Autumn Valley was my second course that was released way back in September 2001.

It was designed using the 1.1 version of the APCD. So there are no goodies like texture blending.

At the time of release the 2001 version of Links did not have object shadows either, making for rather lifeless looking courses. At the time I started on the design there was a distinct lack of Autumn based designs, and with shadows not being present, I thought it would be a good idea to have the planting set to and Autumn feel to give a bit of colour. The texture set created was to reflect this time of year with a rather burnt (after a long summer) appearance.

I am still reasonably happy with the layout of the front nine. It offers the feeling that it could actually exist somewhere in the world. But the back nine, I am not happy with at all. I can’t remember names, but I remember someone describing the course as Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde. I would tend to agree. As with Kylane, I would love to revisit with the newer APCD 1.5 and give it a huge makeover. I had started redesigning a few holes on the back, but soon realized a huge redesign would be needed.

So at this time it has been put on the back burner awaiting some inspiration.

Please read the review to give some insight as to how the course was received at the time of release.

Autumn Valley by Wayne Hewitt is the best course I got asked to beta test and never did, because I couldn't get the D/L to work. However, when the course hit the streets I was # 1395 to down load it. Now more then ever do I wish I had gotten an earlier chance to play this course. This is by far one of the best APCD course out there. This is a fictional course in a parkland setting, and the list of extras is huge, but here we go.

Course statistics; Par 72, 7037 Yards, 5 Tees.

Goodies : Hole previews, custom objects, custom tees, custom flags, custom textures, custom sounds, and a unique feel (I consider that a goodie). About the only thing missing is tournament objects and crowds.

The hole previews are well done. Wayne also took the time to make these hole previews into custom 2D objects off of each tee, very nice. The custom 2D objects seemed to be all over the place, bridges, and hole signs, trashcans, tee markers, and flags. All of the objects were very well done and placed. Never once did it feel there were too many or not enough, the balance was perfect. The well done added cart paths and fences complete the real course feel.

As for the textures, again just brilliant some of the best I have seen, the fairways, greens and rough all have a look of late summer/early fall.

The custom sounds blend into the course and give it a nice feel. I would also like to point out to Wayne that the sound volumes were well done. Designers please note that on some newer courses recently released the sound levels are way too loud! Sounds should blend in, and just be part of the course, not slap you in the face and make you jump out of your chair when a sound appears.

As for the unique feel this course offers, is the views and color. Everything about this course feels like playing golf in the early fall, hence the name Autumn Valley. The coloring and the lighting were just incredible. The best way I could describe it was playing the course is it felt more like a walk in the fall in a park, then it did playing golf. I looked forward to every new hole just so could see what my next view would be.

Okay I have raved about the beauty of this course. How did it play? Outstanding, there were good risk/reward shots, and the fairways were wide for clickers and ps players. Most, but not all the greens are medium sized, and presented a good, but not overly hard putting challenge. Most of the greens are sloped and will reward a well-placed approach shot. The bunkers were well placed, and just like the rest of the course they blended in and stand out as some of the best out there. The planting also deserves notice because of how well done it was. It looked natural and completely in tune with the autumn colors.

One thing I thought was unique were holes #12 and #13, both of these were back to back Par 3’s which I have not seen on two many courses. This gave the course a nice fresh feel. Also I would say #13 is the signature hole. As stated it is a Par 3, which plays over water to green in the middle of a lake. What makes this hole stand out, is the graphic work Wayne did by spelling Autumn Valley on the edge of the lake with his planting.

The front nine only has one Par 5, and it is not reachable in two. In fact this hole almost forces the player’s second shot to be about a 190-yard lay up, leaving you still about 80 yards to the green. The 10th hole is also a Par 5 and is reachable in two, but the green is small and sloped, which makes the holding the green very hard. The 14th Par 5 is not reachable in two, but the 16th is, but again the risk of shooting over the lake is pretty high. Also the green here is big, and so getting on the green in two could leave you with a very long, eagle putt.

In short this is a must have for anyone looking to see a great example of how powerful the APCD truly is. This is a beautiful course, with a great look. The course plays great, and because of the challenges of the par 5’s, scoring real low will be a good challenge. All the extras Wayne added, and incredible attention to detail, go way beyond making this course a lifetime keeper.