thanks for the comments guys. Im not sure why the course looks dark, especially hole 1, but it looks that way on my pc as well.
I think jmwall is correct, I may have used a few trees or bushes from an earlier version of the game, the reason for that was to capture the actual look and feel of the public course which I have come to love over the years. That may be the reason for the darkness on the course. but this course, even though it is a little shorter, and more forgiving with larger fairways and greens, has always been my favorite after playing it nearly every week for about 20 years, and in the design of it since it was a labor of love, I was more concerned with getting the look and feel correct than the lighting.
I do apologize for the lighting issues, though, and wish there were more options when it comes to planting a course, but due to the limitations of the course architect I couldnt find any way around it.
Marcus

played a few holes last night, looked fine to me. im running a geforce card. the course does indeed have the look and feel of a public course, nice job marcus.

Looks like a nice course only trouble, it is so dark with shadows on the 1st hole ..tried to adjust the graphics but no luck really so abandoned it, can you give me any pointers to overcome this? thanks.