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Dove Valley Ranch
by Art Patscheck
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 505 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-08-01 |
26,451,001 bytes |
72 |
7010 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
DESERT |
DoveValleyRanch.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| a58c7d6e8acb4bf09c2866dc79400324 |
b05358d3e7747b02c646befb14c58a4e |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Pete Dixon
Ooh err Missus!! Art is without question one of the top designers of the APCD doing real courses, all of which have been excellent from the original Arrowhead through to its re working with Avocet and Las Brisas in-between. This real course in the desert of Arizona has already had numerous wonderful reviews on the review forum so it is now up to me to cast my eye over it and give the official verdict, no pressure then!!??
I have to admit now, that desert courses are not my most favourite, just as links courses may not be someone else's cup of tea, the only other desert course I have really liked is Scorpion.
Arizona is the only place in the USA that I have visited and the thing that struck me immediately was that it did look very familiar from the first tee, I also saw wonderful green fairways, the like of which I haven't seen in links before, also the sandy desert texture is much better than the one available in the original APCD and I am sure we will be seeing this one used a lot.
Planting has been done just as it would look in real life, low bushes, lots of cacti, rocks etc, the bunkers are the top quality you would expect with a burnt rough around them that make them stand out from the fairway and works really well.
Although in the desert there is plenty of water here and again they contrast the setting perfectly and are again finished off with aplomb. A special mention must go to the cart paths that you can barely see that run through the desert and are really well presented.
The custom textures used are just perfect and I have to say that Art is the Master when it comes to use of texture, all his courses to date have been superb and this is his best yet.
There are roads with houses on, the first course that has put this into play and does give the feel that you are playing close to a housing estate. The fairways are quite flat but the greens and surrounds are more undulating and are a good stern test of your putting ability.
Best Hole: The best has been saved for last, the par 4 18th with a lake down the right hand side and then a banked green with bunkers bedded in the wall of the green bank on the right look excellent.
Overall: A beautifully crafted rendition of a real course with excellent use of textures and all coming in at under 20MB, which is quite some achievement.
I have to say I didn't like it as much as the fictional Scorpion but only because the flat look made it look a bit samey to me. I still think Las Brisas is Art's best to date although this is undoubtedly a very good course it just didn't light my candle as much as some as his other work although probably the technically best he has done.
I look forward to Pinehurst and can definitely recommend this for download particularly if you like desert courses.
Course Info :
Cameo Screen?
Splash Screen?
Text file?
Hole Previews?
20mb
Reviewed August 2001 |
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, desert course |
Location
Arizona |
Conditions
Strictly S*/S* |
Concept 6/10
There's some great background to Dove Valley. I particularly enjoyed the Old Wild West-style town that acts as a centrepiece to the course, and it's clear from the surrounding landscape that this course gave birth to the inspired craziness that was Arrow Canyon. This transfers nicely to the course, with some knockout Par 5 holes, but at times it's a bit too pat and resort-like to really get the pulse racing. |
Appearance 4/10
Even on this early work from one of the APCD masters, there's a lot to be desired here. The excellent buildings work aside, there are clones in the planting, uncharacteristic mesh errors and some odd choices of texture (particularly the beige grass around bunkers). The panorama is quite nice, and the visibility around the course tends to be better than expected, but they're only minor pluses. |
Playability 5/10
Perhaps less dull than on first viewing, there are a few original challenges at Dove Valley, even if it does tend towards drive-and-pitch territory, and there's an excellent sound surround too. It's a shame that the hazards aren't tighter, which would up the target aspect of the course. |
Challenge 6/10
The desert is an enemy to be taken seriously here, and the planting makes the deep arroyo a nightmare to escape on occasion if you get lost. The greens are worse still, and some would be lucky to pass muster under the Mod. What with the sand everywhere you look, it's a daunting course to say the least. Birdies will be a rarity: scores under 70 not far short of a miracle. |
Technical 4/10
In some ways, I've judged this course harshly. It's an early release, and as such was helpful in pioneering new APCD techniques and 3Dobjects. The sad fact remains, though, that today it looks distinctly uninspired, and easily-fixed mesh faults like the water striations and hard edges could be easily fixed. |
| Overall |
A course that might leave Art's fans cold, and those looking for a desert course retreating to the sillier but far more enjoyable alternatives. |
25/50 |
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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