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Mordhel G & CC
by Leigh & Paul Seaman
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1575 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2005-04-22 |
62,623,744 bytes |
72 |
7075 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
Mordhel G & CC.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 25c78ba5a5de4fe59f12ed44768b6dee |
618a63306edc6eee180168df735dec81 |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Designer: Having previously designed three courses each as individual designers, Mordhel G & CC is the first time this father and son team has joined together for a co-design. Paul Seaman's portfolio includes three fictional courses, all of which were released many years ago, while Leigh's three fictional designs are more recent, and include one Links Corner Recommendation.
Course: In terms of overall length Mordhel Golf and Country Club would probably be less than average in comparison to other courses, but unlike a lot of other designs, each hole on this course is different, and offers up a unique challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Bunkers are found on every hole, but differ greatly in their design, height and placement, while even though water isn't everywhere, when it is featured, it greatly affects the challenge of each hole, in addition to providing stunning visuals. Each Par 3 features elevation changes, varying from slight on Hole 16, to considerable on Hole 18, while even though all of the Par 5's are reachable, the two on the front nine are more accessible than those on the back. With tough hazards, nice additions like a double green linking Hole 9 and 17, and a diverse range of flowers, grasses and trees, Mordhel provides everything a golfer could want in a round of golf, a course that is both challenging and aesthetically pleasing.
Favourite Hole: With a dual fairway option off the tee offering up different angles into the hole, as well as a green surrounded by water and protected by numerous bunkers, the Par 5 on Hole 15 was my favourite hole on the course, as it was both extremely challenging and also wonderfully eye-catching with a superb array of visuals.
Playability: To effectively play at Mordhel, it is important to know when to attack, and when to play defensive, especially with the pins around the course being quite diverse in where they are set, with a range of defensive, open and sometimes tight flags being found around the layout. The course offers a consistency in the design of each hole, so getting into a rhythm will be easy enough to do, however with bunkers and water scattered around the course, if you don't hit well off the tee, you will pay for it. For the risk takers, Hole 5 and 10 are both possible to drive, although only highly skilled players will be able to reach the green on Hole 10. With decently wide fairways, the ability to score low on this course will come down to placement of the ball, as with each green having some interesting curve and slope, getting the ball close to the pin is key.
Technically: From the first tee onwards, it is easy enough to tell that a lot of work has been put into this course, with the choice of textures being spot on, and complementing the planting scheme very well. The bunker lips, water edging and walls were all nicely done, while the tee area extrusions on the few holes that had them looked great. Seam blending wasn't used totally throughout the course, which was evident in some of the fairway areas, but the course overall was clean and looked very polished. Other designers might have noticed some APCD errors easily, but from a player's standpoint, nothing visually was wrong, and even though rendering at times was slow, the course technically was created delightfully by two talented designers.
Other: The course contains a cameo, crowds, custom flag and tees, handicaps, hole previews, splash screens and tournament objects, as well as hole signs on the tee areas, 3D objects including huts, stairs and walls, and lastly an amusing addition, prize signs near some of the tee areas advertising cash prizes, like on Hole 16 for players achieving a Hole In One.
Download Value: Sitting just below 55mb, the course is a considerably sized download, while even though the zip file only contains a course and read-me file, it is well worth checking out. If you were a fan of either designer's previous courses, then you are sure to like this design, as with a quality level of APCD work and fantastic playability, it is a course that will be staying on my hard drive for a while to come.
Information:
Course Statistics:
2003 - Fictional Woodland - Par 72 - 3 Tees
7075yds (Back) - 6315yds (Forward)
Par 3's: 4 - Par 4's: 10 - Par 5's: 4
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, forest course. |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 8/10
The APCD's only (to my knowledge) father and son team have come up
with a blinder here. An effective mix of risk/reward, strategy, effective
visuals and completely absorbing golf. Sure, it lacks a bit of environment
and the endless thin-treed forests make it feel a bit confined, and the short
finishing hole is certainly underwhelming, but there's an effective line in
hole design and an attention to detail which must be the envy of many
other designers. |
Appearance 9/10
Nearly flawless. Aside from a couple of visible extrusion edges and some quite sharp bunker lips, this is tranquil and natural woodland
with utterly believable lines of play, planting and water features. A joy to behold. |
Playability 10/10
The brilliant blend of hole designs and the chance to really attack some greens makes this course thoroughly absorbing and by the
time you arrive at the fabulous scenic view off the 18th tee, you'll be almost remorseful that the round is over. The risk/reward options
on several holes are perfectly pitched, and the woodland is close enough to catch wayward shots without making you worry about your
snap. No wonder this has won a Players' Choice award: it's perfect. |
Challenge 5/10
Although the toughest pin positions might cost a few strokes in tricky conditions, on the whole it's too easy to take strokes from this
course. The Par 5s, in particular, give away eagles too easily, and a couple of Par holes are also driveable. Good hazarding and the
threat of the woodland helps cushion the scores, but most players would be extremely disappointed with a plus par round. |
Technical 9/10
The Seamans have done a superb job in improving the APCD standard that some aspire to and the majority of us only dream about.
Just a bit of trimming on bunker lips and extrusions would help this course, although it's impressive that clones are not apparent,
elevations a subtly crafted, and that so many parts of the course look utterly natural. |
| Overall |
One of the best woodland courses out there, fictional or otherwise. Often this type
of course lacks variety or playability, but no such worries at Mordhel. A must-own. |
41/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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