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WoodPecker GC
by Mike (Pecos Bill) Nicely
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1322 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-08-06 |
55,316 bytes |
70 |
6823 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
WoodPecker.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Joe Turner `Loner'
August 2003
Mike is known for his beautifully color coordinated courses and he certainly doesn't disappoint us with this design. He is using the 2003 APCD tools to their fullest. We start off with a faintly mowed tee box then to a mowed but faint checkerboard pattern in the fairway with a first cut that leads into a nicely textured rough. The greens are slightly patterned with a small but adequate fringe. Beyond the rough he uses deep grass full of bushes, brush, high grass and muted color flowerbeds that are very fitting to the feel of a woodland course. His assortments of trees are without a doubt outstanding, he keeps the 'forest' well populated with an unusual but befitting 'pick of the litter', he chose wisely. Patches of dry rough and bunkers line the fairways, the bunker sand is a very light 'beige' and keeps the course mellow looking while doing their job of nabbing the wayward ball. The greens are well guarded by these bunkers, yes well guarded. The fairways with their slight slopes are a shade more than narrow; no this isn't a 'Firestone' fairway but one that challenges you while remain fair. The greens while being medium in size are shaped to fit each hole, no perfectly round, elongated or oval ones here just well shaped with minor to medium breaks. I would call the putting just a little under medium in difficulty, but they are a joy to try for that birdie or possibly an eagle, yes a few are possible. The water hazards seem to be more decoration than hazards and they are beautiful with their bridges and tall grass, this is a meticulously done course, heavily planted but never overdone.
The elevations here vary between the minor and the major and believe me they are not only fun to play but also interesting to judge club wise. The caddie is perfect. He has a huge shadow file for the size of the course and it makes the course very inviting to play, you almost feel 'cool' breezes playing here. His hole shapes can be intimidating looking with the patches of rough, the little islands of brush occasionally in the center of the fairways but they are very hittable and prove to be a challenge. He has slight angles to the approach shots to the greens, choose the correct side of these center fairway hazards and you will be able to use a shorter iron to reach them in search of the elusive birdie.
Mike didn't rush this course it was in beta a very long time, that should be a lesson for all of the new designers that turn out courses every month and wonder why they don't get high praise from the players. He has his own group of beta testers just as all of the better designers do but is more than willing to hear out constructive criticism from other players that download it. I believe this is his eighth course (one collaboration) and it seems to be his best. I shouldn't say this but I had music playing and I think I heard a woodpecker sound in the course, being a city boy I wouldn't know a woodpecker from a chicken sound, not true, I think I might manage that. Back to the course if you are still with me, it is one of the better woodland courses that I have seen as of late and I very much suggest it for your approval. Download it and I also strongly recommend for dial-up users.
I am a player not a designer and therefore rate a course as a player for players.
According to our new scoring system I put this course in the top 10%.
Reviewer Note:
I am a player not a designer and therefore rate a course as a player for other players.
Summary :
Included: read-me, recorded round, hole previews, cameo, splash, ball washers, custom flags, path, bridges and buildings.
Not included: custom tees, hole signs or numbers.
Statistical Information: par 70, 6823y, 5 sets of tee markers, 5-3 pars, 10-4 pars, 3-5 pars. |
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, parkland course. |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 8/10
With the eponymous bird's rattle ringing in your ears, you tee off around a
beautifully crafted and never pretentious set of 18. Nothing is done to
excesses at this course: it has water and bunkers in the right measure,
and the hazards work extremely well. Undeniably a young course, by the
height of the general planting, WoodPecker nevertheless gives the
convincing impression that it is well established and open in displaying its
wares. |
Appearance 8/10
A nice selection of custom textures work well in parts, but less well in others. Firmly in this latter categories are the greens, which look
oddly angled, primarily because of the texture mapping. Blends are used well in the bunkers but less well elsewhere. A few hard edges
and the occasional string of stretched faces take the edge of the beauty. Best is the planting and panorama: very natural and
convincing in creating an ambient atmosphere. |
Playability 7/10
A contrasting pair of halves unusually brings most repetition to the front half, which has three Par 3s and two Par 5s. The course does
tire around the turn, and to be honest there's not sufficient challenge for many approaches. But the lovely views and ambience do a
fantastic job of supporting the round, and some cracking, but subtle, closing holes make for a smashing climax. |
Challenge 7/10
The biggest barrier to low scores are the stubborn greens, which often feature but one angle of elevation but are maddeningly hard to
read. With flat fairways and open approaches, you'd otherwise score well. The challenge as a whole is a little contrived in this respect,
although most scores with hover around the 70-Par mark. |
Technical 9/10
Largely sound, and featuring some superb 3D work, the course just requires some mapping improvements to be perfect. All else has
pretty much hit the nail on the head. Particularly noteworthy are the excellent variety of planting and the understated panorama, both of
which lend the course that je ne sais quoi which enhances the atmosphere. |
| Overall |
A very solid effort. Not outstanding in any particular area, but an excellent round of
golf nevertheless. |
39/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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