I certainly don't want to imply that his designs are not tremendous, but there's no doubt that a golf course owner/operator has to pay attention to maintenance demands, especially a daily-fee operator. Where features are imposed on the available land rather than already existing, such as the two mounds on the holes at Tobacco Road and RNK discussed in this thread, there are a lot of extra maintenance costs on top of the extra costs in construction.
Both Stonehouse and Royal New Kent show that if there is insufficient play on the course, the maintenance costs can be overwhelming. Before it closed the first time, I played a rundown Stonehouse. It was clear the course needed to close as it had fallen dramatically from the early years when it was open.
Of course, that is a theme for any golf course, no matter its initial construction or maintenance costs, but the expectations are greater the more the greens fee you pay.
More Stranz talk in this video.
JKH75 is in there. Jimmy B used to be in MBGT.
They should include Brain in these Golf Ambassador thoughts.
https://www.playgolfmyrtlebeach.com/news/myrtle-beach-golf-ambassadors-favorite-course-designers/
*** Please Show Your Appreciation For MB Advice/Info In MBGT With Your Course or Trip Report! ***
Mike Strantz was mentionned 3 times in this video amongst those persons interviewed for to know who is the best golf course architect for Myrtle Beach. These golf courses has been mentionned amongst those were Strantz has been involved: Caledonia, True Blue, Heritage and Parkland. Parkland was mentionned many times and i am not surprised. However, his involvement was minimal- just the bunkering- as it has been mentionned in this forum. Sadly, i think that most of his heritage there has been destroyed when they remade the bunkers some years ago.
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
I recently had the pleasure of playing Black Diamond Ranch in Florida. Some holes on the Quarry Course, particularly the quarry holes, look to me as though they came out of the Mike Stranz playbook. I know he worked for Tom Fazio early in his career. I believe Black Diamond was first routed in 1984? Could that have been Stranz's work? If not, I believe he had an influence on the Fazio design. It is a great course and dramatic layout. Sound's like Stranz!
Commuter between North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
According to this article, Strantz had certainly a strong influence at the Quarry course of Black Diamond: https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/articles/the-mike-strantz-golf-courses-you-had-no-idea-existed
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
