Melrose G.C. (Troy, NY) (CC CONTEST ENTRY)
Jul 11, 2019 10:50:56 GMT -5
coruler2, SAM, and 7 more like this
Post by TannerBronson on Jul 11, 2019 10:50:56 GMT -5
Melrose Golf Club
Troy, NY
PLAY MELROSE G.C. (Member) NOT MELROSE GOLF CLUB!!!
PLAY MELROSE G.C. (Member) NOT MELROSE GOLF CLUB!!!
Welcome to Troy. Where winters are chilly and summers are blazing. Melrose has been a part of the town for only a couple days and was sketched by a renowned architect, Donald Ross. (Not really, all these holes are original.) He sketches the entire 18 holes of Melrose, but died the year later he started the plans. None of the course was built until Dylan Bronson came and built the course in 2019. Donald Ross has designed many famous and spectacular courses including Pinehurst, Oakland Hills, Inverness and Dylan Bronson’s home course of Oak Hill Country Club. So without further ado, Melrose Golf Club.
Explaining My Course:
This course is probably the most bland and at the same time the worst in the contest but I gave it a shot. My favorite designer of all time is Donald J. Ross. His work and his sketches are so amazing and he’s been a real inspiration when I design courses. I really wanted to capture the feel of Inverness and Oak Hill at the same time. These courses to me are in my opinion the best Donald Ross courses ever. I tried to capture the feel of Inverness by looking at the flyovers of the recent restoration at Inverness done by Andrew Green who is also doing a restoration at Oak Hill starting this upcoming August. Donald Ross designs have distinctive characteristics, including flat bottomed bunkers and specific shapes. Donald Ross also had the bunkers be cut into the fairway and have the bunkers built into it and not on the side. Lastly, another thing that Donald Ross was very well known for using was the use of tiny miniature mounds called hummocks. These would give the player that missed the fairway or green a difficult lie to hit from and presented a different type of challenge. I used the hummocks on multiple holes throughout the course. I really tried to capture the Ideas of old Donald Ross and hope the are conveyed well. The pictures below are of Oak Hill and Inverness and give an idea of what look I am going for.
Requirements:
*Drive-able Par 4 (Hole No. 4)
*One Template Green. Biarritz Green from Hole No. 17 at Hardford Golf Club (Hole No. 7)
*Par 3 over 230 yards (Hole No. 15)
Hole By Hole:
Hole No. 1
Par 4
“Lavender Hill”
This opening hole at Melrose Golf Club is a dog-leg right and uphill. The fairway is sloped from right to left. The drive can be tricky if the player over compensates the shot to hit on the right side of the fairway putting the ball in the bunker that is shared with the 10th hole. The bunker is inspired by the 1st and 10th hole at Inverness club. The contours in the green are mild and this is a easy birdie hole to start off your round.
Hole No. 2
Par 5
“Cliff Hanger”
Inspired by Inverness’ first hole. The layup and the green is guarded by a steep hill face. The fairway of this hole was well is guarded by multiple bunkers on the left. The more you can chew of the turn of the fairway, the better chance you have to make it to the green it two. The green is heavily sloped with two distinct levels. Placement is crucial on this hole.
Hole No. 3
Par 3
“Lookout”
This picturesque par 3 looks over the signature No. 12 hole at Melrose. The green is somewhat calm but the surrounding part of the green is not. The green is shaved off in the back making the shot missed long have a tough up and down with the green sloping from back to front. The three bunkers in front keep the front part of the green well guarded as well and making this short par 3 one of my best.
Hole No. 4
Par 4
“Sapphire Dive”
The only drive-able par 4 at Melrose Golf Club is a dog leg left around two trees. Melrose creek runs along the bottom of the valley and then on the right side of the green. Bunkers guard the front and left side of the green. Most players will have a wedge in but if not alighted with the green correctly. This hole can easy put a 5 on the scorecard due to the green. The putting surface has two levels and has a ridge in the middle of the green. Making birdie or eagle putts difficult.
Hole No. 5
Par 4
“The Elbow”
Hole No. 5 has a creek protruding into the middle of the whole making an interesting tee shot. There are many shots they could be made here but laying up will make it difficult to get close to the hole. The green is undulated left to right extremely so the approach shot is preferred from the right. This could be the toughest hole in the course if the player lays up making their approach shot much longer and much more challenging.
Hole No. 6
Par 5
“Turn Tables”
This short uphill par 4 can be reached in two shots. There are many ways to play this hole but the fairway slopes from left to right, being on the left side is preferred but it is guarded by bunkers. The green is the most undulated on the golf course and it is extremely challenging of your shot is put in the wrong place. This par five is reachable in two for the players that hit both shots correctly and can be an easy birdie or even eagle chance.
Hole No. 7
Par 3
"Skyfall"
This long par three can easily be the most beautiful home on the golf course there is a Biarritz style to the green making front pin placements challenging. There is also a false front. Bunkers surround green to catch any missed shot on. The player can be punished greatly depending on which bunker. This is not a birdie chance and be happy with Par. Bogey is possible here.
Hole No. 8
Par 4
“Deception”
This dog leg par 4 is one of the easier holes on the course. There are many ways to play this hole but the green slopes from left to right,making the preferred tee shot on the right side of the fairway. Make sure not to hit it too long into the hummocks. These can create an uneven lie and produce a different type of challenge that can throw an approach shot offline. Other than that, this is a great birdie opportunity before turning into the stretch of 4 hard holes.
Hole No. 9
Par 4
“Homestuck”
The last hole of the outward nine is long and uphill. This whole has a very undulated green which makes shots difficult that were missed behind the green. There are many ways to get to the green but being on the right side of the fairway. The fairway is connected with the 13th Fairway as well, making the landing area extra wide but very deceiving. Coming out with a par on this hole is a great score to put on your card.
Hole No. 10
Par 4
“Straightaways”
This long, uphill par 4 has a fairly easy tee shot. Landing the ball on the left side of the fairway is prefered for a better angle at the difficult green that slopes from back right to front left. The first bunker on the left side of the fairway is shared with the first hole. This is inspired by Inverness Club as well. Make sure you don't aim too far left so you don't hit into that shared bunker.
Hole No. 11
Par 3
"Fragility"
This par 3 is possibly as difficult as hole No. 7. The green is heavily contoured with a short mown area to the right that penalizes the shot missed right and or short. The two bunkers on the left guard the other side of the green which can be very difficult to get over with a pin tucked behind them. This is probably my most unique hole and par is superb on this hole.
Hole No. 12
Par 4
"Early Arrival"
This par 4 comes back to the clubhouse and is inspired by Hole No. 13 at Oak Hill Country Club. Melrose Creek splits the hole and gives the player an option off the tee. The player can either lay p or go over the creek. If the player decides to lay up, they will have a long shot into a well contoured green. Finishing out this final hole of a difficult stretch with a par is a great score.
Hole No. 13
Par 4
"O' Hilly"
The fairway for this hole is connected with the ninth hole and is fairly wide until the landing area. There are two hills presented on the tee shot and the fairway narrows to a thread. This tee shot can surely be interesting. If the player decides to lay up, they will have a tough time getting close to the pin with such a well contoured green. The green slopes predominately from back to front and is no easy birdie, but this is not the hardest hole on the course.
Hole No. 14
Par 4
"Crimson"
The signature hole at Melrose golf club features a fairway that slopes from left to right. The tee shot is prefered on the left side to have a better angle at the green as well as being a tad higher that the right side. The green has a ridge in the middle making the front of the green slope toward the player and the back slope away.
Hole No. 15
Par 3
“Deadlift”
This uphill long par 3 is guarded by multiple bunkers on all sides. The green in front slopes of to catch the ball that comes up short. The fairway is mown into the left side of the green, making a shot interesting when the pin is on the left side of the green. The green itself has two distinct levels and is hard to land in the right tier due to it’s length.
Hole No. 16
Par 5
“Mounds”
This par 5 has only three bunkers on the entire hole. The bunkers guard the left side of the landing area where the tee shot is preferred due to the greens contours. The green is on a plateau surrounded by Donald Ross’ famous hummocks that can throw off a players lie and make a missed approach shot penalized greatly. Be careful on this hole, this could be a great birdie opportunity or be a hefty bogey on the scorecard.
Hole No. 17
Par 4
“The Narrows”
The second to last hole of the round can present many ways to get to the hole. Even though there are no bunkers in the landing area, there are multiple by the green. The green features multiple slopes and contours making birdie putts hard. This is a good birdie opportunity before coming to the challenging last hole.
Hole No. 18
Par 5
“Hometide”
The final hole at Melrose Golf Club is the probably the hardest par 5 on the entire course. The drive is challenged by bunkers on both sides of the fairway. This hole is inspired by the 18th hole at Oak Hill Country Club.The green has multiple levels and the length of the hole can magnify the slopes. Walking off this hole with par is spectacular. Walk to the clubhouse for a drink.
Websites of Donald Ross Courses:
Oak Hill Country Club:
www.oakhillcc.com/Default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=407230&ssid=328506&vnf=1
Inverness Club:
invernessclub.com/golf/
Pinehurst:
www.pinehurst.com/golf/
Donald Ross Society Page:
rosssociety.org
My Social Media:
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/dtannerbronson/?hl=en
Twitter:
twitter.com/DTanB02
Twitch:
Acknowledgements:
I want to thank mattf27 , @vctrylnsports, Early 1981, Jimgem, gregfordyce , and NobleMan for helping me along and making me be the best designer I can be. Cheers to you guys.Good luck to everyone in the contest! I have no chance in this at all, the course overall is terrible and boring. So I just hope it will be a better go round next time!
Hole No. 2
Par 5
“Cliff Hanger”
Inspired by Inverness’ first hole. The layup and the green is guarded by a steep hill face. The fairway of this hole was well is guarded by multiple bunkers on the left. The more you can chew of the turn of the fairway, the better chance you have to make it to the green it two. The green is heavily sloped with two distinct levels. Placement is crucial on this hole.
Hole No. 3
Par 3
“Lookout”
This picturesque par 3 looks over the signature No. 12 hole at Melrose. The green is somewhat calm but the surrounding part of the green is not. The green is shaved off in the back making the shot missed long have a tough up and down with the green sloping from back to front. The three bunkers in front keep the front part of the green well guarded as well and making this short par 3 one of my best.
Hole No. 4
Par 4
“Sapphire Dive”
The only drive-able par 4 at Melrose Golf Club is a dog leg left around two trees. Melrose creek runs along the bottom of the valley and then on the right side of the green. Bunkers guard the front and left side of the green. Most players will have a wedge in but if not alighted with the green correctly. This hole can easy put a 5 on the scorecard due to the green. The putting surface has two levels and has a ridge in the middle of the green. Making birdie or eagle putts difficult.
Hole No. 5
Par 4
“The Elbow”
Hole No. 5 has a creek protruding into the middle of the whole making an interesting tee shot. There are many shots they could be made here but laying up will make it difficult to get close to the hole. The green is undulated left to right extremely so the approach shot is preferred from the right. This could be the toughest hole in the course if the player lays up making their approach shot much longer and much more challenging.
Hole No. 6
Par 5
“Turn Tables”
This short uphill par 4 can be reached in two shots. There are many ways to play this hole but the fairway slopes from left to right, being on the left side is preferred but it is guarded by bunkers. The green is the most undulated on the golf course and it is extremely challenging of your shot is put in the wrong place. This par five is reachable in two for the players that hit both shots correctly and can be an easy birdie or even eagle chance.
Hole No. 7
Par 3
"Skyfall"
This long par three can easily be the most beautiful home on the golf course there is a Biarritz style to the green making front pin placements challenging. There is also a false front. Bunkers surround green to catch any missed shot on. The player can be punished greatly depending on which bunker. This is not a birdie chance and be happy with Par. Bogey is possible here.
Hole No. 8
Par 4
“Deception”
This dog leg par 4 is one of the easier holes on the course. There are many ways to play this hole but the green slopes from left to right,making the preferred tee shot on the right side of the fairway. Make sure not to hit it too long into the hummocks. These can create an uneven lie and produce a different type of challenge that can throw an approach shot offline. Other than that, this is a great birdie opportunity before turning into the stretch of 4 hard holes.
Hole No. 9
Par 4
“Homestuck”
The last hole of the outward nine is long and uphill. This whole has a very undulated green which makes shots difficult that were missed behind the green. There are many ways to get to the green but being on the right side of the fairway. The fairway is connected with the 13th Fairway as well, making the landing area extra wide but very deceiving. Coming out with a par on this hole is a great score to put on your card.
Hole No. 10
Par 4
“Straightaways”
This long, uphill par 4 has a fairly easy tee shot. Landing the ball on the left side of the fairway is prefered for a better angle at the difficult green that slopes from back right to front left. The first bunker on the left side of the fairway is shared with the first hole. This is inspired by Inverness Club as well. Make sure you don't aim too far left so you don't hit into that shared bunker.
Hole No. 11
Par 3
"Fragility"
This par 3 is possibly as difficult as hole No. 7. The green is heavily contoured with a short mown area to the right that penalizes the shot missed right and or short. The two bunkers on the left guard the other side of the green which can be very difficult to get over with a pin tucked behind them. This is probably my most unique hole and par is superb on this hole.
Hole No. 12
Par 4
"Early Arrival"
This par 4 comes back to the clubhouse and is inspired by Hole No. 13 at Oak Hill Country Club. Melrose Creek splits the hole and gives the player an option off the tee. The player can either lay p or go over the creek. If the player decides to lay up, they will have a long shot into a well contoured green. Finishing out this final hole of a difficult stretch with a par is a great score.
Hole No. 13
Par 4
"O' Hilly"
The fairway for this hole is connected with the ninth hole and is fairly wide until the landing area. There are two hills presented on the tee shot and the fairway narrows to a thread. This tee shot can surely be interesting. If the player decides to lay up, they will have a tough time getting close to the pin with such a well contoured green. The green slopes predominately from back to front and is no easy birdie, but this is not the hardest hole on the course.
Hole No. 14
Par 4
"Crimson"
The signature hole at Melrose golf club features a fairway that slopes from left to right. The tee shot is prefered on the left side to have a better angle at the green as well as being a tad higher that the right side. The green has a ridge in the middle making the front of the green slope toward the player and the back slope away.
Hole No. 15
Par 3
“Deadlift”
This uphill long par 3 is guarded by multiple bunkers on all sides. The green in front slopes of to catch the ball that comes up short. The fairway is mown into the left side of the green, making a shot interesting when the pin is on the left side of the green. The green itself has two distinct levels and is hard to land in the right tier due to it’s length.
Hole No. 16
Par 5
“Mounds”
This par 5 has only three bunkers on the entire hole. The bunkers guard the left side of the landing area where the tee shot is preferred due to the greens contours. The green is on a plateau surrounded by Donald Ross’ famous hummocks that can throw off a players lie and make a missed approach shot penalized greatly. Be careful on this hole, this could be a great birdie opportunity or be a hefty bogey on the scorecard.
Hole No. 17
Par 4
“The Narrows”
The second to last hole of the round can present many ways to get to the hole. Even though there are no bunkers in the landing area, there are multiple by the green. The green features multiple slopes and contours making birdie putts hard. This is a good birdie opportunity before coming to the challenging last hole.
Hole No. 18
Par 5
“Hometide”
The final hole at Melrose Golf Club is the probably the hardest par 5 on the entire course. The drive is challenged by bunkers on both sides of the fairway. This hole is inspired by the 18th hole at Oak Hill Country Club.The green has multiple levels and the length of the hole can magnify the slopes. Walking off this hole with par is spectacular. Walk to the clubhouse for a drink.
Websites of Donald Ross Courses:
Oak Hill Country Club:
www.oakhillcc.com/Default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=407230&ssid=328506&vnf=1
Inverness Club:
invernessclub.com/golf/
Pinehurst:
www.pinehurst.com/golf/
Donald Ross Society Page:
rosssociety.org
My Social Media:
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/dtannerbronson/?hl=en
Twitter:
twitter.com/DTanB02
Twitch:
Acknowledgements:
I want to thank mattf27 , @vctrylnsports, Early 1981, Jimgem, gregfordyce , and NobleMan for helping me along and making me be the best designer I can be. Cheers to you guys.Good luck to everyone in the contest! I have no chance in this at all, the course overall is terrible and boring. So I just hope it will be a better go round next time!
