What is so damn special about this place?
Why are all the golf geeks writing about this and raving about the minimalist design exhibited on this course?
So far, the only minimalism that I witnessed was a lack of excitement and intellect that Coore and Crenshaw inserted into this project.
Look. I’m a Coore-Crenshaw addict. I LOVE their work. Just like a destined foodie walking into a restaurant designed and opened by Thomas Keller, you expect great things.
Well, its not all of their fault. The land was so below average with any natural elevation or features that playing a quick round at a dirty truck stop parking lot south of Joplin in the Ozarks may prove to be more interesting. Yes, the tribe had an abundant amount of money that showed with their new shiny casino hotel, and another Coore-Crenshaw design that LC played during the infamous "Jet Lag Open" back in 2011. I even had our infamous fixer “Wild Bill” accompanying me for what I thought would be an inspired round.
Still, the tequila burned down the back of my throat as we reveled in an ace that was had at the 9th hole by Wild Bill. From 185-yards, the shot hit the front of the green, took one bounce, and rolled into the hole. It was the lone moment of celebration amidst what was somber disappointment.
It was only 9:30 in the morning, but the deed had to be done considering the feat that was just accomplished. For recovery purposes, I dipped my hand into the cooler of the beverage cart only to come out holding one of my local favorites, the Kilt Lifter. A long draw of this sweet local brew-nectar finalized our celebration and placed my focus back on the design.
The front nine of Talking Stick North initially hit me with closely-mown turf and a focus on strategic angles of approach. Throughout the first nine, a number of holes essentially “hug” the westerly fence-line while providing a “runway” style fairway approach complimented by open green sites. Yes, these greens did promote a wide range of shots it could receive, but the American infatuation with artificially-produced green grass conditions continues as this course is over-watered and does not allow for a player to properly execute a shot for which C&C designed. I’ll mark that strike against the maintenance. Still, I was searching to be inspired.
It wasn’t until the 12th hole that the pure value of strategic option fully presented itself on what I feel is the stronger piece of acreage. More natural features, arroyos splitting fairways providing the player with options, and views of the mountains not ruined by tacky mass-constructed homes.
From the 14th hole on, Talking Stick North quickly became one of my favorite desert courses….I would consider it my new ideal desert oasis for golf. It takes a while for the course to validate its architecture, but the overall shot values, angles of approach, and use of below-average acreage is nothing short of incredible. My stroll down the 18th fairway made me truly appreciate the effort it took on behalf of C&C to design such an inspired links on less-than-ideal acreage. The masterful use of strategic design and a demand on the mid-iron game is superior. As mentioned above, both courses could further improve themselves with firmer turf conditions that would only compliment the open-green complexes which BEG for alternative approaches to the "sky and stick" boredom of most American routings. After playing both layouts on the property, LC is confident to recommend not only the North Course, but to play it TWICE to fully understand the greatness of this design.
The front nine of Talking Stick North initially hit me with closely-mown turf and a focus on strategic angles of approach. Throughout the first nine, a number of holes essentially “hug” the westerly fence-line while providing a “runway” style fairway approach complimented by open green sites. Yes, these greens did promote a wide range of shots it could receive, but the American infatuation with artificially-produced green grass conditions continues as this course is over-watered and does not allow for a player to properly execute a shot for which C&C designed. I’ll mark that strike against the maintenance. Still, I was searching to be inspired.
It wasn’t until the 12th hole that the pure value of strategic option fully presented itself on what I feel is the stronger piece of acreage. More natural features, arroyos splitting fairways providing the player with options, and views of the mountains not ruined by tacky mass-constructed homes.
From the 14th hole on, Talking Stick North quickly became one of my favorite desert courses….I would consider it my new ideal desert oasis for golf. It takes a while for the course to validate its architecture, but the overall shot values, angles of approach, and use of below-average acreage is nothing short of incredible. My stroll down the 18th fairway made me truly appreciate the effort it took on behalf of C&C to design such an inspired links on less-than-ideal acreage. The masterful use of strategic design and a demand on the mid-iron game is superior. As mentioned above, both courses could further improve themselves with firmer turf conditions that would only compliment the open-green complexes which BEG for alternative approaches to the "sky and stick" boredom of most American routings. After playing both layouts on the property, LC is confident to recommend not only the North Course, but to play it TWICE to fully understand the greatness of this design.
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