Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!
Is 2DP a Friday thing now??? I promise we’ll get back on our traditional Thursday cadence at some point, but if I’ve learned anything about the content game over the past 18 months, it’s tough to catch up once you get behind!
Fun topic this week, as Stephen Edwards returns for another Eclectic 18. Stephen recently played all 3 of Charlotte’s premier Donald Ross designs and set out to create a composite routing that included the best holes from each layout.
We also have news from Quail Hollow and a preview of a couple upcoming local tournaments at opposite ends of the competitive golf spectrum. No more delay - enjoy this week’s newsletter!
PRESENTED BY
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE
Twilight Golf Club President Stephen Edwards Shares His Charlotte Donald Ross Composite Course
Stephen’s pencil-and-paper draft of his Charlotte Ross Composite course
As an out-of-towner and Donald Ross aficionado, I was thrilled to complete the CLT Ross trifecta of Charlotte Country Club, Carolina Golf Club, and Myers Park Country Club last week. Walking off the 18th green at MPCC, I was left wondering - what would a composite course look like made up of the best holes from each of these 3 tracks?
A few comments on the exercise before we get going on the composite:
Each of the 3 courses is a par 71, so I had a loose goal of trying to accomplish the same. I made a minor exception to make this work - we’re playing the short par 5 17th at MPCC as a long par 4!
I utilized the Ross tees at each facility and tried to think of the composite as an actual course/routing that would be fun to play every day.
I stayed true to actual hole numbers and tried to maintain a balance of holes from each of the 3 courses.
After staying up too late and doing way too much research, here is where I landed - controversy inbound!
Ross CLT Composite - Par 71* - 6,707 yards
#1 - Par 4 - 349 yds - CCC
Pure starting hole - reminds me of #1 at Pinehurst No. 2. Subtle but penal!
#2 - Par 4 - 428 yds - MPCC
Awesome land movement and a long hole if you don’t catch the slope. Huge green!
#3 - Par 3 - 200 yds - CGC
The shortest "par 5" in Mecklenburg County. I just love this hole.
#4 - Par 4 - 367 yds - MPCC
A classic Ross design - take on the fairway bunkers and send it at the green… if you dare.
#5 - Par 4 - 351 yds - CCC
This section of the property is incredible! I’m nervous to see how many oaks remain after Green’s work is done.
#6 - Par 4 - 383 yds - CCC
A proper down-and-up par 4 that reminds me of #1 at Old Town Club.
#7 - Par 4 - 401 yds - CGC
The hidden chocolate drop mounds are so good! 4 par 4s in a row is a Ross staple.
#8 - Par 5 - 511 yds - CGC
A great reachable par 5 with a very nuanced green. Don't go long!
#9 - Par 4 - 361 yds - CCC
Fun hole and a beautiful view headed back up to the clubhouse. Get a canned Gatorade and a homemade power bar at the turn.
#10 - Par 4 - 405 yds - MPCC
Neat tee box cut directly underneath the clubhouse amphitheater. Hit a good one - you’ll probably have an audience!
#11 - Par 3 - 192 yds - CCC
Semi-island green par 3 in the middle of the property surrounded by a couple of Charlotte’s trademark bridges.
#12 - Par 3 - 136 yds - CGC
Back-to-back par 3s? You bet! This 1-shotter features a blind but receptive green and a scoring iron - the best.
#13 - Par 5 - 494 yds - CGC
The fairway bunkers that were restored totally make this hole.
#14 - Par 4 - 331 yds - CCC
Reminds me of some of the classic Ross short par 4’s in the Sandhills. Tricky green and bunkering.
#15 - Par 4 - 413 yds - CGC
This green is wild! The false edge on the left side flowing into the next tee box is classic.
#16 - Par 4 - 422 yds - CCC
An up-and-over land movement hole that feels like it’s been there forever.
#17 - Par 4* - 518 yds - MPCC
With modern technology and firm turf, this hole plays like a par 4 again as originally intended (per my member host)!
#18 - Par 4 - 445 yds - MPCC
This finisher is a BEAST. Huge and receptive green with epic view of the skyline.
I am grateful to have played all 3 of these courses, each of them unique in their own right and a wonderful walk. Seeing the skyline at all 3 courses is very cool, and while the conditions at each is immaculate, I am always impressed by Carolina Golf Club's routing and agronomy. It feels like Kris Spence totally preserved and restored it to what a Ross course was like 100 years ago!
Gracious hosts made the experience really special at each course. No matter how much we might disagree on favorite holes and architects, the people and the fellowship are what ultimately make a round special.
Bonus Awards!
Best Entrance/Clubhouse/History - CCC
Best Food/Drinks - MPCC (breakfast burrito, snack mix, chocolate brittle?!)
Best Skyline View/Post-Round Beer - CGC
Best Shower/Locker Room - MPCC
Best Logo(s) - CCC & CGC Ross alternate logo!
P.S. - When CCC & MPCC open back up post-Andrew Green renovations and CGC's clubhouse is done, who’s up for a 2DP event to play all 54 in a day?!?!
PRESENTED BY TWILIGHT GOLF CLUB
TGC is a CGA member club that supports equitable access to golf in North Carolina. With an active chapter in Charlotte, it’s a great way to meet other passionate golfers in town and play some competitive golf in a casual setting. Annual dues are $60 per year giving members access to:
A members-only Slack channel.
GHIN Handicap hosting under Twilight Golf Club, a $35 value.
Participation in Twilight Summer League, a season-long event consisting of a series 9-hole matches at courses across the city.
Access to Twilight Golf Club events hosted at great courses across the state, including the annual Club Championship for all chapters (includes Triad and Raleigh chapters).
Want to get involved? Visit the website for more details.
LOCAL BEAT
Search Begins for New Director of Golf at Quail Hollow
Photo Credit: Josh Bryan
Quail Hollow’s Director of Human Resources Sherry Beason Dickerson shared on LinkedIn earlier this week that the club is officially accepting applications for a new Director of Golf. This search begins after the passing of long-time Head Professional Scott Davenport, who served in the role for 27 years before dying after a sudden illness earlier this year.
XL feet: Whoever steps into this role has massive shoes to fill. The outpouring of love and respect I saw after Davenport’s passing was remarkable - what a rich life to have impacted so many people! It’s always tough replacing a legend, but I’m sure Quail will have an excellent roster of candidates from which to select a successor.
LinkedIn, huh?: I got a good laugh out of seeing a role like this posted broadly on the platform - would have totally assumed this would all get done via secretive private club back-channels, but I guess I’m wrong…
STORIES TO TRACK
Field Confirmed for U.S. Open Final Qualifying at Gaston Country Club: The field is full of fun and intriguing names. Hometown hero Webb Simpson is probably the most prominent, but there are a ton of other exciting young players competing that would be a delight to follow for 18 holes. If you can get away from your desk, go check it out on Monday, June 8th.
Doc Redman Wins Second KFT Event in Dramatic Fashion: The former Clemson standout poured in a 40-footer on the last to claim his second Korn Ferry Tour win of the season. Good to see the Raleigh native and 2017 U.S. Amateur Champion back on track and well on his way back to the PGA TOUR.
Charlotte City Am Qualifying Begins Next Week: The field is set for Qualifier #1 at Pine Island and the field is stacked! Former club champions from Carmel Country Club, Carolina Golf Club, and Charlotte Country Club will be among those competing for a spot in one of the country’s best city tournaments. This is a major in our book, so we’ll be tracking the Charlotte City Amateur closely as always!
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