Grid: 15 minutes; meta: 15 more
Patrick Berry’s Wall Street Journal contest crossword, “Back Nine” — Conrad’s writeup.
This week we’re looking for a term related to golf. There were four long theme entries. I looked for backwards entries (based on the title) and quickly found them. Each themer contained backwards words, nine in total:
- [17a: Perfect for the purpose]: MADETOORDER -> RED ROOT EDAM
- [34a: Countertop materials]: LAMINATES -> SET ANIMAL
- [39a: Shipboard vermin, or what pirates call their enemies]: BILGERATS -> STARE GLIB
- [57a: FedEx vehicle]: DELIVERYVAN -> NAVY REVILED
WSJ Contest – 09.30.22 – solution
Each backwards word started a clue. Here are the matching grid entries, in across then down order:
- [15a: Edam, for one]: CHEESE
- [38a: Set (down)]: LAID
- [44a: Navy Vessel letters]: USS
- [1d: Animal on California’s flag]: BEAR
- [3d: Reviled]: HATED
- [33d: Stare rudely at]: OGLE
- [44d: Glib-tongued]: URBANE
- [49d: Root location] SCALP
- [52d: Red muppet]: ELMO
The mapped grid entries spell CLUBHOUSE, our contest solution. Great puzzle, and a classic Patrick Berry meta: well constructed, with trademark precision. I’m impressed that the theme entries didn’t feel forced (forwards or backwards). Solvers: please let me know what you think.
Classic Mr Berry, thank you. We got it at the 11th hour due to other distractions this weekend. A relief after drawing blanks the last few weeks.
Somehow no rabbit holes this week. Elegant construction. No notes. :)
13 grid entries involved in the meta, yet all the fill was very clean, with no junk. That’s impressive. I filled the grid in 16 minutes. It took me close to an hour to see the backwards nine words. From there, about 15 minutes to get the correct answer. I thought it was a marvelous meta.
Seemed easy, but they always do when you get them right away, and I’ll certainly take it, haven’t had a shot at the coveted mug in a few weeks. Smooth and amazing construction, agree that “elegant” describes it well.