Andrew Rice Golf

Archive for the ‘Architechture’ Category

The Closing Hole

CB Macdonald is a genius. If golf is to be played for the purpose of enjoyment then surely the course a golfer plays should elevate the potential for that enjoyment.  The National Golf Links of America is beyond question, the most fun and interesting golf course I have ever played.  Having not played the course before I have heard numerous reviews from fellow golfers fortunate enough to have played the course that there are too many blind shots, it’s too short, the greens have too much movement, essentially it’s just okay.  What?  If I could only play one golf course for the rest of my life it would unquestionably be this one.

The 1st Fairway and Windmill

The course was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and opened in 1911.  Many of the holes were patterned from famous golf courses in Britain and adapted to fit the lay of the land:

• The 2nd hole, named Sahara, is a par four modeled after the 3rd hole at Royal St. Georges.
• The 3rd hole, named Alps, is a par four that requires a blind approach shot to the green, similar to the 17th hole at Prestwick.
• The 4th hole, named Redan, is a par three that copied the 15th hole at North Berwick, the site of the original Redan hole.
• The 7th hole, named St. Andrews, is a par five that was designed based on the 17th hole (Road Hole) at St. Andrews.
• The 8th hole, named Bottle, is a par four that resembles the 12th hole at Sunningdale Golf Club.
• The 13th hole, named Eden, is a par three that replicates the 11th hole at St. Andrews.

Some of the other holes were original designs, the most notable of which is the par four 14th hole. It was named Cape because the green was located on a small peninsula that jutted into a bay. The green was later moved during construction of Sebonac Inlet Road but is now surrounded on three sides by a large bunker.  A unique feature on the golf course is a windmill located between the 2nd and 16th holes.  A member once remarked that a windmill would make a nice addition to the course so Macdonald purchased one when he was in Europe and sent the member the bill.

The 16th Punchbowl

The golf course is a perfect site for a matchplay event and when it playes host to the 2013 Walker Cup there are bound to be some thrilling matches. The reason for this is due to the fact that there are so many holes that play either a half stroke lower or higher than par. For example the 1st and 2nd holes are driveable to the long hitter and birdie is a real possibility, yet the 3rd, Alps, is a long and blind par four where there’s a real chance for bogey.  The course now plays to a par 72 as the 5th Hog’s Back has been converted into a long par four….and a half.

#15 Narrows

If you are ever in Ottawa, Canada and are looking for another excellent course to play try Loch March Golf and Country Club – you will not be disappointed!

If you have never had the opportunity to visit Berkeley Hall in the South Carolina Lowcountry take a look at this fantastic new footage of the practice facility.

Not a bad office! Give me a call (843-247-4688) to set up a lesson and give it a try.

Shinnecock Hills 16

After being priviliged to play Shinnecock Hills recently for the second time I now firmly believe it to be the finest golf course I have ever played. And I’ve been fortunate to play most of the best in the world.

Since its original design by Willie Dunn in 1891, updates by Charles B. Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Howard C. Toomey and William S. Flynn have transformed a fairly treeless, sandy landscape into a golf utopia. Shinnecock Hills has hosted U.S. Open championships in 1896, 1986, 1994, and 2004.

Shinnecock Hills 12

The thing I found so appealing about the golf course was it’s simplicity; the greens almost seemed like ‘magic carpets’ that the designer had unfurled and laid down at the end of each fairway. Nothing overly complex or tricked up, just simple and subtle elevation changes that all seemed to fit.

The bunkering was decidedly plain too – and I mean that in the most positive light possible. Golfers of just about every skill  level would be able to extricate their golf ball from every bunker on the property. What a breath of fresh air - no trickery!

The whole golf course played that way – nothing overdone, just good old fashioned golf. In fact, it may have the finest par four (#14) and par three (#11) in all of golf!  Strike the ball correctly and you should have an excellent opportunity to shoot your handicap. The golf course could not have been more different than the way it appeared on Sunday in the carnage of the 2004 US Open when Goosen defeated Mickelson.

I absolutely love this golf course - so much so that I have a new favorite.

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Atlantic Golf Club

Situated in the Bridgehampton on Long Island in New York, the Atlantic Golf Club is a special place. And it’s not only the golf course that makes it special.

The Director of Golf is Rick Hartmann and I could not think of a better personality to provide New York’s financial and entertainment elite an exceptional all-around golf and membership experience. An excellent player in his own right, Rick oversees a well-seasoned staff that seems able to anticipate every golfer’s need.

The caddy program is second to none! I have never seen a caddy yard as deep as the one they have at Atlantic – I don’t believe it is possible to get even a mediocre “loop” there. Rocco Casero, the caddie master, seems to have the magic touch when selecting his team.

The course is beautifully maintained by longtime superintendent Bob Ranum. Bob always seems to be trying to find a way to improve the course and it’s playability. From reshaping the traps to altering the cut on the fairways, nothing seems to be too much for Bob and his crew to provide a fun, playable and spectacularly well maintained golf course.

The Rees Jones design was opened in 1992 by Lowell Schulman and was greeted with rave reviews. The course has been softened (made more player friendly) in certain areas over the years and I really like the direction it seems to be headed. A more enjoyable and pleasing experience for golfers of every level. The fairways are generous enough, but make sure you don’t misfire as the infamous Atlantic fescue awaits your wayward Titleist. There are enough difficult holes to keep you paying attention (2, 4, 5, 10, 18) but they are nicely balanced by a handful of interesting and imminently playable holes (6, 8, 11, 12, 17). My favorite holes are the 4th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th. The 4th is an almost exact replica of the famous 13th hole at Royal Portrush and at over 200 yards into the prevailing wind it is just as brutish. It really is thrilling to be able to strike the correct type of shot that finds this green.

This month a few fortunate golfers will have the privilege of competing in the US Mid Amateur Championship at Atlantic Golf Club – they are in for a treat, and a stern challenge. I know Rick and Bob and Rocco are looking forward to playing host – something they do so well.

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The short yet treacherous 3rd

Augusta National

The week that every golfer anticipates from all the way back in November is finally here – Masters Week 2010! I would like this to be a one-stop shop for all things pertaining to Augusta National and the Masters and as a result I have tracked any and all pertinent information down and linked it to the site. Enjoy!

• Tournament Tee Times  All the best to KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar who drew the short stick – and Tiger!
• Masters.com  The Official Site – for the latest news and some great photography
• Live online coverage – here
• Official Course Tour
• Golf.com Masters Coverage
• Golf.com has some excellent and unusual aerial shots of the course

Augusta 15th Hole Aerial (Sports Illustrated)

• Read some interesting first accounts of Tiger’s Press Conference on Monday

The "New" Tiger?

• Golf Digest Masters Coverage
• The Golf Channel’s Coverage
• TV Times and Schedule
• Updated Masters Odds  England finally seems to have a solid chance again in Poulter, Casey, Donald, Rose and Westwood.

The English are coming..... (How/Getty)

• Augusta National just over 7 weeks ago! You have never seen the course looking like this….
• The course is closed during the summer. Here is what it looks like in the winter…..

Augusta National in Winter

This week also happens to mark the one year anniversary of andrewricegolf.com! In our first year we have had almost 40,000 visitors and continue to grow. Thanks so much for your support and readership and I can promise another year of even better and more insightful content.

BTW – my picks for this week are Phil and the Goose! Yours?

Enjoy the tournament.