I can' speak for Park des Familles, but...
My first go at Harmony Bends was in galoshes. Several times the water was deep enough to have flowed inside any pair of mid-top hikers I own. Flooded and all, I simply couldn't escape the fact that it was still the best course I'd ever played.
I'm very glad I made it out about a year later for a 2nd round, in nice weather.
Houck is a master designer who seems to get really nice property and decent resources for his courses (at least the Houck courses I've played). When a designer that good gets a nice parcel
and the resources to really do something with it - count me in.
As long as it doesn't pour while I'm playing... I'd rather play a truly special course (4.5 - 5.0) course in crap conditions, than another 3.0-3.5 course in better conditions. Presented with the alternative of a 4.0 in decent conditions, I'd opt for that... but going out of my way to bag another 3.0 - 3.5? I'd rather play the more spectacular course in sub-optimal condition.
Guess it all depends on what aspects of the game you really enjoy and/or hate.
$9 galoshes at Menards
