Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1909 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
2009-09-22 |
62,094,449 bytes |
72 |
7355 yards |
Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
REAL |
PARKLAND |
st2_locked.crz |
Course ID |
Course Key |
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COURSE NOTES |
Stoneham Golf Club (Southampton, Hampshire, England) celebrated its centenary in 2008 and was designed by Willie Park jr, a winner of the Open. The Course was extended under the supervision of J. H. Taylor (who won the Open 5 times), and has hosted numerous professional and amateur events over the years.
Edited after release:
Some APCD 2003 textures and seam blends that were not displaying correctly at distance
John Brooks
22nd September 2009 |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description Real, forest course |
Location TBA |
Conditions TBA |
Concept 7/10 Very much in line with the precedent set by Bramshaw and Dibden, but yet
a significant step up on either of those. Stoneham is a charming small
Hampshire course surrounded by dense New Forest trees and is every bit
as playable as the designer's other courses. The extras such as aiming
poles, the practice green, and some assorted course objects are all very
welcome and add to the course's typical hometown charm. Several holes
are excellent in their demands on the player, notably the 17th. It's probably
fair to say that demanding golfers would expect something extra from Stoneham, but for most of us it's a terrific little course in its own
right. |
Appearance 6/10 Lovely views are commonplace from the first tee, and the forest has been planted with aplomb, even if there is a clone or two visible.
The trees prevent many long views, but when you can see a long way, the textures at middle- and long-distance are somewhat at odds
with the close-up views. The other weak spot is the hazarding: the bunkers are lacking finesse around the lips, and the texture used for
the streams is something of an afterthought. |
Playability 9/10 It's very easy to tee up at Stoneham and immediately feel right at home. The fairways - even when semi-hidden - are inviting, and the
open green complexes really invite you to have a go. There's a good sprinkling of cogitative holes, too: blasting away with the driver
without thinking certainly isn't going to work here. An excellent experience. |
Challenge 1/10 Perhaps one of the reasons that it's so easy to enjoy this course is the ease of getting on a birdie roll. Because the tees are faithful to
the original positions, there are a number of reachable Par 4s, and all the Par 5s come in at close to 500 yards. Rather than breaking
70, a more realistic goal might be to break 60! |
Technical 7/10 There's very little to fault here, and only the fine detail is holding the course back. It's good to a see a designer with unwavering
priorities, and John's efforts to bring some superb local courses to life are resulting in some very fine creations. |
Overall |
An excellent hometown course, ideally suited to a warm-up round or a moralising
low score. |
30/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
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