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Arrow Canyon Resort
by Art Patscheck
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 513 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-08-09 |
30,599,827 bytes |
71 |
7073 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
DESERT |
ArrowCanyonResort.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 74ae0230f79c4444aa32e54fef336be2 |
51e6bdb275454d7a25d7b2584bd73db9 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Dave Campbell
Expectations: Another desert style course on the heels of the Dove Valley Ranch release had me curious, would this seem repetitive? Who cares, it's an Art Patscheck course so you know it will be good!
First Impressions: Arrow Canyon Resort is the last of six designs from Art and was posted to the Links Corner on 8/9/01. His previous releases in order are; Arrowhead C.C., Avocet, Las Brisas, Arrowhead C.C. SE and Dove Valley Ranch. It is a fictional par 71 playing to 7,093 yards from the back tees with three tee choices. All of his previous releases are re-creations of real golf venues, with this course being his first attempt at a fictional design. This course was released right on the heels of Dove Valley Ranch and both are in a desert setting, a bit unusual for two courses from the same designer released within weeks of each other. They even look similar from a texture standpoint but actually the two are quite different, aside from the desert theme, and both are very good. In talking with others about these two courses it has been almost 50/50 as to which is their favorite. Both are good like I mentioned, but I think I lean toward the Arrow Canyon design myself. So what makes me favor this course?
Playability: Arrow Canyon Resort is built amongst many rolling hills, and elevations are seen throughout the whole layout. Spectacular views are had from many an elevated tee and side hill, uphill and downhill lies in the fairway are the norm. You will also be faced with many shots from tees to elevated fairways, or fairways to elevated greens. It is a thinking man's (or woman's) round of golf with many club choice and shot setup decisions.
The tee boxes are molded nicely to the hilly landscape and have an attractive fringe collar. There are awesome looking tee markers carved into stone showing hole layout and yardages, really fits in nicely with the planting. As mentioned previously some of the elevated tees offer great views of the course. Don't believe me? Just stand on the back tee on the 6th hole.
The fairways are an inviting target for the most part, but you need to pay attention to elevation changes. More than once I had a perfect drive run through the fairway because of the length I gained from an elevated tee. There is no 1st cut or normal rough, it's straight into the deep stuff. Once you get in there it's a scramble to make par. So take heed and remember it is much better to club down one or two than risk getting into the heavy rough. If you REALLY miss then you will end up in the desert, which is a playable lie. I was in there several times and for the most part I had a clean look at where I needed to shoot. You could be up next to a rock or one of the scrub plantings so it's a 'luck of the draw' sort of thing. You do need to play a sand shot from here, either pick or explosion.
There are regular sand traps placed within the fairways and near the greens as well. These are done as good as any you will ever see. Nice light brown texture with defined lips, and they are shaped in a very realistic way. They are definitely a hazard but they can be played from. If you get under one of those lips you may be in some trouble, but every sand shot I had was clean and wide open. There is a small water presence on this course in the form of a lake and some ponds but it's not a dominant feature at all.
The elevation theme continues on the greens and you will undoubtedly have some interesting putts during your round. Several greens have major swales and even venture into multiple tiers. I did have a couple of flat putts and it was nice to get that little break. The texture is a soft green, checked pattern that fits the course nicely. A green fringe is present to hopefully keep your ball from rolling into the deep rough.
The planting is varied, nicely done and unquestionably a desert theme. Rocks, scrub brush, a few palm trees and desert sand are all you see around the fairways. There is a little farm community alongside the 10th fairway, some great fence work throughout, cart paths, golf carts and on the 9th and 18th approaches you glimpse the Arrow Canyon casino. Art has also done the custom hole markers I mentioned earlier, and placed custom flags.
Drawbacks: On a reverse cam look from the 10th hole it appears that one side of the casino is in mid air. Not a view you will normally get so this may have slipped through the beta. This is Vegas, anything is possible right?
In my opinion the deep grass texture used right next to the fairway is too punishing. Once I landed in there I was virtually assured of par or worse. Some of the shots I faced on this course are the toughest I've ever had on a course that is this wide open. Say a 180-200 yard approach with a 45-degree right left side hill lie out of the deep rough, and looking at a green surrounded by sand. Not impossible to save par but a birdie is out of the question and a bogie is a real possibility. Remember that I'm looking from a PS Champ perspective and this level of toughness will appeal to many for sure. In fact I like the challenge too, just make sure you stay in the fairway as much as possible.
I did notice many slight shadows in the top cam but these all appear to be caused by the sloping elevations on the course. After looking at several closely it was apparent that these were normal terrain shadows.
I believe many people may have a problem with the repetitive nature of the desert planting but I can assure you that this captures the feel of a Nevada desert. Personally, desert courses are some of my favorites and I'm glad to see so many being released now. Troon-North was always one of my favorite Links courses.
Best Hole: This is a toughie, all are good but a few really stand out. I already mentioned the view from the back tees on the 6th hole, simply outstanding. The tee is elevated some 20 yards above the fairway and my 3W goes over 300 yards here. Slight dogleg left with a lake on the left that can come into play and a long fairway bunker on the right. The short par 3 17th is stunning, also an elevated tee and the green is set in the base of a large hill. Either of these two could be the signature holes but I think I lean toward the 6th, one of the best APCD holes I've played. Both the 9th and 18th have great views of the casino as you approach and I've chosen a screenshot of my setup to hit to the 18th green. Any doubt where the 19th hole is :^)
Test round stats: +2 57%FIR 22%GIR 23 putts. Low putt total due to always chipping from off the green and fairly close to the pin.
Comparable courses: Dove Valley Ranch by Art Patscheck, The Scorpion by John Borycheski, Troon-North by MS
Overall: Arrow Canyon Resort is another top course in the Art Patscheck portfolio. He consistently turns out some of the best user made courses available, and this one is another must download. This course will provide a stern test and showcases the powerful elevation tools in the APCD program. Where Dove Valley is a like nice, spirited horse to ride, Arrow Canyon is like a bucking bronco. You better take a cart though because if you had to lug your own clubs around in the desert heat, up and down these hills, it would make for a very tough round. Thanks much Art, I loved the wild ride.
Course Info :
Cameo Screen? Yes
Splash Screen? Yes
Text file? Yes
Hole Previews? Yes
22mb
Reviewed August 2001 |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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