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| MIssion Hills Hainen Island - image from USA Today |
I can revel in Stanley Thompson’s Dragon and Fireball combination at Highlands Links. I love The Octopus at Jasper Park. I’ve always
been able to find the humour and warmth in Thompson’s whimsical nature. The
main reason is the underlying holes (the 5th at Highlands and the 10th
at Jasper Park) are excellent golf holes to play.
On the other hand I’ve never been fond of Desmond Muirhead.
The Mermaid at
Stone Harbour is acceptable because it’s at least playable. It lacks charm from
the ground and would never be considered a great hole to play … but you can
play it. On the other hand Desmon Muirhead’s “Jason and the Argonauts” (often referred to as the Penis and the
Vagina) is simply vulgar. I don’t buy the Greek story line. What makes that hole
reprehensible is not the enormous cost or symbolism, but that the golf hole is
almost impossible to finish. The jagged island bunker might be the worst design
feature in golf… ever.
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| Jason and the Argonauts - image from JohnStrawn.com |
Schmidt Curley’s Newest Course at Mission Hill Hainan Island features Mayan Ruins (huh?), the Great Wall and The Noodle Bowl (above). It’s getting a lot of attention.
The link to the story in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/03/05/fantasy-golf-course-noodle-bowl-china/1964759/
I understand the desire to attract new players. I get the concept
of mini-golf to full size mini-golf. I understand that the culture doesn’t
share my attachment to the history of the game. But I look at this Disneyland idea
and wonder why. Perhaps I’m too old. All I see is a novelty item quickly
forgotten, other than the costs to build it. Is that what Chinese Golf has been
reduced to … a novelty that nobody wants to play?
Is it fair that I enjoy Thompson’s humour, or loathe Muirhead’s
symbolism? In my opinion you “can” incorporate art or humour, but underneath
you still have to provide excellent holes to play. I’m not sure you get that
with an island green … even if it’s surrounded by noodles.
Postscript: What ever happened to Desmond's Jason and the Argonauts?
Postscript: What ever happened to Desmond's Jason and the Argonauts?
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| The hole today - on left - courtesy of Stone Harbour GC |
Stanley Thompson designed a short uphill par 4, about 285 yards, at Digby Pines. On the upslope to the green he put in a bunker shaped like a large ? When you stand on the tee and look at that ? trap, you smile and ask, "should I go for it or not?" Digby Pines remains a hidden gem, virtually unchanged from his original design
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