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The Belfrey International
by Harley Dixon Note: This course contains 1024x1024 textures and can only be played in version 1.07 or later of Links 2003
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1994 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2011-03-06 |
0 bytes |
72 |
6656 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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REAL |
WOODLAND |
.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
At the designers request, the previous version ID 1992 has been replaced with this version.
The Belfrey International is an unusual, world class, Dave Thomas course in Henrietta, New York that was abandoned, and now is for sale and overgrown. This Links 2003 version is an attempt to preserve what it could have been.
Using the original course contour maps, aerial photos and photos from visits I made to the course as it is today, the simulation is a mix of what it looked like in it's heyday, and what it looks like now.
It includes the signature waterfall, the tunnel under the New York State Thruway that allows access to both sides of the course, and the tract homes around the course. In the distance is the city of Rochester New York with the the Xerox, Chase, Bausch & Lomb and Midtown Tower buildings. |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, heathland course |
Location
New York state |
Conditions
Stick to S*/S* |
Concept 7/10
It's a great idea to try to try to resurrect a forgotten and overgrown course with the APCD, and there are definite convincing elements in
this creation. The original course was ambitious in design, if not in scale, and there are an excellent opening trio and a suitably
grandstanding final hole. Whatever the course's flaws, including a criminal lack of hole previews, this should be a real point of interest for
all golfers. |
Appearance 4/10
A somewhat cluttered appearance from the first tee resolves itself, but there are really too many problems elsewhere. The panorama is too
high and clunky in places, there are pretty awful extrusion marks around the greens, and the seams are inconsistent, with lots of misassigned
textures around blends. A mesh-fold or two rounds off the whole think. The planting is probably the course's best aspect, but the
wild grasses hardly look their best on a poor texture. |
Playability 5/10
The shots required on the opening holes give you hope that there is a real dynamic course here, but things tail off after a while, and it's
just a bit too easy to lose interest. The designer has done his best with eyecatchers, but he hasn't really communicated enough of the
vitality that the course is supposed to have. It's still an entertaining ramble in parts. |
Challenge 7/10
Given the ambition of the course's original owner, it's hardly surprising to find the big stadium holes with their hidden water hazards,
and some very clever 'I dare you' Par 5s. This style of golf never quite transfers perfectly to Links, and it's possible to score a few
under. Just be careful that your round isn't spoiled by some poor green elevations that really won't do the Mod player any favours. |
Technical 4/10
The 'just re-opened' pretext is conveyed very nicely indeed, and it's clear that this designer has an acute eye for detail and thematic
surroundings. There are more than just one or two flaws on the surface, though, and it is to be hoped that future releases can combine
the best of The Belfrey along with improvements in technique. |
| Overall |
An excellent idea to 're-open' a defunct course, and a fair atmosphere to go with it.
Let down by some of those things that really need to be gotten right these days. |
27/50 |
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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