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Langolier Golf Club 2005
by Fred Briggson & Chris Gormley
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1584 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2005-05-24 |
50,122,752 bytes |
72 |
7405 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
LangolierGolfClub2005.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
Langolier Golf Club 2005
Designed by Fred Briggson
Updated for Links 2003 by Chris Gormley |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewer - Michael Hubbard
NOTE
I have in this review sort to take a fresh look at the course rather that detailing a retrospective comparison of this version to its predecessor. I have therefore simply reviewed the course as it is now & not what has been changed . . .
INTRODUCTION
In Eagle Mountain Fred Briggson demonstrated his ability to deliver a fine mountain course. Now with the addition of a make over by Chris Gormley, Langolier has joined Freds other mountain adventure in 2K3 splendour.
Extract from the Readme - by Chris Gormley
'During December in 2004 I contacted Fred Briggson about updating his fabulous design . . .'
'I have not changed any of the hole layouts . . . I did take the liberty of elevating a few tee boxes to better enhance the view from the tee but other than that I have left all of Fred's original design intact'
'I think I have taken this course as far as I can with the skills that I have developed'
Langolier bears an uncanny resemblance to Fred's other course, Eagle Mountain. Indeed they could be placed on either side of the same mountain. Yet Langolier remains the poorer brother in this relationship, lacking the depth, layout and mastery that is Eagle Mountain. Indeed having been originally released before Eagle Mountain I could not help wondering whether this was a dry run for his more illustrious course.
COURSE
Overall the course seems dominated by the splendid mountainous panorama [Screenshot 7]. However the trees in mid to foreground presented a far more haphazard approach to the course. They are rather sparsely scattered about in a way that IMO makes them stand out as odd at times. Added to this there are large areas of open rough with little variation in form or texture that all adds to making the course look a little undefined somehow [Screenshots 3 & 4]. There are a goodly amount of flowering borders around the course. These did provide colour and yet seemed to be both poorly planted [in places] and out of place IMO with its mountain setting [Screenshots 5, 6 & 7].
The Bunkers looked fairly benign. Old tee markers and a number of suspiciously identical trees scattered about and the course begins to look rather jaded still. Even the hole previews appeared to be a little too busy to be helpful.
PLAYABILITY
At 7405 yards in length it requires some long hitting especially on some approach shots. There are three reachable par 5 holes, with three par 4 holes measuring in excess of 450 yards. Elevations are used on many holes with blind shots [on close up play] from tee 17 [Screenshot 7] and a number of second shots, which creates uncertainty. The best of these comes on the reachable par 5, 10th hole, second shot.
Overall however there are very few, if any, dangers off the tee. No tree's encroaching ones drive. Very few bunkers to avoid. Even the water, an ever present around this course, seems to come into play all too rarely. It is almost as though all the elements of a good course are here but not all playing the same tune like some discordant orchestra.
What gives the course it difficulty [along with a good few long approaches] is the very contoured greens [Screenshots 5 & 6]. Added to this there are some very devilish pin placements which can make scoring around this track somewhat mute.
DESIGNER INTERVIEW - CHRIS GORMLEY - RE COURSE UPDATES
1. What made you choose this course to update?
It was my favourite early ls2001 course.
2. What changes have you made?
Updated all textures and added seam blends...smoothed terrain in a few spots but tried not to take away from the overall feel that Fred Briggson created with the course.
3. Do you feel the lay out of the course could have been improved?
The layout is pretty good, I would have changed some of the greens a bit but I told Freddie that I would not do that as it was his design . . . I just wanted to give it a fresh face so to speak.
4. What was your favourite hole?
I like all the holes and will not pick just one
CONCLUSION
Initially all appears promising as you stand on the first tee [Screenshot 1] with the mountains, lake & trees. But all too soon these become repeated in a way that fails to do justice to a course with potential. From tee to green all seems assured. From then on, it's all to do. A slightly disappointing course for me that holds no comparison to Eagle Mountain. Coming out as it is amongst a backdrop of so many fine releases it simply fails to deliver anything new to our library.
Having said that, scoring can be hard here and so it maintains the potential of a fair tournament venue. If not the most aesthetically gifted track Langolier has the length & green's to challenge most if not all players on the day.
IN A WORD
Untapped Potential |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, mountain course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 5/10
Langolier sadly has not aged well. Despite a re-visit and touch-up, it's a
big, empty and incoherent course without enough standouts to really shine
on its own merits. The mountain styling certainly uses the elevations well
enough, and there are one or two good holes - notably the 14th where you
tee off over the treetops - but elsewhere the designs are bland and
unmemorable. |
Appearance 5/10
The much frowned-upon Whistler panorama makes an unwelcome appearance, and the textures seem washed-out and featureless.
There is some very tasteful planting around and about the course, but the underplanting is thin. There's just not enough on the course
to grab the eye, an accusation that hasn't been levelled at many courses better than this. |
Playability 5/10
The ups and downs at Langolier make it worthwhile as a prospect, as do the impressive stretch of holes down the back nine. But up to
then it's a very sterile experience; the wide-openness of the place looking like a particular misjudgement. |
Challenge 3/10
A distinct avoidance of dangerous hazarding is notable, and the designer's intent to create something risk/reward down the back
stretch has actually created a run of easy birdie chances. Working against this in all the wrong ways are some over-sloped greens
which will make this course almost unplayable with Mod 1.07. It's a weak link amid weak links. |
Technical 4/10
Given the re-workings that this has endured, you'd have every right to expect something more than this. Once, there might have been
fine technical work around this course. But by modern eyes, it's vague and has too many obvious areas for improvement. Start with the
pano and the greens, please. |
| Overall |
One or two knockout holes, but they can't justify the download of this overrated
course on their own. |
22/50 |
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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