Augusta National Par 3 2006
by Lee Harris & Eddie Schmidt

Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1664 Release Date CRZ Filesize Par Course Length 2006-04-08  53,612,544  bytes 27  1035 yards Type Style CRZ Filename REAL  Par 3 Course  PARKLAND  anp3-4.8.crz  Course ID Course Key     COURSE SCREENSHOTS LINKS CORNER REVIEW Reviewer - Michael Hubbard NOTE I have in this review sort to look at the course as it stands without making repeated comparisons to the original course that this is depicting, or to the updates that have been added. INTRODUCTION Augusta Par 3 2006 is the second update by Eddie to the original that was released in June 2002. Following a remake for Links 2003 in August of that year, this represents what will most likely be the finale for this most famous of short courses. Extract from the Readme - by Eddie Schmidt The read-me file is a 15 point list of the alterations to the 2003 version . . . 'adjusted slope and in some cases moved pins to make the course more mod friendly' COURSE Located at what is probably the most famous golfing location in the world, the Par 3 course at Augusta is simply breathtaking. As a precursor to the US Masters event, the Par 3 course boasts both beauty and history around its short 1035 yards of stunning splendour. The tee boxes are mown grass - Screenshots 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, but from there on the fairways and greens are simplistic smooth textures with no real definition to them, much as the real course is in fact - Screenshots 3, 6. The Pine needles too are very smooth in appearance and may have benefited from a little more coarseness. The bunkers too are smooth and well rounded. The sand is pure white with an earthen lip to the traps. On any other venue I would have expected a little more texture and contrast but given that 90% of the shots taken here will fly straight from the tee to the green, such nuances are of little consequence. The foliage on the course is truly breathtaking. The trees dominate the tight course along with large expanses of water to create a theme park arena -Screenshots 3, 4, 6. There are flowers of every colour imaginable; red, purple, pink, mauve, lavender, whites and yellows all covering the artistic canvas with an unending array of beauty -Screenshots 2, 5, 6. Such would seem overdone and unrealistic if they were found anywhere but here at Augusta, where the rhododendrons, forsythias and azaleas abound with such flamboyant colour and intensity as to dazzle the eye. The crowds that Eddie has packed in here are outrageous -Screenshots 1 - 5 along with the Augusta custom flags, log tee markers, 3d structures and quality hole previews featuring Bobby Jones. . . When played with tournament objects off it is simply beautiful beyond words. With the crowds in place however, there is a cacophony of sounds around these tight nine short holes that engender an amazing atmosphere of something very special, which befits its place as the pre-masters event. PLAYABILITY As a par three course Augusta is not a venue to be taken too seriously. Its holes range from a mere 55 yard lob wedge to the heady heights of an 8 Iron at 140 yards. Its design is to be a fun event, shared in by the pro's and there families just prior the masters. There is minimal elevation with holes 3, 6, 8 and 9 all playing downhill at between 8 and 20 feet with water to be taken into the equation on each hole. The sand traps are of little danger at this length as it is very much a game of target golf. Even the rough is very friendly, should you find it. DESIGNER INTERVIEW - Eddie Schmidt - Re Course Updates 1. Is it likely that the Par 3 course will require any further updates in the future? 'No ,None at all this is the last one.' 2. What 3d objects have you inserted? 'I have made some 3-D from terrain but haven't used any MS stock 3D objects. The custom 3-D are the tees with cylindrical and planer mappings, the benches with cylindrical and planer mappings. The steps and handrail behind nine green , steps in between the two nine tees. a couple of drainage pipes and walls on the two ponds. Ike's fishing cabin and boat. That's all I can remember now..' 3. How long [approximately] did the reworking take? 'I'm not sure but it took a good while. I started on it in September and finished it in April but wasn't working on it all the time. I'd say roughly 2 1/2 months of APCD time spent on it not counting cutting out all the azaleas and Forsythias.' 4. How easy was it to insert the new flowers provided by Lindsay? 'Very easy, the whole process took about 15-20 minutes, getting them in the planting set and planting them the way I liked 'em to look.' CONCLUSION Augusta Par 3 2006 is quite simply a superlatively attractive course of which no other can compare or equate too. It is 1000 yards of pure eye candy for which no respecting hard drive should be without. As a par 3 course, it offers little to challenge save the testing contours of the greens. As a spectacle, you will find none better. IN A WORD Golfing Paradise This course is available as a FREE download. Download course Please support Links Corner