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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2017 17:59:12 GMT -5
Theme: Highlands Designer: Cullen Allen Handle: culallen Course Name: The Caldera |
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Post by culallen on Nov 22, 2017 14:32:08 GMT -5
This Spaceport isn't as easy as I had hoped...
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Post by culallen on Nov 28, 2017 10:42:17 GMT -5
On the shores of a once uninhabited peninsula, a gateway to new and exciting adventures has emerged. Once thought to be the lore of imagineers such as Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, space travel has now become reality. Whether it's a week-long luxury cruise in Earth's orbit, a quick jaunt to the popular new Moon base experience, or the longer business commute to Mars, where engineers, construction workers, and scientists are putting the final touches on the first interplanetary colony, it all begins from the first and currently only space port operational on Earth (although 3 others around the globe are expected to be fully operational in the next couple of years).
Space travel is costly, and will be for some time until economies of scale catch up with the new technology. Currently, only the wealthiest corporations and individuals can afford it. But developer Cullen Allen had a vision of a model that would become a destination within the destination. "The world is so intrigued by space travel, but only a select few get to experience it. The only taste of space flight they get is the few moments they see another passenger's YouTube or Instagram video before the space travel company's lawyers swoop in to have those videos removed. I get it. These corporations want to protect the uniqueness of the experience (as well as keep it as profitable as possible), but human curiosity is hard to quash. That's why I did my best to give vacationers a front row seat to those reaching for the stars. It's not space, but it's the next best thing."
Allen is now overseeing the final stages of a resort that lets travelers come and see the hustle and bustle of the burgeoning new space travel industry, and even get a glimpse of one of the bi-weekly launches and booster rocket landings. "It's really a thrill," Allen says. "I've seen at least 15 launches while on site, but it never gets old. The power generated by the rocket boosters is incredible. The sound ricocheting through the valley is haunting." The resort is located in a valley known locally as "The Caldera." It has been carved out by years of volcanic activity and other natural processes. The resort features hotels built into the side of the volcanic rock cliffs of the valley. "It looks like something you'd see on a sci-fi movie."
The last phase of this project has been the creation of a world class golf facility. "No resort is complete without a golf course!" Allen exclaimed. His concept features holes carved into the natural valleys and arroyos of The Caldera. "It's a highland course, but not the traditional links style you would think of in a normal New Zealand-like highland setting. There is a lot of elevation change. A lot."
And he's not kidding. The planned drop from the first tee down to the first fairway features a drop of over 300 feet. "It will be breathtaking! The first tee is situated right on the edge of a cliff that overlooks the valley and features a hole that will be backdropped by the launch pad."
The resort is scheduled to open after the beginning of the new year. "It will be a great golf destination for vacationers as well as the thousands of employees of NASA, Space X, and Virgin Galactic who currently work and reside here." Will the course remain open during one of the famous launches? "Of course! That will all be part of the experience. You just might want to wait until the craft is down-range before you hit that putt!"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 13:53:59 GMT -5
Dude, this sounds amazing! I love the creativity, and my curiosity is certainly heightened at this point!
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Post by culallen on Jan 22, 2018 14:17:23 GMT -5
Finally a screen shot...  |
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Post by culallen on Jan 30, 2018 15:55:13 GMT -5
I'm working like crazy on this in the few free moments I have. I basically need to lay down three holes.
When you play the course, if you're asking yourself how you get from the greens of some of these holes up to the next teebox, there is an unseen intricate system of elevators in side the cliff walls. Trust me...
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Post by Moe Slorkman on Jan 31, 2018 11:10:03 GMT -5
I'm working like crazy on this in the few free moments I have. I basically need to lay down three holes. When you play the course, if you're asking yourself how you get from the greens of some of these holes up to the next teebox, there is an unseen intricate system of elevators in side the cliff walls. Trust me... Good man.... Im making up some elaborate excuses to why my course is missing some sh%$ aswell  I've some creative omissions to my course aswell that add to the fantasy aspect of the whole concept. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2018 14:12:34 GMT -5
LOL
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Post by culallen on Feb 1, 2018 16:16:17 GMT -5
Welp...I tried to make a mad dash run to the finish, but I kept having real life hiccups getting in my way. I only got 15 holes down, and not even all of them were fully finished. I went ahead and published it for the sake of the overall competition.
I may come back and finish this later, or I may not. I have had such a hate-hate relationship with this course. The idea in my head originally started as a fantasy course in Kalalau valley on the island of Kaua'i. So I decided to carry that concept to a highland theme for this contest. But after designing the first few holes, my inspiration was lost, and everything else felt forced. Couple that with me being back and forth between where I live in the panhandle of Texas and Dallas because of my dad's long hospital stay and it ended up being a total disaster. I should have dropped out in early January, but I hated to be "that guy."
Anyway, I'm glad to move on to my next project (hopefully for the Invicta) which will return to my style of course. Small, intimate, close.
Anyway, thanks for putting this contest on, Eric. Sorry I didn't do it justice!
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Post by CiB0RG on Feb 6, 2018 10:23:20 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I played the 15 holes you published last night and I thought it was awesome. It felt very futuristic, a world where space travel can be a weekend getaway. It very much reminded me of something you might see in Halo which naturally got me geeked about it. The theme was used very well to immerse players in a sci-fi world. You put in a great effort here. I would be excited if you ever choose to finish it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2018 12:59:40 GMT -5
It would be worth finishing and polishing up, which I'll discuss in the stream when I do the results shows.
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Post by rob4590 on Feb 10, 2018 15:57:14 GMT -5
Just played this Cul - it's totally bonkers - but fun! The spaceship / port is incredible. The 1st tee shot is the most I've ever had to think about a shot on TGC ever and the scariest views 'in flight'. I assume with a tail wind and tour clubs, it's possible to drive the green? Loved 7 as well - for me with players clubs I bounced it down the hill close to the green - but would be a much scarier shot for tour clubs with the OB beyond. 9 however is a problem - as with just 9mph wind into my face and using players clubs off the blue tees, I couldn't reach the fairway - and ended 241ft down the canyon! Hilarity ensued with balls going over my head and some interesting animations! 10 and 12 are delightfully mad too! And the approach shots into 14 and 15.... OMG  |
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