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Whispering Willows
by Gary Taylor
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 639 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-11-04 |
47,810,866 bytes |
72 |
7310 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
WhisperingWillows.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 5b402edb17e6400aa3dfacd12e34c5bc |
1bed1d8afb28a81648ba52c95e8bd321 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Dave Campbell
November 2001
Expectations: I'll admit that I played a pre-released round on this course with the designer so I knew what this course was about. The title suggests willow trees in the planting.
First Impressions: Whispering Willows is Gary's second course release and was made available at the Links Corner on 10/15/01, with his initial release being Ice Castle II. It is a fictional par 72 measuring 7,310 yards from the back tees with four tee options available. It is set in a valley at the base of the gorgeous Banff mountain panorama. It's very open and not wildly elevated, with some very creative and thought provoking holes. Visually it really delivers, with beautiful vistas from everywhere on the course and is matched throughout by superb playability. Lack of hole previews is puzzling, and would be a nice addition if this course is ever re-released. Let's take a closer look at some of the particulars on this gem.
Playability: The Whispering Willows course winds it's way though a fairly flat valley at the base of the Banff panorama. For what it's worth this is my favorite pano and I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing it, unlike a certain unnamed mountain pano we all know :^) I will pay this course the highest compliment I can give; it is fun and realistic and doesn't make you stress every shot. Playing this course was as enjoyable a round as any in recent memory, and isn't that why we play . for fun! It's not a pushover or score at will course at all, that's not what I mean. Gary is a powerstroker and it is obvious that he had the ps'er in mind while designing this course. Not every tee or approach shot demands precision, greens are large and inviting. There isn't penal conditions waiting just off the fairway in all cases and recovery shots are almost always possible. There are dangers to be sure, much water and sand and some tight landings, but the point is you're not getting punished at every turn.
The tee boxes are fairly standard and open with the ever-present ball washers and the occasional bench, waste can and drinking fountain visible. As mentioned the views on this course alone make it a keeper, I didn't see one bad view on all 18 tees. There are some holes that have choices, or need some knowledge of to be played right. I was lucky to get some first hand knowledge, as I played against Gary online. Forgive me if I miss a few but you'll figure them out as you go. On the short par 3 2nd hole a nice looking pond fronts the green. On a front green pin placement, particularly with soft greens, you're ball can check up and spin off the front of the green and into the water (like Valderamma's 17th). On the 564-yard par 5 9th you have a juicy risk/reward decision. If you take the obvious fairway choice you'll be safe but have a fairly unlikely chance of reaching the green in two. Make sure you glance left for a hidden strip of fairway near a pond and some bunkers. A tree blocks your drive but I found I can clear it with a 3W a tick or two up. This completely cuts out the dogleg and gives you a reachable approach on your second shot. Great hole. The 433-yard par 4 11th is deceiving. The fairway is wide and inviting and a driver seems the club of choice but a downhill elevation on landing will feed you into a gorgeous, swamp like OB area. It is a beautiful, but deadly view. At least half the people I've played online against have found that OB area . brilliant design Gary and thanks for the warning when we first played. I found that a well-struck 3W does the trick here and should have you come up some 20' short of the OB, and a reasonable approach shot attempt. These are but a few and as you play the course you'll realize that a club or two down can sometimes mean the difference in a flat lie in the fairway as opposed to a downhill, right to left or left to right.
The fairways themselves are a mix of VERY open to average, with a few that will test the snap. They come in all variations and there are a few with big danger close by (the 5th and 6th share the same lake down the right side). The key here is variety in layout with no holes mirroring each other. The hazards consist of fairway and greenside bunkers in all the right places. Ponds and lakes seem to show up right where they can cause trouble, and all are done well. Bunkers are all good, if not spectacular and the water is awesome, with planting second to none (see screenshot). I already mentioned the swamp OB area on the 11th, very beautiful and is used by Gary for the well-done splash screen.
For the most part the greens are spacious and all have a nice fringe border. Playing PS I was left with some monster putts measured in yards not feet. This is not a complaint, just pointing out a characteristic of the course. Elevations are subtle but ever present so don't look for anything easy outside of 10' (like they are ever easy . hehe).
Gary has done some beautiful fence work on this course, which I really like in a design. I think it's an underutilized object by designers and can really give a hole some shape, and a realistic look. All in all a very uncluttered Mother Nature look to the design. A bridge or two and maybe a few buildings (a clubhouse visible on the 18th tee) but he did it right by not planting too many things. The addition of swans and ducks to the water is very nice and works great (see screenie).
Drawbacks: It appears to me that there is some 'row planting' of some small trees visible from the 8th tee. Not too bad, and I'm sure it was planned, but my eyes were drawn to it immediately. From an APCD standpoint (viewed with my limited knowledge) the course is sound. Mesh is clean and tight, edged turned impeccably, planting is great and most importantly, the course looks realistic.
This is more of a personal thing but I'm not a big fan of the 17th hole. My thoughts went to the Devil's Island 18th hole as soon as I was on the tee. It's a 631-yard par 5 and the fairway does a double dogleg, first left then right. There is a chance to cut the first dogleg with a dangerous drive over water but a bunker and willow tree are ready to catch anything that's not perfect. It is definitely playable but it just didn't seem to fit the rest of the course for me. Now others may see this as one of the best hole on the course . just a personal note from me. I could believe all the other 17 holes to be real golf holes somewhere, but this one strays just a bit into fantasy for me. That being said it will test your game for sure and can be birdied with a good drive and second shot.
Hole previews are not provided and I know some people don't even use them, but I love to study an overhead of the hole before I play it. For people that play the natural way they are a must. This course is so open that a hole preview would allow you to play without cameras easily.
Best Hole: There are so many that this one is tough. The stretch of the 9th, 10th and 11th is a good as you'll ever see, starting with that great risk/reward drive on 9. The test you'll get back-to-back on the 5th and 6th could very well set the tone for your round as both share the same lake down the right side the length of the hole. I like all the par 3's, they really vary in length and the par 3 18th island green brings to mind Congressional's finishing hole (one of my favorite MS courses).
I'll give the honor, and my screenshot, to the 589-yard par 5 5th hole. This one is breathtaking from the tee and it must have taken Gary days to plant it, as great planting is evident along the water the length of the hole. The tee shot is slightly elevated and open but don't miss right where a bunker and water lurk. Depending on your length of drive you will have a chance to get to the green with a long fairway wood, still with the water danger right all the way. Traps front the large, two tiered green and a great fence borders the left side of the hole. If that's not enough you have an awesome par 4 6th hole right after, a right-angled fairway with the same lake down the right side and the wonderful lakeside planting. Great stuff.
Test round stats: -2 94% FIR 72% GIR 31 putts. My putting total is a bit deceiving, my round started pretty shaky and the green sizes make for some LONG putts.
Comparable courses: Banff Springs by MS, Langolier by Fred Briggson
Overall: I already mentioned that this course gets my highest compliment. It's realistic and fun, and beautiful on top of everything else. Gary has produced a design that will have permanent residence on my drive and will have as much replay value as any course I have. It's designed by a ps'er for ps'ers but should be enjoyable and challenging for all swing types. Consider this a strong recommendation for download. I would be surprised if it's not a keeper for you and one you visit often. Well done Gary, thanks for a great PS venue and super course.
Course Info :
Splash Screen? Yes
Cameo Screen? Yes
Text file? Yes
Hole Previews? No
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