| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 309 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-02-20 |
14,870,777 bytes |
72 |
7333 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
PARKLAND |
Villa Camille.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| f7ccc7e0067911d594430050dac5ecaa |
7777a2a7165f0ccd91d238434f22b982 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Lacy Gearheart on March 2001
First Impression: This is Frank Henry's first upload to the Links Corner. And I was in for quite a surprise. I was saddened not to see a cameo or splash screen image, but this course has a lot to offer. It is a fictional parkland course that is very well thought out and plays unbelievably well. Many textures were used for a variety of colors. The layout was exceptional and the strategy involved was seen on every hole. A difficult course that plays a long 7333 yards, but does not seem quite that long once you fire it up and give it a chance.
Most of the par fives are not reachable, but they are very well planned and every hole on the course is well designed. There are not many extras to this course but it is definitely one of my top ten when it comes to individuality and playability. Very few flaws were seen by the naked eye, but they did not take away much from this design. Almost every tee shot makes you consider club selection and shaping of your shot. Many holes require you to move the ball from left to right or draw around trees to position yourself for the best approach shot.
Although the bunkers and lakes were kind of flat...they were in very good areas to change your shot selection. The streams were done much better and were edged with a dirt bank and shrubs. Planting was very well done even added the undergrowth on many forested areas. Shrubs and bushes also were planted in ravine type areas to add to the difficulty. Although the tees were of stock shape...they were perfectly elevated and allowed for the best overall view to the fairway. The cart paths escorted each hole to the next hole and no imperfections were easily noticed from the normal playing view. A first design that obviously was well thought out and very fun to play. This may not quite be in the top echelon of courses, but the layout was excellent and very interesting to play. It played very realistic and natural and should be in your library for quite a challenge. The final hole brought you home to a great view of the clubhouse perched on top of a small hill just behind the 18th green.
Custom amenities: A great job of planting fences added to this course. and the design was very realistic. Not too much but could have used a little bit more.
Greens: They were generally well shaped and well designed. Each hole had a different look and therefore each hole putted slightly different.
Fairways: They were very very well done. I would have liked to have seen a second cut of rough added. This would have elevated the overall feel of this design.
Tee Boxes: Stock shaped, but were nicely elevated giving the best view from the tees.
Bunkers and Water Hazards: They were well shaped, but lacked depth in many places. No lips were seen and this was the only major downfall. Otherwise a very nice job.
Planting: The planting was exceptional and made the course feel real. Everything from the shrubs below the tree line to the bushes in the ravines and along the beds of the streams.
Best Hole: There were many to chose from, but I would choose the 405 yard par 4 #12 hole. It was a dogleg left hole with an uphill approach shot to a very well guarded green. Bunkers placed short left, right and just behind the green..made for a very good hole. Also the planting was very well done here.
Overall: An exceptional first release of a fictional course. If his next design improves on a few small areas...we may have an ace in the hole in the making. It is a definite download if you want a challenge and want to see a nice layout and well designed course.
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Chris Gormley's thoughts..
Initial Impressions: Ville Camille is a woodland area course that is pretty open in design and construction. It is visually appealing as well as constructed pretty well. There are only a couple of spots where construction flaws are evident. The course is pretty standard except for the fact that the Par 5's are very long. I personally reached only 1 in 2 strokes in three rounds of play. They are not so long as to make things unfair, they can be birdied but eagles will be hard to come by on Ville Camille. The course overall is pretty natural looking except for a handful of shapes that are just not natural looking, but for the most part pretty decent course.
Greens: All of the greens are nicely designed with no stock shapes being used. They are nicely contoured. If you are a seasoned putter then you may find some a little easy to navigate but for a beginner or novice these greens are great to learn the ins and outs of putting within Links.
Fairways: For the most part the fairways are well done. They do tend to narrow down in the landing zones, but nothing that is unfair. All are shaped nicely with a decent amount of elevation change to keep a player on their toes.
Tee Boxes: Done pretty well. There are 4 tees with all being free from obstructions.
Bunkers and Water Hazards: Bunkers are placed strategically throughout the course to alter a players shots. Although not very deep, they do pose a threat to anyone's chance for a good score. Water hazards are around as well, although not in play directly they do tend to make one change their shot selection to steer clear of them.
Planting: The planting of the course is done very well. It compliments the design and construction of the course. A little more variety in the actual objects would have been nice. A few, like the tree bent by the wind, were used a bit often than they should have been. This may have been by design to keep the download small, but I would have rather seen a few more types of trees used.
Fairness: A pretty fair course. A player should have no problem keeping things in the fairway with Windy conditions as well as keeping things on the green in Fast/Firm times.
Best Hole: Although no one hole stuck out as spectacular I do remember the 12th hole because of the difficult approach shot to the green. It is an uphill shot with bunkers guarding the green. The distance is deceptive so you have to use a little more club than you think you need to.
Overall: Ville Camille is a solid design. Some little construction flaws are evident but for the most part it is a good course to play. I do think a little more work should have been done on the bunkers and water hazards to make them a little more challenging as well as a little more lifelike. Ville Camille is definitely a scorer's type of course as long as you have your snap. No Wind conditions especially will yield some very low scores. Some great ideas on this course and all were presented well. Great golfing experience awaiting you on this one.
Course Info :
Splash Screen? No
Cameo Screen? No
Hole Handicaps? No
Attached txt file? No
This review will be based on playability, aesthetics and originality. Please keep in mind that this is only my opinion following my play-testing of the completed course.
I fully understand the hard work and immense skill that is involved in the designing of these courses and my comments will try to be constructive and without bias.
Tested on classic swing Pro level from the back tees....also to be noted 3D Acceleration was NOT used. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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