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LPC at Cranberry
by Chris Topf
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 783 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-02-07 |
33,951,732 bytes |
72 |
7177 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
lpc_cranberry_ver2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 4c8762831c0a11d69f0f00a0cc7812d5 |
8f218780a4c881c4eb3411e7e572384c |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Mike Nifong
February 2002
Additional Review by Dave Campbell
LPC @ Cranberry was originally released to the Links Corner on October 29, 2001, after having been in production for nearly a year and undergoing two beta tests. Despite all the efforts Chris took to get his first course right, linksters who downloaded it soon reported a problem that resulted in the game crashing if the tee shot on #18 was delayed for more than about fifteen seconds. Dave Campbell also remarked on this phenomenon in his Links Corner official review in January 2002. After learning of this problem, Chris removed a planted sound from #18 and re-released the course as Version 2.
According to the accompanying read-me file, no other changes were made to the course. Partly for that reason, and partly because Dave's review was very thorough and touched on all the points I would have wanted to make about LPC @ Cranberry, I have not undertaken a complete review. Instead, I have restricted my comments to the efficacy of the repair effort and my concluding remarks and overall evaluation score. I urge you to read Dave's review for the details.
First, the good news. Removing the planted sound seems to have fixed #18. It no longer crashes, even if you delay your tee shot for sixty seconds.
Now for the not so good news. When I hit my tee shot on #13 over the deep fairway bunker and got the favorable kick on the backside, I found that, with a tailwind, I was a little too close to hit a 3W to the green. I chose the 5W instead and moved it back a couple of clicks for a little extra distance. When I then prepared to shoot my shot, the game crashed and gave this error message: 'Language.dll: 10012 Not defined.' I restarted the game and was sent back to the fairway on #13. Again, I changed to a 5W and adjusted the setup. Again the game crashed, with the same message. I restarted, was returned to the #13 fairway, and this time hit the default 3W. No problem. I finished the round without further incident, then went back to play just #13 in practice mode. When I tried to adjust the setup for my second shot, the game crashed again.
Because of the error message, I theorized that the problem was another planted sound that only caused trouble if the second shot were delayed (as was the case when I switched clubs and adjusted the setup). To test this theory, I went back to #13, hit my tee shot, hit continue, and waited. After about 15 or 20 seconds, the game crashed (I got the same result from the island fairway as well). I hate to rain on your parade, Chris, but.
The bottom line: An attractive, well-constructed course that plays a little on the easy side in moderate conditions for pro clickers, LPC @ Cranberry falls a little short of the current elite in terms of uniqueness and personality. A pleasant golfing experience if you don't take too much time getting off your second shot on #13, but not essential. Under the circumstances, you may want to wait to see if there will be a Version 3 before you attempt a download.
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Dave Campbell Original Review (Jan 2002)
Expectations: The name doesn't bring anything to mind specifically, so I venture forward with a sense of adventure. I do get a hint of a European feel, not sure why.
First Impressions: This course is the first design submitted to the Links Corner by Chris and was posted in October 2001. It includes a particularly nice rich text format Word document complete with hole preview type pictures. Very well, done, and it is apparent that this design has been a labor of love for Chris, as it was almost a year in the making. It is a fictional par 72 that measures 7,177 yards from the back tees with all tee choices available. It utilizes the Whistler panorama and has some incredible elevations so it qualifies as a mountain course, but the plot itself is very wide open. He has provided hole previews as well as planted crowds and tournament objects. As I mentioned he has seen to every detail, and has produce a well-rounded design. Let dig in to the good stuff.
Playability: Chris has really done himself proud with LPC @ Cranberry. It has an obvious attention to detail, and does not look or play like a first design. In his readme Chris mentions that the design gets stronger as the course goes on (as he honed his APCD skills), and how he tried to make sure he went back and 'tidied' up the original holes. I can tell you that it appears crisp and clean from hole #1 and to be honest, some of my favorite holes were on the front 9. The layout is great, challenging in design and not trickery. The course seems fresh the whole round and the use of elevations is superb, and very drastic and stunning at times. Three of the four par 5's are reachable in 2 and this course can be scored upon if you execute. But the constant elevations from tee to green will keep you honest, and you'll be puzzling over many a shot. Some long par 4's will have you playing for par a few times but it is a good mix of hard, medium and easier holes . just the way it should be. And the layout is believable and well thought out, which is the most important thing of all.
The tee boxes look good and are all very open. I spied the ever-present ball washers, cart paths and any number of spectators and tournament objects. As mentioned all five tee choices are available and you can shave 1,000 yards off the course length hitting from the women's tees. The fairways make good targets and you best stay on the short stuff if you can. Chris has provided a rough fringe around all fairways but deep grass waits just beyond, and a trip there will have you just scrambling to make your par. You'll have to deal with some form of elevation throughout the round, and you'll be adjusting clubs and shot setup often. There are some very nice views on this course (see screenshots), as Chris has put together a pleasing layout and gets the most out of the elevations.
There are hazards here even with the openness of the course. Many bunkers in all the normal places, and many creeks wind their way through the design. On more than one hole the creeks front the greens, forcing you to pull enough club out of your bag or risk the consequences. He has used some of the water to protect the back of a few greens too so be wary. And the constant elevations and use of rock are very good, and are most pleasing to the eye. Just need to highlight the rockwork, the design is replete with little outcrops and cliffs and Chris has executed this very nicely. Very believable and it really adds something to the design.
The elevations continue through the greens but not to an unnatural degree. They are a good test and seemed fair to me. They come in all shapes and sizes and you will have many elevated approach shots, both ways. Chris has forced many accurate approaches by placing hazards for and aft but it is done correctly in my opinion. You really need to be accurate though or your round could blow up quickly.
Many objects are placed as I've already mentioned and all are tastefully done. I heard thunder on the 2nd green (which is elevated . scary . get that club out of your hand) and a jet on the 5th tee. Like I said, the attention to detail is wonderful, planting is thematic and well done. Many little wild waste areas about that look VERY good. All in all an outstanding first effort.
Drawbacks: After playing this course I went to the LC forum and found a thread commenting on this course crashing on the 18th tee. I experienced this every time myself, unless you hurry your tee shot. If you wait about 15 seconds the game halts and the error dialog box states 'language.dll Not Defined'. As of the writing of this review I have not seen a response so I don't know why it is happening. I suspect a planted sound but I'm not sure. It's too bad because the 18th tee box is elevated and beautiful, a spectacular looking hole. But you'll need to hit your shot fast or it will bomb. This problem needs to be fixed; as this course deserves to play cleanly . it is too well conceived to not have this taken care of. Is there a designer willing to look at it? Don't have the skills myself or I would. Chris Topf?
This is just a personal thing here. I don't like the look of the stock 'deep grass' texture. The punishing deep stuff is ok, even this close to the fairway since the fairways are pretty wide. Just the look, a nice custom texture would have been nice.
Several tee boxes are extruded straight up with a 'can' look' to them. A good wood plank mapping is on the sides but I just think it doesn't look natural myself. Well done but takes a little away IMO.
Best Hole: I'll say that all are good, nicely laid out and highly playable. The 2nd and 18th holes are both sweet par 5's. The par 3's a beautiful and varied. I think I'll choose the 403-yard par 4 5th hole. I think the screenshot says it all. Lovely elevations and rockwork. Nice bunkers and green and the approach shot shows much of the land plot. Great hole as they all are.
Overall: I think you can tell that I really like this design, one of the most enjoyable rounds I've played in recent memory. Chris has produced something special here and if this is a first design, I'd look for some big things from him down the line . wow. If it weren't for that darn 18th tee crash problem I'd have nothing to complain about. Sure would be worth the time to find and fix that problem. Keep your eyes in the review or course forums to see if anyone can figure out what's going on. Even so I would suggest everyone take a look at this course, well worth the download time. You just may want to make sure that a ver.2 isn't on its way first. Thanks for this one Chris; I anxiously await your next effort.
Splash Screen- Yes
Cameo Image- Yes
Course Readme File- Yes
Hole Previews - Yes |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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