After a
4 year break from designing for the Links
community, Mike Jones returned with a new
creation in 2009 called Pilgrim Trails.
This is a fir tree lined course, which
remains quite open visually in true Mike
Jones fashion and creates picture
landscapes of sweeping fairways bending
around the tree borders and followed by
winding paths. The colouration here is
distinctive, as dark red blueberry bushes
in bloom cover the overgrown areas both
around the greens and under the trees.
Textures and blending are immaculate and
realistic, creating worn and dry patches
under the trees and around key areas of
the course. Planting here remains
exceptional and natural and the various
buildings hidden away in the trees are
superb. A less dramatic course design
that some previously released but
definately one of Mike's most realistic.
Four
Favourite Holes
Hole 10
- This is a 450 yard par 4 with a split
fairway offering two routes into the
green. The right side wider fairway
offers the easier tee shot but then
angles the approach into the green over a
steep guarding leftbunker, which will
make any front pins very difficult to get
close to. The right hand fairway requires
a longer initial tee shot and brings a
series of central bunkers into play, but
then opens up a more direct route to the
flag. A great choice off the tee and a
hole where bunkers will often play their
part.
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Pilgrim
Trails (10th hole)
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Hole 11
- The only par 5 that offers a realistic
two shot strategy, but at 590 yards it is
right on the limit. You need to drive at
full power between a narrowing area
between two fairway bunkers to hope to
reach this is two. Even then the approach
shot is full of danger with a left hand
lake waiting to catch you and front
bunkers on either side. This is a
picturesque green, backed by a lovely red
roofed outbuilding. A great hole with
strategic options.
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Pilgrim
Trails (11th hole)
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Hole 14
- Out of a series of exceptionally good
par 3's this is my favourite on the
course. It is not the toughest at 160
yards, but does fully shows off the
greatness of the course design. A raised
green which slopes down and away to the
left hand side where the wild undergrowth
planting is simply exceptional. A bent
tree here just adds that extra touch of
realism. The green is surrounded by
bunkers and in the wind this may prove a
tough proposition, but most often is
realistically a potential birdie chance.
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Pilgrim
Trails (14th hole)
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Hole 16
- There is little water in play at
Pilgrim Trails but a lake does wrap
around the edge of the 16th green and
17th tee area. The 16th is a par 4 at 460
yards, and the hole can be tricky indeed,
especially if you dont find the fairway
off the tee will. Your approach here is
difficult coming over a large bunker with
water down the left, and a left sided
back pin will be particularly interesting
and troublesome. A simple yet interesting
and lovely looking hole.
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Pilgrim
Trails (16th hole)
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Pilgrim Trails is
the longest course design by Mike Jones,
and this is particularly bourne out by
the long par 5's which on the whole need
to be considered 3 shot strategies. The
par 3's on the other hand are of mixed
length varying between 150 yards and 250
yards. Visually this course is natural
and appealing, the bright colouration
from the blueberry bushes adding depth
and beauty to the images. The lay out is
always interesting with doglegs, slopes,
natural hazards and a need to stay
focused. Whilst tree lined, there is
generally plenty of run off areas into
the rough before your view is blocked and
the bunkers are plentiful so dont be
surprised if these feature heavily in
your round. An exceptional design of a
quality that can only be produced by a
designer with no less than 14 top class
designs to his name. Will the story
continue ? I certainly hope so.........
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