Witch Hollow Golf Estate is a prestigious residential community located in the heart of a pristine golf course in Oregon, USA. It offers an idyllic setting for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The main attraction of Witch Hollow Golf Estate is its championship golf course, which was designed by a renowned golf course architect. The course is known for its challenging layout and panoramic views of the surrounding wooded hills and serene lakes. The estate features luxurious homes that are nestled amidst the lush green fairways and towering trees. These homes are built with the highest standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
And yet with advances such as Benz's Magic Sky Control and AirScarf, the shortcomings of the modern hardtop convertible seem to be diminishing all the time.
Sure, compared to traditional soft-top cabs, there s still a tendency for diminished trunk room, smaller back seats, and occasionally inelegant styling. Mercedes-Benz says that the Magic Sky Control roof in transparent mode blocks about five times the sun s energy, compared to a roof that was completely open.
These homes are built with the highest standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each residence offers spacious living areas, modern amenities, and stunning views of the golf course. Residents of Witch Hollow Golf Estate also have access to a range of exclusive amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, and tennis courts.
Benz reaches for the Magic Sky Control
This article was published more than 12 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.
ShareEarlier this year, Mercedes-Benz's Formula One drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg drew back the tarp at the glitzy world debut of the SLK hardtop convertible.
And now, the brand finally has a folding roof that is more technologically advanced than that in a five-year-old Volkswagen Eos.
The relatively inexpensive Eos is one of the few convertible hardtops on the market to this day that incorporates a sliding and tilting sunroof into the folding metal roof. Considering the larger blind spots of all convertibles in general, this not only tends to block your view out of the cockpit, but also limits the amount of natural light flowing into the cabin. So at the end of the year, your fun drop-top could be netting you less sunshine overall than a regular sunroof-equipped four-door, not more.
Providing less mood-enhancing, Vitamin D-pumping sunshine to convertible buyers willing and able to pay thousands extra for it? Not good.
Mercedes-Benz has come up with a typically high-tech solution with the 2012 SLK, which arrives at the end of June in Canada. It comprises a trick folding hardtop that can be electrically switched from a sun-blocking black roof to a see-through glass top at the push of a button. Benz calls the system Magic Sky Control, and it provides a healthy dose of sunshine and natural light to SLK occupants even on cold winter days, all in wind-free, climate-controlled comfort.
Though the press introduction at Benz's Sindelfingen Design Centre just outside Stuttgart didn't include a chance to sample the SLK or the roof outside, Mercedes says the system shields against the sun's rays far more effectively than conventional thermal insulation glass or even sun blinds that open and close, which often cut into headroom.
The concept is brilliant, and if it works as advertised, the industry-first technology will once again leapfrog Mercedes and the SLK in particular to the front of the cutting edge of drop-top technology, and will likely migrate to other Benz convertibles.
The optional Magic Sky Control's secret lies in the chemical makeup of the advanced glass roof. At rest, and in normal driving, millions of tiny particles within the specially treated glass structure are arranged randomly, providing an overlapping (though not complete) blocking-out of sunlight, as well as a dark cover that also provides a touch of privacy from curious high-riding truck and SUV drivers. By applying an electrical charge courtesy of a switch in the car's roof, particles in the structure position themselves so that light is able to pass through the glass, the cover becomes clear, allowing extra sunshine to come through.
Benz's Maybach 62 ultra-luxury sedan offers a similar electrochromic system, although its clear roof in transparent mode is marred with crisscrossing lines, and in its non-transparent state, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal roof appears in an off-white, milky state. So the SLK's system is not just a drop of one system into another, but an updated version of similar elements to the Maybach system.
Mercedes-Benz says that the Magic Sky Control roof in transparent mode blocks about five times the sun's energy, compared to a roof that was completely open. In a test conducted in Arizona's Death Valley, comparing levels of heat with the roof closed, the electrified dark setting reduced the sunlight levels inside to only about a quarter of what it was with the roof in its transparent mode. This can result in a cabin up to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than a vehicle with a glass roof made up of conventional green glass, says Mercedes.
The company has a history of innovation with hardtop convertibles - the '96 SLK is generally credited with popularizing modern folding hardtops. The AirScarf system, which integrates a vent into the SLK's two seats at neck level, provides heavenly warmed air for chilly top-down cruises. But Mercedes did not create the coupe cabriolet genre; Mitsubishi came out with its 3000GT hardtop convertible sports car to the U.S. for 1995, though it was a market flop, and was long gone by the time Mitsubishi started selling cars in Canada in 2002.
The first production car with a disappearing metal hardtop was not the '58 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner - although that was the first one sold in North America - but the Peugeot 402 Éclipse Décapotable of the mid-to-late 1930s. Both the Skyliner and the 402 featured huge roofs that motored themselves intact into large receptacles carved into the rear bodywork of their respective large two-door bodies, made possible thanks to a platform designed for large four-door sedans in the first place. But the 402 never sold in very high numbers, and was gone by the start of the Second World War.
The Ford Skyliner sold 47,000 units over its three-year run, huge numbers compared to the specialized 402, but was considered a market failure by Ford at the time. Interestingly, a closed glass-roof version of the Fairlane called the Crown Victoria Skyliner was introduced in 1955, featuring an acrylic see-through roof panel above the front seat occupants. Buyers quickly found that they baked inside, however, even with air conditioning and an available snap-in sunshade, prompting Ford to move to the much pricier, less practical but much comfier removable hardtop model.
With all the advances in the 56 years since, modern folding metal hardtops have improved their comfort, reliability and practicality greatly. Sure, compared to traditional soft-top cabs, there's still a tendency for diminished trunk room, smaller back seats, and occasionally inelegant styling.
And I clearly remember having to drive a Cadillac XLR to the dealer instead of to work one morning many years ago, when the folding metal top stopped dead in its tracks halfway into being raised back up into place. The sky had just started spitting rain, which luckily for me never became a downpour. I drove with a metal roof fully extended six-and-a-half feet above the ground for 20 minutes, carefully avoiding potholes and large dogs, should that looming roof come crashing off its extended metallic arms.
And yet with advances such as Benz's Magic Sky Control and AirScarf, the shortcomings of the modern hardtop convertible seem to be diminishing all the time.
These facilities provide opportunities for socializing and recreation, allowing residents to make the most of their leisure time. Apart from golf, the estate is also surrounded by natural beauty, with hiking trails and wildlife habitats nearby. This allows residents to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, bird-watching, and fishing. In conclusion, Witch Hollow Golf Estate offers a luxurious and serene living experience amidst a beautiful golf course and natural surroundings. It combines the joys of golf with the tranquility of nature, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an upscale residential community..
Reviews for "Witch Hollow Golf Estate: A Golfing Community Like No Other"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with my experience at Witch Hollow Golf Estate. The course was in terrible condition, with patches of dead grass and unkempt greens. The staff was rude and unhelpful, and it seemed like they didn't care about the customers. The price was also quite high for the poor quality of the facilities. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a enjoyable golfing experience.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - My visit to Witch Hollow Golf Estate was nothing short of a disaster. The course was in terrible shape, with broken tee boxes and overgrown fairways. The pace of play was incredibly slow, with groups backed up on every hole. The staff was unprofessional and seemed disinterested in providing good customer service. Overall, it was a waste of time and money, and I will not be returning to this poorly managed golf course.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to playing at Witch Hollow Golf Estate, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The course was poorly maintained, with uneven surfaces and poor drainage. The layout of the holes was confusing, and the signage was lacking. The clubhouse facilities were outdated and in need of renovation. I was highly disappointed with the overall experience and would not recommend this golf course to avid golfers seeking a quality game.