Banff Redux & Tunnel Mountain

[MIB_CTGOLF]

Beautiful well made course, but flat and boring

[guitarget2019]

As I played this superb recreation, it occurred to me several times that the actual place must be mostly amazing. How do you get any golf played when all you want to do is take a seat, stir your drink, and watch the scenery?

[guitarget2019]

Do both courses really have nearly identical 4th holes?

[Colin Jones]

Do both courses really have nearly identical 4th holes?

Hey mate, thanks so much for your nice words. I agree that it seems to be a beautiful part of the world. Need to get there one day although not in winter for this Gold Coaster!

In answer to your question: The plan was to try complete as much work as possible on all 27 holes, before Thompson had to then also become Tunnel. Thats the fork in the road and you hope (pray) that Thompson is actually complete as you hit Save As. From then on, because the first nine holes are the same, changes made to the first 9 of the Tunnel Mountain crz would also have to be done again to the Thompson file. And for some things, e.g. major planting changes, you probably couldn't make exactly the same anyway.

As it turns out, the seats in the tee areas were last-minute additions (just happened to see them in some recent Banff visitor photos last week). Had to create them all twice, one for each file. Also a late inclusion were alot of the spindly pines (trying to replicate the native lodgepoles) which I also decided needed to be added throughout. I had originally decided against them because they were "old" objects.

So, yes, the 4th on both courses is basically the same if you compare them side-by-side. But the seat might appear to be slightly different and also that the trees to the back and side of the green might vary a little. I reckon you'd need some sort of superhuman photographic memory to pick it up tho! :)

[Jimbo]

As I played this superb recreation, it occurred to me several times that the actual place must be mostly amazing. How do you get any golf played when all you want to do is take a seat, stir your drink, and watch the scenery?

Guys-there are so many great mountain courses in Alberta (not to mention BC)-we also have Silvertip that Brooksie was "this close" to finalizing.

As I said, Thompson also designed Banff's sister course in Jasper-another beautiful resort course, slightly more "foresty" and plays around a small lake but with great mountain views and an interesting bell feature...and it managed to avoid the damage that devistated the town on the other side of the street. As resort courses they're not as difficult as they are scenic...but they are VERY scenic!

There have been recent updates regarding the rebuilding of Jasper-I'll update my Jasper thread...guarded optimism!

[Jimbo]

I think that we can say that this is the end of Banff APCD designs. You've hit this one "Out of Banff National Park". And I have to make a comment on the clubhouse...well, what can I say?

I also noted that our long-time fellow Linkster Armond was involved too...if you have local talent ya might as well!

Hi Armond-it's been a while...the hair isn't growing back the way it used to!
How about you?

[guitarget2019]

Just posted two images of both 4th holes on the Links Corner FB page. Hmmm....

[Colin Jones]

Don't have FB access. You'll need to explain.

[Jimbo]

As I played this superb recreation, it occurred to me several times that the actual place must be mostly amazing. How do you get any golf played when all you want to do is take a seat, stir your drink, and watch the scenery?

You have to remember a couple of things:

With respect to courses like Banff and Jasper they're both "resort" courses and not meant for pro competition-the scenery is the selling point.
These courses are very old-7,000 yards wasn't even a dream back then.
Only a couple of Thompson's courses are 7,000 yards-St. George's being the best known.

Anyway Banff is only one of his many Canadian masterpieces and fortunately there's a good representation here.

And when you turn the corner and see the hotel...
One of the great moments on any course!

[Anguis]

Thank you!!