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Zoe Lakes C.C.
by Tim Hagen

Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1350
Release Date CRZ Filesize Par Course Length
2003-11-02  16,372,481  bytes 71  7096 yards
Type Style CRZ Filename
FICTIONAL  WOODLAND  Zoelakes2003.crz 
Course ID Course Key
   

COURSE SCREENSHOTS

LINKS CORNER REVIEW

Reviewed by Loner

Included: read-me, cameo, splash, custom flag, ball washers, sounds, buildings and assorted objects.

Not Included: hole previews, signs or numbers, a recorded round or custom tees.

Statistical Information: par 71, 7096y, 4 sets of tee markers, 4-3 pars, 11-4 pars, 3-5 pars.

A portion of his read-me:

This was a quick re-release with only minor updates.

New for the 2003 version:

2K3 Hi-Res textures. Stock APCD textures except for bunkers.

New Clubhouse. When converting the old 3D object got deleted.

Seam blending bunkers. This was a quick and dirty seam blend,
they don't all look that great but it is better than the
old dirt extrusions that were in the 2001 version.

Rock wall texture on hole 13. I can't remember what was
there before. All rock/rough seams don't look very good
but I decided not to take the time to improve them.


This is a remake of his original course, which for some inexplicable reason wouldn't play in the 2003 edition of Links. He, as he said in his read-me, did very few upgrades; he just answered the calls of many members to make the course playable again. Funny, after so much time has passed since I both beta tested and reviewed the original course I'm seeing it through different eyes, more critical perhaps. The smooth tee boxes with a fringe, the mowed fairways with their 'fringe', the not too deep looking rough and the checkerboard pattern to the greens with a generous fringe all have a well blended color and make this a peasant course to look at while you are playing, shut up birds. The course is heavily forested in spite of it's size because of the dreaded 'repetitive tree syndrome' present on many of the holes, most noticed in the 'tree beds' located by many of the tee box areas. By the way some of the grouping of plants, and flowers around these beds look a little 'strange', they almost push the course into the fantasy range, almost. The muted colored flowers that are scattered around the course as well as the floating plants in the many water hazards give the course a restful feeling, something the greens don't do. On hole # 2 don't clean your monitor there are 3 pins in the view, it will happen again later, bring on the flag spotter.

The fairways are medium, not sloped if you can stay in the center, but they have so many undulations that the ball seems to continually take a 'bad bounce' and wind up in the fringe, rough or worse, the bunkers or water. The bunkers although nicely made have a few strange shapes to them, more unnatural, amateurish than strange. The greens are medium to less than medium sized and if you don't find one that is easy you'll most likely find one that has a slope, tier, or in the case of hole # 11, domed. The bunkers along the fairway didn't seem to present much of a hazard but the greenside bunkers could cause some damage to your score. The water and the undulating fairways seem to be the hazards on this course. The elevations vary quite a bit from hole to hole and do definitely cause you to use the trajectory adjustment for accuracy; yes the caddie was very good,
OK? Watch the overhanging trees on the right side of a few of the tees, your drive can 'nick' them causing a short drive. Yes hole # 16 is an odd shaped hole but very playable.

Even with many sharp edges to the rough where it meets the fairway or tee box fringe this is still a very nice course. The holes are imaginative and the course itself is more than somewhat attractive. The holes take some thinking and quite a few are challenging. Do I recommend this course for you, yes, not only because of the extremely small download size but also because of it's playability. The craftsmanship isn't 'first cabin' but it is much better than most. I rank this course highly, not amongst the cream of the crop but good enough for a few plays under different conditions for a little variety. Enjoy!

CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg)

Description
Fictional, woodland course
Location
TBA
Conditions
TBA
Concept  4/10
To be terribly honest, I'm not convinced by Zoe Lakes. It's Augusta-esque in the large open stretches between the woods, but there the resemblance ends. Hole design is clever but convoluted, and there is no defineable sense of location: the flattish layout of the course is in stark contrast to the dramatic backdrop. The whole thing simply doesn't gel as a course and you get the impression that the designer is just using some fancy hole layouts as a fallback.
Appearance  4/10
blandness of the textures and the many clones in the treeline do little to convince you that you're in real settings, and some parts of the planting (the long grasses and water plants) look like an afterthought. Good views really are difficult to come by, thanks to some barren and blocky architecture.
Playability  7/10
There's certainly a good game to be had at Zoe Lakes, if you can overlook some of the visual problems. A good variety between open and restrictive holes keeps your game moving along well, and a few surprises are thrown up along the way. Sadly, the view off the tee starts to look a bit familiar after a while as the ideas dry up.
Challenge  6/10
A tough course, thanks to narrow landing areas and some really tough greens. The Par 5s, in particular, are over-pitched and will probably lead to dropped shots. Throw in some well-bunkered fairways, and the eponymous lakes, and you'll be lucky to break par here. It's not all bad news, but the overwhelming impression is that you're playing the course, rather than your opponents.
Technical  5/10
I'm not keen on the textures and the blends used for the bunkers look very rough and ready. The planting needs a thorough Beta test, and several areas of the course could be forced into Mod-friendliness. Everything looks outwardly fairly smooth and unruffled, but the overall appearance just doesn't work for me.
Overall Quite mediocre. Some nice little designs, but too many visual flaws to compete with the big boys. 26/50
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course.

USER RATINGS

 Votes cast
Ace0 %0
Eagle23 %5
Birdie45 %10
Par23 %5
Bogey or worse9 %2

The User Course Reviews and polls have been removed from the forum due to the low numbers of members. The information above is presented merely for historical interest.

This course is available as a FREE download.


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