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Nautilus Bay - v2
by Adriaan Maarschalk
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1658 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2006-03-31 |
63,377,408 bytes |
71 |
7324 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
OCEAN |
Nautilus_Bay_2006_V2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
Please make sure to read the documentation that accompanies this course as it contains important information regarding textures and sound files.
Version 2 fixes:
- the blue line over the ocean is fixed
- new pano
- added sounds |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewer - Michael Hubbard
INTRODUCTION
Nautilus Bay is a follow up to Adriaan's other impressive creation which is the Buffalo Springs Links. On this occasion, whilst maintaining many Links features, Adriaan goes for an ocean setting for this course.
Extract from the Readme
'Nautilus Bay is a fictional links-style course set on a much undulated piece of land on the south coast of South Africa.'
The pin placings are done in three sets of a four round tournament and are grouped as follows: Pins 1 to 4 (round 1 to 4), or pins 5 to 8 (round 1 to 4) or pins 9 to 12 (round 1 to 4). This way all the prominent spots are covered through the four rounds.
Edited sand texture:
Hitting in and out of bunkers is much improved. You'll notice that the ball now does roll down the slope in the bunkers. 15% POWER is added playing out of sand and you can now trust your caddy to hand you the right club. Hitting from the sand is much more realistic as far as distance is concerned.
Edited fairway texture: (FFairway)
The default fairway texture is not altered in any way but an additional closely mowed fairway texture is used around all the greens. These areas of humps and hollows are set to have a similar roll speed as the greens with a SOFT/SLOW setup. This allows for a much more interesting short game irrespective of the in-game settings.
COURSE
Set on the South African coast, Nautilus Bay captures stunning views of both the ocean and the mountainous ridge inland Screenshots 1, 2, 3, 5. In both instances the panoramas, though a little indistinct in places, capture the mood perfectly and add to the authenticity of this venue. When played in tournament mode with a good sized crowd and tournament objects a-plenty it is hard to imagine that this is anything but a real course so vivid is the atmosphere engendered. The ground is very undulating throughout creating a wonderful spectrum of view around the track. Fairway elevations too provide outstanding vista's with the 5th plunging some 26 yards, the 6th 40 yards, the 14th 23 yards . . . The 9th hole however rises majestically some 28 yards to a well appointed clubhouse seen here in Screenshot 7, from the 18th fairway. The fairways and greens are of a mottled texture Screenshot 4, giving the impression of a sandy subsoil befitting its location. Small fence posts mark the walk from greens to tees throughout, reminiscent of Buffalo Springs. The areas of rough are beautifully covered in tall grasses of brown, fawn and dark green intermingled with mauve and yellow flowers Screenshot 6.
The Fourth hole is especially worthy of note Screenshot 3. Despite the solitary bunker, it has the trees to the left, the best of the panorama and superb contouring. As good a visual par three as you will find anywhere on an ocean venue. There are also tee boards, South African Airway's flags, camera towers and much more . . . The hole previews are smart and simple providing a view of the green contours to aid in your approach shots. The course plays from 3 sets of tees.
PLAYABILITY
The 7324 yards at nautilus bay are certainly a stern test although its length is somewhat shortened by the prevalence of holes that run downhill towards the ocean. There are none the less 4 very long par fours with the closing nine proving to be by far the most imposing with an added length of some 470+ yards over the outward nine. The holes boast a wide variety of challenges, in length, shape and contour that provides an excellent examination of ones game. The fairways are skilfully set out to encourage long driving conditions with the ever present hint of danger for a missed snap. The rolling terrain ensures that there are few levels spots to be found in the fairways although at no point is one presented with a severe slope. It is around the greens that the humps and hollows really come into play thereby creating the greater challenge. Finding the medium size greens is therefore at a premium here. The greens are attractively arranged with moderate slopes that cater for both regular and Mod play in the slower settings. Pin positions, as noted above are randomized for tournament play.
Perhaps the biggest test here, taking all of the above factors into account is the insistent need for accuracy from tee to green. Poor ball striking on approach can well leave one struggling to get up and down to secure par.
What I do find strange here is the addition of the alternative FFairway texture as described in the read-me file above. As at Adriaan's other course this produces some rather bizarre bounces around the greens that for me at least make ones approach shots rather unpredictable. Results over time appear to fluctuate between a poorly struck shot careering off of the FFairway and close to the pin, to trying to run the ball on from the front only to see it bound inexorably to the back fringe. With the bumpy nature of the terrain factored in; ones approach shot can at times become a victim of chance. The FFairway therefore may appear to be an attractive innovation to this course, but in practice I found it to be wholly disappointing and a fundamental floor to the overall enjoyment of an otherwise excellent venue.
Added to this is the edited sand texture. Again here Adriaan has sort to tinker with the rudiments of the APCD structure in producing an effect unique to his course. Again however I feel it only detracts from the game play. For me a bunker is a hazard and should play as such. Playing from a trap with 15% power added only goes to render them a good deal too benevolent for risk and reward golf.
DESIGNER INTERVIEW - Adriaan Maarschalk
1. What has given you the most pleasure in this design?
Must be everything involved with the playability of the course; shaping the terrain, plotting the layout, planning how each hole should play. It's a bit like creating a riddle or puzzle, asking some questions, requesting some clever answers. A lot of effort and thought went into contouring the greens and surrounding areas. Once I'm happy with how it plays the fun part is over and the hard work starts. I'm not too keen on seam-blending and planting.
2. Why did you feel it necessary to change the Fairway texture around the greens?
Definitely a quest for realism. Even with the mod, the fairway doesn't roll as in real life; I've actually went out and tested at what angle a ball will roll by itself down a slope and used that results to tweak the texture. The course was designed to test your short game and imagination. If you miss the green or spin it off the front the ball should end up at the bottom of the slope or in the trap and not stick to the side.
3. How difficult was it for you to create such a super tournament atmosphere?
The fact that I just love playing with crowds, TO and tourney soundscripts really helped. I just try to imagine what it would be like walking down the 18th in a big tournament with a three shot lead. It was great fun doing it.
4. Are you working on another project?
No, not at the moment. Working as an architect I do quite lot of cad work and having a hobby that keeps me in front of the PC isn't working right know. I would love to do more but APCD is just too time consuming.
CONCLUSION
At just 58mb Nautilus Bay is an excellent course. Stunning views, challenging holes and an awesome tournament feel that leaves you wanting to come back for more. For some the alternative fairway texture may work, for others it may not. For me the unpredictability of the FFairway texture is all that separates this from the foremost venues.
IN A WORD
Undulating masterpiece
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Nautilus bay Tour Edition - 23/5/06
There are no major changes to this release except for the altered FFairway texture to promote more backspin on chip shots. Note that the only areas that will play with the added spin are the checkered fairway (FFairway) around the greens and the fringe. The seamblend between the rough and fairway plays as normal fairway.
For the most realistic results play Moderate/Fast and although fully playable, this is purely an experimental version.
Practice first and have fun!
Adriaan Maarschalk |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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