Apcd - 2011 Course Of The Year

This was one of the cloest run decisions i have had to make for many years and as such i decided to have a bit more fun and countdown to the final selection. The final 3 courses are so close in quality i could make an arguement for each of them to win so here is a run down of the some of the final analysis from my perspective.

The final 3.....

Start Up / Cameo Screens

The opening gambit for the design, the cameo image and in particular the start up loading screen that helps set your anticipation for what lies ahead. Its a relatively minor detail but one that when taken time and care over can add the finishing touch of quality. In this years final it is the Huntingdale action golfer image playing into the final green that really makes me eager to start playing and enjoying this course in particular.

Hole Previews

These are not something that everyone uses so again a relatively minor attribute, but if you want to play caddy style with no cameras it does help with your lines and again builds a bit more of that extra quality and atmosphere when they are done well. This was a tough call and in the end a joint decision between the digital polish of Huntingdale and the more readable Turnberry images but both are excellent.

Tournament Options

Not really a make or break attribute for me personally, but many players do love to feel they are in a competition and this option can really lift a course. Some courses really look better with this option on. In terms of the final 3 all have the option available but it is Turnberry that has the most complete and atmospheric set up with grandstands and cameras. Turnberry is definately better when the crowds are cheering you on.

Planting

We have 3 very different planting looks in play here so personal preference is going to play its part. The sparser and wilder Turnberry look, the darker palette and low ground bushiness of Duine Mara and finally the tricky to achieve tree lined blend of Huntingdale. Its too hard to say which is actually best but personally i do like the way Duine Mara somehow manages to blend a wilder look in a neat and tidy asthetic appearance.

Textures

Ground level textures and blending can really help lift the realism of a course design from a one tone grassy mat appearance into a realistic covering of worn and lush features making it look and feel right. All the courses do this job well but you have to admit that Huntingdale is one of best examples ever seen of how a patchwork of ground blends can make something look absolutely amazing.

Panorama

Sometimes a panorama is great because you dont notice it, by this i mean its a seamless join to the foregound so you dont see where it begins. Then you have opportunity to offer a spectacular moment or view that makes a course stand out from the crowd. Here the sea and background village of Duine Mara just works so well to make you feel you are looking out over a beautful location.

Real Appeal

For me this just recognises that some courses come with a background and history or maybe extensive tv coverage that makes you want to play it all the more. It isnt necessarily a fair category but does reflect the importance of a courses release to the general community, but this also comes with its own difficulty in that people look then for accuracy to the real thing. In this case its Turnberry that has the most real appeal for me..

Clubhouse / Buildings / Objects

These can make or break a course, the right building in a key place helps asthetically both visually but also as a location placeholder around which you find your direction. Duine Mara has the old ruin, Turnberry the lighthouse, and Huntingdale has the best quality clubhouse all of them plus with extra buildings in the trees and some great 3d stone objects around the tees, plus ponds and fencing just give it an edge.

Playability / Enjoyment

One of the most important atttributes of all - its no good having a great looking course if it plays unfairly and has no risk or reward or poor strategy. Fortunately none of the course here suffer at all and i find them all very enjoyable and strategically thought provoking in their own different ways. I have called them all equal in this respect albeit my own favourite types of courses to play are in general links style ones.

The final decision......

I hope my articulation of thought helps you see how close a decision this was for 2011. It just so happened that three designs were so closely matched. However a decision has to be made albeit all 3 will remain firm favourites across the links community i am sure and so the winner is.......

Huntingdale Golf Club - Jason Thorpe

Whilst i love the links designs you just cant look past all the details and superb ground textures of Huntingdale, plus it has achieved the difficult job of making a tree lined course look good and has bags of playability too. In the end i have to say the ground texture variations from lush to dry is close to groundbreaking and therefore gives it a Course Of The Year status. So a massive well done to Jason Thorpe. For my runner up i have to select the amazing tournament option play available under Turnberry which is just lovely to play in an Open style competition.

As always my desire with the site is to continue to promote Links 2003 as the best golf game and the designers we have who continue to produce amazing courses for us to play. My aim is to highlight those at the top of the game and help them to continue to push new boundaries. Thank you to everyone who follows the site.

[Links Course Profiles] [Microsoft Courses] [APCD Courses] [Course of the Year] [My Designs] [Music] [Latest News] [Board Games] [Malifaux] [Hybrid] [Doctor Who]