| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1440 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-05-16 |
36,634,624 bytes |
72 |
7119 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
SpringfieldGlen.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Chris Gormley
Background Info:
This is 1st course released by Mr. Wilson as far as I can tell. Here is a little bit from the readme that was included:
'I won't go into great detail about the course itself, except to say that I wanted to design a challenging course with lots of risk/reward situations. Another objective was to force club management onto players through strategic use of bunkers and other hazards. Several holes are unplayable using a driver from the tee. As this is my first release, I opted NOT to do any seam-blending. One of the reasons for this is that by the time I got to that point, I decided that I could, and will, make future courses that I think will be better now that I have some experience with APCD. I did, however, create the clubhouse in 3D from the terrain. I look forward to using to the terrain to create bridges and other objects on future releases.'
Overall Impressions:
I was pleasantly surprised while playing this course. Mr. Wilson has a lot of nice things going on in the course to make it a quite enjoyable round of golf and since it is a first design there are those 'beginning designer' types of problems that take away from the overall experience. But this course is still a very good download and one that will be staying on my hard drive for a couple of reasons. One being that the overall layout of the course is very good and well thought out. There is plenty of risk and reward on this course and the designer has obviously taken the time to think before creating each hole. The course also through the use of elevation changes as well as the use and placement of hazards makes for a very enjoyable round of golf that always keeps you on your toes.
There were some minor issues which I do need to bring up, not to bring down the course, but to help Mr. Wilson get over that hump from a beginning designer to a very good designer, which I think he will become as he produces more courses.
Most of the APCD work was done pretty well but there were 2 areas that need a little more improvement on: hazards(bunkers and water) and planting. Both of which are not easy to master, especially the planting of a course. Although the hazards were well placed it was the technique in which they were built in where the problem lies. Now I am not a designer in the least, but I can tell when something just does not look right or natural. The water hazards were lowered into the terrain much too far thus making the transition from rough to hazard very drastic. If the terrain were smoothed out a little bit in the transitional area they would be much better IMHO. I loved how they were positioned throughout the course though but they did not look natural because of the technique that was used to create them. The bunkers were done pretty well except for the occasional bunker lip that did not seem natural looking. The planting was done well for a first design but the cloning of trees was too noticeable. Care needs to be taken while planting trees to make sure that you do not put to many of the same tree near each other. This was an ongoing problem throughout the course and will not be a problem as the designer gains more experience in the planting stage of a course.
Like I stated above there were a lot of really nicely designed holes on the course. The best of which could be hole #9 with some minor tweaking of the above issues I have mentioned. The par 3's as well stood out on the course. Holes #3, #13, and #17 are very well designed par 3 holes very strategic and thought provoking.
Closing comments:
In closing let me again reiterate that I thought this was a very well done first design. The designer showed that things were thought out in their placement and creation, which is the first step in creating a great golf course. If the course is not thought provoking then it will become boring quite quickly. The issues I mentioned above should not make anyone not download this course. I only bring them up to help the designer become better has his craft. I hope to see many more great designs from Mr. Wilson.
"I am writing this review from the viewpoint of not only a player but as a Tour Director. Although I am not a designer I understand the work that goes into a design as I have beta tested many courses and my review is simply how I as a player/Tour Director would view this course."
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