend the night. It's walking distance from Norton's which will give you the full Wisconsin "Supper Club" experience for dinner. The Goose Blind is a good bar in town.
In addition to tree removal, I think they are starting on some bunker work this season? One bunker at a time, though.
Enjoy!
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Sean,
If you're anywhere close, it's certainly worth a stop.
The Green Lake Inn is a fine spot to spend the night. It's walking distance from Norton's which will give you the full Wisconsin "Supper Club" experience for dinner. The Goose Blind is a good bar in town.
In addition to tree removal, I think they are starting on some bunker work this season? One bunker at a time, though.
Enjoy!
Do not try to save a couple bucks and book the Dartford Inn -- makes the Bates Motel look like a Four Season's (not even sure its open but they took a reservation). I also would not recommend the Boarder's in Ripon where I went next -- the bathroom was full of mold.
They were doing bunker work when I was there a month ago but it was hardly noticeable. Definitely worth the trip.
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Our 8-some hit the WI biggies last summer of Erin Hills, Kohler and Sand Valley. I couldn’t convince ONE PERSON to stay a night a play LL so I went by myself. Most $$ round I’ve ever played - not due to the $99 round or $99 motel room but the $600 one night car rental! But, it was awesome. Played as a single and used one of the four “motorcycles” as my golf cart. Highly recommend from the vibe to the GCA, some really good angles, elevation changes and green contours. Was as good as any of the new WI courses IMHO.
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I played Links of Lawsonia last week. Although a really good course, it certainly did not live up to the hype for me. I enjoyed the front 9 better than the back 9 holes, and the extremely slow play there certainly did not help matters any. I preferred playing Culver over the Links of Lawsonia hands down.
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I took the plunge and have a tee time on 21 August. Might be my first game in 2 months...gulp. Also plan to play Culver a week or so later. Should be a good trip.
Ciao