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Lucia von Rheden 2000 V2
by Claus Mandalka
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1560 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2005-03-11 |
38,088,704 bytes |
60 |
3633 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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REAL |
PARKLAND |
LvR_Revival_v2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
Sorry, it took a long time. But here is my final 2001 Version of the Lucia von Rheden 2000 Course, but playable with 2003. I just started to create the second Course of my home golfclub in Hamelin Germany the "Baron of Munchhausen Course" with the APCD1.5. When this course is finished, I will convert the LvR to Apcd 1.5 and redesign it.
THX for posting my Course
Claus Mandalka |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Designer: This is Claus Mandalka's first course release.
Course History: With the estate on which the 'Lucia of Rheden' course is found dating back to 1570, golfers will learn quickly to appreciate the surrounding landscape and its history, as the design can often be surprisingly difficult, even to the best of players. More information on the course can be found at http://www.hamelner-golfclub.de.
Course: Most Executive and Par 3 courses released over the years have been relatively simple designs to play, and even though that is also the case with Lucia von Rheden, due to particular features in the course, a player's round can soon become very difficult. Even though the fairways are wide open, the greens are extremely tight, which means that even if you can hit the correct distance with you're irons each time, due to the sloping in many of the greens surface, the ball can often bounce right off. This may seem unfair, but from reading up on the course in real life, it seems that this is realistic to what players actually experience. Each hole doesn't differ much from the last in terms of design, but with variations in elevation and distance, becoming comfortable on this course can be relatively tough.
Favourite Hole: The Par 3 on Hole 10 was my favourite hole on the course, as players may not realise there is actually water surrounding the green, which I thought was a great feature considering it isn't totally visible off the tee.
Playability: As mentioned in the read-me file, one of the keys to playing well on this course will come down to the short game, and specifically chipping. Considering that most of the greens are elevated as well as being tiny in diameter, if you are unable to make the green in regulation, you'll often find yourself having to chip the ball up a slope and onto the putting surface. It seems that the break and slope in the greens was realistic to the course in real life, however the pins were perhaps rather unfair sometimes in regard to the playability of the design within the game. If you intend to play this course in windy conditions, then you should expect low regulation percentages and many trips to the bunker and water hazards, as otherwise, unless you are really off with you're distances, the hazards shouldn't come into play at all. Shooting a low score should be easy enough, but if you do find yourself struggling, then make sure to capitalize on the opportunities available when playing the Par 4's on Holes 12, 14, 16, and 17, as they are all drivable off the tee. This is a course you should expect to score low on, but also shouldn't be surprised with if you don't.
Technically: For a 2001 design, the APCD work overall was pretty good, with the course looking clean and not containing any major errors. The planting and sounds were realistic, while the naming of the textures was great, as I doubt players will find themselves stuck in 'Boschung Wasserhinde' on any other course. The bunkers and tee areas weren't as immaculate as they could have been, but the only major way to have improved this course technically would have been for it to be a 2003 design, so the designer done a pretty good job with the resources available to him.
Other: The course contains a cameo, handicaps, hole previews and splash screen, but doesn't contain a custom flag or tees. The added extras such as ball washers, benches, rakes and signs were a welcome addition, while overall, all the added structures around the course made the playing experience realistic.
Download Value: At just fewer than 35mb, the course is a medium sized download that contains the usual read-me file, but quite differently, also the designer's player file and photo for use in the game. For a first time design, the course was made fairly well and is pleasant to play, so for those who really enjoy playing Par 3 courses, I'd recommend giving this design a go, but as unique as it may be, it won't be staying on my hard drive.
Information:
Course Statistics:
2001 - Real Parkland - Par 60 - 2 Tees
3633yds (Back) - 3556yds (Forward)
Par 3's: 12 - Par 4's: 6 - Par 5's: 0
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, short course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 8/10
Lucia von Rheden is a short Par 60 course set amid some stunningly recreated
farmland. It comprises a mixture of tough Par 3s and easy, drivable
Par 4s, and utilises planting, bunkers, and water as excellent hazards. It's
nearly all planted on a fairway texture, and is refreshingly different for that.
Given the constraints of the course length, the individual hole designs are
excellent. |
Appearance 9/10
Despite the poor tee boxes, this is a really beautiful course. Don't forget to look beyond the obvious though, as some of the best
scenes come outside of the course in the shape of farmland and a nice panorama. There is an excellent sprinkling of custom objects,
from the tiny (custom stakes in three colours!) to the massive (check out the big blue pylon!), that all add to a genuinely immersive
experience. |
Playability 10/10
I defy anyone not to enjoy a round at von Rheden. You'll be pumped up to drive the green on the Par 4s, you'll be challenged to putt,
chip and flop accurately, and you'll require every shot in the book. And all this despite the absence of Par 5 holes! It's really a fantastic
course to play, with a multitude of options (the Par 3 17th has a very realistic proposition of a lay-up), lots to look at, and constant
ingenuity at the way it's been fitted together. |
Challenge 2/10
This, of course, is where the points drop. The course is much too easy and won't present a significant challenge to most. I birdied 7
straight holes on the back 9 for a round of 51. The lack of rough and the shallow bunkers both count against this course - at least the
greens are small and testing, which prevents it being a total walkover. |
Technical 8/10
There is an occasional poor extrusion and times when the water features do not look totally realistic, as well as a reliance on an
inappropriate fairway texture (surely a custom texture was a must here, seeing as it covers the course). But the planting is good, and
the use of custom objects (I particularly liked the rakes) excellent. For a relative unknown (course and designer), this is a damn good
effort. |
| Overall |
A little gem! Innately playable, and a great deal of fun. A good 'leveller' in contests
between different swing types, and good-looking to boot! |
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. |
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