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Post by b101 on May 12, 2024 12:15:34 GMT -5
Acadia Lodge is my take on a Stanley Thompson inspired course. I picked Thompson to force myself to do new things - so much of what he does is different to what I do. I initially wanted to go for a more standard Stanley mountain course, inspired by Jasper Park Lodge, but it just didn't click. After about seven attempts at a plot, I set about looking for other National Parks and found an amazing video on Acadia National Park in Maine (no, not Canada...). It's well worth the watch, so I've linked the video below. This plot was everything the previous attempts weren't - it came together in about 40 minutes and was a blast to route on, without ever feeling forced. I spent a load of time reading up on Thompson, so there's nods to a lot of his projects in there, with this drawing most from Highlands Links (albeit with the benefit of never being planned to be a Highlands-inspired course). Particular Thompson features I've tried to work in: - Five par threes, including two long holes.
- Several bunkerless tee shots and three bunkerless holes.
- Focus on natural land movement and embracing elevation change.
- Greens tend to feature broad slopes rather than relying on internal contouring. The greens are still challenging (his greens often incorporated BIG, consistent slopes).
- Simple green shapes. Greens rarely surrounded by fairway.
- The routing is a journey through multiple environments and a true out and back. The occasional scenic walk from green to tee.
- Hotel-style clubhouse.
For those looking for Banff style bunkering, the bunkering here is more in-line with Highlands Links. On hillier sites, his bunkers were less 'dramatic', but there's still some flair with the lower profile land.
Anyway, I'll shut up now. Have some pictures and hope you enjoy your rounds. For casual play, I'd recommend the greens at Fast (155) (or Moderate for CC players (134)) rather than defaults (162).![](https://i.imgur.com/xUG6cz3.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/iK42mcR.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/pcdYdjh.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/1BGLtiX.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/ZS4s8IG.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/FKbNawn.png) ![](https://i.imgur.com/xMVVFod.png)
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Post by trailducker on May 12, 2024 15:19:19 GMT -5
Forgot yours
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Post by chatgptgolfklubber2.0 on May 12, 2024 19:33:12 GMT -5
Maine?! Pffff. Damn, I am disappointed that I don't get to slap a Canadian flag emoji on this. I had many more peace offerings in the satchel to give you, but some other time I guess. But I will take the kind Stanley offering and run with it. I hope you enjoyed studying him and making this! Thanks Ben!
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waldo
Weekend Golfer
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Posts: 80
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Post by waldo on May 12, 2024 19:39:35 GMT -5
Deletes course…this was fun
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Post by chatgptgolfklubber2.0 on May 12, 2024 20:48:39 GMT -5
Ya, I could see this getting tour worthy status and clique approval haha. The first rule of clique-club is we don't talk about clique-club haha. I'm sorry man, that was in bad taste and unjustified. In all honesty, this is a very fun course, looking forward to more rounds. Off the top of my head, the fairways are the boldest I have seen you do since...Westholme?? 7 was awesome. The classic giant-downhill-kicker-slope-to the-lower-green-and-a-walking-path-with-water-down-the-hill behind-the-green scenario. A terrifying one. Ya, a guy can play to the right section of the green and use the slope to funnel it left, but what is the fun in that? And playing it safe still runs the risk of being long or right, bouncing into the water. Sometimes you just gotta look down the open jaws of the lions mouth and stare death in the face. This hole looks like it has immense replay value! I wanted to see how that slope played, hung one up short of the green on the hill and was rewarded with a great view of the lake and the walking trail leading along the crisp autumn tree line. And still a very fun chip. Chef's kiss right here people. Happy mother's day to yo mama btw ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) The king of the north!!! img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a4YVqe1_460s.jpg
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Post by sandgroper on May 13, 2024 19:59:16 GMT -5
Hey b101, this was a wild environment 14 was my favourite view.
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Post by blueblood1995 on May 13, 2024 21:52:20 GMT -5
Also enjoyed my round. Now one of my favourites from the b101 design stable (among many !!).
Of course the fairways were a highlight. So much to contend with, i.e. camber left & right, elevation change and the crazy roller coaster land from tee to green.
And a special shout out for the greens. They appeared to be light relief compared to the fairways until actually on the putting surface. Big with "broad slopes" but some very subtle internal contours.
+4 playing LEGEND, NO AIDS.
Great stuff as usual and thanks for designing.
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Post by Australian on May 16, 2024 7:21:10 GMT -5
Awesome property man. Looked amazing every which way out there. So many fun challenging holes. Fairways were crazy good yet the Par 3s stole the show for me. Ripper stuff.
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Post by retteach on May 30, 2024 19:15:17 GMT -5
Hey Ben,
Great job capturing the Northern look.Love the fall colouring and especially liked the coastal holes. I suffered some interesting fairway bounces on my play through. Always a class course. Good luck in the competition.
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Rickster
Amateur Golfer
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Posts: 180
TGCT Name: Rick Warrek
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Post by Rickster on Aug 9, 2024 6:44:10 GMT -5
Really enjoyed my round on Acadia Lodge. Love the very undulating fairways requiring attention for a good landing area. Especially liked the artistic bunkering around Par 3s - 6, 11 and 14. The autumn theme and low sun angle are a nice combo. Definitely the essence of Thompson on course. Good luck for the NT contest. Cheers ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by greenlightning on Aug 9, 2024 9:44:43 GMT -5
Beautiful representation of a course in the Maine area.
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