|
Merion East
by Dexter Gresh
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1367 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-11-06 |
98,252,736 bytes |
70 |
6563 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
Merion East.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| |
|
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Rick Priebe
Designer: Dexter Gresh (Grooch) has been a contributing member of the Dark Horse Designs team for some time now. As such he has made contributions to several existing courses. He also has one other release of his own called Meadowood, an excellent course design from 2001.
General course information:
File size: 99 mb zipped
Type: Parkland/woodland - Re-creation of a real course
Par and Length (Back Tees):
Difficulty: Moderate
APCD Version: 1.5
Included: What isn't included in this? It has everything from custom flags, to custom made 3D benches on each tee box. See more below.
General Comments: The East course at Merion Country Club is one of the most famous championship courses in the United States. Unfortunately, it may have seen its last major event on the men's tours, as it is deemed to be too short for the equipment changes that have so drastically altered the game over the last 15 years. But for Links, this classic design is still an ideal championship venue. It is not only one of the finest examples of the possibilities of the APCD in the hands of a skilled artist, but the course itself works well in Links, where 320 yard drives are still not the norm. There are several short par 4 holes, although none that I have found to be drivable. There is a seemingly insignificant stream which meanders through the course, which figures surprisingly into play on several holes, and must be considered in making your club selection on quite a few shots. This course is a great mix of challenge and playability, and should offer something of interest for most players.
Textures: All of the textures used are exactly right for this course. If you compare to the actual photographs that the designer worked from, the similarities are remarkable. The blending is good without being overdone. The expanded replay and dynacam views are quite amazing.
Planting: The course is planted in trees and grasses that are faithful to the course as the designer saw it near the start of the project. The tall fescue was later trimmed back by the will of the membership, but Dex liked it and left it in for this rendition. The plantings work well with the textures used and everything flows into a totally realistic appearance. Most screen views will almost duplicate a photo of the real course taken from the same location.
Eye catchers
Plusses: The details: The tiny stream which meanders through the course is a good example. The boundary fence, the amazing job done on the roads that run through the course, all are created to perfection. The 3D benches on the tee boxes became a designer's chore, but offer an added detail that we haven't seen before. You can look at them from any angle and they will always look real, as opposed to the normal 2D benches that move with the player so that you always see the same side. The detailed neighborhood surrounding the course is as realistic as anything I have ever seen in Links. Even the power lines visible from a few holes are custom built. As far as I can tell, the course is faithful to the original. A couple of screenshots I have seen posted side by side with photographs of the same view of the course are remarkable. This is as good as it gets in Links.
Minuses: The only one I can possibly think of is the file size. Definitely a difficult download for dial-up users.
Favorite Hole: I can't pick one. I like the way the entire course works as a whole, and it's not fair to break it down into pieces.
Rating: This is a must have. Even for those of you on 56k, find a way to get it. You won't regret it.
|
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, heathland course |
Location
Philadelphia |
Conditions
The fastest settings might be a fraction too extreme: try F*/M* |
Concept 8/10
A distinctly old-fashioned championship course, Merion is short and the emphasis is firmly on placement and the elaborately
remodelled bunkers. It has the same quaint feel as Riviera and the other historical country clubs and although not particularly
memorable there is a pleasant, well-honed procession to the layout and a number of intriguing holes. One of the first millimetricallyworked
courses in the game, the conversion has held up delightfully well. |
Appearance 8/10
The low-level planting is superb and while the bunkers don't quite replicate the complex edge job done in real life, they are superbly
crafted. There are occasional shape problems on the way around, but the clubhouse and its environs are excellent, and little touches
like the cart-paths and bunker planting make the experience all the more authentic. |
Playability 7/10
I could feel myself being deliberately throttled back here, but there was little frustration, thanks to some sumptuous and inviting
approach shots - and, indeed, with a short course like this it is entirely necessary to restrict the landing spots. Certain holes,
especially the closing stretch, really have a frisson about them, but there's quite a lot of 'careful' golf to be played, which doesn't add
up to a lot of repeat visits. |
Challenge 5/10
The course represents a good challenge, although almost certainly a little too easy. The bunkers often lead to easy escapes and even
the deep rough is surprisingly easy to hack out of. The greens are receptive and make for some assured putts. The difficulty comes
from some good hazarding, and clever pin positions that give very little away. Although I can hole 20-foot putts on occasion, I certainly
couldn't do it on every hole. |
Technical 9/10
Aside from a few odd spots, this is an extremely dextrous creation, and in fact Merion gave birth to an APCD designers' manual, which
says a great deal. One of those landmark courses which set new standards with what can be done in the APCD, and earning its rating
accordingly. |
| Overall |
Brilliant craftsmanship, but an odd choice of course with not much to present to the
Links golfer. |
37/50 |
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.
|
|
Download course
|
Please support Links Corner
|
|
|
