| Date |
CRZ Size |
Par |
Length |
| 2003-11-06 |
98252736 |
70 |
6563 |
| Type |
Style |
Ver 1.02/1.05
Difficulty Index |
Ver 1.06
Difficulty Index |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
0.91 |
1.03 |
| CRZ Filename |
| Merion East.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| |
|
Download Size: 96052 KB
Download by clicking the image or link below |
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Preferred download source.
http://www.fileplanet.com/dl.aspx?/sportplanet/links/courses/apcd/merion_east_2003.zip |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Merion G.C. East Course
By Dexter Gresh
Reviewed by Rick Priebe
Designer: Dexter Gresh (Grooch) has been a contributing member of the Dark Horse Designs team for some time now. As such he has made contributions to several existing courses. He also has one other release of his own called Meadowood, an excellent course design from 2001.
General course information:
File size: 99 mb zipped
Type: Parkland/woodland – Re-creation of a real course
Par and Length (Back Tees):
Difficulty: Moderate
APCD Version: 1.5
Included: What isn’t included in this? It has everything from custom flags, to custom made 3D benches on each tee box. See more below.
General Comments: The East course at Merion Country Club is one of the most famous championship courses in the United States. Unfortunately, it may have seen its last major event on the men’s tours, as it is deemed to be too short for the equipment changes that have so drastically altered the game over the last 15 years. But for Links, this classic design is still an ideal championship venue. It is not only one of the finest examples of the possibilities of the APCD in the hands of a skilled artist, but the course itself works well in Links, where 320 yard drives are still not the norm. There are several short par 4 holes, although none that I have found to be drivable. There is a seemingly insignificant stream which meanders through the course, which figures surprisingly into play on several holes, and must be considered in making your club selection on quite a few shots. This course is a great mix of challenge and playability, and should offer something of interest for most players.
Textures: All of the textures used are exactly right for this course. If you compare to the actual photographs that the designer worked from, the similarities are remarkable. The blending is good without being overdone. The expanded replay and dynacam views are quite amazing.
Planting: The course is planted in trees and grasses that are faithful to the course as the designer saw it near the start of the project. The tall fescue was later trimmed back by the will of the membership, but Dex liked it and left it in for this rendition. The plantings work well with the textures used and everything flows into a totally realistic appearance. Most screen views will almost duplicate a photo of the real course taken from the same location.
Eye catchers
Plusses: The details… The tiny stream which meanders through the course is a good example. The boundary fence, the amazing job done on the roads that run through the course, all are created to perfection. The 3D benches on the tee boxes became a designer’s chore, but offer an added detail that we haven’t seen before. You can look at them from any angle and they will always look real, as opposed to the normal 2D benches that move with the player so that you always see the same side. The detailed neighborhood surrounding the course is as realistic as anything I have ever seen in Links. Even the power lines visible from a few holes are custom built. As far as I can tell, the course is faithful to the original. A couple of screenshots I have seen posted side by side with photographs of the same view of the course are remarkable. This is as good as it gets in Links.
Minuses: The only one I can possibly think of is the file size. Definitely a difficult download for dial-up users.
Favorite Hole: I can’t pick one. I like the way the entire course works as a whole, and it’s not fair to break it down into pieces.
Rating: This is a must have. Even for those of you on 56k, find a way to get it. You won’t regret it.
Reviewer Statistics:
I am a Player only. Played Links since LS 97, computer golf since World Class: Leaderboard.
My Swing: RTS Champ, Close-up view, no grid
AI Player: Close-up view with Smart View Dynacam)
Play conditions: Back Tees, Breezy, Moderate, Fast, Moderate Pins.
Screenshots |
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