6 Replies to “Updates to Seth Raynor Page”

  1. Ron Sternal says:

    Mike,

    This is great stuff. You really put a lot of time, effort and love into it, and it shows. I can’t wait to play keeping in mind all the history and knowledge you’ve so generously shared.
    Thank you,

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Thanks for the comments Ron, glad you enjoyed it. Classic GC architecture is fasinating and exciting, especially when you work on a truly rare piece of work like MH. Glad you’ll take a look at the property differently come spring, that’s a good thing!
      Thanks,
      Mike

  2. Paul Kirkegaard says:

    Your photos and explanations make me want to help make our course more like Seth Rayner would have wanted it. We are indeed fortunate to have you and your deep understanding of Mr. Rayner’s concepts with us at MHCC. I’m eager to see how the course improves in the future. Thanks for writing your blog!

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Thanks Paul for your comments. I am by no means a Raynor expert, only a student of classic golf course architecture. Of all the classic designers, I think Raynor’s designs were by far the most unique and fun to play/experience. We are fortunate to have a rare piece of history. I’m also looking forward to future improvements!
      Thanks,
      Mike

  3. Dan Kelly says:

    Great stuff, Mike. Thanks.

    I hope that, sooner or later, all of the members will look at this page and deepen their understanding of what we have (and COULD have) at Midland Hills.

    Midland Hills should be in EVERYONE’s Top 10 courses in the Twin Cities. It isn’t, yet — but given your excellent stewardship and a commitment from the membership, it eventually will be.

    As you know, I’m all-in when it comes to restoring lost features that would improve our golf course. We’re on the way to doing that, slowly.

    Speaking only for myself, of course: I hope we can pick up the pace over the next few years. I hope we can arrange to build a new No. 1 and a new No. 18 — the two holes that I think most people would agree are the weakest, least Raynor-ish on the property. They are not the only non-original holes, but they are the sore thumbs.

    One thing I’m wondering about is this: How much of the intended green edges and fairway edges can be recaptured by changing the mowing lines today?

    On No. 2, for example: Could you mow out to the intended edge on the right side of the green? Or is that a sod project?

    And on No. 17 behind the right greenside bunker: Major sod project?

    Those are just two examples that came to mind. Happy to hear your thoughts on this question throughout the golf course.

    Thanks again.

    Dan

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Dan,

      Thanks for your comments and interest.

      I agree with your statement about MH being something special and unique, we need more momentum and interest, but the results could be spectacular!

      All green edge work would have to be sodding projects, some more complex than others.

      Fairway work, for the most part, is scalping down the turf and converting it to the desired variety through inter-seeding. Having an experienced Seth Raynor architect who has recaptured mowing lines through a restoration is the best plan of action, to ensure it’s done correctly the first time, is what’s been done successfully at clubs that have restored such features.

      There’s a lot of potential at MH to become something very unique, fun and exciting, even more than there is today. We just need to unlock it!

      Thanks,
      Mike

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