Post by pitt1976 on Mar 1, 2016 23:54:59 GMT -5
The original version has a flaw, that was invisible to me. Corrections have been made. There was a tiny spot of fringe inside of the 10th green's perimeter that slows the ball. Please use the Sunday version. Where's the "de-activate course" button when you need it?
One more system crash on my PS4, and I might have thrown it out the window... yet 2 minutes later I received word that Pittsburgh Field Club was selected to host an event on the CC tour. That news helped me endure at least 15 more crashes to finish my latest RCR, Fox Chapel Golf Club. It is literally located across the street from PFC. While the topography and conditions are similar, the shapes and slopes (which can't always be replicated digitally) give FCGC a distinctive look. I plan to only replicate courses that I have played extensively. I also like introducing TGC to courses that might be off of the radar. While FCGC is rated as a Top 100 course in the US, it is only recently garnering the attention it should. With Craig taking on Oakmont, this moved to #1 on my list. While Google Earth helps, the lack of overlap with a PS4 makes things tricky. Add a downhill flowing stream and greenside slopes that defy grass taking root, and I was forced to get creative in some areas. While there are some very small differences from the real track, the things you find most bizarre are actually spot on. I'm sure there will be questions about the left side of 6th green (Redan) or valley green 17th (Biarritz). Your reactions after playing the real thing would be just the same.
Fox Chapel Golf Club was designed in 1923 by one of golf’s greatest architects, Seth Raynor. It has played host to a number of championship events including the 1985 US Womens Amateur, the 2002 Curtis Cup and most recently the Senior Players Championship, among others. The course is held in high regard by many of the game’s legends including Tom Watson, who summed the course up perfectly when he said, “I always define great golf courses by how well you remember it, and I remember virtually every hole on the golf course.” and also that “It has a variety of long holes and short holes, from the Biarritz green at No. 17 to the reverse redan hole on the front (No. 6) and the drivable par-4 right after that. (No. 7)” I hope that you enjoy my re-creation. It's not the toughest, but the variety of holes keep things interesting. Enjoy!
Here are some hole descriptions from the club website with pics...
Away
Hole 1
Par 4
The course makes its intentions clear from the start: This is a thinker’s layout. A long drive down the left center of the dog-legged fairway, just right of the third bunker, will leave the player an approach of 160 yards to a well-protected reverse Redan green.
Punch Bowl
Hole 2
Par 5
A roller coaster of a par 5, the hole’s slope limits roll on the drive. Cresting the hill reveals a classic Punch Bowl green. Any approach shots long or right will face great adversity.
Eden
Hole 3
Par 3
A lengthy par 3, even more daunting when the hole location is on the right side. Find the putting surface off the tee and the challenge that awaits becomes blatantly obvious upon approach. The green’s severe slope rewards finesse and creativity; without both par will be unfeasible.
Long
Hole 4
Par 4
A par 4 that plays longer than the scorecard would indicate. Once again, the slope of the fairway limits roll. The well-placed tee shot will land in the right center of the fairway. Anything left of middle will likely find the rough or bunker. A precise second shot will be necessary to challenge par.
Cape
Hole 5
Par 4
The creek definitely comes into play on this shortish par 4. Bite off as much as you dare. A tee shot positioned just left of the bunkers will leave an ideal approach to the raised, well-protected green. Be certain to avoid the out-of-bounds boundary a few short yards to the right of the green.
Redan
Hole 6
Par 3
How many signature holes can one course have? Fox Chapel’s second, and final, reverse Redan remains a hole where greed is rarely rewarded. Hole location, particularly right rear, may tempt the bold player. Not the smart one. Front left or middle is a wise shot. Club selection is critical.
Alps
Hole 7
Par 4
The Appalachian “Alps” fronting the green suggest a tee shot to the left for a better approach. But beware the bunkers. A hole location on the right side is difficult to challenge, regardless of where the drive ends up. Do not let the small green fool you, nary an easy putt is found.
Plateau
Hole 8
Par 4
The well-struck drive will wind up short of the far left cross bunker. Avoid the thicket of trees flanking the creek on the right. With a crowned green and great abyss looming right, this is a difficult hole for all but the mightiest shotmaker
Dustpan
Hole 9
Par 4
A drive to the right center will veer left, leaving a mid to long approach to yet another well-protected green. Hole locations near the back of the green allow little room for error as a characteristic spine bisecting the putting surface will sweep aside all but the purest approach shots.
Springhouse
Hole 10
Par 4
A left to right tilt to this fairway demands a precise tee shot. The trio of bunkers see lots of action at this dramatic, two-tier green. The creative player may decide to utilize the green’s contour to their advantage, but beware the false front that fends off anything short.
Short
Hole 11
Par 3
A visually intimidating par 3, this hole is an oasis of green surrounded by sand. The shortest hole on the course no doubt provides its fair share of thrills. Do not forget to judge the wind.
Leven
Hole 12
Par 4
A drive over the creek to the left side of the fairway will leave a short approach to the green. Anything less than pinpoint accuracy will send a ball careening off the putting surface, particularly when the hole location is on the right side.
Corner
Hole 13
Par 4
Avoiding the out-of-bounds boundary and towering forest on the right side of this long dogleg is but a fragment of the challenge. Anything left of center will keep rolling until it finds rough - or worse. The huge green puts a premium on club selection. Do not be deceived by the green’s illusory flat appearance, there is tremendous break to navigate.
Rodgers Field
Hole 14
Par 4
With out-of-bounds right, the left side would seem a smart choice. Think again. Well above-average length off the tee is a real plus here as a roll-stopping hill crosses the fairway. But even for the long driver, the course’s smallest green poses an exacting approach. Arguably the toughest hole on the course.
Step
Hole 15
Par 4
At last, a drive where the ball will roll. Right center is the play. Once over the creek, the player will find a dramatic, tiered green. Club selection for the approach shot is crucial to avoid a lengthy, double-breaking putt.
Raynor's Prize
Hole 16
Par 4
A straightaway par 4 of above-average length, with yet another roll-inhibiting landing area. Reaching this large green in two is no guarantee of par. A noticeable knob located at the heart of the green will repel approach shots.
Biarritz
Hole 17
Par 3
The longest par 3 on the course and a massive putting surface divided front from back by a huge, ball-swallowing “Valley of Sin.” The sheer scale of the green lends to extreme deception when putting. Stroke with confidence or suffer the consequence.
Glade Run
Hole 18
Par 5
A fitting finishing hole to a thorough examination. Best to drive left and let the slope guide the ball to the middle of the fairway. Now it is decision time: cross the creek in two or lay up? In any case, a three-shot hole.
One more system crash on my PS4, and I might have thrown it out the window... yet 2 minutes later I received word that Pittsburgh Field Club was selected to host an event on the CC tour. That news helped me endure at least 15 more crashes to finish my latest RCR, Fox Chapel Golf Club. It is literally located across the street from PFC. While the topography and conditions are similar, the shapes and slopes (which can't always be replicated digitally) give FCGC a distinctive look. I plan to only replicate courses that I have played extensively. I also like introducing TGC to courses that might be off of the radar. While FCGC is rated as a Top 100 course in the US, it is only recently garnering the attention it should. With Craig taking on Oakmont, this moved to #1 on my list. While Google Earth helps, the lack of overlap with a PS4 makes things tricky. Add a downhill flowing stream and greenside slopes that defy grass taking root, and I was forced to get creative in some areas. While there are some very small differences from the real track, the things you find most bizarre are actually spot on. I'm sure there will be questions about the left side of 6th green (Redan) or valley green 17th (Biarritz). Your reactions after playing the real thing would be just the same.
Fox Chapel Golf Club was designed in 1923 by one of golf’s greatest architects, Seth Raynor. It has played host to a number of championship events including the 1985 US Womens Amateur, the 2002 Curtis Cup and most recently the Senior Players Championship, among others. The course is held in high regard by many of the game’s legends including Tom Watson, who summed the course up perfectly when he said, “I always define great golf courses by how well you remember it, and I remember virtually every hole on the golf course.” and also that “It has a variety of long holes and short holes, from the Biarritz green at No. 17 to the reverse redan hole on the front (No. 6) and the drivable par-4 right after that. (No. 7)” I hope that you enjoy my re-creation. It's not the toughest, but the variety of holes keep things interesting. Enjoy!
Here are some hole descriptions from the club website with pics...
Away
Hole 1
Par 4
The course makes its intentions clear from the start: This is a thinker’s layout. A long drive down the left center of the dog-legged fairway, just right of the third bunker, will leave the player an approach of 160 yards to a well-protected reverse Redan green.
Punch Bowl
Hole 2
Par 5
A roller coaster of a par 5, the hole’s slope limits roll on the drive. Cresting the hill reveals a classic Punch Bowl green. Any approach shots long or right will face great adversity.
Eden
Hole 3
Par 3
A lengthy par 3, even more daunting when the hole location is on the right side. Find the putting surface off the tee and the challenge that awaits becomes blatantly obvious upon approach. The green’s severe slope rewards finesse and creativity; without both par will be unfeasible.
Long
Hole 4
Par 4
A par 4 that plays longer than the scorecard would indicate. Once again, the slope of the fairway limits roll. The well-placed tee shot will land in the right center of the fairway. Anything left of middle will likely find the rough or bunker. A precise second shot will be necessary to challenge par.
Cape
Hole 5
Par 4
The creek definitely comes into play on this shortish par 4. Bite off as much as you dare. A tee shot positioned just left of the bunkers will leave an ideal approach to the raised, well-protected green. Be certain to avoid the out-of-bounds boundary a few short yards to the right of the green.
Redan
Hole 6
Par 3
How many signature holes can one course have? Fox Chapel’s second, and final, reverse Redan remains a hole where greed is rarely rewarded. Hole location, particularly right rear, may tempt the bold player. Not the smart one. Front left or middle is a wise shot. Club selection is critical.
Alps
Hole 7
Par 4
The Appalachian “Alps” fronting the green suggest a tee shot to the left for a better approach. But beware the bunkers. A hole location on the right side is difficult to challenge, regardless of where the drive ends up. Do not let the small green fool you, nary an easy putt is found.
Plateau
Hole 8
Par 4
The well-struck drive will wind up short of the far left cross bunker. Avoid the thicket of trees flanking the creek on the right. With a crowned green and great abyss looming right, this is a difficult hole for all but the mightiest shotmaker
Dustpan
Hole 9
Par 4
A drive to the right center will veer left, leaving a mid to long approach to yet another well-protected green. Hole locations near the back of the green allow little room for error as a characteristic spine bisecting the putting surface will sweep aside all but the purest approach shots.
Springhouse
Hole 10
Par 4
A left to right tilt to this fairway demands a precise tee shot. The trio of bunkers see lots of action at this dramatic, two-tier green. The creative player may decide to utilize the green’s contour to their advantage, but beware the false front that fends off anything short.
Short
Hole 11
Par 3
A visually intimidating par 3, this hole is an oasis of green surrounded by sand. The shortest hole on the course no doubt provides its fair share of thrills. Do not forget to judge the wind.
Leven
Hole 12
Par 4
A drive over the creek to the left side of the fairway will leave a short approach to the green. Anything less than pinpoint accuracy will send a ball careening off the putting surface, particularly when the hole location is on the right side.
Corner
Hole 13
Par 4
Avoiding the out-of-bounds boundary and towering forest on the right side of this long dogleg is but a fragment of the challenge. Anything left of center will keep rolling until it finds rough - or worse. The huge green puts a premium on club selection. Do not be deceived by the green’s illusory flat appearance, there is tremendous break to navigate.
Rodgers Field
Hole 14
Par 4
With out-of-bounds right, the left side would seem a smart choice. Think again. Well above-average length off the tee is a real plus here as a roll-stopping hill crosses the fairway. But even for the long driver, the course’s smallest green poses an exacting approach. Arguably the toughest hole on the course.
Step
Hole 15
Par 4
At last, a drive where the ball will roll. Right center is the play. Once over the creek, the player will find a dramatic, tiered green. Club selection for the approach shot is crucial to avoid a lengthy, double-breaking putt.
Raynor's Prize
Hole 16
Par 4
A straightaway par 4 of above-average length, with yet another roll-inhibiting landing area. Reaching this large green in two is no guarantee of par. A noticeable knob located at the heart of the green will repel approach shots.
Biarritz
Hole 17
Par 3
The longest par 3 on the course and a massive putting surface divided front from back by a huge, ball-swallowing “Valley of Sin.” The sheer scale of the green lends to extreme deception when putting. Stroke with confidence or suffer the consequence.
Glade Run
Hole 18
Par 5
A fitting finishing hole to a thorough examination. Best to drive left and let the slope guide the ball to the middle of the fairway. Now it is decision time: cross the creek in two or lay up? In any case, a three-shot hole.