Big news this week in the golf world with the announcement that Gil Hanse (Hanse Golf Course Design) was chosen to design the golf course for the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. The average Joe hasn’t heard of Hanse and he probably doesn’t care much. I was racking my brain trying to access some old files from my cranium on Hanse. I knew there was something. Once the cranial search algorithm finished I remembered that I’ve actually played a Hanse design, his home course in fact.
Applebrook Golf Club
I’ve played Hanse’s home course, Applebrook Golf Club, a few times. Many thanks to my best friend Al, who is a member there. The course is located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. I have a hard time describing what style Applebrook is because it is a combination of many styles depending on what terrain and vegetation exists on a particular hole.
10th hole at Gil Hanse designed Applebrook Golf Club – click to zoom
There’s a definite minimalist links flavor to the course with very links-style routing. There are also some holes which are tree lined and have a more parkland flavor, like the first hole. The contours of the greens extend to the areas around them, allowing for many links-style shot making options.
The short but deadly par-3 11th hole at Applebrook – click to magnify
The last time I played Applebrook I made a fantastic birdie on the incredibly difficult 18th hole. The birdie came as a result of hitting possibly 2nd best 21 degree hybrid shot I’ve ever hit to the elevated green. Why 2nd best? Read this post about the best 21 degree hybrid I ever hit, which will NEVER be topped.
Notable original designs by Gil Hanse
Castle Suart Golf Links – Inverness, Scotland
Crail Golfing Society – Craighead Links – Scotland
Rustic Canyon – Moorpark, California
Notable Hanse renovations
TPC of Boston – Norton, Massachusetts
Doral Blue Monster – Miami, Florida (home of this week’s WGC Cadillac Championship)
Monterey Peninsula Country Club – Pebble Beach, California
Notable Hanse restorations
Los Angeles Country Club – West Los Angeles, California
Sleepy Hollow – Scarborough, New York
Winged Foot Golf Club – Mamaroneck, New York
Related
Applebrook Golf Club image gallery
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
You know, other than the fact that you hit them, there is only one thing those two hybrid shots have in common. I was there for both. Maybe you should play golf with me more often, eh?
There is nobody in the world I’d rather play golf with, all due respect to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.