|
The Bay of Islands
by Scott Gavenlock
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 740 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-01-17 |
25,735,104 bytes |
72 |
7182 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
OCEAN |
BayofIslandsV2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 969a376ade6140c5a5c25edb08ced8f9 |
f52f8917fcbf491f2c6c24e57618fbb0 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Chuck Clark
January 2002
Additional Review by James Wood
Background: This is the second course released by Mr. Gavenlock. His first release was TAD River, which I admit I have never played. It got a decent rating of 72 however, which is pretty good for a first try. This being his second release, and considering the fact that he did not rush it out like some of us (me included), would seem to indicate that this may be a pretty good course. This is the second version of this course to be released. The first was available only a couple of weeks previously so he could not have done too much to the course. However, when you look at the Read-Me it seems to indicate that he did many changes to this course. Mr. Gavenlock is a fast worker it seems. The Read-Me does not have any other information though, just update data on version 2. Maybe the Read-Me with version 1 had some background info on the course, but I don't have it so I don't know what to tell you. The course is listed as fictional and I read on the web board something about this course being based on an area of the west coast of Australia.
Overall Impression: Well just judging by the name I was expecting a course set amongst a bunch of islands. I really didn't expect what I saw on the first tee (see the picture above). This is a beautiful, woodland course with wild grass and lots of pine trees. It is very striking to look at. The ocean does appear after awhile and it is nicely done. Mr. Gavenlock used some of the same techniques that Mike Jones did on Pacific Breaks with the white water edges to the ocean texture. Very nicely done indeed! If he had released his course before Mike, then we would all be talking about this course and not Pacific Breaks. Ok, so maybe that is going too far, but this ocean is really nicely done as well. The ocean does not really come into play much however. You really can only dunk your ball on one hole (see below), unless you really hit some wild shots. This is a tough golf course to score on. If you get distracted by the beauty, watch out. It has very narrow fairways and highly sloping greens. You really need to think about your tee shots. Despite the narrow spots on the fairway however, there is usually some wider places to lay-up. The greens are tough, but at least they are pretty big. The bunkers were large, and boy, were they everywhere. You didn't have to try too hard to get into these monsters, but they were pretty to look at, especially when he had the deep grasses overhanging the edges.
Good Points: I really like the look and feel to this golf course. It is beautiful to see and pretty interesting to play. You need to think your way around and you really need to plan your approach shots. I love the planting on this course. The combination of deep dry-looking grasses and tall pines makes a stunning combination. The hole previews are really good too. They give you lots of good information and you really should read them before playing each hole. The pano is from Princeville (I think), but it fits ok here.
Not So Good: Well, the worst part of this course is the greens. They are way too severe. I was left with some amazing difficult putts on this course. And it wasn't just one or two greens I am talking about, it was just about all of them. I thought that the fairways were too narrow as well. I would love to see this course with a bit wider fairways and less severe greens. It would be a top ten kind of course then. I also would have liked the ocean to be in play a bit more. There were a number of holes that were near the ocean, but not really on it. The designer obviously spent a lot time building the ocean front, but did not route many holes near it. Especially considering the name, I expected the ocean to come into play a lot. Just think of Pebble Beach with the holes 50 yards from the edge of the cliffs. Not nearly as exciting is it? There were a few sharp texture edges as well that probably should have been covered up with planting, but that doesn't have anything to do with the playability. The bunkers were large and generally flat which was ok, but I did not necessarily like the texture used as lips. It was not like any bunker lip I have ever seen in real life, but again does it really matter? I think not.
Summary: To summarize, this is a beautiful golf course that is stunning to look at. It would be very highly rated if it was a little more playable. The narrow fairways and severe greens keep this course from being rated with the best. Other than that though, it is pretty darn good. I would recommend downloading it to just about everyone. It is not too big a download and has many of the same characteristics of Pacific Breaks. And it is only one third the download too! For you 56K guys, if you don't want to spend the hours getting PB then settle for Bay of Islands instead. Just expect a few tough putts though. If you really don't like severely sloping greens then you better stay away. But as long as you understand this coming in, then I would say go get it. You won't be disappointed with the look.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Wood's thoughts..
Course Overview
This is a nice looking seaside course with excellent APCD work exhibited throughout. The bunkers have been done a little differently here. There is a dirt edge that is normally seen around water hazards on some courses. This framed the bunkers and looked very nice. There was no first cut in the fairways and I think this would have been a nice addition to the fairways. Some excellent use of mounding is seen throughout the course. The planting consists mostly of grasses and scrubs and was done very well. The few objects on the course looked very good and they were right where they needed to be to add to the atmosphere.
Tips for Playing
Some holes are too narrow for the PS'er or Champ levels of play. Good examples are #13 and #16. On #13 I used a 4I to lay up short of the hazard to the left leaving a long approach shot into the green.
The greens are very severe on occasion. Particularly holes such as #12 and #17. I was left with a short putt for birdie on #17 and it was an impossible putt to make. If the ball hadn't struck the hole a 3-putt green would have been a real possibility here.
Favorite Hole
The par 3 15th has an excellent view from the tee box. I especially like the lighthouse sitting in the background.
Overall
A good layout with very good planting this course favors the Pro Clicker. The greens make scoring here a real challenge. If you happen to be a Pro Clicker than you may want to add this course to your collection. It's really very well done and it's a pleasure to play. It will test your putting skills and on occasion test your ability to hit the snaps.
I am both a player and a designer. I review courses primarily from the standpoint of fun and playability. I appreciate courses that are beautiful to look at, but first and foremost I want a fun experience. I have spent many hours designing courses myself, so I understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into the design process. Any critical comments made here are meant to be constructive and helpful.
Included/Not Included:
Cameo: Yes
Splash Screen: Yes
Hole Previews: Yes
Tee Signs: Yes
Custom Tee Markers: Yes
Custom Flags: Yes
Handicaps: Yes
Custom or Added Sounds: Yes |
|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, ocean course. |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 7/10
Those expecting islands will be disappointed. This is a surprisingly roughhewn
course meandering along coastal scrubland. Large bunkers are
judiciously placed and the string of holes along the ocean is very
impressive. But there is something missing, whether it be a trademark or a
signature hole, that unfortunately means the course is often quite
forgettable. |
Appearance 7/10
There are some worrying hard edges and poor texture choices, and the panorama is not a fit. But some serious work has gone into the
ocean-side holes, which look genuinely lovely. If only there were more. |
Playability 6/10
With narrow fairways and some near-impossible greens, Bay Of Islands could prove to be a turn-off for some. Certainly, the lack of
genuine play options and the overly penal hazarding do not incite continued play. But there are some wonderful holes, particularly on
the closing nine, and as you play your approach to the lovely 18th, you get for the first time a genuine sense of location. A shame it took
so long to arrive. |
Challenge 6/10
Some serious attention must be paid to the greens, which border on the unfair on many holes. Three-putting won't be uncommon. The
bunkering on many fairways is too harsh; the bunkers provide an obstacle rather than a penalty for going offline. Despite this, it's not a
completely impossible course, although you'd be pleased to shoot under par. |
Technical 7/10
Some of the texture transitions need to be toned down, and I would like to see a more appropriate panorama. Planting, especially at
the low level, is excellent, though, and the coastal areas reflect the large amount of work that has been put it. For a relatively flat
course, some of the elevations are somewhat jerky, nowhere more so than on and around the greens. There are flashes of technical
brilliance, for sure, but a lack of spit-and-polish. |
| Overall |
An odd and occasionally nondescript course. Punishing and rewarding by turns, it
might take several rounds to appreciate the best of these holes. |
33/50 |
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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