Golfadelphia: Philly Golf Courses (and beyond) Reviewed and Rated

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2019-03-20T19:59:00.001-04:00

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Congaree Golf Club

2019-03-11T03:11:00.002-04:00

6,410 yards from the Middle (7,725 from the Back). Slope rating N/A.

Course: In Southeast South Carolina, Congaree Golf Club is in the low country, off a rural road in Jasper County. You could drive by it endlessly without realizing it's there and this is likely on purpose. It likes to keep a low profile, yet has set out to be a little different from most other golf clubs. It wants to help. Its main focus is on philanthropy; using the passion of golf for the greater good. There are only two members of the club. Everyone else is an "ambassador," whom do not pay a traditional initiation fee upon entry. Instead, they are encouraged to donate to the charity organization associated with Congaree, the Congaree Foundation. The ambassadors are also encouraged to be active in helping youths, whom could be local or abroad. This is centered on not only developing them into golfers, but sharing life experiences and advice, all of it focused on preparing and assisting these kids for college and beyond. It's about helping local schools and the community. It's about creating a philanthropic organization that wants to reach out locally, as well as globally. So while the club is low profile and the entrance is fairly clandestine, this is not because the club wants to keep to itself; indeed, anything but.

In addition to the altruistic founding of the club, there happens to be a golf course that is stunning. Designed by Tom Fazio, it's unlike any course of his that I have played or seen. While Fazio has characterized it as a, "low country Shadow Creek," I think the expansive and sweeping nature of the course sets it well apart from Shadow Creek or most low country courses. Firm and fast conditions are also much different than the lushness that typifies a lot of courses in the area, which gives the course a wealth of strategy. Alistair Mackenzie once said the best holes are the ones you can play with a putter. Aside from the forced carries off the tee, that holds true for several of the holes here. Not only does the course invite use of the ground game early and often but there are several angles and lines off the tee and into the greens because of these conditions. The vast bunkers, both rising and below the fairways and greens, add to this emphasis on the terrain by flowing directly into them, similar to how the edges of the bunkers at Royal Melbourne are cut. Water and wetlands are in play on a number of holes as well, making it imperative to have control of the aerial game. Massive oak trees dictate lines and angles to the green as well, yet allow recovery shots from around and under them. During my time there, I marveled at how Fazio incorporated the natural features here so flawlessly.

Alas, Mackenzie also said that the chief object of every golf course architect worth his salt is to imitate the beauties of nature so closely as to make his work indistinguishable from nature itself. Well, Fazio certainly accomplished that here. Dirt was moved, land reshaped; even the oak trees were placed, fully grown, where they are. Keeping with the quote theme, someone in the industry once told me it takes a lot of work to make it look like it's been there forever. That was certainly the case here. And it was so well done that it certainly had me fooled until I got back home and read how the course was built.

Perhaps that's the similarity with Shadow Creek; the ability to imitate, "the beauties of nature" so well that it becomes indistinguishable from the real thing. At this point, it's easy to conflate characterizations of course design. To me, naturalism in terms of a golf course gets complicated, since even the most natural course in the world takes a good deal of manpower to have it become, and remain, a golf course. So the appearance of natural features as the Good Doctor alludes to has always been more significant, and how those natural features are incorporated into the design and play; in short, the interaction of nature during the round. There's an argument that Fazio improved on the natural features, resulting in a much better course than a more minimalist approach would have yielded. That may have very well been the point. Fazio has been a mainstay in golf course architecture for decades and while minimalists like Doak and Coore/Crenshaw have risen in notoriety and shined the spotlight on the minimalist style in general, Congaree could be seen as an expression; that it's more about the vision and talents of the designer than it is about the style, era or terrain of the course. While there is no dispute that the Old Course is the best example of the merits of minimalism, Fazio makes the point there is certainly more than one way to achieve really, really, good golf.

Congaree is also very good at being very challenging while still being very fun. Firm and fast is a big factor here as well as the number of strategic options. I'll get into more detail on this as I go through the holes, but a skilled golfer will find the course difficult while someone of much less skill can get around just as well, albeit differently. But it's what the course asks of you and endless possibilities of shots that makes it fun. I also found it to be a very good match play course. There are opportunities for equalizers as I like to call them, where a golfer with one strong skill set will not be able to hide the other aspects of their game for long, yet will also find their chances to capitalize.

It's certainly unique. I found it to be a combination of Pine Valley, Pinehurst and Royal Melbourne. Pine Valley for the challenge, variety and topography; Pinehurst for the visuals, angles and interaction between the fairway and greens; and Melbourne for the bunkers and their interaction with the fairways. While at first blush it may appear as a low country course that's lush enough for an aerial attack to each green, the movement of the fairways and greens makes it much more complex than that. The course also does not have rough, which enhances (almost asserts) the firm and fast conditions and significantly impacts strategy. With bunkers, water and native areas waiting off the fairways and the movement of the terrain feeding into them, maneuvering and navigating the course becomes imperative, limiting the extent the power game has in scoring well. It's another unique aspect of this course in this area, yet again ramping up both the fun and challenge.

Congaree was awarded best new private course by Golf Digest, the first of what I anticipate will be numerous accolades.

Beyond the course, the club pervades a sense of comfort and ease that hits you immediately after getting out of the car. The low country is alive and well here. Being from the northeast but growing up in Southern California, I love the familiarity and friendliness. The grounds are spread out amongst the oak trees, with the pro shop in one, the main clubhouse in another; and the starter's shack just that; a set of wooden stairs to a screen door that opens up into a small unmanned room. There are no cart paths, as the course is meant to be walked. There are also no tees. While the scorecard has tees measured off, each group is free to tee up where they would like. There's also no slope rating here. To me, this signifies the course is meant to be enjoyed and the focus on either a match among friends or the subdued surroundings. I loved my caddie's mantra, "just let the club do all the work;" it fit in so well with the rest of the aura here.

I flew in to Savannah just in time for dinner, then had some time the next morning before we headed out. Savannah is one of my favorite cities, with its architecture and the hanging Spanish Moss that we don't see up north. It reminds me of Santa Barbara in the sense that both are visualizing stunning and both are sizable without being sprawling metropolises. After walking around in unusually cold weather, I finally met up with my friends and we headed out to Congaree.

Driving in through the gate, that Spanish Moss I was so fond of in Savannah was here as well, hanging lazily in the oak trees that lined the drive in. Pulling in, we headed into one of the main houses, which we were told was rebuilt after being burned down by General Sherman in the Civil War. Walking to the main house for lunch, we were able to take in the place, met our gracious host, then sauntered over to the range to warm up. Everything can be walked, so switching from the range to the putting green to get a feel for the speed was a great idea.

While I would have been a happy man staying at the clubhouse and talking with the bartender about everything from the best burger places in Los Angeles to if the Eagles were making the playoffs, there was golf to be played. So after meeting my caddie and figuring out the match, we were off. Whoops, first tee shot pulled way left. Just hit another one. Ok, now we're off.

The First is a 375 yard par 4 (from the Middle tees). The opening tee shot is framed with trees and sand on either side yet is wide enough to work the ball. The sand is shallow here leading up to the green. Any sand area or bunker is considered a waster area, so you're allowed to ground your club in them. The fairway dog legs left slightly but with a well hit tee shot, the green should be right in front of you. The green is set to the right of the fairway, with a bunker right front and areas that slope away from the green to the left and on the back side. Careful with favoring the left side to accommodate a miss; the speed of the slope can take the ball into the plants. It's much better to go right at the green and end up short or even in the bunker on my opinion. You could always punch shot the approach and get the ball dancing up to the green. The green moves right to left and back to front, but left to right on the extreme left side. Lag putting is at a premium here, as the speed makes it very easy to run the ball past. I think I started putting half what I thought I needed. It's a nice opening hole with just enough strategy and distance to acquaint a little with what to expect during the round.

The First (starter shack on the right)

To the right of the tee area

Area between tee and fairway. Closest thing you'll see to rough and in very few places

Approach shot territory

Sandy area just short of green. Even sand areas can be tight

Transition from fairway to green, along with edges of bunker

A closer look

From the back side

The Second is a 515 yard par 5. Heading uphill with a forced carry tee shot over water, the fairway is wider than it looks from the tee. Bunkers eat in to the fairway from the left and right, respectively, then an oak tree on the left compromises approach shots on that side, forcing staying center over to the right. The fairway deviously slopes off to the right on that side of the tree, so placement of the second shot gets tricky. Past the oak tree, the hole opens up to the green with bunkers guarding the green on either side and slopes running quick away from the green on all sides. It all starts with the tee shot, but the second and third shots should be plotted carefully. A nice par 5 that ramps up the strategy and challenge from the First.

The Second

Moving up the fairway

Approach shot territory

The left fairway bunker and the edging

From the right side, short of the green

The green

The Third is a 270 yard par 4. A short par 4 that's a healthy forced carry over water, hitting the green is a possibility from the tee. The green is narrow and deep and with its speed, any tee shot is likely to run off the green, into the bunker on the right or short grass area to the left. The landing area after the water widens, allowing those more conservative to play for a shorter approach shot from. The green is diabolical, running in general from back to front. Whether you want to flop it off the green, run it or something else, surgical touch is necessary.

The Third

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the tee and Second green

Looking back from green

The green, from the Fourth tee

The Fourth is a 555 yard par 5. Beset on all sides by sand, the tee shot heads out to a ridge in the fairway that starts is descent to the green on the other side. Get to that ridge, my friend. At the ridge, the fairway and green are before you, with trees shifting from one side to the other and water off to the right up to the green. The shape, movement and speed of the green dictate how one should approach it. Moving very fast from left to right with a bunker front center, the water is very much in play for those going for the pin, as shots just offline to the right or even coming in a little hot risk bouncing and rolling in. Going over the bunker and having the ball fall down towards the hole is a good play, so long as the tree on the left doesn't interfere. I was fond of the punch shot, watching roll on from the left side and then take that speed to move down and right to the pin. Regardless of how you want to get it done, the second shot is the time to set it up. I'd even venture that aiming for the bunker could turn out well. The approach was one of my favorites on the course. The movement of the green and number of options getting to the pin made it a blast.

The Fourth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A little closer

One of my favorite approaches on the course. Lots to ponder here.

From the left higher side

Looking back from the green

The Fifth is a 135 yard par 3. A forced carry over water to a green set at an angle to the tee and moving back to front, away from the bunker and towards the water. Taking more club to ensure carrying the water is fine but then landing past the hole means a touchy shot back downhill to the pin. Long and right will hit the slope and roll well away from the hole, again requiring delicacy in recovery. Keep in mind the wind as well, which can impact distances substantially. As the first par 3 of the round, it's short but keeps the round challenging and engaging.

The Fifth

The further back you tee it up, you move off to the right

From the back side

Some of the slope off green

The Sixth is a 455 yard par 4. A dog leg left, the tee shot is a milder forced carry to a nice wide fairway that starts turning right away. There's room on the right, yet the temptation is to go left and cut off the turn. Trees on that side, as well as the deeper sand, make it a risky proposition. The fairway cants left as well, but clearing the trees on the left and having a clear look at the green is paramount. Our work is only half done. The approach is to a green uphill of the fairway angled away from the fairway, moving right to left, towards the deep bunker area below the green. The high right side of the green allows the ball to roll down to the center of the green but there are so many avenues to the pin, all of them fun albeit challenging. Another one of my favorite holes and green complexes.

The Sixth

Looking to the right of the tee at the Fourth green across the water

The left side. Look at that edging, and what awaits if your ball rolls off

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Seventh is a 155 yard par 3. The forced carry tee shot streak stays alive, with sand immediately in front of the tee and water on the right that cuts into the center, just short of the green. The green moves feverishly to the water and this can't be emphasized enough. The front half of the green is where I liked to aim, left side, so if I end up short, I'm still dry and still putting/chipping uphill. Any chip or putt downhill is treacherous. I did see a putt roll right past the hole and into the water. While it wasn't my ball, it was that of my partner so it hurt just the same. This hole demands precision.

The Seventh

A little closer

Even closer

The Eighth is a 450 yard par 5. An "S" shaped hole where the fairway twists from left to right, presenting a risk reward tee shot in carrying as much of the right side as possible while carrying the sand that runs along the right side, pretty much up to the green. While the more left you go is safer, there are trees on that side that can complicate the second shot if you're too far over on the left side. We played this hole from the very back once and while the longer hitters took on the water and center line, I went left, happy to punch under the trees and get plenty of roll to set up a very manageable approach. While a couple of the longer guys were caught up in the right side sand or short of the green, I was able to stay in the hole by simply taking an alternate route and taking advantage of the speed of the fairway. The fairway rises then falls and turns down and right to the green, while sand continues to be right and then short of the green. Whether you decide to go for the green and take on the sand or use the fairway on the left to move the ball down to the green is a matter of preference, strategy and where you are in your match. The Eighth will become one of the better known holes and for good reason. Its flexibility, visuals and movement of the terrain are incredible.

The Eighth

Further back

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

I think I'm framing this one

Looking back

The Ninth is a 405 yard par 4. The halfway house is just before the Ninth tee. The soup and meat pies were fantastic, basically making me happy I was walking to stay awake since such comfort food made a mid round nap seem like a good idea. A dog leg left initially that starts bending back to the right after the leg, the right side widens out, inviting tee shots in that direction, only to create much longer approach shots. Staying close to the left side off the tee is another option, which if done correctly results in a much shorter approach. Water lurks to the right side of the green as well. The green moves away from the green side bunker and towards the water, again moving like there's no tomorrow. If there's a reprieve hole on the front, this is it, yet the tee shot is vital.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway, the shadows toying with me

From the right side

Approach shot territory

Short left of the green

The front nine is set on the southeast side of the property, and features a little more water and distance than the back. The par 5's are spectacular while the par 4's are strategic and diverse. There are no weak holes and I'd say there are a few that are all-world. My ranking of them would be 8, 4, 6, 3, 2, 1, 9, 5, 7.

The back nine starts with the 150 yard par 3 Tenth. My apologies in advance for some of the long shadows in the photos; it was that time of year where the sun stays low. This is a forced carry over wetlands where the green is raised, while slopes ramp up to it on all sides except for the right front, where a bunker resides. Trees encroach on the right side as well while the left is more open, so many will be tempted to favor the left, yet will have a very tricky chip or putt to the pin since the green moves towards the bunker and right side. There is lots of room on the left, but the recovery shot will be tough on that side, especially with the slopes. Again, some what of a reprieve but demanding all at the same time.

From the right side, a look at the slope

The Eleventh is a 435 yard par 4. A forced carry over native woodland area to a fairway that immediately turns right and essentially keeps turning until you reach the green. The fairway tilts from left to right, with sand running along the entire right side. Well, sand runs along the entire left side for that matter, but at least it's shallower and above the fairway and green. The green is deep and tilts like the fairway, with a well placed piece of native area high and left to make sure it's not too much o a bail out area on that side. There is the very real possibility of balls running into the bunker on the right if one gets too aggressive on the high side of the green. The hole is a bit different from what we have encountered thus far, mainly because the trees seem to impose themselves much more than previously.

The Eleventh

The fairway, with the green way down on the right

The Twelfth is a 470 yard par 5. While the Eleventh turns right dramatically, this fairway does the same to the left. The fairway narrows as it turns, with pines looming on each side amongst sandy areas. The green is almost an island awash in a sea of bunkers, carved around it with the edges dropping off on them. It's an intimidating approach shot, as one needs to land on the green, then make sure their ball stops moving. There is an opening in front for those who want to try and run it on, but the opening is on the smaller side, so even the punch shots need to be spot on. Another well done par 5 with a unique green that brings it another level of character.

The Twelfth

The green

Looking back

The Thirteenth is a 410 yard par 4. A dog leg right where trying to clear the trees on the right is necessary for a clear shot to the green. The green is set on the right as well and slightly downhill of the fairway. There is a bunker on the front right side, which the green moves towards. With the speed of the fairway, if the trees are still an issue on the approach, running the ball low is an option. The last few holes tighten up a little on width, so anything offline gets a little trickier to deal with, while here anything wildly to the left is probably gone. Accuracy becomes more of a premium even though the back nine is shorter.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Fourteenth is a 190 yard par 3. A longer par 3 that's a forced carry over sand, but there's a good amount of room short and to the sides to miss. Missing long or right gives the toughest recovery shots. Accounting for what the ball will do once it lands is necessary because the green moves from right to left like a crazed madman. The width is back here, so take advantage.

The Fourteenth

The low sun certainly had its way with me on this hole

I'm posting a bunch of these. Maybe one is easier to see through the blinding light.

The Fifteenth is a 300 yard par 4. Another all world short par 4, the sand and ridges create the impression there's very little fairway out there. This may tempt some to try and drive the green, while others will lay up to the fairway area on the right that allows itself to be seen. Taking a line left over the sand in that direction is also a good play, as the ball can then run out to the front or left side of the green. I aimed for sand on the right side of the green, then got it close to the pin from there. Again, so many different ways to play this hole, the visuals from off the tee are effective and the green complex is a challenge. One of my favorites here.

The Fifteenth

Looking back at the tee, there is a lot more room than it looks like from the tee

The Sixteenth is a 365 yard par 4. Relatively straight, the well places oak on the left impacts the play of the hole a lot more than it appears at first blush. Bellowing out the tee shot to the middle of the fairway is the way to go, but driver isn't necessarily the club to go with. Hitting the fairway is at a premium, so something shorter off the tee is a good consideration. The bunker on the right runs the width of the green, which is at an angle (about 7:00 - 2:00) with the fairway. Coming in from the left side is a great idea if you'd like to use the ground and the oak tree becomes irrelevant since you'll be staying low anyways. The run runs from right to left and while there's plenty of room to miss long and left, shots from those area will be touchy with the green speed.

The Sixteenth

Earlier the next day

Approach shot territory

The green

The Seventeenth is a 430 yard par 4. Another big right turn of a hole, where the sand on the right goads you into trying to take off more than you probably can off the tee. There's plenty of room to the left and in clearing the trees on the right, you'll have a great line to the green, which is a little below the fairway and is just begging for a nice low runner coming in. But back to the tee shot, there's a spot where if you carry the bunkers far enough, a ridge will send the ball forward and you get an extra 20 yards of roll, setting up an even shorter approach. The approach is inviting, perhaps one of the more inviting on the course, so the shorter the better. With how tempting the right side is, the left is such a more logical play in my opinion. A longer approach to such an inviting green with a ton of room at the entry point? I'll take it.

The Seventeenth

The next day with more sunlight

Looking back at the tee from the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Eighteenth is a 345 yard par 4. After all of those hard and long turns, the course finally says screw it, we're gonna stop beating around the bush and make a full right angle turn to the green here. The tee shot looking head on at the clubhouse, the green is due east. Sand and water ride up the right side of the fairway, and green, making any tee shot not getting to the turn a forced carry to the green. So laying up off the tee is fine, at the expense of a tougher approach shot, while a belted the shot is rewarded with a nice short approach that can be taken on the ground or air, dealer's choice.

I played worse than I usually do my second round and just became more tied up as the round went on. On the tee shot here, I ended up left, in the trees on that side, my ball sitting on pine straw and who knows what else. I was all set to punch out and leave myself a short approach when my caddie told me to go for the green. The lie's not that bad and you have this shot, he told me. Addressing the ball, that moment of clarity struck me, where all the whispers and thoughts evaporated and I intrinsically knew how to get that ball off the underbrush, over the sand and water and on the green, where it would roll ever so true straight to the hole. It all became so easy in that brief moment, that when the ball sailed through the air and missed going in by a couple feet, it was almost as if I knew all along it would be so. Those shots; those moments, happen to us all and I suspect that those windows of time, no matter how brief, are so vivid and esoteric that they are one of the many unique gifts this game gives us, which we all pursue in our own way as we journey along.

It was a great ending to my time here.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

The clubhouse watches the finish, and awaits

The green

The back nine loops the northwest side of the property, gets tighter in spots than the front and is much shorter. The variety of shots and greens was tremendous and like the front, there were no weak holes. I would rank them 15, 17, 18, 12, 11, 16, 13, 14, 10.

Generally, Congaree quickly became one of my favorites of all time. Not knowing all that much about the course before arriving, I was enamored with the movement of the holes and how firm and fast it played. The strategy and options are what kept the challenge and fun feeding off each other. Everything was well placed and each shot was met with equal parts excitement, focus and trepidation. There were other shots that created temptation or intimidation, all through the design. The main thing I loved though was the speed and movement. It wasn't enough to know the distance to whatever target and swing the club you normally hit that far; anticipating what would happen to the ball once it landed was just as important. And this entails knowing the terrain. This also makes the course much more diverse and flexible. Along with the width, the course is susceptible to wind yet is versatile enough to be played in such conditions. Ideal for match play, Congaree has a way of tantalizing the more skilled (or boastful) while always keeping the door open for the less skilled opponent who is either more temperate or wielding a sharp putter.

The combination of the movement in such a setting is magnificent. The vast sand areas contrasted with sweeping and rolling fairways, anchored with majestic oaks and pines, is sublime. Being able to interact with the landscape and use the ground game so frequently and effectively engages the player in it even more.

I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more about Congaree. For the course, for the clubhouse and for everything it's doing beyond, that's a very good thing for golf.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: The clubhouse and pro shop are in different cottages, a nice walk in between. The pro shop is tasteful and nicely stocked while the clubhouse may be one of my favorites. Charming and unassuming with various rooms, the sunken bar overlooking the Eighteenth is a great place to hang out for the day.

There is also on-site lodging, with each being a free standing cottage.

Practice area: Full range, short game and putting areas. Make use of them.

Cedarbrook Country Club

2019-02-26T21:46:00.001-05:00

6,650 yards, 132 slope from the Blues

Course: Cedarbrook Country Club is in Blue Bell, a Philadelphia suburb about 30-40 minutes from downtown. It's a club with a rich history, with original dating back to the late 1890's, but opened with its namesake in 1921. Its first course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast and for the decades it existed, hosted a number of high profile tournaments and exhibitions, including Bobby Locke edging Ben Hogan in the 1947 Philadelphia Inquirer Invitational. Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia declared eminent domain over a portion of the property during construction of the Route 309 Expressway and instead of trying to change the course with the loss of property, the club sold it altogether in 1958. In 1962, Cedarbrook moved to its current location, where William Mitchell designed the course in consultation with William Gordon. While Gordon is well known and publicized, Mitchell is not as well known, even though he designed and worked on a number of courses. One of the appealing aspects of Mitchell's design philosophy was that he was a major advocate of public golf and the "average" golfer. As a result, several of his courses remain today as municipal and/or public courses. Mitchell was adamant that public courses should be just as interesting and memorable as any private course, as financial standing shouldn't really have any bearing on the appreciation a golfer has for its design, or the game in general. Mitchell also advocated Executive courses and 27-hole facilities as a way to stay versatile and accommodate an array of different types of golfers. He was apparently in the process of designing a female oriented course just before his death in the early 1970's. Perhaps a fitting side note for Mitchell is the the golf course featured in "Caddyshack" is one of his (Rolling Hills CC in Florida).

Aside from Mitchell's strong sense of egalitarianism, some of the design traits he strove to adhere to included smaller greens, shallow visible bunkers of moderate size, non-symmetrical tee areas (meaning each tee is staggered and on a different line to the hole than the others). More generally, Mitchell believed that well-hit shots should be rewarded, without any randomness or quirk interfering. It's a straight-forward approach based on providing options to the golfer and at times tempting the him to get out of their comfort zone. By unquestionably rewarding the golfer who performs well under pressure, the course ensures that golfer walks away more confident, his passion in the game emboldened as a result. With Gordon consulting, who worked under Flynn and among other accomplishments oversaw the reconstruction of Shinnecock in the early 1930's, likely was involved to try and insert some of the principles of the older course (although I am guessing). His style is reminiscent of Flynn, which broadly focused on strategy amongst natural features, adequately rewarding the golfer and shying away from too much quirk.

In 2001, Cedarbrook underwent major renovations, which included rebuilding tees, making some routing changes and bunker work.

There seems to be an array of architectural styles and influences today at Cedarbrook. The straightforward style of Mitchell remains in part, but the course now includes more elaborate green complexes, blind shots and elevated tees that may or may not have been in the original design, I'm just not sure. Those features Mitchell tried to avoid, but were either part of the renovation or included with Gordon's input. Either way, the course is set on interesting terrain, with many fairways leading on to the greens. There are slopes on the fairways and greens to consider and use, as well as a good amount of forced carries and blind shots. The greens are fairly large for the most part, heaving, undulating and sloping. It's decidedly a parkland design and the terrain is wooded, but trees are not overbearing. There are some places I think tree removal would benefit the course, however. It was a fun course with a lot of interesting shots. The green complexes were likewise engaging, needing to really consider the movement of the surrounding hills and slopes. The touch of the flagstick helps here tremendously.

2018 was the year of getting to know the courses in my own backyard better and this included finally playing Cedarbrook. So in the late fall (it was cold then too, so we're basically on month 4 of cold weather?), I was able to see this fixture in the Philadelphia suburbs for myself.

The First is a 385 yard par 4 (from the Blues). An exacting tee shot is necessary for those who want to get it past the bunkers while there is plenty of room before them for those who opt for a safer tee shot and much more challenging second. The fairway bends to the right after the bunkers, leading downhill to the green. The green is large, moving from back to front in general. I like the position of the green with respect to the fairway. It's below it, enabling the use of the slopes on the sides or before it if you want. A nice opener with lots on the line already with the opening tee shot. .

The First

Looking back

The Second is a The Second is a 511 yard par 5. The fairway heads straight out with Wissahickon Creek running along the left side. Trees are along the right and with bunkers on the left, placement of the tee and second shots becomes something worthy of thinking about for a bit. The green is tucked in to the right, with two large bunkers guarding the front on either side, and trees and the creek further back.

The Second

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green, from off right

The Third is a 386 yard par 4. The tee shot is a forced carry over water with trees running along the left and three bunkers along the right. Two bunkers protect the green on either side, which rises from the fairway and turns right, moving that way. While it seems like a straight forward enough hole, the hazards and movement of the green can complicate things in a hurry.

The Third

Approach shot

A look at the green

The Fourth is a 372 yard par 4. Switching directions, this hole is also straight and heads downhill to the green, with the water we saw on the tee shot of the last hole now around the left side of the green. Driver isn't necessarily the ideal club here; what's much more important is being a good position for a clear approach. The green is wide yet shallow and tilts, with slopes off into the water on the left and a bunker on the right. A tough approach shot which I would rather attack on the left side to take the water out of play.

The Fourth

A little closer

A look at the green

The Fifth is a 187 yard par 3. This longer uphill blind par 3 is the hole that finally got my attention on the front. The green is deep and moves quickly from left to right, with bunkers on either side of it, all of it blind. A bunker is short of the green and visible from the tee for good measure. Knowing the green, knowing which club you can rely on for a longer straight shot and the multitude of recovery shots and putts you face make this an exciting hole.

The Fifth

A closer look at the hill

The bunker on the left

The Sixth is a 555 yard par 5. An elevated tee shot for this dog leg right, with a larger bunker on the right inside turn and trees on that side after the turn, ensuring that cutting the leg is not a foregone conclusion. The fairway narrows as you get closer to the green and as we've seen from earlier holes, tends to swivel leading up to the green. Bunkers are staggered on either side leading up to the green as well. The green is subtle, appearing flatter but with Wissahickon Creek behind it, there seemed to be a lot more movement than first blush.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

A little closer

The Seventh is a 366 yard par 4. We go from an extreme dog leg right to an extreme dog leg left, where the shortest distance from tee to green is carrying a group of trees off to the left. For the less adventurous or more sensible, the fairway goes straight out, with a larger bunker on the left and a smaller one on the right, so placement is necessary to clear the trees and leave yourself with a clear approach to the green. A bunker is on the left of the green, likely serving the dual purpose of protecting the green from the tee. The front has some slopes on either side that can be used to roll off of and with the overall movement of the green, sticking this green is a tall order.

The Seventh

Where the green is from the tee

Approach shot territory

A closer look

Looking back from the green

The Eighth is a 410 yard par 4. Heading back to the creek, the hole bends slightly to the right, with the right hillside sloping towards the fairway and trees on the left. As we have seen, the fairway runs up to the green, with the bunkers carved into it on either side, which also creates contours on the greens. Advancing down the left side makes the most sense to make sure you're not blocked out by the trees on the right.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 171 yard par 3. An uphill tee shot to a green that moves from left to right and back to front. Bunkers along either side. The apron leading up to the green is a false front, so taking more club than you think you need seems to be a good play.

The Ninth

Looking back at the tee

The clubhouse, just far enough from the Tenth tee to think twice about stopping (there's a halfway house closer anyways)

The front nine starts off a little tough, then eases with a couple shorter par 4's before another stretch of challenging holes before easing off once again on the last two. I really enjoyed the Fifth and the First while the greens had a lot of challenge to them. I'd rank them 5, 1, 4, 7, 2, 8, 3, 9, 6.

The back nine starts with the 502 yard par 5 Tenth. While straight for the most part, the fairway dips from the tee and slithers to the green. Trees are on both sides while a bunker at the start of the fairway helps frame the hole. The green is raised from the fairway, with a bunker on the lower left front, with the green moving in that direction. Precision is better here since there's not a whole lots of room off the fairway to miss. Well, maybe you can use the fairway on the hole to the right (so I've heard), but then you need to carry the trees to get back over. Using the slopes of the fairway and right side bring in a couple other options as well. It's a good hole.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

The Eleventh is a 362 yard par 4. Wissahickon Creek runs along the left side and trees on the right, with bunkers on the right as well. With the green tucked in to the right a little, hugging the left side of the fairway helps ensure a clear approach but brings the creek more into play than seems necessary. Not too many places to hide here for those wanting par or better, with accuracy faring much better than rabid distance.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

The Twelfth is a 500 yard par 5. A slight dog leg right, trees on the right and further off on the left, with a bunker sitting on the left at the outside of the turn. Longer hitters will need to decide if they should go for the green, which is a carry over the ever-present Wissahickon Creek twice, and avoiding the trees, to a raised green. Those taking the extra shot can decide to lay up to the end of the fairway or use the area between the two creek crosses. A good amount of options but I think taking the trees out near the green on the right side would open up even more. They may be there to bring some separation to the par 3 Thirteenth though. Either way, it was my favorite par 5 on the course.

The Twelfth

Moving down the fairway...or approach shot territory?

The Thirteenth is a 193 yard par 3. Wissahickon Creek isn't done with you yet. The tee shot is a forced carry over it, again twice. The creek has basically been in play for every hole on the back nine, which is impressive. The creek actually comes into play a third time, on the far right side, almost giving the hole a Road hole angle. If they ever name the holes, this one is definitely, "Creek Time." Because of it, hitting the green is almost mandatory.

Approach shot territory

Looking back

The Fourteenth is a 421 yard par 4. The fairway dog legs slightly to the right. The fairway runs down from the tee to a creek, but it's not Wissahickon. It's Willow Run creek. After the creek, the fairway climbs uphill to the green. The green is on the larger side. The hole allows the turn to be cut, with a single bunker protecting that side, but there's some challenge in determining whether the tee shot can carry the creek or not. You have the slope leading into it as a consideration and with the course opening up from the prior few holes, may see the freedom as an opportunity to swing away. It's a nice looking hole, simple in its presentation but effective.

The Fourteenth

The Fifteenth is a 390 yard par 4. Turning around and going back over the creek off the tee, the fairway then dog legs left and descends gently to the green. The fairway cants to the left after the turn as does the green. I liked this approach shot a lot. With the fairway moving downhill and to the left, there was a lot of ways to attack the green, yet remaining below the hole seemed important with how fast the green was moving right to left. Yet another fun hole.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

From off due right

The Sixteenth is a 148 yard par 3. An uphill green with interesting off-green areas below and to the right of the green. The green moves from right to left as well, quickly, so using the slope is always a good idea. In terms of match play, this hole comes at the right time as an opportunity to even things up before the closing par 4's.

The Sixteenth

From the right side

The Seventeenth is a 400 yard par 4. While the hole is technically straight, the bunkers are staggered on either side, which at least gives an appearance of some side to side movement. This is another green I liked a lot because of how the fairway fed into it downhill and sloped off on the far end, creating a kind of an infinity pool feel.

The Seventeenth

Approach shot territory

The green

The Eighteenth is a 391 yard par 4. The closing hole starts as a forced carry over water then dog legs left, with a bunker on the inside of the turn. The green undulates, with the front rising form the fairway. Trees are on either side of the fairway, but the left side is likely a little more forgiving.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The back nine was a little more intriguing and diverse than the front to me, with more slopes and movement while the creeks were incorporated well. I'd rank them 15, 17, 10, 12, 16, 13, 14, 11, 18.

Generally, Cedarbrook is a nice parkland course with a good mixture of holes. Some are straightforward, some are fun and some are challenging. The greens are quick and generally move strongly in one direction. There are some strategy calls and some forced carries. The bunker configuration near the greens became a little repetitive and there were some holes that were familiar but there's also a good amount of holes that stick out with character. The principles of Mitchell seem to be in place in terms of a course that improves those who play it more and more while Gordon's highlighting of natural features for strategy is intact with the contours and creeks. This surely is one of the reasons for the strong membership and a course that has been in place over half a century.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: Well-sized and stocked. The clubhouse is some what old school with a very entertaining men's locker room that is well worth the price of admission.

Practice area: Driving range, short game area and putting green.

Hidden Creek Golf Club

2019-02-12T19:47:00.003-05:00

6,581 yards, 131 slope from the Back tees

Course: In Egg Harbor Township, or the "Shore," as everyone calls it, Hidden Creek is a course built by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw that opened in 2002. Coore and Crenshaw spent a number of weeks on the property, getting a feel for the land to discover what holes were in the land. It's a process Coore goes through and is minimalist design at its finest. By selecting sites with interesting terrain that lend themselves to golf design with minimal movement of land, the course is more placed on the land than it is built. It's a process where both men spend a lot of time on the property. As a result, their policy is to only take on two projects a year, to allow themselves sufficient time on site, evaluating the routing, deciding whether the land is more inclined to go in other directions and leaving no detail overlooked. The other project they worked on the year of Hidden Creek? Friar's Head. The result of this process at Hidden Creek is a course that highlights how sublime minimalist design can be. Subtle in appearance yet complex in play, Hidden Creek is an infinitely enjoyable inland course that incorporates strategy, course knowledge and terrain movement as some of its identifying features.

Restricting it to a minimalist design, however, is actually a disservice to C&C since their efforts and craftsmanship go well beyond figuring out how the land lends itself to golf. The course is also molded along the lines of those heathland courses mainly found in England. I touch on heathland courses a little in my Wyncote review, but a good way to think of them are as inland links courses. They also incorporate features of parkland courses, and can typically include trees in many spots. They're typically in lowland areas with sandy soil, heather and gorse. The more well known heathland courses include Sunningdale Old and Walton Heath. As a true heathland, there are some features that are indeed manufactured. Several of the mounds and bunkers are dolled up, which is exactly the type of features these courses had, as a way to inject playability and (ironically) naturalism. And we've come full circle with the whole minimalism, manufactured, naturalism, artificial, golden age, modern, etc. discussion. There are no hard lines or either/or in my opinion. Most every course incorporates a little of every aspect of the above, so there really are just degrees of how much of each aspect can be found in each course. Here, the manufactured components were intentional to pay homage to an era. The sophisticated design has so much beneath the surface to be studied that repeat play only enriches its appreciation. In my opinion, it's courses like Hidden Creek that further demonstrate why C&C are among the most influential, impactful and important architects of our time. One only needs to look at their portfolio to see how many courses have the same type of depth and brilliance to appreciate the level of work they perform day in and day out.

In terms of Hidden Creek, the course is a gentle walk through the pines and wetlands of the inner coastal region of South New Jersey. It plays firm and fast and is low profile, meaning the ground game is an important element. It goes beyond the fairway transitioning to green, but to the off green areas and slopes and oftentimes, 50-100 yards before the green. Tee shots are to wide and receptive fairways, which can be used to advance the ball once it lands, and/or to set up the approach shot. In terms of its subtlety, I once said of Jeffersonville that its subtlety makes you believe that any big score is more the result of your mistakes than the actual design forcing you into bad spots as a way to emphasize subtle challenge. That is true here as well. What appears to be in front of you and for the taking is much more than that, yet after a badly scored hole, you're much more inclined to blame your swing than realize how the hole put you in that situation. Within that, hitting the green is much different than getting the ball close to the hole. All of this combines to form a spectacular heathland course that is a joy to play. Regardless of score, you'll want to go right back out and do it over again before the ball hits the bottom of the Eighteenth cup.

As was the theme in 2018, Hidden Creek was yet another course nearby that I have wanted to play for years but never seemed to get to. I finally changed that last fall and am glad I did. It quickly became one of my favorites and as it's so close, look forward to many more rounds there. The club was recently purchased by The Dormie Network, which is quickly putting together an impressive collection of courses. As they have done to a number of other courses, I believe they intend to build on site lodging and make general improvements to the club and course. With its splendid design and now with the backing of an upper tier outfit like the DN, Hidden Creek is a premier course in the area that looks to get even better.

The First is a 384 yard par 4 (from the Back tees). A dog leg left with plenty of room for the tee shot. The further right you end up, the further from the green you will be (even though there is much more room to the right). There are bunkers on either side on the approach, with the left side first and the one on the right green side. The approach needs to navigate the bunkers and the green, which moves from back to front in general.

The First

Approach shot territory

A little closer

The gentle rolling of the green

The Second is a 366 yard par 4. A slight dog leg right with a bunkers strewn on the short right and left center of the fairway. Getting to the left side gives you a better angle into the green, especially with the bunker mound on the right side that juts up and blocks the view of the green on that side. This bunker is a good example of a feature that was detailed by C&C to emulate the characteristics of the classic heathland courses. The bunker decidedly affects your approach into the green if on the right side, and in turn makes the left side more appealing off the tee, regardless of the bunker in play on that side off the tee. I like going up the right side and then taking that bunker head on, using it as an aiming point on the approach. It's a bolder line, but rewarded well.

The Second

Approach shot territory

A little closer

A closer look at the mound bunker on the right

The Third is a 507 yard par 5. Fairly straight away with the green tucked in on the right side, there are bunkers mainly on the left side to pay attention to while a large waste bunker is off to the right, ending just short of the green. Hanging off to the left with the second shot is a good way to avoid the colossal waste bunker, but catching a bunker on that side would defeat the whole purpose of that position. Mis hits on that left side are worse since the tree line hugs in closely. The green is deception. It's back to front near the front, but then switches to front to back and right to left from the middle to rear. The second shot is one of those subtle ones, where deciding where to place it means deciding what hazards to take on. And safer options always have consequences, usually by way of sacrificing an ideal line or look to the green, or in this case, sacrificing a shorter distance to it.

The Third

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A little closer

Looking back at the fairway

The Fourth is a 202 yard par 3. One of the more well known holes, this longer Redan par 3 is a marvel. The green slopes well from right to left, towards the bunker encompassing that side. The green is diagonal, running from the front right to back left at its longest line, many golfers may opt at either ending up short of the green or long left as a way to take the bunkers out of play, but do at their own peril, as the long left rear of the green narrows considerably and any chip shot short of the green will be taking on a few different slope directions. I personally hit the shot I envisioned, ending up about 10 feet to the left and below the pin. Using the slope of the green, along with any wind that may be coming through, is imperative. A superb par 3.

The Fourth

The bunker on the left low side of the green

The front left corner bunker

The slope and movement of the green is evident here

The Fifth is a 379 yard par 4. The fairway actually widens as you advance to the green, until a group of mounds encroach from the right side. These mounds serve a few purposes, which muddles the view of the green and creates a carry hazard on that side, while those to the left of it certainly have the option of running their ball up and using the slope on the right to bring the ball back down to the pin. Again, the group of mounds were created by C&C even though they look natural in appearance. It's a great par 4 and one of my favorite green complexes on the course, as the area above the green is appetizing to use, yet shots in that area may stay up there, which creates a very tough play getting it back down close to the hole.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory

Shifting to the right a little

Looking back

The Sixth is a 425 yard par 4. Straightaway with a slightly elevated tee shot, the tree line on the right makes you want to swing out left, although that would make a long approach shot even longer. A tiger bunker comes into play on the right while the width here on the approach allows the freedom to do what one wishes to get the ball to the hole. There is a lot of room to the right of the green, but similar to the Fifth, this area is above the green and using it comes with the risks inherent with being uphill from the pin in the face of firm and fast conditions.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

The Seventh is a 164 yard par 3. The green is fairly wide but there is not a whole lot of room off the green to miss. So while the ample room off the tee may comfort you, know that staying relatively on line is a necessity, or you may be left with a challenging recovery shot.

The Seventh

A little closer

A look at the green side bunkering

The Eighth is a 298 yard par 4. A short par 4 with a center line bunker, where the fairway slopes down after the bunker to the green, creating a blind shot off the tee and/or blind approach. I imagine getting a feel for this hole takes multiple plays, as where the ball goes beyond the ridge, and how it rolls, are all aspects of the hole you can only learn with experience. This includes deciding what club to take off the tee and in what direction to go, which is also dictated by the day's pin position. It's a fantastic short par 4 that is a lot of fun with how many directions and ways to play it.

The Eighth

Looking at the width of the fairway

A peek at the flag

Approach shot territory

The green

The Ninth is a 559 yard par 5. Another blind tee shot that's just as devious with the slopes that hit just after the ridge you see from the tee. Essentially, the fairway rolls downward and to the left, before the fairway ends completely into rough. After the rough, the second fairway starts to proceed diagonally to the left, to the green, which is set to the right of the fairway. There are bunkers along the right side as well, as a way to force you left, into the tree line. Take on those bunkers or lay up to the completely for the third shot. The green is deep and the tree line switches to the right side, abutting the green. The switches in directions and blind tee shot can get you off kilter here.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

The end of the first fairway

Looking back at the fairway to get a sense of the hill

Approach shot territory

Off left of the green

The deep green

The front nine loops the southwest side of the property through the pines and features a diverse collection of holes, all of which are subtle in appearance yet all are more complex and challenging once you are in the trenches with them. There are some all world holes, yet all of them are intriguing. I would rank them 4, 5, 8, 2, 3, 1, 6, 9, 7.

The back nine starts with the 447 yard par 4 Tenth. A slight dog leg left where the slopes of the fairway off to the right can help advance the ball forward, but those who try to cut the turn from the tee should realize while you'll be closer to the hole (provided you don't find the small bunker on that side), and have a better look at the green. It will still likely be a long shot in to the deep yet shallow green, whose contours and off green mounding seem to repel the ball further away from the hole no matter the pin location.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

The Eleventh is a 121 yard par 3. The hole kind of arises out of no where, as a rare visual that breaks a little from the subtlety of the rest of the course. A short par 3 that is blind for the most part, moving from back to front. Course knowledge comes in handy here and really, distance control is a must or there's enough trouble to ensure par is elusive. It's a refreshing hole, at the right time of the round.

The Eleventh

The green

The back side

The Twelfth is a 441 yard par 4. The tee is set on a hill, with the fairway dipping before rising yet again and cresting, then dipping yet again before reach the green, which is above the fairway. The fairway starts off wide, but then the left side collapses to the tree line at a bunker complex on that side. The fairway widens yet again before the green, which then tightens just before it with bunkers on either side. Lots of fluctuations here and deciding where to place your ball and line to take is a little more interesting because of it.

The Twelfth

The bunker complex on the left

Approach shot territory

From the left side

The back bunker

The green

The Thirteenth is a 378 yard par 4. The hole bends to the right in general, but the tree line stays tight on that side while the fairway sweeps wide left, until it reaches some bunkers on the side and tightens. It's similar to the Twelfth, but this hole is much flatter. The bunkers on either side near the green make the approach accessible from any point of the fairway, so long as you carry the bunkers. But the freedom of angles and lines to the green remain.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

Right side of the green

The Fourteenth is a 185 yard par 3. A longer par 3 that looks more like a short par 4. A fairway essentially leads up to and melds with the green. You would think that would make shorter shots easy to chip close to the pin, but with the tightly mown areas, gauging touch and getting the right contact proves more difficult. Again, it's minimalism, with the ground and terrain laid bare tee to green, to great effect.

The Fourteenth

The Fifteenth is a 395 yard par 4. An "S" shaped fairway that turns left off the tee before turning right into the green. The tee shot tempts you into a draw to get the ball as far down the fairway as possible, but straight down the left takes the bunker on the right out of play. The further left you are, the better look at the green, which runs from back to front in a semi punch bowl. I liked how the back side of the green invited low running shots into it, and the angle from the fairway to the green. I talk a lot about lines and angles and that's because it really sets up how you many ways you can attack the green. Here, with the green off center and curling away from the fairway, you realize that the far left fully opens up the green and allows virtually any play, while extreme right means you need to carry bunkers and either straight or a fade are available. It's one of my favorite greens on the course.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

The Sixteenth is a 447 yard par 4. The elevated tee shot looks out to the fairway and green straight ahead. There's also a set of mounds running diagonally across the fairway. In mentioning subtlety, this hole is a great example of it. While looking like a relatively straight forward hole, the sloping of the fairway to the diagonal mounds, the right sided bunker, even the slopes of the green, all conspire as doubt starts creeping in. Will the ball roll into those mounds? Am I able to carry the bunker on the right? Will the ball start moving away from the pin after that ridge? There's even a bunker just to the left of the tee, for no reason it seems. But I guess a low screamer to the left would hit it, how odd; has anyone been in it before? What if you're the first? That lip looks too steep for the second shot. Why am I even thinking about this silly bunker?

See what I mean?

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

From the right side

The Seventeenth is a 499 yard par 5. The hole bends right generally, with an array of bunkers spattered as you move down the fairway. The bunkers on the left encroach to the center enough to make it look like they meet with the bunkers on the right, which confounds the tee shot. Bunkers spaced on each side of the fairway have the same effect on the second shot. Longer hitters have a chance at reaching the green in two shots, provided the tee shot was well executed. The bunkers are to be avoided, as the lips are fairly steep and as such, are fairly penal. The green is on the smaller side, running from back to front. This helps defend the hole from longer hitters trying to get away with reckless length.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway

A little closer to the green

Approach shot territory

The Eighteenth is a 384 yard par 4. A tiny bend to the right with a fairway that crests, blocking the view of where the ball lands in most cases. A bunker short right I suppose has you guessing, but it really shouldn't come into play. As we've seen a number of times, bunker positioning leading up to the green creates visuals and perhaps muddles depth perception. Like the fairway, the green crests at the back, which I personally always have issues gauging and I typically end up hitting it 20 yards short, so scared I am of my ball hitting that crest and some how falling into the abyss that is surely behind the green. While by any standard the last three holes are a great closing stretch, this especially holes true for match play; the subtle Sixteenth full of options, the gettable yet dangerous Seventeenth and the Eighteenth, on the shorter side yet rather unforgiving off the fairway and a devious green to end things. Shot selection, approach shot position and pin location all help close out the round in the same aura as the course itself - subtle yet below the surface, the proper stage for drama.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

A little closer

The back nine circles the northern side of the property and the range of holes is a little broader and the subtlety a little more here than the front. All are great holes. My ranking of them would be 10, 15, 12, 11, 18, 14, 18, 17, 16.

Generally, Hidden Creek is a course meant to be played over and over again. It can be enjoyed on a number of levels, but it's my personal take that those taking the time to study what has been done here will enjoy the round much more. The resemblance to the classic English heathland courses and how those were played, the firm and fast conditions where running the ball is occasionally the best play, to the subtle features that affect play more than it appears at first blush, Hidden Creek is the work of craftsmen whom value the virtues of the game, which they strive to evoke through their art. As wind wisps through the pines and the gentle calm of the wetlands washes over the golfer walking to his ball, he has to think about the softness of the ground, the movement of the land, the force of the wind and take note of the hazards before deciding on his shot. He then swings, watches his ball interact with it all, walks to his ball and does it again. I like to think Coore and Crenshaw think long and hard on each of their projects how to make that golfer's experience as serene and pure as possible. They certainly did at Hidden Creek.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: The clubhouse is nicely done with a great locker room. The pro shop is stocked accordingly with a wide selection of attire and a respectable insignia. I'm sure the Dormie Network will be doing their best to improve all of the facilities in the near future.

Men's locker room

Practice area: Great range and putting green. I believe a short game area may be in one corner of the range area.

Huntsville Golf Club

2019-02-02T22:55:00.001-05:00

6,484 yards, 134 slope from the Greens

Course: Tangentially near Wilkes Barre in Lehman, Pennsylvania (generally a couple hours north west of Philadelphia) is Huntsville Golf Club. Opening in 1994 and designed by Rees Jones, Huntsville was built in the era where a barrage of new golf courses were opening across the country. While a lot of these new courses at that time centered around housing and real estate development, Huntsville did not. The club focused on golf, leaving the surroundings untouched. The hilly terrain makes its way through wooded areas, meadows, ponds and ridges, where play fluctuates between strategic and heroic. Rees incorporates the ground game as well, which breaks away from the typical forced carry aerial game that was prevalent at the time. Using the contours and slopes off the tee and near the green, there are several holes opening up an entirely separate array of shots. In these ways, Huntsville set itself apart and along with some other notable courses opening at the time, started a trend of moving back towards embracing the natural environment and incorporating it into the design.

There are critics of Rees Jones, along with his brother and father, who focus on their popularity for decades as a dark era for golf course architecture. I disagree with this completely. While I get into this a lot more in my LedgeRock review, there is no denying the talent and influential impact the Joneses have and have had had on golf course design. RTJ2 with Chambers Bay and Jackson Hole, and Rees with courses like Huntsville are representations of their influence on the movement towards a more naturalist style that is popular currently. The impact Huntsville had on this is evident, as it was ranked as the second best new private course by Golf Digest and as high as number 5 in best courses in Pennsylvania (behind stalwarts Merion, Oakmont, Aronomink and Laurel Valley). It most recently hosted a U.S. Open Qualifier in 2016.

The course features a number of risk/reward shots, elevation changes and elaborate bunkering. Rees has always rewarded accuracy by allowing straight shots to the center of the fairway to stay comfortable. There are a few bold choices here, like the small fairway at the bottom of a ravine at the par 5 Fourteenth and a lot of the bunkering, like at the Eleventh and Thirteenth, which I think give the course some identity and memorable points. The course is fun and allows chances of recovery more than penalizing. With its surrounding environs, it's tough not to walk off the Eighteenth feeling refreshed, as the journey through the northeast Pennsylvania forest is a good one.

Being a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, I loved the design of the clubhouse and locker room as well. It fits in and compliments the course so nicely that it's worth mentioning as one of my favorite features here.

I happened to play Huntsville on one of the coldest days last October. Conditions were good, just cold. I guess the benefit was we had the course to ourselves, which added to the fantastic seclusion of playing in the area. The wind was up as well, which added to the cold, but the sun was shining, so determined to finally play a round here and with already making the drive, we were undeterred.

The First is a 482 yard par 5 (from the Greens). Starting things off is a dog leg right with sunken bunkers on either side and mounding that you'll see throughout the round. The fairway climbs uphill to the green, with a Biarritz between the second and third shot. Pin position dictates the ideal approach position, but the green uphill to the fairway and moves from back to front, with both rear sides kind of funneling to the center and the entire green arcing around a green side bunker on the right. That bunker actually runs alongside a good part of the right side of the fairway as well. These long parallel bunkers to the fairway reminded me of Pete Dye, who has a number of course utilizing them. Rees likes his bunkers deep and Huntsville is no exception. Make sure your bunker game is in point; you will likely be in more than a few. The other thing we see here is a run up to the green from the fairway. While bunkers are generally below and off to the sides, you're more than welcome to use the ground to the green if you so choose. With the wind up when we were playing, I took advantage of that with reckless abandon.

The First

Moving down the fairway

The green moves from back to front and left to front, arcing around that bunker on the left

Looking back at the fairway

The Second is a 329 yard par 4. The tee is way up above the fairway on this shorter dog leg left. Driver may be too much if you're going straight out, so either shape it left or take something less off the tee. The tee shot really dictates the rest of the hole. A well hit shot on the fairway is rewarded with a shorter approach into the green. Those that struggle off the tee will have their work cut out for them out of the rough, out of bunkers or out of dense woods, provided the ball can be found. The green is smaller, commensurate with the shorter shot into it. This hole has been regarded as one of the best in the area. The tee shot is a lot of fun and the approach short enough to go a lot of ways with, so I can see the accolades.

The Second

A little closer

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the tee to get a sense of how high it is

The Third is a 143 yard par 3. The first par 3 of the course is a carry over a wide bunker complex stretching off to the right. The green is fairly wide, moving from back to front. There is bail out room on the short left if you want it, but distance control is a necessity here to land on the green. Also note the smaller bunkers a little further up the hill to the green. Those are tough to get out of!

The Third

The Fourth is a 320 yard par 4. Another shorter par 4 where you can take off as much as you want off the tee. Those that cut off too much will end up in the bunker on the right side, well below the bunker, creating a difficult shot into the green. The green is almost perpendicular to the fairway, so there are plenty of spots on the fairway that set up well for the approach. Once again, the tee shot is vital in taking advantage of its shorter distance. Accuracy is much more important here than distance.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory

Right side off green

The Fifth is a 153 yard par 3. An uphill par 3 where a long narrow bunker runs along the right side. The green undulates well and while it tilts into the hillside on the left, the hillside still tends to push balls left to right. The offline miss continues to be put in tough positions.

Unlike many Rees courses I have played, the miss off the rear side of the green is usually not punished with impunity. Maybe he forgot.

The Fifth

Looking back at the tee

The Sixth is a 414 yard par 4. This slight dog leg right is uphill to the green. The tee shot is a carry over rough and a ravine, with all bunkers on this hole to the right. The fairway cants to the right, so this makes sense. The fairway narrows after it's done turning and the approach will be longer than the yardage because of the incline. The right front side of the green has bunkers and is well below the green while the left side runs up to it from the fairway. I thought this hole was tough, then I saw it's the number one handicapped. Likely because forgiveness is much less here than other holes and two very good shots are needed to reach the green.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

A little closer

Almost to the green

The Seventh is a 394 yard par 4. The tee shot starts off tight but opens up where most shots will end up. The fairway bends a touch to the right, with a series of bunkers on the left. The fairway leads up to the green, but narrows once bunkers start coming in below level. The green is on the larger side and the fairway leads up to it, so pick your line and get it up there to get the flagstick out. A nice scenic green and point of the course.

The Seventh

Approach shot territory

A little closer, from the right side

The extreme right side. Water for those shots half a mile off line

The Eighth is a 409 yard par 4. Lots of room for the tee shot on the dog leg right. Off fairway is mainly rough and mounding, with trees lining both sides of the fairway. Similar to the Seventh, the fairway runs into the green, with the sides running into rough and bunkers below.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

A little closer

Looking back from green

Off fairway mounding

The Ninth is a 522 yard par 5. The tee shot is above the fairway, which runs downhill to the green and turns left around an elaborate bunker complex on the left. Getting past the turn off the tee means you have two shots straight down to the green. You could go for the green in two if you'd like but the fairway tightens up as you get closer to the green. Bunkers sit below the green on either side, with the bunkers on the right much longer and branching it out to the right. This is one of the greens where going long will be a very tough draw. One of my favorite approach shots and greens here, with the mountains in the background and a very punchbowl feel to it, it's a nice flowing hole.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The front nine loops around the south side of the property, rising and falling through the forest and meadows. The par 5's are great plays while the par 4's are a nice collection. I'd rank them 9, 7, 6, 1, 2, 4, 5, 3, 8.

Even though we were the only ones on the course (or one of the only groups), the halfway house stayed open for us and we were able to warm up a bit with some pretty good darn chili. With chili and gatorade in hand, we made the turn.

The back nine starts with the 394 yard par 4 Tenth. The fairway tilts from right to left, with a longer bunker on the left side to collect shots either hit, bounced or rolled into it. The fairway dips and tightens as you advance to the green, with a more simplistic bunker placement of one on the left low side, the other on the high right. Placement off the tee is vital while the approach needs to exercise distance control above all else. Note that the right bunker means you're hitting to a green running away from you, directly into the bunker on that side, so favoring the left is my play.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

The Eleventh is a 409 yard par 4. Ok I'll admit it, I was a bit confused off the tee here. There are a total of twelve different tees here, there's a wall running across the line from the tee to the (right) fairway and there's a fairway to the left. I thought it was an optional fairway for the hole while my playing partner thought it was a different hole altogether. It appears the left fairway is an alternate route to the green while the right is a longer carry but a more direct route to the green. Either way, the green is off to the left of the tee. The left fairway is a shorter, more conservative tee shot, but then the approach is to an uphill green that must carry a native area and the left green side bunkers. The right fairway is a tougher tee shot, but the approach is more level, from a better angle. Take your pick and know that the approach must be exact to avoid bunkers, or a tricky lie from the rough, probably on a hill. Lots of fun here.

The Eleventh

A look to the left, to the second fairway

The right fairway

Moving up, near the left side

A little closer

The Twelfth is a 503 yard par 5. The fairway starts straight out, moving right to left. There's a sunken bunker at the start of the fairway on the left, then water. The green is on the far side of the water, goading you at every shot to carry the water and land on the green. A smarter play is to keep moving down the fairway, until the green is directly to the left, taking the water out of play and leaving you with a shorter third shot into the green. The temptation to go for the green, especially when it looks so close, is strong.

The Twelfth

A look at where the hole is with respect to the tee area

The green, from the left side

The Thirteenth is a 410 yard par 4. The tee shot is to the fairway below, which seems to bend left but is more straight than it seems. The tees are set to the left of the fairway, which brings the bunker complex on the left in play more, even feeling like it encroaches into the center the fairway. There is a wide part of the fairway and utilizing it off the tee is a good idea to avoid the bunkers on either side, both of which are treacherous. The fairway then narrows leading up to the larger green, but the hillside and angles make you favor the right side, where the lower bunker below the fairway and green presents a tough recovery shot. It's a great hole, using the pull of the terrain effectively.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway

The Fourteenth is a 485 yard par 5. The tee shot is easy enough; to a nice wide, albeit crowned fairway, but a nice placement in the center of the fairway is important to figure out the next shot. The green is straight away, but on the other side of a ravine on the right side. There is a small fairway at the bottom of the ravine and if done correctly, leaves a short shot uphill to the green. The green can be reached on the second shot by longer hitters while those more confident with their irons can utilize the ravine. There is also a left fairway, but a gathering of trees in the middle makes you consider cutting over short or carrying the trees for a shorter shot into the green from that side. Options abound here and like most of the holes, it all starts with a solid tee shot.

The Fourteenth

At the end of the fairway, do you go left or right?

The green, from the left side

Looking back

The Fifteenth is a 177 yard par 3. Fairly wide open here, but the green is a tough one, with various undulations and bumps. Bunkers on either side, with left low and right level with the green. After the tough stretch from the Eleventh through Fourteenth, the Fifteenth is a good hole to put a good swing on the ball, choose your flight, land on the green and make a run at birdie.

The Fifteenth

A closer look

The Sixteenth is a 366 yard par 4. With the tees set on the left, this is another hole that feels like a gentle dog leg in that direction, but is actually a rather straight hole, where the fairway constricts and expands in places. The fairway also slopes from right to left and as we've seen, there's usually a hazard on the low side waiting for those shots not accounting for the movement. The green also moves from right to left and is tucked behind a hillside just a touch, making an approach from the left side a bit more preferable. I really enjoyed this hole, again utilizing the pull of the terrain very well, and the green was a fun one.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 159 yard par 3. The fairway is below the tee and it's a forced carry over some long grass, yet there is plenty of room short. Bunkers infiltrate either side before the hole and the green is very wide. Straight, even if short, is the way to go. Offline shots on the other hand, well, it gets hairy in a hurry.

The Seventeenth

The Eighteenth is a 415 yard par 4. The fairway shoots straight out from the tee. It's on the narrow side and there are trees on either side, along with a parallel bunker on the left. In terms of a match play hole, those that are steady with their swing and stay under control will prevail, as there is no room for disarray. Even the green is a modest size, yet there is more forgiveness near the green than the fairway, so plan accordingly. The awesome clubhouse awaits in the background.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

The clubhouse beyond

Looking back

The back nine is more spread out and covers around the east side of the property. It sets itself apart more than the front, with the par 5's great and par 4's having a nice range of diversity in play. My ranking would be 16, 10, 11, 13, 14, 12, 18, 15, 17.

Generally, Huntsville GC is simplistic in its design by mostly relying on the terrain for movement while going down instead of up with bunker formation and placement. There is strategy, there is risk reward and there are heroic shots that keep the round engaging and exciting. The scenery enhances the round as you're secluded within it most of the time. I thought the course flowed very well, with the fairways oftentimes rolling into the hazards and leading up to the greens. At the time it opened, I could see it being a little different than the norm, where forced carries and the aerial game was all the rage and any scenery was more framed than incorporated into play. I thought the par 3's could have been a little stronger, although there seemed to be an emphasis on the greens playing tougher on them. Overall, it's a very strong course that is subtle in its challenge while its beauty is fairly evident.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: The architecture is well done, although from the parking lot it didn't look like much at first blush. A large pro shop and indoor/outdoor area off the Eighteenth green lends itself to continuing to enjoy the peace and quiet of the round afterwards.

Locker room

Practice area: Fairly comprehensive, with a range, short game area and putting green.

Union League Golf Club at Torresdale

2019-01-18T13:20:00.001-05:00

6,227 yards, 137 slope from the Blues

Course: One of the closer courses to Center City Philadelphia, The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale is in Philadelphia proper in the Frankford-Torresdale area. The course started as the Torresdale Country Club in 1896, but the first nine holes were not built until the early 1900's, which was done by George Sayers, who was the pro at Merion GC. At that point, the club was called Torresdale-Frankford Country Club. In 1921, Donald Ross comes in and remodels the existing nine holes, along with building a second nine. The TFCC remained a prominent country club in the Philadelphia area for decades, even offering trap shooting. I ended up playing it for the first time when I was just starting out with golf while it was the TFCC. While I was only vaguely familiar with Donald Ross at the time, I had a nice feeling about the course, even though I spent most of the time hoping I could at least get the ball airborne.

In 2014, the Union League acquired TFCC and implemented a significant renovation to the clubhouse as well as a restoration of the golf course. Stephen Kay developed an original plan a few years prior to performing the work, which consisted of re-sizing the greens to original scale since they had grown smaller over the years, widening fairways, removing a significant number of trees and restoring all tees and bunkers. Some back tees were also added. A new practice facility and short game area was added as well. The restored course brought back most if not all of the Ross features and that was the intent. It re-opened in 2017.

Currently, Rees Jones has been developing a renovation project for the course. While it remains to be seen what work will be done, my take is that the course may be worked a little towards being able to host pro tournaments. I know additional land has been purchased adjoining the course and we could see some lengthening and routing changes, but again, I'm guessing.

It certainly appears that the course is in good hands with the Union League and they are doing what they can to elevate the prominence of this Donald Ross darling.

As for the course, it is set on rolling terrain, where a creek and ridges create forced carries and a handful of blind shots, straight holes mixed with dog legs and challenging greens. It's certainly a parkland course, with lots of trees on the property that create corridors and affect lines of play, which I believe was Ross' intent based on some other courses I have played of his. There is noticeable elevation differences even within the same hole while bunkering is generally well placed. A great example of a well designed shorter course providing plenty of challenge.

It was time for me to return to ULGCT after all these years. We had both changed so much, the course and I. Me - wiser, a better player, paunchier; the course - more refined, sleeker, sophisticated; it was time for a reunion to catch up. I also wanted to see it before it underwent any other changes to see how it played after the recent restoration.

Despite playing the course all those years ago, it felt like I was playing it for the first time. Whether it was from the restoration or just the haze of time I'm not sure, but the round was fresh, each shot a new one. It also didn't help that I was in a shotgun scramble the last time I played it.

So on a late summer day, I put a tee in the ground and with my gracious host, got around this spruced up Ross for what seemed like the first time.

The First is a 333 yard par 4 (from the Blues). An elevated tee shot to a fairway running downhill away from you, tilting right to left and abruptly ending at Byberry Creek. The green is on the other side, uphill from the fairway, with the first bunkers creating a false front and the green surrounded by bunkers. The rear bunkers are not original to the Ross design, but were likely kept for the additional challenge they bring. The green moves back to front and considering the short shot you should have in, it becomes imperative to hit the green. A nice combination of short length, shot selection off the tee and challenge with the approach for an opener. When I start to think about it, I can't think of too many Ross courses where the opening hole is the gentle handshake. He always seems to get you grinding right off the bat.

The First

Approach shot territory, from the upper right side

Approach shot territory from the left center

The Second is a 370 yard par 4. This hole was actually one of my favorites on the course. The fairway heads uphill and ever so slightly to the left, with trees lining both sides. The fairway then crests and dips to the green, which makes pretty much every approach shot completely blind. The green runs back to front but drops off suddenly off the back, so while the rear portion of the green can be used to retrace back to the green, too much means you're likely well below the green and in the trees. The blind approach shot was a lot of fun, especially playing it the first time and the green accommodates the shot nicely.

The Second

(Blind) Approach shot territory

The green

The Third is a 413 yard par 4. The tee shot is straight into what I'll call a valley fairway, since it sits below both the tee and green. Trees are on both sides but there is sufficient width for forgiveness and options of angles off the tee. There is one fairway bunker on the left that probably comes into play more than it should. The green sits on a plateau and rises rather abruptly. An apron is in front of the green leading down towards there fairway while bunkers are on either side on the front, then on the back left. An exact approach is necessary, this time to a healthy uphill green and for a chance at par, a tee shot in a place where an exact approach can be had is necessary. In other words, thinking through this hole backwards is always a good idea.

The Third

Moving down the left side of the fairway and the lone fairway bunker of this hole

The right front of the green, showing just how steep and sudden the green rises up

The Fourth is a 152 yard par 3. An uphill tee shot with a forced carry to the green. The long bunker short of the green has a steep face, making recovery shots to the green precarious. Long wide bunkers hug the corners of the green, with a short grass area running off the long left side and across on the right. The green movies from back to front and like most of the greens, moves fast. The risk of the ball falling off the front and rolling down towards the wide bunker is real as well.

Every Ross hole has a shorter par 3 and this is it for ULGCT. Accordingly, the defenses are plenty, requiring acumen with the short iron.

The Fourth

The bunker on the right side

The Fifth is a 313 yard par 4. By now, you should be warmed up and hopefully your score is still in good shape, yet it would not be surprising if you needed to make up some ground. This shorter hole is a sharp dog leg right, with the fairway rolling downhill before coming back up and turning to the green. The inside of the turn is rife with bigger bunkers that sit below the fairway. There are different ways of playing this hole; whether you go shorter off the tee to ensure a safe landing area or bomb it for a short second shot, risking the trees and bunkers off the tee, the fairway narrows considerably as you get closer to the green and the bunkers are treacherous, so tread carefully.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory

The Sixth is a 417 yard par 4. Straight and on the narrow side, the fairway has a hump in it, rising from the tee before humping and moving downhill to the green. Like the Second, the approach is likely a longer blind shot but the green is open to the fairway and bunkers are sparser here than other holes. Anything off fairway gets into immediate trouble, so keep it straight!

The Sixth

The green once the fairway crests

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Seventh is a 454 yard par 4. A longer uphill par 4, the tees are set to the left side of the hole, elevated. Water is off to the right, with Byberry Creek beyond. The fairway cants from left to right with bunkers on the right side. Once again, straight is the name of the game here. Straight and long to be exact. The green sits at the top of the hill, moving left to right as well. It's a tougher hole requiring two well hit brawny shots.

The Seventh

Approach shot territory. End of August and leaves on the fairway. Yep, Fall was starting to rear its head even though it was hot and humid.

The Eighth is a 453 yard par 4. Running downhill, there is a drop off into bunkers at the end of the fairway. What can't be seen is that there is more fairway after the bunkers before reaching the creek. Most will go for the green on their approach but if you don't have a shot into the green on your second, keep in mind there is room there for a shorter approach shot into the green. Regardless, the creek must be carried to get to the green, with a bunker on the left and right side.

The contrast in approach shots with respect to elevation is pretty evident. Thus far, it's been as follows: 1- elevated; 2 - below fairway; 3 - elevated; 4 - elevated; 5 - level; 6 - downhill; 7 - elevated; 8 - below fairway.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 162 yard par 3. Crossing back over Byberry Creek for the tee shot, you get another forced carry over the creek to the green, which tilts from back left to front right. The front bunkers are below the green while those on the back and right sides are more level. Similar to the Fourth, this is a shorter par 3 where a precise shot is necessary to avoid lots of trouble with bunkers, rough, and awkward lies.

The Ninth

The front nine loops around the north side of the property and uses the elevation changes, creek and terrain well. There are no par 5's on this side and it's to a par of 34. I think this shows Ross is more concerned with providing a great course, taking what the land gave him with the routing, as the back nine routing is much different. I though the use of blind shots was used sparingly yet well. The variety of viable approach shots depending on the green also keeps things interesting. Ranking them, I would go 2, 3, 5, 1, 6, 4, 8, 9, 7.

The back nine starts with the 479 yard par 5 Tenth. See, what did I tell you? The first par 5 of the course, which is the first of three on this side. Going back uphill, it's longer than the stated yardage. The fairway bends to the left as two bunkers are on the right side, then the left side further up. The fairway then comes back towards the right with an a nice transition from fairway to green. A long trench bunker hugging the entire right side of the green on that side reminded me of the one at LuLu on the Second. The green moves towards it as well, making it even more relevant. Anything missed too much off the green is probably in a good amount of trouble, as there is little forgiveness beyond the bunkers.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

A slightly closer look

The Eleventh is a 213 yard par 3. My favorite par 3 on the course and I didn't even take a photo from the tee! I must have been too excited. From the tee, you hit down to the green on the longest par 3 on the course. Byberry Creek runs at an angle across it, making it more difficult to carry the further right you go. There is ample room on the left to bail out and either try to scramble or settle for bogey. There is run off room on the back side and bunkers at each back corner. The green runs from back to front as well, so any pin on the right side of the green is particularly tough. A pin in the front means you're flirting with the creek while one in the back means you need to hit enough to carry the longest part of the creek, as well as get up the green, all without going into the bunker on that side. It's a fascinating par 3 I could play all day.

The creek and front of the green from the right side

The Twelfth is a 320 yard par 4. A short par 4 that climbs to the green. It's essentially straight, but the widening and constricting of the fairway makes it feel as if there are some turns. The tee is also set off to the left, which brings the left bunkers into play more than they normally would be. The green ramps up from the fairway and is well defended by sunken bunkers on every side. With the wide fairway and short approach shot, Ross is yet again not leaving much leeway for those shots with a wedge or short iron. Because of the demanding approach, avoiding the trees and bunkers and getting in the fairway is paramount. Another example of needing to think through the hole starting with the green.

The Twelfth

Approach shot territory

Front left of the green

The Thirteenth is a 542 yard par 5. Running along the western most side of the property, this is the second longest hole of the course by a scant five yards. To the left of the hole is where I believe additional property has been purchased and my guess is that Rees will use that additional property to lengthen the course considerably. Again, just my guess. At any rate, the hole is straightaway, initially going downhill before climbing back up to the green. While the hole is nice and wide until about 100 yards in to the green, it's more defective than anything, as it's imperative to keep it relatively straight here. Mind the lie you'll get with the hills as well, as a few well belted shots are necessary to get to the green in regulation. The diagonal green runs from back to front, with the entire left side guarded by two bunkers. It's the number 2 handicapped hole and for good reason. Any shot too far offline will need to be played almost as a lateral the closer you get to the green. My advice is to get to the uphill for your approach, which will make it easier to get your ball in the air and land softly on the green.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

A little closer to the green from the left side

The Fourteenth is a 212 yard par 3. Hitting over a gully to a green that moves from right to left, the bunker on the right is below the hole to collect those shots hit too close on that side. There is a row of bunkers on the left, staggered on the hillside, which is vintage Ross. There is some room to miss in the back, but the shot from there will be delicate one to handle. Considering its length, short may be the only miss to be happy with.

The Fourteenth

A closer look

The Fifteenth is a 291 yard par 4. The shortest par 4 on the course stays true to the theme of the course; control your ball and finesse over brawn. Bombing and gouging is almost impossible to get away with. Here, the green is a semi punch bowl with undulations and moving from back to front, with two trench bunkers at the rear of the green. There's a small opening from the fairway to roll the ball on, but generally you need to be in a position to land the ball on the green. Trees on both sides mean the more direct center the better and placement on the green determines whether the two putt par is a possibility. Use whatever clubs you have that will stay straight and stay true to that line.

The Fifteenth

From the left side, where my hooked tee shot ended up

Approach shot territory and a peek at the deadly green

The Sixteenth is a 547 yard par 5. The longest hole on the course and the final par 5, the straight but there is still a lot going on here. The tee shot is to a fairway that slopes right to left and falls downhill. Trying to use that downhill off the tee is helpful but it ends just after the hill at some rough then the cart path, not an ideal location for the path. It would be nice to be able to use that hill completely and advance the ball as far forward as possible with the right tee shot. The fairway continues to Byberry Creek, which must be carried, then starts to gradually rise to the green. There's a collection area towards the back left while bunkers guard either side, but there is an entry point from fairway to green. Trees line both sides, so along with distance is keeping it straight and negotiating the various lies you're bound to run into. The green moves right to left and was of my favorite on the course. A nice par 5 for sure.

The Sixteenth

The Seventeenth is a 185 yard par 3. A drop shot with the green moving quickly from back to front. Bunkers line the front and there's a short grass area at the front left where some balls on the green could roll down if they have enough speed. Sure the back side may be safer to aim to and miss, but with the green running away from you and not a whole lot of room, weigh that carefully. It's a nice change of pace hole from the burly Sixteenth and at a good place to try and level those matches for the last.

The Seventeenth

A little closer

The Eighteenth is a 371 yard par 4. A dog leg left where you actually tee off from the left side to make it turn even more. The hole climbs uphill, then turns to the green while going down just a little. Bunkers at either side of the turn keep your tee shot honest while they surround the green, on all sides and depths. As we've seen here, an exacting approach side is all that will do and in order to even have a clear look at the green, a well executed tee shot is necessary. The elevation and degree of turn here, as well as how many options are available since the green is downhill from the fairway with a large entrypoint, it's a nice finishing hole striking a nice balance between challenge and strategy to close out those matches or tourneys.

The Eighteenth

Looking back towards the tee

The green

The back nine loops around the south of the property and west of the property, with its routing a little different yet the right call based on how the holes present themselves. Length, looks and greens all change from to the other, with the constant being ball striking and accuracy are much more valuable than sheer distance. I'd rank them 11, 18, 12, 15, 10, 14, 17, 13.

Generally, The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale is a terrifically restored well conditioned Donald Ross course that emphasizes precision and finesse. It does a nice job of ensuring that sheer distance is not an advantage, which in turn makes you think your way through the course, in terms of setting up ideal approach shots, determining acceptable misses (if any) and deciding how to properly maneuver amongst the hazards with the necessary accuracy. There is a good amount of diversity with the holes and how they play, and especially with the green complexes. On a smaller piece of property (for now), the routing is outstanding, some how doing well in isolating most of the holes from one another, as well as from the area around the property. When all is said and done, the round is a challenging one, yet like I have seen on a lot of Ross courses, you will likely blame yourself for a high score rather than the course. While we see challenging Golden Age courses in our area like Rolling Green who have a larger scale and more undulating terrain, Ross does it here on a smaller piece of land without it ever feeling confined. Another example of a classic design that manages to stay relevant even today.

I'm not sure the direction Rees will take it, but the course is in good hands with the Union League so I'm excited to find out.

Donald Ross looks out to the course, approvingly

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: Very well stocked right off the Eighteenth green. And has one of the better club insignias that has come up recently.

The clubhouse itself is very well done. Wood paneling throughout and evoking what I'll call sophisticated comfort, it is certainly one aspect of the club that makes it stand out.

Men's locker room

Practice area: A full driving range, short game area and putting green

2019 Preview

2019-01-10T20:01:00.000-05:00

Another year is upon us. I moved to Philadelphia from Los Angeles a little over 19 years ago and finally, I may be used to the season cycle back here. More importantly, the golf season cycle. Some winters give you a day here and there where you're able to get out for a round, more excited to be outside swinging than anything else. Then some snow comes and maybe melts enough to get out for some soggy rounds. March is false hope month. It's usually colder than anyone wants to admit, but they just want to get back out after weeks and weeks and weeks of being shuttered indoors. The St. Patrick Day scrambles have ranged from short sleeve weather to literally jogging in place to stay warm enough to hit your next shot. At some point, temperatures get warmer. Most of the time it rains a lot, other years you might be able to avoid it. Still though, April is likewise usually colder than anyone wants to admit. It's time to start golf season and to hell with the weather.

May is the month of promise. Sunny spring rolls in and everyone is finally back out. Golf games start returning back to form, golf leagues start and there are months of warmth, green and golf tans ahead of us. Memorial Day weekend has always been not just the start of Summer for me, but when golf gets into full gear. Most days are great for golf from there on out, so figuring out when you're able to play, and where, and with who, starts to weigh heavily. Then it gets hot. And humid. Thunder storms start. No matter, I'm fine with it all. The courses are looking terrific, the PGA season is in full swing and of course, golf tans are in full effect. Golf trips happen, member-guest tournaments and sunset rounds are all part of it.

Then at some point, it happens. For me, it's usually in the middle of a round, but I sense it. The dead of summer. No wind, all humidity, with the cicadas on full blast, that dead of summer feeling tells me we reached the apex. The days will start getting shorter, leaves start showing up on the fairways and eventually, football starts. September is a great month for golf, as it's either another month of summer or fall golf starts. Fall golf has become my favorite. Trees change color, the temperature is more comfortable and we know there's still a few good months of golf left. October is more spectacular fall golf yet late October it gets colder, and the daylight becomes even less. And into November we go, knowing each round may be the last of the season, plotting the days where golf is feasible and bundling up. Any golf in December is playing with house money and we all start going into the mode of just being glad to get out. Sadly by now, the golf tans have faded. The holidays come and with the golf tans, golf recedes into the background. It must, as the glory days are months away and distant, so we must hope to forget a little so that maybe it sneaks upon us. For others, maybe we use the off season for lessons, or to buy equipment; or to catch up on their course reviews......

Alas, I have come to enjoy this cycle. I used to hate it, since it meant my "refined" golf game would start to disappear and I wanted to play year round. But like golf itself, the season ebbs and flows. The hope and dreams of the beginning of the season, the height of spring when everything is in full bloom, the languid summer and then the refreshing fall, they all have distinctive personality and evoke different feelings and thoughts while playing out there.

So now, I'm in what I'll call the, "loose planning stage" of the season. I come up with a rough guide of places I want to play locally, which then starts getting wider and wider, until I'm looking at courses in Florida, California, Ireland. Once that list is done, I try to figure out when it'll happen and really, that's when everything gets turned upside down. Plans change. Weather comes in. Other plans or invites come in. Some things must be jumped on, which means throwing other plans out. Some times nothing happens at all, then I figure out my own thing. Off the top of my head, I was supposed to play at least 4 courses in the top 25 where something happened and it didn't pan out, either because of weather or something else. At any rate, it's more about the fun of planning amidst the bleak winter landscape, golf but a mere blinking dot, like one of those far away planets just discovered by some super telescope in Chile.

Straddling the line between plans that will happen and those, well intentioned they may be, that don't, is tough. As I played the first round of the year some where I had not played before, I know one thing. I sense a break through with my game coming and will be doing what I can to make it happen. To wit, shot an 83, which is a pretty good score for me. In fact, it's a PB. I came to play in 2019!

Site of the first round of the year and PB

As for Golfadelphia, we know it'll be a spectacular year already. Mainly because there are 4-6 reviews coming right off the bat, left over from awesome 2018. Beyond that, I know it's going to be spectacular because I'll make it that way. After nine years of Golfadelphia, we're going strong and know that the journey itself makes it spectacular. It's just a matter of going out there and putting a tee in the ground.

So for your reading pleasure, the "loose" preview, of things that may or may not happen, or are so vague you'll never know one way or another:

- I'm putting together a list of lesser known courses that I think are full of interest. Some ore local, others are not. But there's so much golf out there that a lot of it has been forgotten. Or is at least not talked about it enough. I'm gonna find them.

- Run-ons from last year (and probably the years before that). Some courses to get to include Woodcrest, Reading CC, Back Creek, Royal Manchester and a review for Bensalem CC. For Woodcrest, the green fees are fairly steep, so committing to a round has always been tough. I'll do it eventually though. Also the Knoll, Medford Village and Five Ponds.

- Another 2018 run on, the Maine/Rhode Island trip. I was so close to doing this a few times last year. I'll get to it this year. Time to get the 50 states quest back on track!

- Juniata is the last Philly course to be reviewed. Will this be the year? Probably.

- Top secret trip did not happen last year. This year seems more likely. I've always said you'll know it when it happens, which you will.

- A Golfadelphia holiday present, a new rankings list is up, courses at the Jersey Shore. Any course near the coast, not just in the AC area. More visits there will be happening.

- Speaking of Jersey, boy do they have great courses in that state. Time to go visit some more new ones I haven't seen yet.

- An early year California trip will get me out to the La Quinta area and a couple courses will be reviewed.

- Maybe even a second trip to CA with more courses...

The winter rolls on, which eventually will cede to a new golf season, as it always does. Golfadelphia rolls on as well, patiently waiting for a renewed golf tan.

Here's to yet another exciting golf season. PB's for everyone this year!

2018 Recap

2019-01-05T11:08:00.001-05:00

After the year I had last season, I was waiting for the inevitable let down this year. I did what I could to stave it off, starting the year off at Bandon. And after Bandon, as the one year anniversary came from when I set foot at Pine Valley for the first time, I took a moment to think back on every where I've been in that one year span. How much I had learned and experienced; it was almost surreal.

How to keep it going? I don't mean simply playing ultra exclusive top rated courses, yes that is beyond terrific, but I mean - I wanted to keep learning and experiencing, becoming a more enlightened golfer. Every course I play, every hole I play, I learn more and more about the game, how it's evolved, what has remained over time and why, what appeals to me and why. Then taking that and trying to put in words and trying to figure out how it affects what I thought before that round. To me, that is one of the most rewarding parts of playing golf.

So, I just kept playing. I realized I really hadn't scratched the surface on the all world golf in my own area, so I played a lot of those courses. And really, that was the theme of this year. Staying fairly local and playing courses I have wanted to for years. Getting to know a little more about Golfadelphia.

It turned out that 2018 was the. Best hangover ever. 24 new courses played with 3 cracking my top 10, 16 local courses played and reviewed (or will be reviewed, more on that later). While the weather, work and everything else seemed to limit the total rounds I ended up playing this year, I always felt like I was playing soon enough and it was definitely quality over quantity (I really need to go back and see how many times I've used this phrase in these year in review posts). Seriously though, that quality ended up with more reviews in a season than ever before. To date, 20 reviews posted this year and for the first time ever, there are 4 - 6 courses still left to review. I've never had that kind of back up, but the courses I was able to play this season were all top notch, so there was a lot to write about. The education continues, never ending.

This last couple of years, golf course architecture seems to have risen in popularity. Now more than ever, there is really good content out there. Guys are doing things I wish I could pull off, taking videos of playing courses, getting aerial footage, narrating and music over the video, making golf course architecture....cool. Podcasts with designers, talking about their courses. There's a lot of material out there to learn about design, both modern and classic, I mean beyond the iconic Golfadelphia, and I try to take advantage of all of it. With the rise in popularity has been a rise in opinions, and some trying to dictate what is "good" architecture and what is "bad." If I have learned anything, it's that everyone should play what they like. Sure there's some styles that are trending right now, but like any form of art, golf course design evolves and what may be considered bad today is tomorrow's masterpiece. It's something that has happened time after time in golf course architecture. So I have learned to appreciate it all. If there's something I don't like, I try to explain why I don't like it, but I'll always appreciate diversity. Otherwise, all courses start to homogenize and have the same type of look, which dulls the limitless potential of this art. An art that reaches us all in different ways, making many of us fall in love with the game. Variety is the spice of life, or something like that. So learn all you can, experience all you can and appreciate it all!

In terms of playing, it was an up and down year. I started off with visions of grandeur, playing better than I ever have and wondering if I could finally get to a single digit handicap, but by late Spring I was trying to simply find my swing again. With every slump, though, comes more awareness of my swing and by later in the Summer, I came out of said slump a more knowledgeable golfer. Scoring wise, I feel I am on the cusp of breaking out. My ball striking is as solid as ever and so is my length. I had some of the lower nine hole scores ever, but couldn't put two of them together in the same round. Considering how frequently and easily some of those lower scores came though, it's coming. While it's never been about scores for me, I'm committing this off season to lessons, as improving and seeing just how good you can get at this game is always part of the fun. It's time to break the barrier of my scoring range and start to get lower!

There were other areas, however, where I was absolutely terrible. I looked at my 2018 preview post and it turns out I did maybe 1% of the things I said I was going to. And in terms of new states played, that would be one (for the second year in a row). I did finally get to another Philadelphia municipal course, so there's that. But the season moves fast and this season in particular was tough with the weather, so logistics, selecting courses to play and everything else get in the way that by the end of the season, you realize that all the courses you played didn't include a lot of the ones you planned on getting to. With the forgiveness and ambivalence of my wife and family even having limits, some courses will have to wait until next season. But I will get there....one of these days.

The season started at Bandon Dunes, the third day of January. Getting up while it was still dark, we walked to the pro shop at Bandon Dunes as the sun was rising, with Shoe telling us it was an "8" day.

The last round of that trip was with my brother, playing Bandon Preserve, visiting the drink shack frequently and having a blast with the course all to ourselves. Fast forward to the last round of the season, a brisk and windy day at LedgeRock, walking the course for some modicum of activity. Starting off decent, I finally hit my stride towards the back nine, stringing par after par together, missing birdie putts by inches and feeling like I should probably sign up for a Mid-Am qualifier. Getting to the Fourteenth, a par 3 with water along the left side, I hit what in my mind is a tour caliber draw into the green. It has no choice but to go in the hole. What a way to end the year!
Instead, the wind got a hold of it, pushes it left, and I watch it hit the left side of the green before tumbling down the side of the hill...into the water. Even when you hit it as well as you can, things happen. So I chuckled to myself, and soldiered on. That's how I see golf for us all. Whether you're Tiger, finally returning to glory after years of set backs, or you're some out of shape schmoe getting excited at a bunch of pars, we all solider on to the next, having a blast along the way. So here's to soldiering on to 2019 - and hole in ones for everyone!

For your consideration, some highlights of 2018.

Total rounds played: 55 - 60, 70 max.

States played in:

Oregon
Texas
New York
New Jersey
South Carolina
Pennsylvania

(Can't believe I didn't get to Delaware this year!!!)

I usually like to keep it a surprise what course will be reviewed next, but in a Golfadelphia first, here's the list of the courses that will be posted next that were played in 2018:

The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale

Huntsville Golf Club

Hidden Creek Golf Club

Congaree Golf Club

Cedarbrook Country Club (maybe)

Spring Ford Country Club (maybe)

The last two are maybes because I played them later in the season, so shadows and everything else can make the photos not as great as other times of the season. I'll have to decide whether to wait on posting reviews once I get better photos or not.

Biggest Surprise.

Bandon Trails. Before playing any courses, I felt playing here was more obligatory than anything else. Was there more praise heaped on the course because it was inland, making it different than the others and able to assert its identity easier? While playing it, however, I realized how perfectly the course fit into its surroundings, one enhancing the other. It played so well, with most tee shots generous yet it still mattered very much where you ended up. The greens were fantastic as well. What really shined for me though was simply the diversity of each hole, the series of terrain encountered and how it's presented. The round here sticks out this year. For the peace and calm it brought and for realizing I was some where special.

Naturalism at its finest

Exceeded Expectations. Also, favorite public course outside Philly area.

Old Macdonald. This was a course I was expecting to like. Some templates, freedom for creativity and large greens. While it included all of those things, it was so well designed and like Bandon Trails, the routing and presentation on such ideal terrain was brilliant. Our second round in the wind was a great way to see how different it could play as well. It was an inspirational course for me.

Best combination of challenge and fun.

Congaree. The review of this course isn't up yet, but it quickly became one of my favorites ever. Located in South Carolina, it's a fairly new course by Tom Fazio that reminds me of a lot of different places for different reasons. A combination of Pine Valley, Pinehurst and Royal Melbourne, playing very fast and firm, with sweeping sand dunes and trees that Fazio literally placed full grown to create strategic hazards. It's easily my favorite Fazio played and like I said, in my upper echelon. I did not score well, but would score well on certain holes, seeing this as a great match play course. It is an extremely challenging course, yet the firm and fast conditions and slopes make it equally fun. In turn, it's easy to have fun out here without realizing, or caring, what the score is. The surface of this place is just being scratched but at the end of the day, I see it as a top 10-20. Also, it just won Best New Course in 2018 by Golf Digest.

Most Improved.

Applebrook Golf Club. Like last year, I don't mean most improved for course conditions or even the course, but Applebrook definitely improved my perception of Gil Hanse. I enjoyed Rustic Canyon when I played it, but Applebrook has a very unique complexity to it and while it presented very much as a modern course, played like a classic. I have a newfound appreciation of Hanse after playing Applebrook. Strategy abounds and very walkable, it's one of those courses I could play for a week straight and stay intrigued the entire time.

Honorable mention goes to Huntsville Golf Club. For the same reason as Applebrook, Huntsville showed how adroit Rees Jones can be with his courses. The review is not yet up but I played a lot of great courses during the Fall and have yet to catch up on my reviews. Huntsville was ahead of its time. Opening in 1994 during the housing development/golf course boom with the harder is better mantra infiltrating popular golf course design, Huntsville is set on hilly terrain making its way in and out of the woods. Not a house in site, walkable and a very flexible course with various options and the ground game very much in play, with a lot of greens open to the fairway and slopes to use, the course has always been ranked as one of the top courses in Pennsylvania on Golf Digest's rankings. Huntsville remains a unique course today and reminded me of LedgeRock, which Rees designed twelve years later.

Favorite Course.
Somerset Hills Country Club. Just a fascinating course. The character and charm of the course and club remains unchanged in a lot of ways from its original design, which was one of Tillinghast's earlier works. The terrain was used masterfully and there's so many different looks to the course as you make your way around. The green complexes were all world, again with so many different types and movements. The personalities of each set of nine holes contrast yet compliment each other. From being the first one at the range in the morning to putting out on the Eighteenth later in the afternoon, it was the highlight of the season.

Honorable mention goes to Congaree. I was really blown away by this course. It's firm and fast done right, but there's a lot of challenge and difficulty compelling the aerial game. There are so many fun shots here, as well as so many you need to think carefully about. The sweeping nature of the course and fun of the greens were also memorable. Congaree will only get better and that's one of the more exciting things to me as far as golf course design goes right now.

Courses played this year for the first time I would be more than happy if I had to play only that course forever.

Bandon Dunes
Old Macdonald
Bandon Trails
Forsgate Banks
Somerset Hills
Applebrook
Manufacturers'
Hidden Creek
Congaree

2018 golf milestones

Best shot of the year

The 10 foot putt for birdie at the Sixteenth of Bandon Dunes. An iconic hole, spectacular view and not playing all that well, I rose to the occasion for one of my more memorable birdies.

My 320 yard drive on the Sixth at Old Mac. Yes the (strong) wind was to my back and yes I got a ton of roll, but I don't care. It felt great at impact and I was left with a second shot into the green on this par 5.

LedgeRock, Sixth hole, second shot. My tee shot went right and I was on a severe side slope, in rough, blind to the green, in the playoffs of my men's league. 180 yards out, I lined it up and hit it to within five feet.

My two eagle putts, one at Forsgate Banks and one at Manufacturers' after great approach shots. Both missed!

Worst shot of the year

Always the most fun and disastrous part of the season to recall. This could probably take up an entire post, but the worst of the worst include:

Crushing my tee shot at the Fourth at Bandon Dunes, leaving me with a short approach into the green as the ocean starts coming into view. A cold shank sent the ball off the hillside near the ocean. I guess the majesty of the ocean was too much for my senses.

Fifteen foot birdie putt at the Sixteenth at Whitemarsh. I was above the hole and even though the member told me to tap it, I put too much on it, watching it roll past the hole, off the green and 15 feet below the green. Walked away with a triple.

Topped tee shot at the Ninth of Applebrook, with my match tied at that point, walked away with triple.

Pretty much every shot at Maidstone.

Courses I played that I didn't review:

Only one this year, Trump National at Colt's Neck.

It's early January and thus far, the weather is holding up for some golf. Still though, the season of the warm sun and lively fairways is a few months off. The 2019 Preview will be coming soon as I try to figure out how to play every golf course in the universe. Have a fun offseason, get out and play when you can, go some where warm if you can and above all else, enjoy yourself out there!

Manufacturers' Golf and Country Club

2018-12-31T19:44:00.005-05:00

6,188 - 6,300 yards, 133 slope from the Golds

Course: In Fort Washington and about 20-30 minutes away from downtown is Manufacturers' Golf and Country Club, a club founded by industrial leaders in 1887. The golf course was designed by William Flynn in 1925. Ron Forse did restoration work in 2014, which consisted of bunker work and taking out a lot of the trees that had overgrown throughout the years. "Mannie's" borders LuLu and is on similar rolling terrain, but is hillier, with a lot more hollows and knobs that Flynn used fabulously. You gotta love Philadelphia; a classic Donald Ross on one side of the road and one of Flynn's best on the other.

Mannie's features greens that use the slopes and terrain brilliantly, with what feels like movement every where, that opens up much of the strategy, options and accessibility of the course. Like most Flynn courses, the routing is very good, starting off on the top of the hill where the clubhouse sits, looping around to the bottom of the hill, then going back out again before looping back and either finishing at the bottom or top of the hill, depending on which green is being used. There is great quirk here that makes the course stand out and a lot of fun around the greens. The character and creativity seen in using the terrain, including the quarry in which a short par 3 was placed with a punchbowl green, are memorable. A perfect site for the clubhouse resting above the course and almost sprawling the width of it, there's a balance of grandiose with the charm and uniqueness of the course.

My experience with Flynn courses has grown this year, as has my appreciation for him. While I've always loved his routings, I'm starting to really like and understand just how diverse a designer he was. From Rolling Green with its timeless challenge to Harrisburg with its severity of terrain and quirk, Mannie's shines with intrigue and diversity. While all these courses are on hillier terrain, they are all different from one another while still maintaining common themes such as terrific routing, interest around and on the greens, and complex challenge. Mannie's is definitely my favorite Flynn course played up to this point. In fact, it's one of my favorite in the area. And to think, I haven't even scratched the surface of courses considered among Flynn's best!

Very similar to Llanerch, I was aware of Mannie's and had heard really good things about it, but didn't know much about it other than you take a tram from the Eighteenth green to the clubhouse if you finish to the par 4 green. While I had seen photos of the holes, I have come to learn it's difficult to appreciate them unless you have been there and played it. So even though I knew of the holes and had heard great things, I had no idea why it was generally regarded as a good course. Discovering that for myself was one of the highlights of the season.

I played Mannie's on one of the hottest days of the season. Sunny and clear with not a hint of wind. That wore me towards the end of the round, but bounced back with a par at the end. Even so, the heat wouldn't stop me from the elation that I was out on the course yet again, amongst one of its masterpieces.

The First is a 379 yard par 4 (from the Golds). Teeing off from atop the hill upon which the clubhouse sits, the fairways runs straight out ahead of you, with bunkers and a few trees along either side. A tree near the right side of the green forces the issue in terms of lines into the green and there are bunkers on either side of the green as well. The green itself runs off the back side and left to right in general. A nice warm up with a terrific opening tee shot, where you're literally jumping into the course from heights above.

The First

Approach shot territory, from the left side

Left side of the green, with the run off

A view from behind the green

The Second is a 350 yard par 4. A dog leg left with a creek running alongside the left side. More on that in a sec. Trees on the left and bunkers on the right are well placed to compel pressure on the tee shot, which must go far enough to clear the trees, avoid the bunkers and mind the dog leg, all so that you have a clear line to the green with a good lie, since the green is on the other side of the aforementioned creek. In fact, the green sits perpendicular to the end of the fairway and creates different angles to it depending on where you shot is. There are trees on the far side of the green, but otherwise it's nice and wide, with runs offs on all sides, with the creek running directly on the right side.

At each new course I play, there is some point in the round where I'll perk up, realize there might be something interesting here and get a little excited. At some courses, that may never happen while at others, it may not happen until one of the closing holes. Here, it happened at the approach on the Second. The placement of the green with respect to the creek and how it set up with the fairway was brilliant and played just as well.

The Second

Approach shot territory

From the back left of the green, looking towards the fairway

The Third is a 390 yard par 4. Playing straight ahead back in the direction of the clubhouse, the fairway climbs to the green with a couple bunkers along the right side and trees on either side of the fairway. The fairway feeds into the green, which moves left to right, although the bunker on the right brings a little of a slope in the other direction. A challenging green for sure.

The Third

Approach shot territory

The bunker just short of the green on the right side

Just in front of the green

The Fourth is a 148 yard par 3. Speaking of challenging greens, we are now back on the hillside further down from the clubhouse, which gives a lot of right to left movement of the green. There is a bunker on the front right side, above the green, which should be avoided at all costs. There are also a couple bunkers on the left lower side and with the movement of the green towards them, gives this hole some Redan characteristics. It's a fun shorter par 3 where respect must be given to the slope, accounting for how the ball will moves once it lands on the green.

The Fourth

The Fifth is a 378 yard par 4. Now starting move back down the hill, the fairway follows the movement of hillside, from right to left. A large bunker on the right is very much in play off the tee while the fairway starts to widen just after it. The fairway leads down to the creek we saw on the Second, which incidentally is called, "Sandy Run." Like the Second, the green is on the side of the green, actually, it's literally sitting on top of it. The green moves opposite of the fairway, from left to right, with lots of width that extends off the green, with trees on the far side. Again, it's a brilliant placement of the green with respect to the creek, and the fairway with respect to the hillside, that results in a strategic hole thatch be played a variety of ways, all of which starts as you stand on the tee.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory

From the green looking back

The Sixth is a 180 yard par 3. An uphill par 3 where the green is blind from the tee, the shaping of the slope leading up to the green and the bunkers placed short of the green as well, everything you see from the tee is strongly suggesting that you reach the green at all costs. The green moves from back to front, making any putt in that direction difficult. Trying to stay below the hole while clearing the steep uphill is a tricky proposition but makes for yet another great par 3 and exceptional use of a blind shot.

The Sixth

The green, from the left side

Short of the green to show the severity of slope

The Seventh is a 480 yard par 5. A dog leg right where clearing the trees on the right side from the tee gives you a chance to go for the green on your second shot. Bear in mind there is a bunker on the left off the tee as well, meant for gathering over ambitious tee shots that run through the fairway. You can use the right side of the fairway and its hill side to get a lot of roll off the tee as well. The green is set above the fairway, with a large bunkers guarding it well short and then one on either side guarding the narrow entry point. The green runs away from the entry point on the left and from back to front. With the movement of the green and hazards around it, deciding whether to go for it or lay up for an ideal position is a tough ponder. It's an effective short par 5.

Second shot territory of the Seventh

A rare putt for Eagle (spoiler alert: I missed it)

Looking across the green and water to where the clubhouse resides

The Eighth is a 105 yard par 3. This is aptly called the Quarry hole. The clubhouse was built from Chestnut Hill stone, which was mined from the quarries on the property, which includes the area in which this hole is placed. A short par 3 made even short since the green is below you, the front of the green drops suddenly and severely further downhill while the entire green moves swiftly from back to front. The hill side of long grass and bunker on the back side is more in play than it should be, as you need to avoid the chasm before the green and getting a little too aggressive could be costly. In terms of short and challenging par 3's go, this one is up there with the best.

The Eighth

Going down the stairs to see what's what

The back side of the green

The halfway house, which is one of the better I've come across

The Ninth is a 468 yard par 5. Hitting to the fairway below, we march straight back in the direction of the clubhouse. A few large trees and bunkers loom on both sides of the fairway, but it's important to get in a position for a good approach into the green, which sits above the fairway and has a larger bunker on the front right side. The green moves quickly from back to front as well. The entry point to the green is on the left, for those who want to use it to get the ball moving towards the hole. A great green site, while the hole is more of a half par to me, yet I'll take any extra stroke I can get.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory, as the clubhouse looks on

The front nine loops around the north west side of the property, utilizing the large hill where the clubhouse is along with a couple elevations on the other side of the course. The par 3's are excellent, the use of the creek is exemplary and every hole is of unique character. I would rank them 6, 4, 7, 8, 2, 5, 3, 9, 1.

The back nine starts with the 415 yard par 4 Tenth. A dog leg right that drops downhill at the turn, with a larger deposit bunker on the left side in that area. The outside of the turn is more ideal for the approach than the inside, although a tee shot that will run downhill will likely be better to start near the right center of the fairway. The fairway runs downhill and ends at the creek we have by now come to know and love, with the green on the other side and two larger trees posted at either side of the back end of the green. The green is subtle here, moving right to left and back to front in general. With the hill and green set downhill along with the creek running just before it, the approach shot is a tricky one.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

Closer, from the left side

The Eleventh is a 175 yard par 3. The green is uphill from the tee and is semi-blind. Leading up to the green, three cross bunkers collect underwhelming shots while a ridge before them slopes towards them, creating a cradle of a ledge and making any shots short of it very difficult to deal with. An entry point from the collection area swings over to the right and climbs to the green, with everything to the left of the entry point sloping down sharply to rough. While there is lots going on here, all of it is screaming at you to err on the longer side, where you'll be faced with a fast putt downhill to the pin. While this theme is similar to the Sixth, the slopes on the sides and front, and bail out area on either side assert its distinction. Yet another outstanding par 3.

The Eleventh

Front right, just before the green

Before the bunkers in front of the green, looking left

Left side

The Twelfth is a 493 yard par 5. One of the more wide open holes ion the course, this dog leg right has large bunkers along the right side at the turn and the fairway cants from left to right. The fairway narrows as you get closer to the green, which is raised a little from the fairway. Two deep bunkers are on either side at the front of the green, which is seemed like one of the smaller on the course. Seemed like a potato chip shape of a green, which moves from back to front, towards the bunkers in general.

The Twelfth

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Thirteenth is a 175 yard par 3. While that's the yardage stated on the scorecard, this hole played well over 200 yards for us. By far the longest par 3 on the course, there's a lot of room running up to the green to lay up with as well as from side to side. There's an entry point on the right, with the green running downhill away from it towards the green side bunkers on the left, giving this hole a Redan feel as well. Considering its length, there are plenty of places to miss and try to scramble for par while the green is large and has enough movement to receive well struck shots and reward those that are well executed. The last par 3 we encounter is a good one.

The Thirteenth

A little closer look

The Fourteenth is a 385 yard par 4. A straightaway par 4 where the fairway tilts from left to right. There's a large bunker short right, I suppose to collect badly hit tee shots. It's fairly easy to see your ball land and roll towards the right side of the fairway, ultimately rolling off and below into the rough, so the left side is ideal off the tee. The green moves left to right as well and while there is a similar Redan feel since the entry to the green is on the left side and it moves towards a large green side bunker carved below, we can see how Flynn used the movement of the terrain to incorporate strategy into the course. The green makes approaches from the right side ideal, but that means flirting with the tilting fairway and possibly ending up in the rough. Maybe that's not that big of a deal for some, while for others, maybe a clean lie from the left side doesn't make messing with the right side worth it. Regardless, there's a lot of fun and thought here.

The Fourteenth

Approach shot territory

The Fifteenth is a 525 yard par 5. The longest hole on the course, as well as the number one handicap, moves uphill and bends slightly to the right. Trees and bunkers intersperse both sides of the fairway, with a large apron and a moderate size green. The difficulty with the hole is with the length and tightening of the fairway compared to most others. While there is room to accommodate offline shots, the bunkers and trees compounds any error and makes recoveries lean towards being tough. Still, the par 5's are a bit behind in complexity of the other holes here, yet still fit into the challenge themes encountered throughout the round.

The Fifteenth

Moving up the fairway, left side

Approach shot territory

The drop off of the green, left side

More of the perimeter of the green

The Sixteenth is a 404 yard par 4. Bunkers along the right side and trees along the left, with the green curling to the right. Starting just to the right of the second bunker is a deep quarry area, which runs all the way to the front of the green. This deep chasm should be avoided at all costs, but comes into play the further right your tee shot, as you will need to carry it to reach the green. Going in it means having to hit about 30 feet out of it, trying to hit the green, which will be completely blind. Advancing up the left side off the tee, then feeding your approach from the left side so it moves to the right is ideal. In other words, do not give in to the temptation of trying to shorten your approach by teeing off to the right unless you're confident in not missing the green short. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 345 yard par 4. An elevated tee shot to a fairway that runs downhill to our beloved creek. Driver may not be the best club off the tee. Some may be able to get close to the creek with driver, leaving a wedge into the green, but there's not as much forgiveness here on off-line shots, so many may want to hit something more accurate for them that will leave them with a longer approach into the green and likely a bit of a downhill lie. Pick your poison but make sure you leave yourself with a clean line into the green. The green moves from left to right, with a bunker left and right of the green towards the front. With the tilt of the green and how it tightens up towards the front, it will be tempting to go for the wider rear portion, but mind the rear hill, which has deep rough and much longer grass further back. A deceptively tough shorter par 4.

The Seventeenth

Approach shot territory

The Eighteenth is a 393 par 4, or 505 yard par 5, depending on which green is in play that day. We played it as a par 5. The tee shot is a carry over Sandy Run one last time to a fairway that climbs uphill before cresting, leaving us a blind tee shot. As a par 4, the green is set to the left of the fairway, so it's more of a dog leg left, with the green running right to left towards larger bunkers sitting just below the green. And mind the false front leading up to the green, which will send shorter shots away from the green and to the left. The par 4 finish means you get to take the tram back up the hill to the clubhouse, a Philly golf favorite, so enjoy!

For those playing the hole as a par 5, we stay to the right of the par 4 green and rocket straight uphill to the plateau green, which is adjacent to the clubhouse patio. For the first time playing, the second shot was tough conceptually, as you're literally hitting your ball into a hillside. Because of the severity of slope, I was afraid it would roll back down, so I intentionally aimed for the rough, which I though would be easier to get up in the air for my approach shot anyways. The green moves from back to front and is fairly wide, yet the approach will be blind, again hitting very much uphill. Once you reach the green, take it all in and rejoice; the journey from the majestic hillside down into the fray of the course and back up again is complete and regardless of score, you're a better golfer for it.

The Eighteenth

Moving up the fairway

A look at the par 4 green, off to the left

The par 5 green is up there some where! (in line with the chimney)

Enjoying the view looking back at the fairway

The green itself

The back nine loops around the southeast side of the property, features a strong opening and a strong closing while the mid-holes are special in their own right. The par 3's continue to shine while the par 4's all assert themselves in different ways. The last, when played as a par 5, is my favorite of the course because of the severity and quick of the approach shot and green. Ranking them, I'd go 18 (I love how it can alternate between par 4 and 5 and how different it plays for each), 11, 14, 13, 16, 17, 10, 12, 15.

Generally, Manufacturers' was one of my favorite played this season and really cemented a higher level of admiration for Flynn. While this admiration was probably inevitable as I played more and more of his courses, I saw a lot of creativity here that worked really well, including the blind shots, placement of greens near the creek and the green complexes. The quarry areas and dual greens on the Eighteenth are also very well known but truly enhance the diversity and strategy of the course rather than serve as gimmickry. The par 3's really stood out and typified what I loved about the course; different looks, different ways to play each and fun greens to use a variety of ways. The terrain was used splendidly, putting a lot of memorable character into one of Philadelphia's gems.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: The Chestnut Hill stone from quarried from the property was used to initially build the estate of a wealthy sugar magnate, but is now a spectacular sprawling structure atop a hillside offering majestic views of the course. The outdoor patio area is terrific to soak in those views while the pro shop has everything you would want.

The tram

Men's locker

Practice area: A couple range areas, short game area and putting green.

Llanerch Country Club

2018-12-23T12:03:00.002-05:00

6,352 yards, 136 slope from the Whites

Course: In Havertown, PA, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia, is Llanerch Country Club. Alex Findlay designed the course in 1928 while Stephen Kay did some restorative and renovation work in 2005, which included rebunkering, tree removal and tee/green expansions. Originally 27 holes, 9 were sold to development, leaving the single course. Llanerch is a club full of history that hosted the 1957 PGA Championship, which was the first year the tournament was contested with medal play instead of match play.

A Findlay design rich with character in the Philadelphia area is hard to come by nowadays. While Walnut Lane is nearby and could fit that bill, it's more of an executive course and in need of some drastic attention. Otherwise, Llanerch is it, or at least to Philadelphia proper. A classic course that has plenty of challenge, especially around the greens, the moderate hilly terrain and meandering creeks are used very well in an outstanding routing. The course is also a lot of fun, with several drop carry shots and some how not a lot of uphill climbs despite the terrain. The par 3's stuck out as very impressive and I liked the character of the bunkers; large, craggy with fescue, asserting themselves throughout the round as a force to be reckoned with.

Llanerch is very much a classic course. Tipping out at just over 6,800 yards and a 140 slope, the challenge is certainly not with distance, but rather with the greens and placement of the ball off the tee and in the fairways, knowing the best angles and lines into the greens. The strategy and ball striking necessary to properly deal with the greens emphasizes strategy and precision over brawn; something Findlay was known for. The course is a nice walk as well, with transitions from green to the next tee a breeze. Most of the greens are more tilted than undulating, making pin positions affect these angles and lines into the green. Another great example of a course testing every aspect of one's game without being overly penal or one dimensional. It reminded me a little of Jeffersonville and Merion in being so walkable, how the holes were presented on a smaller piece of property without feeling crammed or hemmed in, and in how forced carries are used sparingly yet effectively.

I live extremely close to the Llanerch and know some members, but had never played here until this season. I actually didn't know much about the course other than where it was. As someone who travels pretty much to the ends of the earth to play golf courses, it was finally time to check out one of them in my own backyard. So after listening to half a song in the car, I was already in the parking lot and ready to play.

The First is a 376 yard par 4 (from the Whites). A little bit of a forced carry over native grass to the fairway, which tilts from right to left. Trees are well placed on either side, still allowing width and lines into the green from off the fairway, more so on the left side. A creek runs along the left side of the hole as well and is very much in play off the tee. A creek bisects the fairway for the second shot, which is to the green, set uphill and generally moving right to left. The green side bunker on the right is s sign of things to come; imposing and allowing for all different types of lies, including in the deep fescue surrounding it. Findlay establishes the rules of engagement early; account for the movement of the terrain, too far off line will not be tolerated and set up for the next shot.

The First

Approach shot territory

A little closer

The back of the green, looking back towards the clubhouse

The Second is a 401 yard par 4. And just like that, we face the number one handicapped hole, so hopefully you're warmed up! At the most southern point of the course, looking off to the left is where I surmise the third set of nine holes existed, which is now residential within Thompson Nature Park and Williamson Field. As for the hole, it's a dog leg right where the tree line on the right must be cleared off the tee for the approach shot. There is a bunker on the left meant to collect those trying to clear the tree line too much. The approach can be a long one and the green is raised with bunkers on both sides with a little room to spare off the green in the rough. The fairway is wide and opens up even more as you get closer to the green, so there's ample opportunity for recovery if the second shot doesn't hit the green.

The Second

Approach shot territory, with still a ways to go

A little closer

The Third is a 411 yard par 4. Bending to the left just a touch, we proceed back in the direction of the First, between the First and Second. Just like the prior holes, a well hit tee shot is vital for a clear approach to the green. Bunkers are on either side of the fairway, as are trees. The fairway crests before falling and ending into rough, with the green rising again. The green is essentially level with the highest point of the fairway, so placing the tee shot in the area makes for an ideal approach. And an ideal approach is needed here, with the green being one of the smaller ones and bunkers on either side towards the front, carved into the hillside.

The Third

Approach shot territory

Love the flags, with the hole number on each

The Fourth is a 196 yard par 3. This Redan really caught my attention. Unlike the first three holes, the trees part ways and give this a links feel. The tee is above the green, with a bunker short and right, perhaps to provide a little defense against those trying to run the ball up the right side. The green moves nicely from right to left, away from the point of entry, with bunkers on the front left and left side. The right side is uphill to the hole, so any shot to the right of the green will be downhill, with the green running away from you. There are bunkers on that side closer to the green as well. The size and shape of the green fits the hole perfectly; more wide than deep, it invites a myriad of shots off the tee, whether it's a draw to use the movement of the green, a fade to move away from the bunkers and stop the ball against the slope, or the straight ball that will likely still move to the left a little after landing. It's a fantastic hole and really got me excited about what else I'd find out here.

The Fourth

The green, from the right side

The Fifth is a 524 yard par 5. We now cross Steel Road where we play the next four holes at least for the front nine, still along the southernmost point of the property. The fairway meanders, moving this way and that amongst trees and bunkers on either side, which creates a number of different lines to the green depending on where your shots end up. There is some movement right to left of the fairway and the tee shot does well to account for it, as well as avoiding the bunkers. The second shot will likely need to be more on the right side to allow a clear approach shot, avoiding the trees on the left. The green is well guarded and only of modest size. Bunkers pinch the front opening while a trench bunker covers the entire rear side. For those opting to go for the green in two shots, good luck getting there safely. The green is bit of a reprieve, recognizing the challenge in getting there, but there is movement near the opening at the front.

The Fifth

Moving down the fairway

A peek at the green from one of the bunkers on the left

The Sixth is a 391 yard par 4. A slight dog leg right, with the fairway moving left to right as well. A large tree on the right must be cleared from the tee, yet a row of bunkers on the left temper how far you can go to get away from it. The green is small and guarded by multiple bunkers on the either side, with the back side encroached by evergreen trees just off the green. The green is narrow with lots of movement, generally from the outside in and back to front. The approach is wide open, however, so the options are plenty in order to deal with this challenging green.

The Sixth

The green

The left side, just off the green

The Seventh is a 383 yard par 4. The tee shot is blind to a downhill fairway. There's a bunker short right and to the left, as well as the left treeline, to account for. With the downhill, a club other than driver may be a better option, so long as the fairway is found. The approach shot is a forced carry over a creek, to the green that is set to the right of the fairway. The green moves right to left and towards the creek while bunkers essentially surround the green on all sides, except the side of the creek. This hole departs a bit from what we've encountered thus far because of the blind shot and abrupt approach, but the theme remains the same; careful planning of each shot and use the movement of the ground smartly. As with a lot of classic courses, mis hit shots typically allow a chance for recovery instead of an outright penalty stroke. This is all the more impressive considering the smaller property upon which the course is set.

Approach shot territory

The Eighth is a 203 yard par 3. We go back across Steel Road for the second par 3 of this front nine. The green moves from left to right while four bunkers make sure they have every post of the green protected. Water is short right, then a creek runs along the right side up to the green. Like the Fourth, you're free to attack this green with any ball flight and angle you like, including using the wide point of entry in the front. I really liked how the course opens up in the right places, especially with the par 3's.

The Eighth

The Ninth is a 480 yard par 5. The tees are set a little to the left of the fairway, which moves uphill, with bunkers and trees on both sides. The fairway continues to proceed straight and slightly uphill to the green after the tee shot. The green then curls to the right until it's almost perpendicular to the fairway. There is an entry on the left while bunkers guard the front right. If you want to use the ground game to run into the green, make sure your second shot is off to the left side to be able to do so. Otherwise, the bunkers on the right will likely need to be carried. While the hole is uphill and a bit longer than the stated yardage, it feels like a four and a half par hole rather than a five, but the extra stroke is always welcome. The longer players who hit the right tee shot will have a nice look at reaching the green on the second shot.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The front nine comes in waves. From the first three holes demanding precision, almost trying to assert a tone with the golfer early on to be cautious and calculating, the next few holes open up, allowing for more creativity, before reaching the Ninth, which is almost a combination of both; confining the tee shot before providing an array of avenues to the green. The Fourth is a spectacular hole while the par 5's are solid and the par 4's all play pleasantly differently and all well in their own right. My ranking of them is 4, 5, 6, 1, 9, 3, 8, 7, 2.

The back nine starts with the 415 yard par 4 Tenth. A tip of the cap to the halfway house, perfectly positioned after the Ninth green, just next to the Tenth tee. Now we head back out, back down the hill and over the creek, near the Ninth tee, where the players there can admire the shots coming down and in to the green. Straight down the middle is ideal for the tee shot. Keep in mind that the driving range is on the range so any shots hit too far on that side are OB. Also keep in mind that the further your tee shot, the more of a downhill lie you will likely have for your approach, so easing up a bit on the tee may leave you with a better lie, albeit a little longer. The green complex is grand, moving from back to front and featuring two terrific bunkers towards the front on both sides. The movement of the green here is enough to consider on the approach, as any putt downhill will be treacherous. It's a great hole.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

A closer look. Love the bunkering here.

The Eleventh is a 406 yard par 4. Bunkers on either side of the fairway await lesser tee shots and while trees are on either side, there's enough width where they don't come into play unless you're really offline. The hole then opens up for the approach to a wide green with bunkers short to contend with. The fairway feeds right into the green, with a sloping short grass area near the right front. The green moves from right to left as well.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

The Twelfth is a 157 yard par 3. This is an interior hole on this side of Steel Road, meaning it's one of the few that doesn't border the perimeter of the course. Needing to transition directions yet utilize all of the property, this hole fits in perfectly, as the small nook upon which it is set makes for a great shorter par 3, where the green runs fast from back to front and we see more of those great looking bunkers on all sides, all different shapes and depths. Whether you try to use the slope to bring the ball back towards the hole, or land short of it for an easier uphill putt, by all means avoid being above the hole.

The Twelfth

A closer look

The Thirteenth is a 333 yard par 4. The tee is set below and to the left of the fairway, leaving us with a blind tee shot. The placement of the the also make this a bit of a dog leg left where hitting the fairway is a real good idea because of the trees, just waiting to block you out. Bunkers are well placed sparingly leading up to the green, with the fairway spilling out to the left after one of them, which creates some what of a false front. Bunkers then pinch the apron leading to the green while the sides run off downhill, with a sly trench bunker off the back of the green. A nice green complex and with it generally moving away from the front, a nice change up from what we've seen from the back nine up to this point.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Fourteenth is a 446 yard par 4. It's the longest par 4 of the round. The tee shot is straight out to a fairway climbing slightly uphill with trees being rather unforgiving on both sides. The fairway then dips downhill before rising and turning left to the green. The fairway starts narrowing as you get closer to the green, with bunkers on both the left and right of the narrow yet deep green. The second shot is likely one of the toughest on the course, considering what your lie probably is, the smaller size of the green and angle of the approach. It's a tough hole, demanding two very good shots.

The Fourteenth

Approach shot territory

The Fifteenth is a 313 yard par 4. We go from the longest par 4's to one of the shortest. And it's quite the short par 4. The fairway runs at a 4:00 to 10:00 angle from the tee with bunkers running along the left side up to the green. These left bunkers also serve the dual purpose of blocking your view of the fairway from the tee, so you don't know how much or little room you have for your tee shot. Before the bunkers, there is ample space to lay up shot of them and settle for a longer approach into the green. But the left bunkers will not be ignored, you're either taking them on off the tee or the approach shot. Those that try to swing out to the right from the tee will be blocked out by trees on the approach, or will end up in a smartly placed bunker on that side. The green, while of a nice size, is surrounded by bunkers and has a lot of movement. The trees on either side also make sure that the old bomb and gouge isn't used too often, as any tee shot getting caught up in the trees will ensure at least a couple strokes to get on the green.

And there you have the makings of a great hole; a puzzle to solve that can be attacked a variety of ways, but must always be thought through. Local knowledge is rewarded as the battle scars add up and those who continue playing it start knowing what works and what does not for them, yet never able to master it. Such is golf - a game to be played, but not beaten.

The Fifteenth

The row of bunkers waiting for you on he left

Approach shot territory

Look at the fescue lining the lips of the bunkers

The Sixteenth is a 482 yard par 5. And we go from short to long, yet again mixing it up. A narrow fairway running straight to the green awaits. Trees line both sides, then a large bunker enriches on the left side, which narrows the fairway at that point before widening again and feeding into the green, which is a little raised from the fairway. A bunker on the left front side of the green, and another on the right side protect this green, which is fairly large and runs from back to front. There is a thumbprint indent on the left side of the green as well, taking balls in that off the green and into the rough below.

The Sixteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 144 yard par 3. Crossing back over Steel Road for the final time, the Fourth par 3 is directly to our left, which gives this course two great par 3's right next to each other. This hole is a semi blind tee shot to a raised green, with three massive bunkers carved into the front and another to the left, which the green is shaped around. Trouble abounds every where. Any shot off to the right either falls down the hill or if too far right, ends up in water. Short is no good because of the bunkers. The left side will encounter the bunker or rough, but also means the green is moving away from you. Alas, hitting to the center of the green seems like the only reasonable option and while that is likely true of most every hole, the defenses of this shorter hole, towards the end of the round when tournaments or matches are coming down to the wire, make this a fun and challenging hole.

The Seventeenth

Looking back

The Eighteenth is a 291 yard par 4. The shortest par 4 on the course, with an elevated tee shot that's a forced carry over water to a generous fairway. Similar to the Fifteenth, thinking through this hole is necessary since its distance allows it to be played a number of ways. A lone tree on the right means that any long hitter will want to advance on the left side, although there are fairway bunkers on that side to contend with. The fairway does widen short of the tree on the right, but laying up off the tee is necessary to utilize that room while providing enough space to carry the tree to the green if necessary. The fairway is then at its widest just after the tree, which I suppose tempts longer hitters to carry the tree from the tee altogether. There is an entry point to the green on that right side as well, but most approach shots will need to carry the bunkers strewn about the front of the green. The green itself moves from right left, then back to front on the left side. With the clubhouse directly behind the green, you can be certain that everyone inside is watching your every shot, commenting and judging appropriately. Try to give them a show.

The Eighteenth

The green, from the left side

Looking back

The back nine is quite a bit shorter than the front nine (almost 300 yards), but just as challenging and diverse. The par 3's are terrific and the par 4's provide a broad range of tests and enjoyment. My ranking of them would be 10, 15, 17, 13, 18, 12, 14, 11, 16.

Generally, Llanerch is a solid classic course. The challenge is subtle and there is plenty of strategy necessary to play it well. All of this is done on a smaller piece of property without resorting to over penalizing. It's a diverse course, allowing play for any shot in your arsenal while properly mixing up the challenges and when they're presented. Trees are used well and it appears there is an active effort to open up corridors and vistas by removing non-essential trees. At the same time, there are areas where trees are used nicely. The greens at Llanerch are challenging yet add to the fun of the course. Using their movement on approaches or recovery shots makes for engaging strategy calls, as well as makes you plan your shots from the green moving backwards to the tee.

I remember saying in my review of Jeffersonville that the challenge there is so subtle that you tend to blame high scores on your play rather than on the course and I think that's true at Llanerch as well. The course seems there for the taking, but when strokes start piling up, it may not be immediately apparent how the layout has contributed. Rest assured, however, it certainly contributes.

Llanerch is a great example of what classic courses do well. It certainly is one of my favorite courses by Findlay and an integral part of the Philadelphia golf legacy.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: They are separate and I believe both were recently renovated. The east side of the clubhouse is adjacent to the Eighteenth and showcases the courses from every room and level on that side. Both are well sized.

Practice area: A full sized range, a couple putting greens and a short game practice area. Use those putting greens, you'll need it out there!

Maidstone Club

2018-12-09T16:33:00.002-05:00

6,607 yards, 139 slope from the Blues

Course: In East Hampton, New York, Maidstone was established in 1891, with the golf course starting as 7 holes by Willie Dunn, Seth Raynor drafting re-design plans in 1921, then Willie Park, Jr. and his brother John designed the majority of the property, expanding to 36 holes until a hurricane in 1938 destroyed 9 of the holes. It is now 27 holes, with the well known 18-hole course known as the West course. Coore and Crenshaw restored a lot of the bunkering in 2012 while renovations were performed by Perry Maxwell in 1939, Alfred Tulles in 1963 and Brian Silva in 1988.

Wille Parks, Jr. is a legend in the game, as a player and architect. Winning the Open Championship twice and designing a number of long standing and revered courses such as Sunningdale, Olympia Fields and Glen Ridge, as well as here. Park's architectural work was a large part of the Golden Age of golf course design, ensuring his courses were rich with character and strategy.

In Maidstone, Parks was given some of the most ideally diverse terrain for a links course in North America, sandy soil by the ocean and inland bay, set within larger sand dunes interspersed with wispy sea grass. Parks did not disappoint, as Maidstone is heralded as one of the best courses in the world. It is currently ranked 70 on Golf Magazine's Top 100 Golf Courses of the World and 34 on Golfweek's Best Classic Courses. The routing through such terrific land is seamless, yet presents a unique hole one after the other. The intricacy in ensuring variety in direction was impressive, which makes the wind a true hazard and always keeps it a dynamic factor throughout the round. The other hazards presented during the round; the bunkering, water, dunes and trees, are very well placed and add to the excellent routing. It's quite an experience to play in such coastal tranquility, amongst the bay and dunes, with the beach always nearby.

There's no denying that Maidstone is one of the finer golf courses you can play. Perhaps it was all the driving to get there, or that it was the sixth round for me in four days, or that my play was more disastrous than usual, or that this was one of if not the most anticipated rounds of the season, but the course was different than what I was expecting. There was a lot more emphasis on the aerial game than anticipated, with a good amount of the greens raised from the fairway and bunkers surrounding a lot of them, which made it a premium if not necessary to land your shot next to the pin, along with forced carry tee shots. While there were holes where you could decide on different shots or paths to the green, there were quite a few where instead I found myself ensuring my tee shot was straight and avoided going into the bunkers on either side, then trying to hit another straight shot to the green so it would avoid the green side bunkers. Granted, I think there's a lot of strategy in figuring out the best line to the green, which means taking on some of these bunkers from the tee, but perhaps my struggles during the round put me more in a survival mode over everything else. I suppose I didn't see how it played liked a links in a lot of spots. Elevating the ball and getting it to land softly on the greens were paramount here while the ground game didn't seem possible in several instances. Maybe I would have benefited from playing the White tees instead of the Blues as well. It's difficult to note some of my personal observations on a course so widely revered and I explain myself as best I can below. At any rate, the members I met were all very nice to talk golf with and the staff I interacted with all made me feel welcome. My poor caddie, who had to follow me from bunker to bunker, was always upbeat, even when I told him I usually don't suck this bad. It could have just been one of those days for me.

Aside from the all world landscape, Maidstone impressed me with how congenial it felt. Families arrived and were off to the beach, everyone was stopping each other and asking how their respective families were, making plans for dinner, the holidays, etc. The old world charm and intimacy is another aspect of Maidstone that sets itself apart from many courses in that echelon.

After spending some time down at the beach, I felt a nice peaceful zen as we walked over to the range. The ball effortlessly launched from whatever club I was using and I felt good things were in store for me. We met our caddies and before I knew it, we were off, another jaunt, this one along the coast of the Hamptons.

The First is a 424 yard par 4 (from the Blues). With the ocean to your back and nothing but golf course ahead of you, the fairways heads straight out before dipping down just short of the green, making most tee shots blind. There are fairway bunkers on both sides, with those on the left blind from the tee. The green is also well bunkered as the fairway slopes from right to left short of the green, with the entire left side in that area bunkered, then a large bunker front left of the green. While the front and sides of the green are all bunkered, there is a short grass area off to the back right, but the green will be moving away from you. There's also a short grass area off to the left, below the green and beyond the bunkers, which may catch those approach shots pulled in that direction. I'd want to approach the green from the left side of the fairway, which brings the bunkers on that side and before the green in play, but allows you to use the slope as a backboard and if hit too strong, the short grass area is there for relief.

The First

Approach shot territory

From the left side

The green, from the right

The Second is a 562 yard par 5. A road runs along the left side of the hole while a tree line runs along the right, but there's enough width that neither side comes into play unless your shot really tries to reach it. The tee shot is a forced carry over an inlet of water, with bunkers on both sides at the start of the fairway, then along the left side moving towards the green. Moving straight to the green, large bunkers are on the lower left side and upper right side while the green itself runs almost perpendicular to the fairway. There's a lower front shelf to the green and an upper shelf towards the back, with a short grass area on the back left.

The Second

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

Right side of the green. Note how it slopes right down to the bunker

Looking back, with the contours of the green

The Third is a 408 yard par 4. A forced carry to a fairway with bunkers on both sides; lining the left side and more of a large waste area on the right, to a green that is surrounded by bunkers, although the front is open for those that would like to run it on. Avoiding the several bunkers, which vary in size and shape, is key to getting on the green and making a run at par, which is a challenge with its undulations and movement.

The Third

Approach shot territory

Looking out to the left of the hole

The green, with all its waves

The Fourth is a 176 yard par 3. The first few holes were a march away from the coast and now we head back, across the bay. The first par 3 is all carry over water to a raised green, with bunkers on each corner of the green. The few trees in the background from the tee serve as a splendid back drop for this hole, with nothing but the hole and the sky beyond. I can't recommend enough taking a breath here to enjoy tranquility at its finest.

The Fourth

Off to the right of the tee

Left of the tee

The bunkers and their interaction with the green and slopes is terrific

The Fifth is a 325 yard par 4. This short par 4 heads out to Hook Pond, the tee shot a forced carry over native ground to a fairway with bunkers on each side, the left fairly large and severe while those on the right are smaller. There is an area to run the ball onto the green, but bunkers pinch the opening, with the right side expansive from the front right side. Pin position determines a lot here, as that will determine the better angle within which to approach the green, in turn helps determine where to place the ball off the tee.

The Fifth

Front right side area before the green

Front left side

Note the drop off on that left side. Touch around and on the green is vital to stay on it

The Sixth is a 403 yard par 4. Bending right from the tee, you have a forced carry over marsh and reeds as you move along Hook Pond on your right. There should be no surprise that there are cross bunkers, then a bunker in the fairway left center closer to the hole, as well as bunkers along the right, then a green side bunker left front and the right side. The fairway leads right up to the green, however, so laying up and relying on an up and down from that area is not a bad play if you really want to avoid the green side bunkers, which are challenging.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The green

The left side of the green. That bunker lip though...

The Seventh is a 349 yard par 4. Still moving along Hook Pond to the right, this dog leg right is similar to a Cape hole in that you're free to take on as much of the water as you want off the tee, which rewards you with a closer approach shot. The left side is all sand, as the round transitions from the inland bay to the dunes. The ocean is very close, so the wind will no doubt have an impact on this hole, which will vary in direction, possibly from group to group. The green is adjacent to the water, so any shot too far right or long will be wet. Also mind any shots out of the bunker to the left of the green, which could also find the water if hit too aggressive. This hole can indeed be played on the ground and with the wind, water and bunkers all very much in play, that's very much a good thing.

The Seventh

Approach shot territory

Looking back from the green

The green moves towards the water, making this bunker shot demanding touch

The Eighth is a 151 yard par 3. Our march to the ocean is nearly complete, as this par 3 is directly in that direction, and likely into the coastal wind. The dunes block most of the green from the tee, although originally the dune made it a completely blind shot. Not surprisingly, there are bunkers all around the green, with a nice trench one to the left of the green and sand from the dunes completely covering the right side of the bunker. The green is raised, so all of the bunkers are below the hole. The wind was really blowing against us, so I took my 180 club, opened the face a little, and intended to cut the ball right to the pin. Instead, the ball stayed on its line to the left and while I was pin high, as to the left of the bunker on that side. With a very tight lie, I promptly botched that shot so badly it ended up above the green altogether, which mercifully I was able to putt down to the pin for a tidy doubly bogey. Regardless, I was happy that my shot was pin high considering the wind we were facing.

This hole was one of my favorite on the course. A great example of a blind shot done well, preserving the sense of adventure that accompanies having no idea where your ball will end up. The wind, the dunes, even the short grass areas and slopes conspire to foster a great deal of creativity with recovery shots if your tee shot did not find the green. The tee shot also needs to be well navigated to get close to the pin. Although I did my best to play the hole in as many strokes as possible, it really stood out to me as a spectacular par 3.

The Eighth

A little further to the left as the green starts to reveal itself

From above, near the Ninth tee. Yes, my ball ended up there while playing this hole, thanks for asking

My caddie, likely wondering what on earth he did to get paired up with me. That bunker is the far left corner of the green

The Ninth is a 415 yard par 4. Now in the dunes and at the ocean, we proceed along the coast on our right. The tee shot is a forced carry over native grass and sand - hitting the fairway is critical. With the wind now demanding attention, a narrow fairway and sand on both sides, maneuvering the tee shot to its ideal spot is akin to landing a 747 during a blizzard, at least when the wind is up. This would have been a great place to use the bunt driver shot I learned for Bandon earlier in the year, keeping the ball below the dunes and having it run a little on the fairway, but I couldn't fight temptation and went full throttle, only to see my ball swerve right and into the dunes.

Speaking of Bandon, it was a great time to reflect on another great year of golf. Playing links on both coasts in the same year will always make my season and as I tried to find my tee shot within the dunes, I relished the sense of adventure and places golf takes me.

As for this hole, the approach will likely be a longer one based on the wind and how elevated the green is. The fairway, initially in a valley between the dunes, twists and climbs to the green, with sand encroaching on both sides. There is an area short of the green that may be worth settling for to avoid the consequences of missing to either side; the left side of the green slopes severely and steeply down to a narrow gulley whereas the right side is a steep bunker. I went from one side to the other, all for the sake of research of course. The hole is no doubt challenging, with little margin for error. There's also really no other way to play it, other than to hit two long and straight shots. This is one of the things that was different from what I was expecting here. Regardless, this hole teems with character from tee to green with its features and where it's placed on the course.

The Ninth

The ocean, just on the other side

Approach shot territory

Closer approach shot territory

The left side of the green. Yes my ball ended up here. I wanted it to be there, for research purposes...

The front nine moves from the coast to the most inland of holes, then to the inland bay waters before ultimately reaching the coastal dunes. This type of geographical diversity, in such a pristine setting, is impressive. As for the holes, I really liked the par 3's and the array of par 4's work well together. My ranking of them would be 8, 6, 5, 4, 1, 9, 3, 2, 7.

The back nine starts with the 401 yard par 4 Tenth. We now head in the direction from which we just came, a little forced carry off the tee over native grass to an inviting fairway, with sand on both sides. Moving up the fairway, it ultimately ends before an apron rises to the green, which is well elevated from the fairway. Anything off the sides or back of the green will meet a steep slope into a bunker or tight lie. The approach shot needs to be true, unhindered by wind and land softly on the green, or else. Again, nothing but two well belted straight shots will have a chance at par here and like the Ninth, the approach will need to be aerial.

The Tenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Eleventh is a 464 yard par 4. We start to move out of the dunes, but will come back in on the Twelfth, with this coming in and venturing out a theme over the next few holes. Most of the fairway bunkers are close to the tee and the fairway is generous. The green is wide as well and feeds in from the fairway, with bunkers lining the left and right side completely. Punching the approach shot in to skip up to the pin is something I'd take any day over risking yet another bunker shot. The green runs from back to front, so the green helps in that regard as well.

The Eleventh

Moving down the fairway

Left side, approach shot territory

A closer look

The Twelfth is a 181 yard par 3. Once again we see the green immersed in a sea of bunkers, with the sides rising up and hillocks beyond. The width of the green is inviting and the dirt path on the far right corner gives it a bit of a Road hole feel. This is indeed one of the more generous greens on the course.

The Twelfth

The Thirteenth is a 500 yard par 5. The hole bends to the left as we head back to the coast. The tee shot is to the fairway ahead, with bunkers of each side of the fairway to contend with. Angles and lines to the green are important here, especially with the green set at an angle from the fairway and the trench bunker below and to the left of the green, in which the green feeds into on that side. There are benefits to approach the green from either side, but in general the right might be the best line in. As a par 5, there is the opportunity to best set up the approach, or go for it altogether, and with the wind coming in from different directions as the hole keeps bending, it was a nice par 5 to play.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

A closer look at the green

The Fourteenth is a 152 yard par 3. Now back in the dunes, the green sits amongst native scrub, beach grass and sand, with a dramatic view of the Atlantic Ocean in the background. There's almost nothing to say here. The setting of the hole is idyllic, its natural appearance within the dunes disarming and the wind enough on its own to challenge the golfer from the tee. There are awe-inspiring places in golf I have encountered and this is one of them.

The Fourteenth

Just behind the green

The Fifteenth is a 493 yard par 5. The routing taking what the terrain gives, without worrying about standard norms. A par 3 sandwiched by par 5's may be unusual but it was the right call here as we finally depart the coastal dunes for the return to the clubhouse. The tee shot is elevated and a forced carry over the dunes to a fairway that's abounds with bunkers on both sides. The green is straightaway and if the wind is to your back, you almost have an extra shot to work with in setting up an ideal approach. Bunkers of course are on both the left and right side of the green, with the far side being a short grass area.

The Fifteenth

Moving down the fairway

Looking back towards the tee

The Sixteenth is a 485 yard par 5. The routing continues to do its own thing and rightly so, with back to back par 5's. A forced carry all you want to take on tee shot awaits as we're back in the same area as the Fourth, which is essentially right in the middle of the bay. The fairway moves across from left to right. Bunkers on the left side prevent you from getting too conservative off the tee, unless you want to carry them and end up on the Third. Water is along the right side while a tree line is along the left. The green is open to the fairway, with the obligatory bunkers on the the left and right side, these wide and shallow. While there are plenty of bunkers here, they are diverse and natural looking. You have to keep it straight to the green once you hit your tee shot, but as a par 5 there is some freedom to advance to the green.

The Sixteenth

Moving down the fairway

A little closer

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green

The Seventeenth is a 328 yard par 4. Similar to the Sixteenth, the tee shot is a forced carry over water, yet this time the fairway runs right to left and as the hole is much shorter, the options off the tee and lines over the water are a little more abundant. The green is spectacular. Right against the road on the back side and with bunkers on the left and front right, there is an opening from the fairway, which rises, then falls into the green. The green slopes towards its perimeter in pretty much every direction (except the front opening), so using that tee shot to set up the most ideal approach is vital. It's an exacting shot, but comes in the right time of the round, especially for match play. If you end up off the green, delicate recovery shots are all that will do here, to avoid the road that is just waiting to come into play. A terrific short par 4 and one of my favorite on the course.

The Seventeenth

Approach shot territory

A look at this fantastic green

Looking back

Crossing the road to the Eighteenth, with the clubhouse waiting

The Eighteenth is a 390 yard par 4. Crossing the road back over, the Eighteenth goes up the same hill the First goes down, finishing mere yards from where the journey began. A forced carry tee shot over some long grass with large bunkers on both sides of the fairway and the hole is one big climb to the green. The green is quite large, running from back to front, with bunkers on all sides except the front. A healthy approach shot is needed with the elevation and with its width, there are several ways to attack the green. As you hole out to end the round, the view of the ocean beyond, the clubhouse and golfers being off paces away makes for a splendid finish.

The Eighteenth

Moving up the fairway

Approach shot territory

The back nine starts off in the dunes until eventually moving to the bay before ending on the perch where the clubhouse sits. The routing is terrific and there are some holes and features of this set of nine that showcase the wide acclaim for the course. My ranking of them would be 17, 14, 18, 13, 16, 10, 12, 11, 15.

Generally, Maidstone enjoys some of the best land in North America for a course and uses it well. There is a lot here worth being excited about. From the transitions in coastal environments to the differences in shots needed to score well, Maidstone has everything that makes for good golf. While my expectations were a little different going in, I certainly appreciate the qualities of the course that make it special. There were times when the ground game could be used to the green and a few holes had good width to allow options, yet there were a few holes where the focus was more on challenge and execution. It certainly was a more difficult course than I was expecting and perhaps I was expecting being able to use the ground more with firm and fast conditions, where instead the aerial game was more of a factor. A broad range of skills are tested, however, and the course is accessible to a broad range of golfers. The routing and how the course makes its way through such a perfect natural setting, as well as the shaping of the holes within that setting, makes this a very special place.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: Very well stocked and with one of the game's best insignias, I made sure to check out every square inch.

Practice area: Driving range, short game area and putting green.

Applebrook Golf Club

2018-11-25T10:49:00.002-05:00

6,534 yard, 132 slope from the Composite tees

Course: In Malvern PA, about 40 minutes northwest of Philadelphia downtown, is Applebrook Golf Club, a course designed by Gil Hanse which opened in 2001. Incidentally, Hanse is based out of Malvern, so Applebrook is literally in his backyard. The course's location and time of design have always intrigued me. Trying to pinpoint when the tide turned in American golf course architecture, moving from demanding, tough, penal courses to more wide open, naturalistic, minimalist, strategic layouts, is subject to debate. You have Kapalua Plantation opening in 1991, which is as wide as you can get, showing that width can also play difficult, relying on the hillsides and wind, all against a breathtaking background; you have Stonewall Old opening in 1993; and you have Sand Hills opening in 1995, punctuating these points, and going a step further by ignoring any concept of infrastructure, instead focusing on the most ideal land possible for a natural course. Regardless, the mid 1990's was the beginning of this movement, this transition in golf course design - moving into an era where nature is embraced over nurture, so to speak.

During this time, a younger Hanse starts off with one of his first courses about 30 minutes away from Malvern - Inniscrone, opening in 1998. The course was meant to be a difficult, lower handicap, exclusive club, hosting a PGA exhibition match early on (I believe Jim Furyk and KJ Choi were among those in the field). The course is indeed difficult, yet emphasized the natural contours of the land, leaning towards a naturalistic feel, yet gets confining with its tree-lined corridors on some of the holes and too many forced carries (likely due to environmental restrictions). Hanse then went on to open Crail in the same year. Crail is on the East Coast of Scotland, his first course designed outside of the U.S. and as a links course, not a tree in sight. After Crail, Hanse designed Tallgrass in Long Island, opening in 2000 (NLE), Applebrook (2001), Rustic Canyon (2002), French Creek (2004) and Boston Golf Club (2005). Every course listed after Crail takes trees out of the equation, instead embracing width, terrain and intelligent greens. To be fair, Inniscrone has moments of width, but trees are prominent on several of the holes.

In looking at other courses opening around that time, some notables include Bandon Dunes (1999), Pacific Dunes (2001), Chechessee Creek (2002), Friar's Head (2002) and Whistling Straits (1998).

My point? Applebrook was built at the right time, at the right place, by the right guy.

Time wise, an explosion of revolutionary golf style was born in the late 1990's/early 2000's, forming the influential basis for much of what we're even seeing today. A more rugged, strategic and natural look became a lot more appealing than the perfectly manicured, conditioned Augusta-syndrome resort style courses that many a housing development surrounded. Golfers in the U.S. began re-discovering walking over the double-wide cart paths with GPS, air conditioned carts. More to the point, things began trending to a more pure golf experience.

Person-wise, Hanse seems to have evolved a bit by the time he built Applebrook. I've always seen Hanse as the Quentin Tarantino of golf course architecture; limitlessly brilliant, but is prone to try and do too much, as if this will be the only opportunity to showcase what they know so they need to figure out a way to put everything out there. Tarantino has his movies where he tries to wow the audience with every cinematographic concept he came up with while Hanse has some courses with the similar issue. When that brilliance is tempered, focused, coordinated - orchestrated; the work is so much more memorable. By the time Applebrook came around, Hanse's work seemed a lot more fluid and focused.

Location-wise, the land upon which the course is set is ideal. Rolling terrain mixed with wetland areas, a couple ponds, streams and meadows gave Hanse a superb canvas on which to work. With the course in his backyard as well, with what his colleagues were building at the same time and with what the owners had in mind when starting this club, I feel Hanse wanted to make damn sure he left his mark here.

Considering this context, Applebrook was born. A flowing, wide open, intelligent design, capable of as much fun and challenge as you'd like to take on, with slopes, banks, bunkers and angles used so many different ways that the spectrum of play is infinite. A well balanced course for sure. Not overly penal and tough to lose a ball, yet recovery shots will require a deft touch. Green complexes embrace diversity of play, as well as an intimate knowledge of the terra firma. It's a sweeping landscape, that can give you miles of width, then have you come back to focus on a few yards, all within half a shot. This width, the placement of the hazards and green complexes provides endless strategic decisions, making it a great match play course. It's currently ranked as 14th on Golf Digest's list of Best Golf Courses in Pennsylvania.

Applebrook had been on my short list for years. From everything I knew about it, it was everything I liked in a course, so much diversity of terrain with a rugged look mixed in with a course that plays firm and fast, calling upon an array of skills and decisions to get around the course. I had a friend visiting from out of town and when our scheduled round in Long Island fell through, I had the opportunity to re-schedule some where else in the area. Applebrook was a no brainer.

So on a perfect summer morning, I finally had the chance to drive over to Malvern and play one of the courses I tagged a long time ago as one of my must plays. I warmed up on the range, honed in my putter and explained to my buddy from out of town how I was about to dismantle him on the course. I then met my caddie, let him know about the upcoming dismantling, and with that, we embarked.

The First is a 522 yard par 5 (from the Composite tees). A double dog leg that starts nice and wide and sweeps to the right before constricting and turning left around a bunker, with the green curling back to the right. The second shot comes with decisions, as you can hit short of the bunker where the fairway constricts; the safe play, yet leaves you with a tougher approach shot and bringing the water more in play of to the right. Those who opt to hit it longer on the second shot are rewarded with a much more manageable and shorter approach shot, yet the margin for error in that area is much smaller and anything too far offline will suffer the consequence of a tricky recovery shot if not a penalty shot from the water. The green is subtle and generally moves towards the water. It's also a great vantage point to survey the course, and clubhouse behind. I love starting out on a par 5 and with the options available here, allows you sufficient opportunity to get the feet warm for the rest of the round.

The First

Moving down the fairway

Possibly the first "tree cave" I've seen, off to the left of the fairway

Approach shot territory

Water off the right side of the green

The green

The Second is a 366 yard par 4. An uphill dog leg right where the prominent hazard is a large bathtub bunker sunken into the fairway, which seems to attract an inordinate amount of tee shots, especially for those trying to cut the turn for a shorter approach shot. Surgically placed bunkers near the green on both sides towards the front, as well as large short grass bail out area off to the right. The bail out area gives the green some options and comes into play for those hitting out of the bunkers near the green. Staying away from the bunkers means longer shots to the green while the closer you flirt with the bunker off the tee, the closer your approach is. A nice risk reward hole, again requiring some thought, which compounds during match play.

The Second

The perilous bunker on the right

Approach shot territory

The run off area to the right of the green

The Third is a 310 yard par 4. A short par 4 that's even shorter than it's stated yardage since the fairway flows downhill from the tee, the fairway is nice and chubby, canting from right to left, with a large angled bunker on the right side and a small pot bunker directly in the center. This pot bunker does its job of turning what would be an easy short tee shot into one fraught with decisions. Left of the pot bunker provides the best angle into the green, but with the movement of the fairway and the rough on the left side, the margin of error here is a lot less than hitting short and right of the pot bunker, which leaves you with a blind shot and worse angle into the green. You can challenge the pot bunker and carry it, which if done successfully leaves you with a nice clean short shot into the green. The green itself is in a knoll, with the front and right sides sloping down towards the center while the left side has a devious little trench bunker running alongside of it.

My opponent and I took two very different routes off the tee, yet as seen below, our approach shots ended up right next to each other and it turned into a putting contest (push).

A fantastic short par 4. So many different shots and decisions, off the tee, on approach and around the green. Brilliant placement of hazards and a sharp little green to top it off.

The Third

Between the tee and fairway

Approach shot territory

The green

This shows just how close the match actually was

Looking back

The Fourth is a 380 yard par 4. This par 4 runs downhill and bends to the right. It's wide open, with a couple trees hanging out at the inside of the turn and a creek running through the fairway, which comes into play on the approach shot. There are no bunkers except for one on the left side of the green. While this is a rather straightforward hole, both my opponent and I made a mess of it, ending up in the long grass off the fairway and running into some chipping issues near the green. It should play as a refresher hole, allowing you to swing away and find your legs a bit before soldiering on to rougher waters.

The Fourth

Moving down the fairway

Off green, to the left

The Fifth is a 179 yard par 3. An uphill green with wide bunkers on all sides except the back right. The back right has a short grass area that slopes into the green while another short grass area feeds away from it on the front left. There's also bail out room off to the right on a small patch of fairway for those who want to take on the green and all of its bunkers from a closer distance. As it plays longer because the green is uphill, this hole is a tougher test of the mid to long irons than it seems.

The Sixth is a 396 yard par 4. A dog leg left with a wide fairway until it constricts considerably once it turns left around a bunker on that side. The approach shot will likely be a bit long, to an uphill green that's semi-blind. The green is perched on a hillside, jutting straight up. There is a lot of short grass area in front of the green, as well as to the left. There is a single green side bunker on the left but primarily, the large slopes and contours around the green make for fun shots for those shots off the green. The dearth of bunkers around the green is yet another example of Hanse showing restraint, allowing the hole to be played much different from others, such as the Fifth where bunkers surround the green. Grass bunkers, slopes, contoured short grass areas; there are plenty of other ways to challenge the golfer other than sand bunkers, which is done well here.

The Sixth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

Off green short, looking to the left

On the short right side

Back and right of the green

The Seventh is a 437 yard par 4. The longest par 4 on the course, the fairway bends to the right shortly after the tee shot landing area, with a well placed fairway bunker on the left. The approach shot is daunting. It will be a longer one, with water lurking off to the right and a large sunken bunker on the left. With little room off the green to work with and the green curling to the left, it's one of those shots where there's really no hiding from. I was elated after a bad tee shot, powering a 3 wood to pin high just above the left bunker, especially after walking up to the green and realizing just how unforgiving it gets off the green. For those keeping count, it's essentially three challenging longer approach shots in a row (counting the Fifth), all to completely different formatted greens.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Eighth is a 554 yard par 5. One of the narrower holes on the course, the fairway spills out in places that make for some interesting decisions. With water hiding in the trees off to the right and a large bunker to the left off the tee, short of the bunker looks appetizing, but would leave two very long shots just to reach the green. Instead, getting close to the bunker, or trying to carry it altogether, is preferable though the fairway is narrow there and many may opt for the safer short tee shot and dealing with length on the second and third. The same decision seems to present itself on the second shot; with bunkers on the left and the fairway narrowing, laying up short of them is the conservative option, leaving a longer approach shot. But challenging them and getting next or over them is rewarded with a nice short approach. A great risk-reward hole where, again, length along with accuracy is at a premium.

The Eighth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

From closer

The Ninth is a 149 yard par 3. With the clubhouse in the background, the second par 3 on the front is a forced carry over a quarry on the left with expansive bunkers, trees on the right and a short grass area starting on the right side leading up to the green. I decided to hit into the quarry, you know, for research, and its distance away from the green, how far below it is from the green, and depending on the lie, is a hazard best avoided. A shorter approach shot, take advantage.

The Ninth

The front nine loops around the eastern side of course, primarily running north and south, facing the wind in different directions. Full of decision making, the par 4's are all different and stand out on their own as do the par 5's. The par 3's are nice one shotters with sufficient challenge, but don't present the same strategy as the others. All holes, however, allow several options, which results in those seeking a fun round to have fun while those seeking challenge to face it in spades. I would rank the front 3, 2, 6, 1, 7, 8, 4, 9, 5.

The back nine starts with the 573 yard par 5 Tenth. The tee shot is just outside the clubhouse, so I imagined everyone inside stopped what they were doing just to watch me tee off, which is a forced carry over long grass and a single tree to a wide fairway beyond. A small stream runs to the right of the fairway, then flows across the fairway further out and continues on the left side, through to the left side of the green. The stream must be carried on the second shot and with the second fairway essentially in a Z shape, it's just as though provoking as the others before it. The green sits off to the left and generally straight out from the first fairway, but trying to go for the green means carrying a swatch of bunkers before and below the green. The fairway circles around the bunkers, so you can also decide how far you'd like to hit off to the right, leaving you with a shorter shot into the green, yet hitting downhill to a green running away from you. Lots to digest here, which is the shortest par 5 on the course.

The Tenth

Moving down the fairway

Crossing the stream. Narrow yet effective.

Approach shot territory

The green

The stretch of fairway off to the right of the green

The Eleventh is a 121 yard par 3. A short par 3 where the green is set on a hill and surrounded by bunkers and long grass. Essentially, you need to hit the green or will likely face a challenging recovery requiring some touch on a smaller green. The green has contours that continue the challenge onto putting. It's a nice short par 3, my favorite on the course.

The Eleventh

Walking up to the green from the tee

A closer look at that bunker

A look at the back left side of the green

The Twelfth is a 370 yard par 4. The fairway dog legs hard to the right off the tee, with cross bunkers starting on the left then the right. A well done tee shot will get to the turn, which will have a clear look at the green straight ahead. Tee shots short of the turn will have an impeded view of the green and will need to carry the bunkers and hills on the right. There's a large short grass area ramping up to the green and bunkers on the left side of the green, as the green moves from back to front and left to right. Any miss to the green other than short will be tricky, dealing with the bunkers and rough, but those in the short grass area will have options to try and hole it out.

The Twelfth

A look more over to the left

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green

Looking back

The Thirteenth is a 423 yard par 4. A forced carry over long grass from the tee to a fairway that bends left around a large Black Tupelo tree. A bunker on the right where the fairway starts and further up on the right makes you think twice about where to place the tee shot, since too far left will be blocked out by the tree. There's some visual camouflage here that Alistair Mackenzie was famous for, with a small bunker in the center of the fairway short of the green. That bunker cannot be seen from where the tee shots land, as the fairway dips down to the green more than it appears. The green slopes right to left, with a large bunker on the left that gives it a Redan feel. It's a great par 4 laid out on the terrain perfectly.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

As you get closer, that center bunker finally appears

Looking back show the downhill, which is not immediately apparent from the tee

A closer look at the green

The Fourteenth is a 410 yard par 4. The tee shot must carry the Serpentine Run, a creek that winds and curves along the right side of the fairway. The fairway is almost perpendicular to the tee, giving the player the decision how much to try and bite off of the Serpentine to reach the fairway. The fairway then runs uphill to the green, sloping left to right, towards the creek the entire time. The green slopes a lot in that direction, with a large bunker on the right side and evoking another (reverse) Redan type situation that goads hitting the approach much further to the right than you normally would. The slope of the green on the front and left is harrowing, especially with front left pin positions. Another fantastic par 4 for how natural it fits into the landscape and its challenge.

The Fourteenth

A look at the fairway walking over the bridge

Approach shot territory

A closer look

This one shows the slope in front well

The Fifteenth is a 193 yard par 3. A forced carry over Traders Run, a creek feeding into Ridley Creek off to the right, there's a large short grass run up to the larger green with bunkers on the right. This is the longest par 3 on the course and with a lot of room short and right to work with, is fairly manageable.

The Fifteenth

The Sixteenth is a 542 yard par 5. Forced carries galore here, with the first one being the tee shot over some long grass. Right off the bat, start deciding which line you'd like to take along the fairway to set up the next shot, which will be a forced carry over a creek. The trees along the right can block your angle to the green if you get too close to that side while a bunker in the center of the fairway and one to the right make it necessary to either carry them outright for the best and closest of approach shots, or try to hit in between them. Laying up short of them still runs the risk of being blocked out by the trees on the right, although a left to right ball flight would take care of that. The fairway then ends and a forced carry to an uphill green is in order. The green is nice and wide, sloping from left to right and bunkers to the left and far side, while the front slopes downhill.

The Sixteenth

Moving down the fairway

Bunkers on the left side

Approach shot territory

The bunker towards the end of the fairway

Another look at it in relation to the green

The Seventeenth is a 179 yard par 3. A blind shot to an uphill green, there is a lot of room beyond the ridge you're hitting over so take comfort. The green slopes from left to right, so much so that it's necessary to hit on the left side and account for movement to the other side. There's the smallest of bunkers short of the ridge, there to collect those shots that weren't enough, devious in its placement. This and the Eleventh are my favorite par 3's on the course.

The Seventeenth, straight out, not to the right

A look at the green

The Eighteenth is a 430 yard par 4. The hole is as wide open as it gets, with the fairway bending slightly to the left, then uphill and curling back right to the green. The ending approach shot here is a punctuation mark and unlike anything encountered on the course; a heroic longer approach shot to the uphill green and over the great hazard of a bunker well below the green on the right. Those not willing to take on the intimidating bunker can lay up to the left, then chip on to the green. The visual intimidation is palpable and creates a closing thrill that fits in well with the symphony of the round.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory, with the flag and clubhouse in perfect position to judge your shot

The green, from the front left

The back nine loops around the western side of the property, almost in perfect symmetry to the front. There are more forced carries on this side yet the same amount of deliberation and challenge encountered on the front, with stronger par 3's and a nice combination of par 4's. In my opinion, ranking them would be 13, 14, 18, 17, 12, 10, 11, 16, 15.

Generally, Applebrook has a great harmony to it as the holes all present their own challenges and strategy through the natural landscape. It's my favorite Gil Hanse course by a lot, mainly because of how well it flows and the sheer amount of thought needed to play it. Diversity of play is alive and well here too, as several architectural styles were woven together, some subtle like the Redan-ish greens and some more emphatic, like the heroic approach shot at the Eighteenth. Hanse picks his spots well in incorporating these, instead of cramming too much in and overwhelming the player. The perfect loops around the property of each nine, one on each side, the range of distances of each hole and each shot, the different looks of the approach shots and even the green shapes themselves; all of it demonstrates that Hanse took great care here to make this a lasting memorable course. It's certainly one I could play for the rest of my days and remain a happy golfer.

Clubhouse/Pro shop: There is an airy courtyard feel to the place as the clubhouse transitions to the pro shop and outdoor areas. With views of the Ninth, Tenth and Eighteenth below, it's placed nicely and adds to the charm of the course.

Practice area: Driving range, short game area and putting green, all right next to the First, as it should be.

Rolling Green Golf Club

2018-11-11T10:39:00.002-05:00

6,695 yards, 140 slope from the Blues

Course: In Springfield, PA, about 25 minutes from downtown Philadelphia, is Rolling Green Golf Club, a course designed by Willian Flynn in 1926. Rolling Green is a well known course, ranked 16th on Golf Digest's best courses of Pennsylvania, hosting the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2016 and generally touted as one of the courses to play when one is in the Philadelphia area. Fortunately for me, I live about ten minutes away and drive by it frequently, yet another benefit of living in the heritage rich Philly area (it's Golfadelphia for a reason). While I had played Rolling Green in the past, I had an opportunity to play it this season at the height of the golf season, with the newly renovated clubhouse, and news that the course will be undergoing restorative work by Keith Rhebb in the near future. All is looking well for the club at the moment.

As for the course, it's a brawny, stiff challenge with all world bunkering and the use of the terrain, especially for the green complexes, is some of my favorite work by Flynn. Angles and lines into the green are important while the greens are charmingly confounding. While the aerial game becomes necessary on a number of shots, the ground game is very much alive and well, as you're able to use the hill, slopes and contours on most shots, which opens up the variability and strategy here. Its complexity of design is even more impressive by its simplistic outward appearance; other than a small creek running across some of the holes, the course is fairway, rough, greens and bunkers. I suppose you can say that for most golf courses, but my point is there is nothing flashy here, just solid golf hole after hole, providing such challenge from the most fundamental course components. There are no elaborate water hazards, or seemingly impossible carries, or unique great hazards. The placement of the bunkers and green sites, with respect to the topography, is so good there is no need for any of that.

The scale of the course is fairly large and in that sense, reminds me of Bethpage Black a bit. Your tee shots seem to disappear into the background, swallowed into the great landscape - approach shots seemingly powerless against the hulking and towering green complexes; that sense of being so infinitesimal when facing the great green hype. There's a David vs. Goliath analogy in there some where. It has the capacity to start working on the mental gears, especially when standing on the tee after being chewed up and spit out on the prior hole. And along with a larger scale comes width, providing the opportunity to attack holes a number of different ways. Variety is indeed the spice of life, at least as far as golf is concerned.

Rolling Green is what I enjoy in a round. An engaging test presenting a significant challenge that must constantly be thought out, then executed. Where a good score makes one feel accomplished, like all the practice, thought and time spent has paid off. And where if one's game is off, you either figure out another game plan or take the lumps and collect yourself for another go back at the clubhouse. It's yet another fantastic classic design in the Philadelphia area and a great example of accentuating topography and routing ingeniously.

I must confess that I was looking for a bit of revenge this time around. I have a distinct memory of my prior round, warming up on the range and during every shot. I licked my chops, certain that I was about to put on a prolific display of golf, dazzling those in my foursome. My opening drive bellowed down the fairway, good things were on their way. My approach shot, far and sure, set to cozy up to the pin, suddenly careened to left a little and ultimately in the large bunker on that side. I never recovered from that double bogey, hanging tough for a few holes on the front before my tee shot abandoned me and spent most of the round in the rough and trees. This time, however, I had a game plan, which consisted of playing a club more into every green than I thought I needed and being much more diligent on my tee shots. I took no solace in my great warm up session this time, knowing it was of no moment once I stepped on to the course. Instead, I was focused, on getting a better score than last time but more importantly, enjoying getting the chance to play here again.

The First is a 404 yard par 4 (from the Blues). Heading straight out with trees lining the left side and a fairway bunker on the right, the fairway dips from the tees before climbing back up to the green, sloping from the left to right and feeding into the green from the right side. The green side bunker on the left side is of note, more than head high and expansive. With the green moving away from it for front pins and towards it on back, sand shots out of it need to be fairly precise to salvage par. Attacking the right side of the hole is the way to go.

The First

Approach shot territory, from the left side

Looking at the left side, with the bunker below the green

The Second is a 433 yard par 4. A dog leg left heading back in the direction of the clubhouse, the tee shot is to a fairway that dives down sharply before jutting back up and turning left, leaving you looking at the turn, the bunkers on the inside and trees on the outside. It's all in play off the tee and with a longer second shot ahead, hitting the tee shot far and sure without going off of the fairway and into the trees is almost necessary. After the turn, the fairway keeps ascending to the green, which runs from back to front and has bunkers on the either side. Slightly tougher than the First, the course is slowly leading you into the hot water without you noticing.

The Second

Approach shot territory

The Third is a 167 par 3. Beside the clubhouse again and running parallel with the entrance, the tee is slightly elevated. There's a short grass area short that leads into the green, all moving right to left. There are bunkers on the left and right sides of the green, with the left steeper yet you're able to hit into the slope, while the right is shallower yet runs away from you. The back side falls off pretty suddenly. Any shot far to the left will catch a severe slope and could end up on the entranceway. The green is large and moves strongly to the left but there are some internal contours that complicate matters, especially towards the rear.

The Third

The Fourth is a 378 yard par 4. A straight hole that plays anything but. The fairway cants from right to left significantly and any tee shot to the left near the trees is in jeopardy of falling into the creek on that side. Focusing on right to right center off the tee seems like the ideal play. The approach shot plays longer than it looks, with the green likewise moving right to left, with bunkers on the left (below the green) and on the right. One aspect of the greens you see right away is there really isn't any where all that great to miss off the green. Other than short, off line approach shots will likely end up in a bunker. If not in a bunker, it will probably be rough with a tricky lie. The cardinal rule is to stay below the hole, but I decided to aim for the back side of the green on each hole, with the thinking I'd rather deal with a tricky downhill putt than end up in the bunkers. Most bunkers are to the side of the greens, so by aiming towards the rear, I was willing to chip out of rough from the back than deal with the bunkers. At any rate, hitting the course makes hitting greens critical in scoring well.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory

Bunker on the left side of the green, showing just how far down it is directly next to the green

The Fifth is a 372 yard par 4. The fairway bends slightly to the right with a large bunker short and right off the tee, almost goading you to miss that bad into it. The tee shot is blind for the most part, but favoring the left side gives you the best angle into the green. Those on the right will bring the large green side bunker into play, which is quite massive. The fairway also moves to the right, making that ideal left side even more elusive. The green was subtle and baffling, as slopes I thought I saw defied me once the ball left the putter face. In all, this was one of my favorite holes here. The placement of the green on the hillside, the massive bunker on the right and how there are a variety of lines to the green, which all correlate to how well the tee shot is executed. Then you have the green itself, which turns into a game unto itself. So many options and lots of challenge.

The Fifth

From the left side

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Sixth is a 190 yard par 3. An uphill tee shot where visually, there doesn't seem to be any where safe to land the shot. The green sits on a hillside and slopes severely towards the downhill on the front while bunkers are on either side on the front, with an extra bunker on the right, with everything moving left to right. High side of the green, past the left bunker is where to aim and back side of the green is better than the front, just not too far left. A great challenging par 3.

The Sixth

The green, from the left side

Looking back at the tee

The Seventh is a 501 yard par 5. A dog leg right from an elevated tee, a creek bisects the fairway just about the tail end of tee-shot-landing-land, so consider it off the tee, but much more important to stay on the fairway, as both sides are lined with trees and a stroke with surely be wasted punching out if you get too wayward. On the other side of the creek, the fairway cants right to left, almost drifting away from the green, which sits on the left side at the bottom of the hill, yet the green is sloped up at the bottom.

It's a great hole, for the trepidation it creates off the tee, for the variety of options on the second shot, leaving the hillside and ground available as you see fit, and for the green location, so unassuming and subtle in its challenge, standing out from most of the towering, raised, ominous greens that are its brethren. For those who try and challenge for eagle, there is enough defenses with the bunker and off the green that those will need to become very precise to salvage bride or par here.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

Left side of the green

Looking back towards the tee and seeing just how much slope there is

The Eighth is a 425 yard par 4. Another creek goads from the tee, this one easier to carry, but also much easier to land right in. Hitting before it means a much longer approach shot to a green very much uphill, while a great drive that carries the creek makes the approach a lot more manageable. The green is way up above the fairway, with bunkers in the right places, especially the short right one that makes recoveries from it into the green harrowing. Hitting it past the pin means you'll have a delicate shot or putt coming back, as the green moves fast from back to front. As the number 3 handicapped hole on this course, enough said.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory, left side just before the creek

Looking back

The Ninth is a 605 yard par 5. Straight and uphill, at yes, over 600 yards. Great terrain here that tilts left to right, then switches mid-hole to right to left. Flynn loves punishes short and right shots here and it's the same with bunkers just short of the trees on the right that turns a long hole into a much longer one. Using the left side gets the ball some roll towards the center for the second shot, which is all you can handle, yet must be within control. Bunkers take up a good amount of room on either side of the green, but is open on the front. Brawn tempered with precision is the keystone to this hole. No forced carries, great hazards, tree lined corridors or an impossible green. Simply using the terrain well and placing bunkers in very strategic areas.

The Ninth

Moving up the fairway

Getting closer

Looking back

The front nine loops around the perimeter of the property before cutting in at the Ninth back to the clubhouse. There's not one easy par 4 in the bunch, the par 5's are outstanding and the par 3's very good. Visually grand yet much more subtle and complex as you really get in. I'd rank them 7, 5, 2, 8, 9, 1, 3, 4, 6.

The back nine starts with the 244 yard par 3 Tenth. Yes, you go from an uphill 600+ yard par 5 to a monster par 3, which also runs uphill from the tee. And yes, this is a classic course. There is a large run up to the green, sloping right to left, with large bunkers off to the left that you don't want anything to do with. A small bunker on the right ensure that you can't simply throw your tee shot off in that direction away from the left side while the green moves well from right to left. Many like to throw around the term, "half par" and it may be appropriate here as a 3.5. Similar to the Ninth, however, resist the temptation to swing out of your shoes, as accuracy is much more valuable than length. In fact, this may be a great hole for my bunt driver shot I perfected before going to Bandon and watch it run right up on the green. At any rate, it's a wonderfully challenging par 3 and caps off a great series of difficult holes starting with the Eighth.

The Tenth

Up a little, near the bunkers on the left

The Eleventh is a 431 yard par 4. An elevated tee shot where the left fairway bunker jutting out pinches the fairway landing area quite a bit. There is room to miss off the tee, but the approach is a demanding one, having to hoist the ball on to the hillside green between bunkers on both sides, including the massively deep one on the right. The green moves from left to right as well, but not as quickly as I anticipated. Any shot over the green is likely done for as well.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory, off to the right

A look at the bunker on the right, attempting to show its severity

The Twelfth is a 361 yard par 4. While the stated yardage isn't short by any means, it definitely feels like a shorter par 4, perhaps with the elevated tee. A dog leg right with a total of nine bunkers, decisions abound with the tee shot in negotiating the bunkers on both the inside and outside of the turn. The green sits above the fairway, with the high or left side spotted with bunkers and two larger ones near the front on either side. A surgical approach shot is necessary to avoid all the trouble and keep in mind the green moves from left to right. It's a terrific par 4.

The Twelfth

Approach shot territory, from the right

The Thirteenth is a 434 yard par 4. A blind tee shot to a fairway that crests down to a ravine, or valley, where a creek runs across the fairway and creates a small landing area just below the green. The landing area is a nice place to have for recovery shots or those who can't, or don't want to, carry the valley and go for the green on the other side. It's a great approach shot, one part visually daunting and the other part demanding accuracy over anything else. Again, the theme I saw here over and over is a premium on distance but only "accurate" distance. You're much better going short than you are going for it and ending up offline. The course goads you in to longer shots and the more you wind up and talk yourself into it, the more the course has you as that shot hooks 20 yards to the left into parts unknown. Use the landing area if the approach is too much and treat the hole as one of these, "half pars." It's a unique hole completely different from anything encountered before or after and one of my favorite approach shots on the course.

Moving down the fairway of the Thirteenth. The pin is just peeking out.

Approach shot territory and the creek and valley before the green

The Fourteenth is a 203 yard par 3. Turning around, the tee shot is now a forced carry over the ravine to a green set on a hill side, running away and the right from the tee, with bunkers spotting the front side, as well as a long bunker running along the back. The hole screams for a left to right ball flight and with a back pin position, taking on the front bunkers means an even longer shot, again, with little room for inaccuracy. I'm kicking myself for not photographing the walking bridge you take over the ravine to get to the green (you can kind of see it in the photos above). You're high in the trees as you cross and it's a nice touch to the round. This is a wonderfully challenging par 3 that I could play over and over.

The Fourteenth

The Fifteenth is a 384 yard par 4. A dog leg left where it's necessary for the the shot to clear the turn, with the left side lined with trees. Clearing the turn means a good look at the green is uphill from the fairway and an array of bunkers, some short left then others on either side of the green. The shot plays longer than it seems based on the uphill. The green moves back to front, quickly, with the possibility of the ball running off the front down the fairway in play.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

The front right bunker, with just how steep it is to the green

The green, from the back left

Looking back

The Sixteenth is a 163 yard par 3. A forced carry over a valley to a green well guarded with bunkers on pretty much all sides except for the back right, where the downslope will take balls across the cart path into the long grass anyways. The green runs from left to right as well. Another terrific par 3 where it's easy to feel like you could have hit a better shot than you ended up with, wanting another go at it.

The Sixteenth

The front bunker

The Seventeenth is a 473 yard par 5. A dog leg left that starts turning after the tee shot, again making a well executed shot necessary to clear the turn and have a clear second shot. A long bunker juts out on the left at the turn, which seems to come into play for those longer hitters off the tee trying to cut the dog leg altogether. The hole fluctuates from wide at the tee, constricting near the turn as the trees sneak up on either side, then parting once again to the one of the wider areas on the course leading up to the green. While the bunkers flash on most of the holes, they are more subdued here, more carved in with the fairway and even near the green, are at more of a ground level. The green is large and like most of the greens, there's not much area to miss of the green except in the bunkers. The widening of the area up to the green and the green itself seem to transition the round, from the stormy challenge that started with the Thirteenth, the Seventeenth green represents the calm after the storm, signifying the time to stop, enjoy the surroundings and breathe.

The Seventeenth

Moving up the fairway

The green up ahead, as the trees part

Approach shot territory

Looking back

The Eighteenth is a 527 yard par 5. Back to back par 5's to end the round as this dog leg right starts off downhill from the tee before starting back uphill to the green at the turn. Bunkers litter the right side of the hole up to the green while a lone bunker on the left appears at the front of the green. The second shot is flexible in that it gives you the option of going for the green or hitting the distance you're comfortable with for the approach into the green. More fun than difficult, the Eighteenth ends the round on a nice note, helping you laugh off the spectrum of emotions you likely faced out there, and putting it into the proper perspective.

The Eighteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The back nine features a strong trio of par 3's, a variety of challenging par 4's and an ending duo of par 5's that round out the course brilliantly. The routing is superb, each hole and shot presenting itself as how nature intended. My ranking of them would be 14, 12, 17, 13, 10, 11, 18, 15, 16.

Generally, Rolling Green is an outstanding example of Flynn routing and utilizing the land to unearth and showcase the best course possible. The challenge it presents has withstood the test of time and remains one of the more difficult in the area. This challenge is more complex than the demand of distance; accuracy, tempering temptation and a sharp yet adaptable short game are all necessary to score well here, which gives the golfer a richly diverse experience with each play. Those who have not brought their best game could be in a for a long round, as trying to figure out how to grind a decent score likely only comes with knowing the course fairly well. Alas, that is part of its complexity. What seems like a simple and straightforward challenge with hills, valleys and bunkers starts getting much more when you look closer. Things like hitting it to the back side of the green in an effort to avoid many of the large front green side bunkers, taking the converse challenge of quick downhill putts to the front of the green, or deciding when to lay up short of the green and take your chances of getting up and down; all of these present themselves even when the ball is cleanly in the fairway. Making you think and execute while using the basic course elements is my kind of golf.

Another very compelling aspect of Rolling Green is how walkable it is. Each tee is right next to the prior green and while some of the hills are a good climb, the holes come right after one another and are well placed.

While there are some areas where I think they could lose some trees to enhance the course, I believe they're in the process of doing that very thing. As I write this, trees around the Sixth have been taken down to open up some visuals. Additional work is likely on its way, as Riley Johns and Keith Rhebb are working on a plan to restore the course to Flynn's original design. It will be interesting to see those changes. I for one am looking forward to it.

Clubhouse/Pro shop: The clubhouse just underwent extensively renovated and looks terrific. Great indoor and outdoor areas to lounge after the round, overlooking the Ninth and Tenth.

Practice area: A driving range and putting green, possibly a short game area off to one side of the range.

Somerset Hills Country Club

2018-10-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

6,784 yards, 137 slope from the Blues

Course: In Bernardsville, NJ, which is about 50 miles west of downtown New York City, is Somerset Hills Country Club. Designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1917 as one of his earlier works, the course remains almost completely untouched from its original design. It is consistently ranked as one of the best 100 courses in the world, currently 75th by Golf Magazine. While the pedigree of SHCC is impressive, it's the understated charm that pervades through the place that captures the soul and burns into the memory book of rounds immortal. In the serene countryside of quiet boroughs, horse farms and wooded hills of New Jersey that's fairly unknown to most, the surrounds are an idyllic setting for golf. Driving onto the property along the long entrance road, a sign greets you informing you have arrived while the course rolls out to you on the left, glorious yet unassuming. The grass tennis courts appear on your right, just before the small and elegant clubhouse and even smaller pro shop. A sense of comfort washed over me as I got out of the car, one of the first to arrive that day. Refined and discrete, I instantly knew I was some where special.

The course is set on diverse terrain with rolling hills, knolls, streams and lakes, which was the site of a former race track. The contrast of each nine holes is striking; the front more open and wide with
wild green complexes and the back very much parkland, with trees creating angles, more forced carries and the greens calming just a bit. The change in setting and play of each set of nine holes was impressive, the green complexes were a lot of fun and strategy from tee to green was exactly the kind of golf I enjoy. In fact, my round here may have made Tillinghast my favorite golf course architect. While Seth Raynor has enjoyed that spot for quite some time and it may be a 1 and 1a situation, there's a complexity to Tilly's courses that fits each landscape brilliantly. While Raynor was genius at melding template holes into various landscapes to create remarkable courses with sharp edges and shapes, Tilly wove tapestries with layers upon layers, never to be played the same, that rise, fall and crescendo, leaving no uncertainty after the round that you have just truly lived. Tilly's range of design is likewise historic. Look no further than Somerset to Bethpage Black to see just how diverse Tilly was. For its complexity, contrast and greens amidst its natural and civilized charm, Somerset Hills is in my upper echelon of courses played.

I was greeted with a warm welcome by the pro and caddie master, then shown where the men's locker and driving range. And that was it. Left to my own devices as I waited for the rest of my group, I changed in the men's locker room, admiring the photos posted throughout, and made my way to the range.

One of the random things I love about golf is being one of the first people on the course in the morning. The sounds of the day starting, birds chirping, mowers mowing, holes being cut into the greens and the course to myself. Warming up on the range, putting green and short game area alone, in such a tranquil setting, with world class golf ahead of me, with all the promise a round of golf holds as the sun rises; well, it's certainly spiritual. And before I knew it, others started to share in morning, the rest of my group arrived, we met our caddies and were off to the First tee, embarking on yet another fascinating round.

The First is a 462 yard par 4 (from the Blues), the "Orchard" hole. The hole is aptly named for going through an apple orchard, which is a dog leg right that's blind from the tee before starting to do downhill as it turns. The orchard is at the turn and in play off the tee, so shots off fairway may be blocked out from one of the trees (i.e. happened to me). The fairway then runs a little down to the green, moving from left to right, with bunkers on the right side and the green dropping off completely on the back side. This is no gentleman's handshake; this is more of a slap to the face difficult start.

The First

Moving down the fairway

The green

Some of the subtle contours can be seen here

The Second is a 205 yard par 3, the "Redan" hole. Tilly seldom designed Redan holes, but this one is outstanding with an excellent green complex that moves from right left. The slope seems so strong from the tee that it seems like the only acceptable landing area is the right side of the green, bringing the bunkers on the right in play. The green slopes down in the front dramatically, and bunkers surround the green. Although you can't make it out from the tee, the back side of the green is fairly safe, but anything too far will go down the steep bank, making for a tough recovery.

The Second

The Third is a 376 par 4, "Bunker Hill." A shorter par 4 with a generous fairway for the tee shot, the focus is on the approach, which is to a raised green with a steep slope on the front leading to a bunker below, bunkers on both sides of the green on the front, then a larger one lining the left side. Any shot too close to the front of the green will run down into the bunker, which I know from personal experience. Likewise, the green runs from back to front and any overambitious putt in that direction will fall off the green and go into said bunker, which I know from my watching it happen to someone in my group. It's a fun approach shot where you would do well to aim for the center of the green, or else it's virtually guaranteed you will have an inventive recovery shot.

The Third

Approach shot territory and the Bunker Hill

The green, from the left side

The Fourth is a 460 yard par 4, the "Dolomites" hole. Dolomites are these sharp little mounds scattered in groups along the left side of the hole in the rough. A longer par 4 that starts downhill before going back up to the large green, the dolomites complicate any shot that misses left while the tough bunker complex on the right narrows the acceptable landing area. As I was walking up the fairway, I noted how the right bunker looked like hell to get out of, to which someone in my group acknowledged he was in it. Insult to injury, but he did fine. Thankfully my approach ended on the green and avoided the hazards on either side, but a great example of lots of width all while remaining demanding.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory

The "dolomites," which can be found on the left side

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Fifth is a 350 yard par 4, the "Nairn" hole. A shorter par 4 where the fairway runs towards the green. The approach will likely be on the short side, but the green is fast, there are bunkers surrounding about 99% of the green perimeter, and there are sharp contours and ridge lines that make this green wild fun. A great hole, all while maintaining the challenge we were met with from the beginning.

The Fifth

A nice bump in the fairway

Approach shot territory

Lots of bunkers and a wild green

The Sixth is a 501 yard par 5, the "Plateau" hole. A dog leg right with trees and a bunker on the inside of the turn. I found that moving up the left side from the tee is better to allow a better angle into the green, away from the trees on the right. There's still a good way to the green once the fairway turns, with a large bunker on the left, then bunkers on both sides of the green. There's a lot of width and a lot of room to miss, but the recovery shots will not be easy in the rough. The plateau green moves from back to front and is fairly subtle.

The Sixth

Moving up the fairway

The break in the fairway is where the race track used to be

Approach shot territory

From the left side

The Seventh is a 493 yard par 4, the "Racetrack" hole. The number one handicap hole, you'll note it's eight yards shorter than the par 5 you just played, yet a par 4. The tee shot is uphill before it crests and falls down to the green. Cross bunkers narrow the fairway in spots with the hills bending and twisting all the way through to the green. The green slopes from right to left. In many ways, this hole typified a lot of what I enjoyed by the course in general. Challenging, diversity, lots of decisions, all while having a ton of fun.

Looking back at the fairway

The Eighth is a 230 yard par 3, the "Dip" hole. A longer par 3 over water with a generous short grass area before the green. There are raised mounds and bunkers on both sides of the green towards the front, then bunkers further back on the left. A fair test of the longer club, with lots of area to miss, the mounds, rough and bunkers ensure that a challenging recovery shot is met for those who hit less than ideal tee shots. Even those shots either falling short of the green or on the other side of the green from the pin are not assured par or even bogey without executing the rest of their strokes here. An excellent example of a well done longer par 3.

The Eighth

Some of the subtle contours can be seen here

Looking back and towards the left, with the Second in the background

Looking back from the Ninth tee

The Ninth is a 529 yard par 5, the "Westward Ho" hole. A dog leg left that heads uphill, then slightly downward closer to the green as we head back to the clubhouse. A great hazard resides at the turn of the hole, a large bunker complex that bisects the fairway, making it necessary to carry on your second shot. The fairway cants from right to left after the bunker complex, with the green set to the left, near the clubhouse. The fairways runs right into the green and with plenty of width, there are a number of ways to get to the green. The Ninth reminded me some what of the par 5 Fourth at Bethpage Black, with its elevation difference from tee to green and the prominent use of bunkers to force different avenues to the green. But here, the transition from fairway to green is a little more flowing and open while the Fourth at Bethpage has more and varied bunkers and elevation differences. Three good shots are needed to reach the green and the slope from right to left must be accounted for. A nice closing hole the once you start walking to the clubhouse, you realize the wide open front nine never really lets up yet cajoles and distracts you with thrills and fun, so that the best memories are of shots and recoveries made, with whatever is on the scorecard of little concern.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

The clubhouse coming into view

The large bunker separating the fairway

Approach shot territory

There are few courses where each set of nine is so distinct and thematic yet complimenting the other in such outstanding fashion. The front nine is open, relying on contours, sharp mounds and bunkers and greens ranging from wild to wonderfully subtle. There's a lot of variety within, with both shot selection, distance and recoveries. My ranking of them would be 2, 3, 7, 5, 4, 9, 8, 1, 6.

The back nine starts with the 490 yard par 5 Tenth, the "Sunningdale" hole. A dog leg right with an elevated tee shot that immediately turns right and downhill, straight to the green, which is raised from the fairway with a narrow ramp from fairway to green, tightened by greenside bunkers on each side. The green has an upper tier on the far left and lower starts in the front right. The Tenth feels like a bit of a reprieve, a chance to make up a stroke or two. It's a shorter par 5, relatively easy to get to, and while the green can get testy, you should be close enough for your approach to think about getting close to the pin.

The Tenth

Moving down the fairway from the left side

Short of the green

From the far right side, fairway in the background

The Eleventh is a 413 yard par 4, the "Perfection" hole. The tee shot is the transition, to a much different theme and style of courses, that maintains the same character and charm some how. Driver may be too much club for some, as the fairway descends to a pond, then turns right and uphill to the green. Water becomes more of a prominent feature moving forward while forced carries become a norm. And trees began to make their presence felt. Shotmaking seems to be more emphasized because of this, yet the strategy remains different. The fairway and green on the other side of the water move from right to left, more so on the green. Maneuver left to ensure you have a clear approach shot, then factor in the right to left slope on the approach.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

On the other side of the creek

Looking back from the green

The Twelfth is a 150 yard par 3, the "Despair" hole. A forced carry over water to a green surrounded by water on the left side, Tilly did not have many holes like this. The green moves from right to left in the direction of the water and while there are a few places to miss, none of them are very appetizing. The setting of this hole is spectacular, scenic and insulated, in its own little enclave with the pond. Despair, I think not!

A good look at the water in relation to the hole

The Twelfth

Looking across to the Eleventh fairway

The back side of the green

The Thirteenth is a 415 yard par 4, the "Corner" hole. On the northwest corner of the property, the fairway ascends from the tee before cresting downhill, which makes the tee shot semi-blind for the most part. The fairway is straight on to the green, with trees on both sides. Bunkers on the left short of the green narrow the fairway, while the green is an interesting one for the ridge line that creates a Biarritz of sorts. A nice way for the hole to assert itself.

The Fourteenth is a 422 yard par 4, the "Ridge" hole. Moving back towards the lake we saw on the Twelfth, this hole swells upwards until cresting downhill, very much like the prior hole although the downhill to the green is a lot more substantial. A much more demanding hole than it looks at first blush, a clear approach shot on a nice lie is vital to deal with the green that moves substantially from back to front. In fact, anything off the back side will be in deep trouble, likely near the Twelfth green. Pin position and the bunker on the front left dictate which angle is best for the approach shot and with the slope, downhill to the green, it can be used to move the ball as well.

The Fourteenth

Approach shot territory

Getting closer

Looking back at the fairway

The Fifteenth is a 404 yard par 4, the "Happy Valley" hole. A dog leg right where the tee shot offers the option of trying to cut off the dog leg by carrying a bunker on the inside of the turn. The tee shot that accomplishes that is rewarded with a much shorter approach shot into a green that must carry a creek that runs alongside the front. The left side is safer off the tee and with the left to right slope of the fairway, a well hit shot to that side can use the slope for a healthy roll. The strategy, ambience and terrain of this hole make it a joy to play, especially when juxtaposed to the front nine, this hole truly shows the broad range of style of golfscapes encompassing this course.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

The green, with the creek very much in play

Looking back at the fairway

The Sixteenth is a 170 yard par 3, the "Deception" hole. Water is short of and below the green to the right, which is difficult to see from the tee, which might be how this hole earned its name. The green is carved into the hillside that runs from left to right, with the fall off the right side, a deep bunker front right and bunkers on the left that are likewise hidden from the tee, working overtime for its namesake. The hole looks simple enough but there is no where to miss other than short. Any shot going for the pin must be semi-precise or a severe recovery shot awaits. Looking beyond the green, we see the trees part and we exit the forest, perhaps a little downtrodden, maybe a little wiser yet definitely exhilarated.

The Sixteenth

The Seventeenth is a 370 yard par 4, the "Quarry" hole. The tee shot is over a hill and completely blind. The fairway moves downhill and left to right, so keep that in mind with the tee shot. With its short length and being downhill, hitting the fairway is a lot more important that trying to belt it and ending up off line. The fairway plunges then raises back up above to the green with bunkers on each side. The green moves from back to front and is a challenge.

The Seventeenth

More of a look off to the right

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the tee from the fairway

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Eighteenth is a 344 yard par 4, the "Thirsty Summit" hole. A great name for a closing hole, with the topography helping out, as the fairway climbs to the green from the tee, making this hole a bit longer than its stated yardage. The green is well protected, with deep set bunkers on both sides in the front. There are a couple bunkers on either side on the back as well. With those on the clubhouse patio looking on, carrying the bunkers in the front is probably of utmost importance to focus on putting and closing out the round in style.

The Eighteenth

Moving up the fairway

Approach shot territory

A better look at the clubhouse

The bunkers on the left side of the green

Looking back from the green

The back nine has more elevation changes, water, forced carries and trees than the front, making its style of play much different from the front, yet the nines are in harmony with one another. My ranking of them is 15, 17, 11, 18, 10, 14, 12, 16, 13.

Generally, I am smitten with Somerset Hills. From the Second, which was one of the best par 3's I have played, I was impressed with its flow, sharp features that seemed so naturally present and the overall charm of the course. It's certainly a skill of the highest order to create such challenge, strategy and intrigue yet remain charming throughout the round. The scorecard and misses become secondary while the good shots and engaging beauty are what stays at the forefront. The range of golf here ensures it's a comprehensive test of skills and thought.

Somerset goes down as one of my favorite courses played this year and one of my favorite period. Fun, challenge and exhilaration is perfectly balanced. It's such an intangible it cannot be manufactured; it comes from the sense of the place and how it evolves, some of it naturally and some of it nurtured. That was done here brilliantly.

Clubhouse/Pro shop: Both are eloquently understated.

Practice area: The range is next to the Tenth tee just in front of the pro shop, with the putting green and short game area on the other side of the Tenth tee, next to the Men's locker room.

A view of the apple orchard of the First

Burlington Country Club

2018-09-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

6,436 yards, 127 slope from the Blues

Course: In Westhampton, NJ and about 30 minutes from downtown Philadelphia is Burlington Country Club, a private course originally designed by Alexander Findlay in 1929. Ault & Clark Associates performed significant renovations to the course in 2002, which included constructing six new greens and re-routed the back nine. The course is a parkland on relatively flat terrain that has nice width for a tree lined course and a variety of interesting green complexes. Findlay was able to make a row of straightaway holes different and intriguing by varying the distances, greens and bunker placement, as well as required shots. At least here, he was fine going to the other extreme, with a couple of the dog legs very severe, bringing the trees into play whether you like it or not. All of this leads to Burlington being a likable classic inviting a vast range of shots on fun greens.

Burlington has maintained a lot of what classic courses are well known for; walkable, allowing the aerial and ground game, requiring a variety of shots (especially around the greens) and greens that move well yet aren't too fast and not losing a whole lot of balls. Like many Findlay courses I have played, they are not terribly long but do well in testing the distance clubs and tee game. There seems to have been a resistance in modernizing the course over the years, which adds to its charisma.

The First is a 407 yard par 4 (from the Blues). Straight from the tee, the green is set a little to the right of the fairway and trees line both sides of the hole. There's good width here though, allowing various paths to the green. The green is angled and deeper than it is wide, running from back to front in general with bunkers on both the left and right sides. As comfortable as a gentleman's handshake as it gets, with the opportunity to get your swing in order for the round.

The First

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Second is a 205 yard par 3. There's a false front feel here as the apron flows into the green, giving the appearance that it's shorter to the green than it actually is. While trees around the hole, they only come into play for the worst of worst shots while the most preferred miss would be short. There are green side bunkers on each side of this larger green that has some subtle movement to it, especially on the right side. We're still delving into the course and the first two holes are the time to establish momentum.

The Second

A look at the green from the right side

The Third is a 379 yard par 4. Alas, with the first two holes behind us, the course now starts to get into the rapids a bit with this dog leg left. The tee shot is literally into a row of trees, as the fairway turns left 90 degrees. The options off the tee are to clear the trees and leave yourself with a clear approach shot (albeit on the longer side) or take on the trees to the left and carry them, leaving you with a shorter approach into the green. The green is well protected with bunkers and moves from back to front, so the shorter the approach, the better. I liked the green complex here, as any scrambling from the rough or bunker makes it a lot more difficult to score, as it should be.

The Third

The dog leg

A look at the green from the right side

The Fourth is a 479 yard par 5. The fairway gets a little narrow here, with trees close along the left side and a fairway bunker on the right before the trees close in on that side, all of which makes for a demanding tee shot. Bunkers tighten up just before the green as well, which is deep and narrow. The approach is likewise a tough one, which needs to carry the bunkers and hit the smaller green. It's a shorter par 5, so the approach can be with a shorter iron if you lay up on the second shot, but those who go for it could be scrambling from a tough spot and fighting for par. There are certainly a number of ways to approach this hole and the cardinal rule is to keep it straight.

The Fourth

Moving dow the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Fifth is a 137 yard par 3. A shorter par 3 where trees are no longer a factor, but bunkers are scattered throughout and the green is wide and shallow, so accuracy is still necessary to avoid trouble and score well here. The width of the green may make it easier to land on it, but the undulations will challenge the flatstick. A great looking par 3 that does it job of testing your precision with the short iron.

The Fifth

From the back side

Looking back at the tee

The Sixth is a 391 yard par 4. Things go from wide to narrow with this tee shot, which needs to thread a corridor of trees, yet there's enough room to work the ball in either direction and also to carry the trees if you want to go that route. Assuming your tee shot is in the fairway, the approach should be relatively easy, so long as the bunker on the right is avoided. The green is small, however, so missing short is preferred, if you need to miss at all.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

The Seventh is a 458 yard par 4. The Sixth through Ninth essentially switch back and forth. The differences amongst the holes are mainly with the placement of the bunkers, width of the fairways and greens, but this stretch of holes is a little stale. This hole is the number one handicapped hole, mainly because of its distance. The fairway bunkers stagger from the left side to the right, and add slopes to each side, while the green side bunkers pinch the front of the green. And yes, trees are on both sides the entire way.

The Seventh

Moving up the right side of the fairway

The green

The Eighth is a 404 yard par 4. The green is places a little to the left, which has the effect of a slight dog leg. The tee shot should favor the right side to ensure you have a clear approach to the green. There are bunkers off to the right that will come into play mainly if your tee shot goes left, limiting how close to the green you can from that side. A well hit tee shot is rewarded with a shorter approach shot to a smaller green. The tee shot controls all here.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 429 yard par 4. Similar to the Seventh, but fairway bunkers start on the right side before switching over to the left. The green is also surrounded by more bunkers. And it's a little shorter. Otherwise, hit it between the trees and over the bunkers.

The Ninth

Approach shot territory from the left

The front nine includes a few interesting holes in the middle but starts off slow and ends a little flat. The trees do more to enhance than take away from play while the bunkers are used well and the greens make you grind for recovery but variety and strategy wane with some of the holes here. The Third through Fifth, however is a nice stretch and comes at the right time. I'd rank them 4, 5, 3, 7, 9, 8, 6, 2, 1.

The back nine starts with the 135 yard par 3 Tenth. Another short par 3 where the center bunker makes it looks like the green is shorter from the tee than it actually is, so pin position is more important to pay attention to, with the green moving left to right and front to back. There are green side bunkers of each side as well with the one on the left the tougher of the two to salvage par. This is similar to the Fifth in that bunkers in the center line of vision need to be navigated, but should be a scoreable hole at this point in the round.

The Tenth

The Eleventh is a 338 yard par 4. A dramatic change from the holes thus far, this hole is as open as it gets, with forced carries over water off the tee and the approach. A well hit tee shot gets between the bunker and water. The closer you get to the water, the shorter your approach will be. The approach itself needs to carry the water and the front green side bunker to a green that is shallow yet wide, so distance accuracy is vital. While the hole is visually different, the playing style is similar to the prior holes in that accuracy is valued much more than distance. This hole is more penal than the others, however, since the water is so prominent. The changes are welcome and provides much needed diversity to the round.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

The Twelfth is a 180 yard par 3. Water yet again is prominent here as it encroaches on the right side and front of the green. The green is wide and shallow and bunkers on the left prevent that area from being used as a bail out area. The longer distance and the fact that the green must be hit makes it a challenging par 3. Just as we saw from the width and water of the Eleventh, it's a welcome change for the round at the right time.

The Twelfth

The green

Looking at the back bunkers

The Thirteenth is a 437 yard par 4. A strong dog leg right off the tee, which then goes a little uphill to the green. The tee shot much clear the trees for a clear approach shot. The green is one of my favorite on the course, as it's set at an angle from the fairway, with the front and right side sloping up to the green. A bunker is in the back to chide those who are overambitious. The slopes before the green and its width make it a lot of fun if you didn't get that GIR. There's a lot of ways to approach it, which adds to the challenge of the tee shot.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Fourteenth is a 548 yard par 5. Another strong dog leg, this one to the left, off the tee. In fact, the tee shot is in very real danger of going off the fairway into the trees on the right if hit too well, so figuring out how to get the tee shot to move left with the dog leg is critical to score here. There's also water far left, so too far over on that side is no good. So not only do the trees frame this hole, they're used to deceive off the tee. Water stops the fairway from the green, so all approach shots must be aerial, while the green is multi-tiered, moving from right to left. There's a lot going on here and it all makes for a great par 5.

The Fourteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Fifteenth is a 383 yard par 4. After all the dog legs, this straightaway is a nice change of pace. There's a lone fairway bunker on the left while there is an area of rough on the right that serves as a little bail out room. Water is along the right of the green, while the green itself is large, running slightly from back to front.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

The green

The Sixteenth is a 420 yard par 4. There are a few turns to the green but the hole is primarily straight. A bunker on the left is far enough short of the green to be considered a fairway bunker, but its placement is interesting, since it seems to be in the middle of where most tee shots land and the green. The green is set to the right of the fairway, sloping from back to front substantially, with rough surrounding the perimeter. As the number 2 handicapped hole and first on the back, the green placement and trees work well together to create quite a challenge.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 398 yard par 4. The hole descends gently to the green from the tee, with a narrow fairway as trees line both sides. There are also fairway bunkers on both sides, while bunkers surround the green. This is another hole where driver may not necessarily be the best play; it's whatever club sets up the ideal approach shot, as the green, trees and surrounding bunkers make it imperative you're playing from a good angle and a have a clear shot. The challenge ramps up as the round comes to an end and it's more evidence when playing this hole.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green

The Eighteenth is a 308 yard par 4. The round ends with a severe dog leg that turns to the left just about ninety degrees. The green sits above the fairway and is hidden from the tee by trees on the left side. Taking on the trees and carrying them for a short approach to the green is enticing, while the fairway bunker straight out makes you think twice about laying off and just hitting it straight into the fairway. I'm more comfortable with my driver, so token the trees, but hit it more left than I wanted, ending up at the base of the green. The problem was I needed to carry a bunker while overhanging trees limited how high I could get the ball. The green moves severely from right to left, towards the bunker I needed to carry, which needs to be factored in to all putts. A great short par 4 that makes for a nice finish, especially in match play.

The Eighteenth

At the turn and approach shot territory

I liked the back nine more than the front. The holes distinguished themselves a little more and the play was more fun and strategic. Granted, the land was a little more diverse as well, but the back nine provides a lot of the course's identity. If I had to rank them, I'd go 11, 18, 13, 12, 17, 16, 14, 15, 10.

Generally Burlington CC is a classic parkland that sets itself apart with a different styled back nine and small yet subtle greens. Trees are used well here, providing enough width and being used nicely into the design. There are no exaggerated features or dramatic landscapes here and nothing felt forced. From the Findlay courses I've seen, accuracy is at a premium while distance isn't as important. Ballstriking is the emphasis, as well as a strong short game. At Burlington, there is some strategy in negotiating the trees and bunkers, while the greens range from deceptively subtle to outright severe. It all makes for a good round of golf and if played enough times, will make you a strong irons and wedges player.

Gripes: Oh not much. Some trees could come out on some of the holes to create a little more interest and strategy, especially on the front.

Bar/Grill: A few nice areas to hang out, an outdoor patio near the putting green and the bar and grill overlooking the Eighteenth green. Knowing the plant gallery is in there watching everything puts a little more pressure on you.

Clubhouse: Nice and quaint.

Practice area: A range and putting green.

Philly Muni - John F. Byrne GC

2018-09-03T18:47:00.003-04:00

5,193 yards, 117 slope from the Blues

Course: In the Northeast, John F. Byrne Golf Course is a Philadelphia municipal course, purchased by the City in the 1960's and named after a former Philadelphia City Councilman and Pennsylvania State Senator. It was formerly called Holmesburg Country Club and was designed by Alex Findlay in 1931. While the original course consisted of more land, much of the Findlay design remains today, amidst some routing and hole changes to adjust to the changes in property lines. Byrne sits directly across the street from the Union League at Torresdale, which was designed by Donald Ross in 1921.

Alex Findlay is a key figure for early American golf. In 1886, Findlay left Scotland for America apparently in hopes of becoming a cowboy. In 1887, Findlay built a six-hole course that some claim was the first golf course in America. Findlay then built a number of courses, in Florida, the midwest, and several in the Philadelphia area, including Llanerch, Burlington CC and Lebanon CC. My experience playing Findlay courses gives me the impression he enjoyed dramatic landscapes and accentuating them, yet was able to build interesting and engaging courses on unimpressive land. Driver is often not the ideal club off the tee, while precision with the entire range of irons, emphasis on the longer ones, seems to be part of his M.O. In addition to Byrne, Findlay designed two other Philadelphia municipal courses - Walnut Lane and Juanita.

The Byrne course is set on a steep ridge, with holes placed on it vertically, while the remainder of the holes traverse the valley and smaller hills on the opposite side. There are a lot of trees, whether from failing to keep them out of the playing corridors through the years or done intentionally, they come into play often. The greens are straightforward enough, yet the hills and contours affect the undulations. Another attribute of Findlay courses I've noticed is every club in your bag is used. At least that's been my experience, which likewise was the case at Byrne.

It is not lost on me that this is a Philadelphia course review blog and even though I keep saying year after year I will visit the other Philadelphia municipal courses, it keeps not happening. I finally endeavored to change that one Thursday early morning, where I figured I could breeze through on an empty course and take all the photos I wanted. That was decidedly not the case, as I was one of a number of enthusiastic golfers waiting to start the day off right. The course seems to enjoy a robust crowd of regulars and the course was bustling even on an early weekday morn. I was even waved up to the First tee as a single and allowed to the off before a foursome, whom were helpful in pointing out where the hole played.

So with the sun still rising and the cordial group watching, I teed off to experience another city owned course, as the not famous at all "Philly Golf Guy."

The First is a 373 yard par 4 (from the Blues). A straightaway par four with an elevated tee shot that must carry a creek and either carry or go between trees on both sides, the opening shot does not have to be driver, but there's enough intimidation here. The approach shot plays uphill to a deep green with bunkers on the right and trees to the right of them, as well as the back side. Accuracy and missing short of the green is a good theme here, which applies to the opener as well.

The First, looking back at the tee

The green

The Second is a 206 yard par 3. Reversing direction back to the creek, this longer par 3 is a little shorter than the stated yardage due to the elevated tee. The green rests along a tree line just short of the creek, with a green that runs from left to right and is on the small side. There's plenty of room to miss right and short, while left and long will lose a stroke most likely.

The Second

The Third is a 264 yard par 4. A short par 4 playing uphill, the tee shot is an easy carry over Byeberry Creek to a wide fairway with trees on the right and more room that it looks on the left. The green is open to the fairway and if your tee shot went off fairway, you likely have a chance at hitting it so long as you're not blocked out by the trees on the right. Just don't go long.

The Third

The green

Looking back to the tee from the green

The Fourth is a 308 yard par 4. Slowly climbing the ridge line we tee off from on the First, this slight dog leg left is another threaded tee shot either over or through the trees and over the creek to a fairway that runs up to the green. The fairway and green run from left to right, with the green moving more aggressively in that direction. There is a lot of room on the left and far of the green, but the slope will make any chip shots above the pin pretty tricky. Precision is definitely needed on both shots here.

The Fourth

Just on the other side of the creek

Approach shot territory

From the right side of the green, showing the drop off on that side

The Fifth is a 300 yard par 4. Now back to the top of the ridge line where the clubhouse is, the Fifth runs along the top of it to a fairway that runs from right to left. A deeper bunker is on the left side, waiting to collect any tee shot that didn't account for the slope of the fairway, while trees are on both sides leading up to the green. The green is large and likewise moves from right to left. Yet another hole where driver may not be the best club for the tee, as middle of the fairway ensures a clear approach shot while those offline may run into tree trouble.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory

The green, from the right side

The Sixth is a 167 yard par 3. Now starting to head back down the ridge, the elevated tee shot is a forced carry over the creek to the green, which is fairly open except for the cart path cutting close on the far left side. A drop shot par 3 testing your mid iron accuracy, so get it close.

The Sixth

A look at the green from the left side

The Seventh is a 252 yard par 4. Teeing off next to the Fourth tees, the fairway is below and dog legs right, with trees framing the hole. A mid iron is all that is needed off the tee, unless you want to try and carry the trees, cut the dog leg and get to or close to the green. A tee shot that finds the center of the fairway and clears the dog leg will have a nice wide open and short approach shot to the green. So the tee shot controls all.

The Seventh

Approach shot territory

A family of deer serving as my gallery

The Eighth is a 168 yard par 3. Now going behind the Third tee, this par 3 is uphill, with a tree line along the right and a green side bunker on both sides. There's an apron short of the green as well. There's lots of width here, so just don't go right or far and you'll be fine.

The Eighth

Left side of the green

The Ninth is a 385 yard par 4. Now we cross the creek yet again and go directly to the top of the ridge line. Trees really crowd this tee shot, which needs to carry the creek to the fairway that is essentially vertical to the green, surrounded by bunkers. Like many if not all of the par 4's here, the tee shot is vital to scoring well, as anything not in the fairway will likely get blocked out by trees and even fairway lies will be significantly uphill. The green slopes from back to front, with a nice view of the hills and course as you look out towards the fairway.

The Ninth

The creek and fairway on the other side

Looking back towards the tee

Approach shot territory

The green, from the left side

The front nine loops around the northeast of the property, going up and down the ridge line a couple times. A mixture of par 3's and shorter par 4's that do well is testing your shotmaking and short game. I'd rank them 4, 5, 9, 2, 7, 1, 3, 6, 8.

The back nine starts with the 332 yard par 4 Tenth. Reversing course of the Ninth, the tee shot must either carry the creek yet again, or lay up short of it, clearing the tree line on the left of the fairway that dog legs left. Trees again crowd the tee shot and some should probably be taken out here, while still have the remaining ones keep the corridors for each hole separate. A well played tee shot opens up a nice short approach shot to a green with a few undulations in it.

The Tenth

A look at the green

The Eleventh is a 159 yard par 3. An uphill green tucked in to the right of the tee, it's pretty subtle and I like the area just short of the green, including the bunker on the right. I wish I took more photos of it, but it was a fun hole trying to work the ball as close to the trees as possible to the back right pin.

The Eleventh green

The Twelfth is a 526 yard par 5. Now playing at the bottom of the ridge line altogether, the first par 5 stretches out straight from the tree with trees lining both sides. There's some width but mainly you need to hit it straight and far. Not too much creativity is needed but with limited land, they figured out a way to get some par 5's on the back nine and things get a little interesting with the green, slightly raised abutting a creek on the far side.

The Twelfth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green from the left side and the banking just off green

The Thirteenth is a 120 yard par 3. Kind of set in its own little alcove, it definitely does not feel like it was an original hole but I have no idea for sure. A short par 3 where the main hazard is the overhanging tree on the left side, which blocks out that line to the green. Lots of trees are on the right while the left side is fairly close to the tee line to the green. A draw, or straight from the right side of the tee, is necessary to get on the green and get that bird.

The Thirteenth

The green from the left side

The Fourteenth is a 234 yard par 3. This is the middle of back to back to back par 3's. Reversing direction from the Twelfth, this longer par 3 has lots of room on the right while the tree line encroaches on the left. The green is deep and a little narrow, which accommodates the roll of a longer club.

The Fourteenth

Looking back at the tee

The Fifteenth is a 163 yard par 3. Things get a little more interesting with this par 3 using the little hillside, with everything running from left to right. A draw works really well for the trio of par 3's here, especially with the tree line always on the left. This hole demands more precision since there are trees surrounding the green and the slope off to the right can get a little nasty for the recovery.

The Fifteenth

The slope off to the right of the green

The Sixteenth is a 505 yard par 5. Parallel to the Twelfth, the second and last par 5 of the course bends slightly to the right with trees lining both sides. There's also a fairway bunker on the left and going further left risks getting into some tall grass areas. There's lots of width but the corridor with flat and straight terrain starts to get uninspiring. More could have been done to these par 5's for sure.

The Sixteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 381 yard par 4. The number one handicap hole, the trees yet again encroach and block lines to the green, this time on the right side. You either need to work it left to right off the tee or straight out with a shorter club to avoid going through the trees on the left. I like the green a lot, which is kind of a hump, running from back to front, and front to back from the spine running in the middle, while the sides of the green slope towards the center. The left front bunker is also well places. A fun par 4, it's in need of a lot of TLC, I suspect because it's on lower ground and takes on a lot of water.

The Seventeenth

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The Eighteenth is a 350 yard par 4. Going back up the ridge line and similar to the Ninth, the trees confine the tee shot, which is crucial to finding the fairway for the approach, which is straight uphill to the plateau green. The Seventeenth and Eighteenth are a nice closing twosome and ending the round back up on the hill being able to look down on the course just played adds to the enjoyment.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

The back nine stays on the lower parts of the land and it's apparent holes on this side have been altered from their original design but I always like routing featuring more par 3's and 5's, while the last two holes are a good finish. Ranking them for me would be 17, 18, 15, 10, 11, 16, 14, 12, 13.

Generally, Byrne is a shorter course that defends itself by demanding accuracy. Distance does not help much and the greens won't beat anyone up, but the challenge lies from tee to green and here, the course flourishes by demanding the full spectrum of shots. More could have been with the par 5's, which feel like hitting it on a fielded driving range. To me, it looks like a blank canvas with so many possibilities, to vary both of them and create more challenge and strategy from tee to green, which would keep in line with the general theme of the course.

Philadelphia municipal courses need more resources to ensure they're adequately maintained. Byrne is no exception. The cart paths are eroded and severe in spots, overgrown trees affect lines of play and bunkers are bare. The staff does what it can with the limited budget it has and there are a good group of regulars that enjoy the place. Munis are vital to golf in the U.S. and there is a trend to ensure they remain a strong part of the game. They're accessible, a great place to learn the game and in many respects, an ideal piece of the community. I played mostly all of my golf on munis for years and it was at a muni that I started taking an interest in golf course architecture. Just like Cobbs Creek, I hope Byrne gets more funding to improve some of the rough patches and possibly work on those par 5's. There's no reason why munis shouldn't be just as interesting, engaging and strategic as any other course. There's additional land maybe they can use at some point in the future for a practice area, or re-rout a few holes but at this point, it's a public course in the area that makes anyone that plays it enough a strong ball striker.

Gripes: Just the conditioning issues mentioned above.

Bar/Grill: An indoor area with some televisions, the clubhouse is on the highest point of the course.

Clubhouse: An ok selection of stuff, has all the essentials.

Practice area: There's a putting green.

Whitemarsh Valley CC

2018-08-26T08:10:00.002-04:00

6,494 yards, 138 slope from the Whites

Course: In Lafayette, PA, about 15 minutes outside of Center City, resides Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, a course designed by George Thomas. Thomas has designed such masterpieces as Riviera, Los Angeles CC North, Bel-Air and Stanford's course. One of my first experiences on a golf course was one by Thomas, although I wasn't golfing. Instead, I was in high school, running a cross country invitational on Stanford's course. From what I remember the couple times I was there, it was decidedly hilly with width, but I was more focused on other things, such as surviving the grueling hills and trying not to let the entire field pass me. At any rate, Whitemarsh is one of the few George Thomas designed course on the East coast and is his first 18 hole design. Instead of the usual arrangement where a property owner or club hiring the architect to design the course, Thomas designed the course on his own property. In fact, part of his house and barn is still there; used as the Men's locker room and grill. Thomas subsequently sold the course to Whitemarsh in 1908, who has had it ever since.

I have always been a big fan of Thomas because of Riviera. Moreover, even as a non-golfer and growing up on the west coast, his name was synonymous with good golf, kind of like being in Philadelphia and hearing about William Flynn or Hugh Wilson. In general, however, Thomas is lesser known than other such as Ross, Tillinghast or Raynor. Like Charles Banks, this is unfortunate because he was one of the better architects of his generation. Thomas was very good at bunker placement and was one of the rare architects that was able to incorporate fantastic visuals with a very complex, interesting design. In addition to Whitemarsh, he was involved tangentially with Merion and Pine Valley. Just like those courses, Thomas invited input from his colleagues and was never shy about showering praise on others for their help.

The majority of the course is indeed set in a valley, with the clubhouse, First tee and Eighteenth green set on one ridge and numerous tees and greens set on the opposite ridge. The bunkering here was great and with their white sand, visually pops off the tees and fairways. The hills on the property are used well and similar to Merion East, the course is well routed on a smaller piece of property, never feeling restrained or confined. The greens are very good as well, balancing subtlety with undulations. Ross and Flynn apparently worked on the course at some point after Whitemarsh purchased it while more recent work was done to address some flooding issues that crop up in the valley, but the course has a west coast feel to it, with some Riviera vibes felt as well. Quite honestly, a lot of that may be attributable to the bunkers, but goes beyond that to the way the course plays.

Whitemarsh is one of those gems in Philadelphia rich with a history of its own. As one of the earlier courses in the area, it has maintained its unique identity amongst all of the other well known courses and for me personally, became a favorite. Harry Vardon and Ted Ray played it during their romp prior to getting upset by Francis Ouimet in the U.S. Open, it hosted the "All-American Open" in place of the U.S. Open during World War II, Ben Hogan played it and deemed it, "one of the great golf courses;" all of this adds to its aura and charm.

The First is a 352 yard par 4 (from the Whites). The elevated tee is to a wide fairway that narrows for the second shot, with fairway bunkers on the right and green side bunkers covering the left and right sides of the green. Lots of room off the tee on the right while a tree line runs along the length of the left. Off the fairway, the rough is thick enough to influence club selection into the green, while the bunkers cover most area off the green, while the back side slopes severely away from the green. A nice opener while establishing a coherent theme; inviting tee shots, exacting approaches.

The First

Approach shot territory

The Second is a 398 yard par 4. Still moving across the valley floor, the tee shot is to a downhill fairway with cross bunkers in play. The fairway is narrower than the First, which gets narrower short of the green. The green is elevated, with bunkers on with sides of the false front. The green runs from back to front significantly, making it entirely possible an overambitious putt in that direction keeps going down to the fairway. A tough hole as the tee shot needs to be more precise and the approach is decidedly longer, to a challenging green.

The Second

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory, from the left rough

The Third is a 529 yard par 5. Reversing course back to the ridge upon which we started, the elevated tee shot is to a tree-lined fairway with a fairway bunker on the left side. It just so happens that the left side is preferred off the tee so that there is a better angle to the green, as the fairway dog legs right. Of course, advancing up the right side off the tee means ending to get over to the left on the second shot, since that's the only area with a clear angle to the green. We also see here trees used properly into the design of the hole. They're not constraining, yet serve the important purpose of influencing strategy and shotmaking. This is seen on the hole clearly, telegraphing the importance of that left side. The end of the fairway dog legs then abruptly ends at Wissahickon Creek, at which point the wide and deep green lies just after a false front. The creek runs directly next to the front and left side of the green, giving off just a little bit of the same effect as the Road hole. While the green is large, the off green areas are not very enticing, with many possibly resulting in a penalty. This makes the approach shot vital, which goes back to the second shot and ensuring there's a clear line to the green.

The Third

The Fourth is a 235 yard par 3. The longest par 3 on the course by far, there are two tributaries of the creek to carry but neither are all that tough, just enough to keep your tee shot honest. A longer bunker along the left side of the green and another on the right. The green is large, receptive to a lot of tee shots, while the surrounding trees frame the acceptable playing area. A good example of a long yet manageable classic par 3.

The Fourth

The Fifth is a 481 yard par 5. A dog leg right with trees on the right and the Wissahickon Creek on the right, getting off the tee properly and far enough to clear the turn ensures you have a straight look at the green for your second shot. You can give the second shot a go at the green or lay up to whatever number you want your approach to be, with the green curling to the left, up against the creek. The green has some interesting undulations and shelves, was one of my favorites on the course. A shorter par 5 that still requires execution to score well while the green is a stalwart last defense.

The Fifth

Moving down the fairway, er, rough

Second shot territory

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway

The Sixth is a 333 yard par 4. A tough tee shot across the creek and to an elevated fairway that ascends uphill to the green, with a tree line running along the right and some space off to the left. Cross bunkers await, with the shorter on the right. The green is guarded by a trio of bunkers along the front side, with a green that widens as it gets to the rear. A nice shorter par 4, where strategizing from the green backwards to the tee helps a lot.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green and a good perspective on those white sand bunkers

The Seventh is a 407 yard par 4. The Seventh and Eighth are across Thomas Road, so after a short jaunt to the other side, the fairway heads straight out to the green, sloping from left to right a little. While the tee shot is fairly generous, the approach shot to the deep green is a little deceptive, as the left bunkers makes the green feel shorter than it is, yet acts more like a false front. The next left bunker encroaches on the left side of the green, which runs from back to front. A fun green where avoiding the bunkers is ideal.

The Seventh

Close to the green

The Eighth is a 452 yard par 4. The number one handicapped hole, the fairway is straightaway and inviting off the tee, with only bunkers off to the right to negotiate. Bunkers left and right, respectively, are staggered as you advance towards the green, which slopes from right to left and a tough bank off to the left. It's length and demand of the approach shot make it a challenge. If you're to miss on the approach, left is better.

The Eighth

The group of bunkers on the right

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 115 yard par 3. This short par 3 is even shorter as it plays downhill. The wide shallow green is surrounded by narrow bunkers, forcing precision. The green runs away from the tee as well, so distance control is vital here, as most shots off green will be in one of the bunkers and those off the back face a delicate shot to get close to the pin.

The Ninth

The front nine loops around the eastern side of the property before crossing over Thomas Road to the westernmost point. There's a nice variety of par 4's and the par 3's are in stark contrast with one another. All maintain the constant theme of requiring strategy and shotmaking. I'd rank them 6, 2, 7, 5, 9, 1, 8, 3, 4.

The back nine starts with the 375 yard par 4 Tenth. The back nine starts out very strong and quite honestly, I'm not sure it lets up as each hole is distinct and exciting as the next. The elevated tee shot is to a fairway that widens off to the left, while trees on both sides narrow things where most tee shots will end up, with fairway bunkers on the left to boot. Bunkers elongate around most of the green and while the fairway is surrounded by trees, the green is wide open, open to a number of options to get the ball in the hole. The subtle options off the tee and again on the approach and its presentation make it one of my favorite holes on the course.

The Tenth

Left side of the fairway

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Eleventh is a 501 yard par 5. A longer hole than the states yardage since it goes uphill the hole way, trees line each side of the hole while fairway bunkers attack one side before attacking the other side further up. The hole bends to the right around the right fairway bunkers, then widens before ending at a hill with a cluster of bunkers before the elevated green. There is so much strategy and shotmaking here it's incredible. Take advantage of the wide part of the fairway off the tee, then hit a longer second shot over all the trouble to the end of the fairway; draw off the tee, then fade the second shot; power fade off the tee then try to go for the green in two; fade off the tee then draw. The possibilities are endless and with such a visually pleasing hole, it's a great par 5.

The Eleventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory, above the bunkers in the center

The Twelfth is a 164 yard par 3. Playing along the ridge opposite the clubhouse, the green slopes from right to left, with a little space on the right to play with. The bunker on the left side makes it a quasi-Redan, but the bunkers on the right complicate that by needing to be a little more exact off the tee to properly use the slope. With the view of the valley and most of the course below and to the left, it's a nice inspiring hole.

The Twelfth

Looking out to the left, to the valley below

The Thirteenth is a 354 yard par 4. Probably the most elevated tee shot on the course to a fairway below, bring you back into the valley. There are actually two forced carries over water on this hole, the first is off the tee that really doesn't come into play unless you top your shot while the second is for the approach over the green. The green is long and boomerang shaped, with the lone bunker short and right. The green moves from left to right, so any pin position on the right brings the bunker into play even though you can use the slope to some extent. Yet another solid hole.

The Thirteenth

The start of the fairway below

Approach shot territory

The Fourteenth is a 353 yard par 4. Believe it or not, this is another two-forced carry hole. The tee shot is a forced carry over water to a fairway where the water runs alongside the right for a while. The approach shot is a forced carry over Wissahickon Creek, to another one of my favorite greens on the course, which has a terrific slope on the back and right sides, making precision around the green critical. A hole whose strict challenge is subtle.

The Fourteenth

Approach shot territory

The right of the green and off. Look at that slope.

Looking back at the fairway

The Fifteenth is a 419 yard par 4. Mind the treeline on the right off the tee, as they will block out your approach shot if too far over, so left to left center is preferred. There are no fairway bunkers to contend with, but ensuring you have a clear line to the green off the tee is no small matter, considering the narrowness of the fairway and the right treeline. If the right treeline is clear, then the approach shot is wide open to the green, with a left bunker short of the green and one on the right green side. The fairway feeds into the green as well, so the ground or aerial game works, whatever your pleasure.

The Fifteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green

The Sixteenth is a 140 yard par 3. The green is severely elevated from the tee with bunkers on each side. The main feature of this hole, however, is the steep slope on the front. Heed to the slope at all costs, as even tee shots hit to the back of the green can fall all the way down below the green if the pace is too aggressive. I know this because it happened firsthand to me. With the pin towards the front, I placed a short but firm putt on the ball that started slow but gained speed with each roll, eventually sprinting past the hole and darting off the green and to the rough below. Despite the internal strife that followed, it's a great feature that adds to its strategy tenfold.

The Sixteenth

The green, from the front, now showing the severity of the slope

Looking back to the tee from the back of the green

The Seventeenth is a 483 yard par 5. Heading home, the elevated tee shot is to the valley below one last time. Lots of fairway bunkers on both sides, with the right side a little more open yet with more bunkers. The fairway ends and there's a forced carry over a creek to the green, which has a large apron leading up to it and bunkers on both sides, yet the green is a big target. It's amazing how many holes switch back along the same direction of the valley yet play entirely different from one another here. This is yet another example of that, figuring out how whether the second shot can carry the creek or wise minds take over and lay up.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory, off to the right

The Eighteenth is a 403 yard par 4. A bear of a finish, this dog leg left is lined by bunkers of both sides of the fairway. The width of the fairway varies as well, getting narrow at the turn yet staying wide before the bunkers. A great match play hole, the pressure is on for the tee shot to get in position for a clear approach shot to the uphill green. I made my own strategy by hitting my tee shot left to the Tenth fairway, leaving me with a great look at the green from over there. I'd love to say it was intentional, but a fortunate accident nonetheless that enabled me to get it to within 8 feet of the pin. The green is a wide oval, receptive to a number of shots, most of which will be with long clubs, and slopes from back to front. I couldn't but help think of the similarities to Riviera, with the uphill finish while the clubhouse looms above. One of the best looking holes on the course.

The Eighteenth

The back nine was very strong. I liked every hole, each was distinct yet had a constant theme throughout. Ranking them, for me it would be 11, 18, 10, 16, 12, 14, 13, 17, 15.

Generally, Whitemarsh is subtle in its presentation, as it's a very attractive course that has a lot going on below the surface, with complexity in strategy and shot selection on most every shot on the course. Whether done after it was built or not, there are similarities to Riviera and visually, the course is great, as the bunkers contrast nicely with the contours of the terrain and trees are in some smart places, although there are some others that could be taken out to open up the course even more. A great routing on a smaller piece of property, fully utilizing the advantages of the terrain, you always have that pleasant sense you're one of the few on the course, never feeling constrained. While tee shots are generally inviting, there are some that focus the ideal landing area to set up the better angles into the green on the approach shots. As for the approach shots, the greens are typically open to the fairway and large, yet the ideal landing areas are even more focused than the tee shots. And because of the contours of the green, knowing what the ball will do once it lands means there are other angles into the greens on approach that become available as you get to know the course. The course brought out several strategic and shotmaking decisions and make sure you show up with a strong bunker game. I really enjoyed my round here and see Whitemarsh as a very strong classic design that holds its own in the well known Philadelphia collection of courses.

Gripes: Nothing comes to mind.

Bar/Grill: The Men's locker room is a great place to socialize, with a full bar, seating area and televisions.

Clubhouse: The clubhouse was recently renovated and looks terrific. Overlooking the entire course, it includes a pool. The pro shop is likewise large with a great selection of everything. Whitemarsh also has a caddie system and ours was a nice addition to the round.

Practice area: The driving range is off the Fifth green, which means it's pretty close to the clubhouse. It features a short game area as well. There's also a putting green next to the First tee.

Country Club of Harrisburg

2018-08-15T22:12:00.000-04:00

6,420 yards, 127 slope from the Blues

Course: In Pennsylvania's capital, the Country Club of Harrisburg was established in 1896. The course was designed by William Flynn and while he was born in 1890, surprisingly, he did not design the course when he was 6. The club moved to the site of the current course and Flynn built it at that point, which opened in 1917. Set on the foothills of the Blue Mountains, CCH has a nice history, with Henry Picard and Jack Grout among its club pros. It's also one of Flynn's earlier designed courses and with the heaving terrain upon which it is set, he makes good use of the land, with a combination of quirk, vistas, variety and challenge seen throughout. Each hole certainly has its own identity, with slopes crashing headfirst into greens, fairways tumbling over ridgelines before climbing to unheralded heights and greens gallantly pulsing in several directions at once. One of the most fun parts of the round was watching how the ball would move down the fairway towards the green, then suddenly shift directions once it hit the green, either towards the pin, or terrifyingly away from it.

The Philadelphia area is fortunate to have a number of different courses built by Flynn that are still around today. I've played a good number of them and what struck me most about this course from the others was the par 5's and the quirk found throughout the course. Taking the hills head on with a good number of blind shots, sharp lines and banks, as well as jutting ridgelines creates a lot of shots and holes unique to the course unseen elsewhere. There were also, however, some holes that didn't stir as much excitement as others and while this added to the rhythm of the round, it left a yearning for more.

I've always believed that golf course architecture is art and like most other forms of art, golf course design evolves and changes over time. This evolution or progression applies to the architect as well and I like to think Flynn was finding his stroke here on setting a course on such a dramatic piece of property. The result is a lot of fun and some very memorable holes. Flynn went on to design such masterpieces as Shinnecock Hills, Huntingdon Valley, Lancaster, Atlantic City Country Club and Rolling Green. As seen from CCH, Flynn's genius in routing and use of the existing terrain for a natural feeling course was well and alive in his early years of design, which then grew and developed further from his work and success here. Playing here certainly made me appreciate Flynn's proficiency even more.

The First is a 397 yard par 4 (from the Blues). Things start off with a blind tee shot to a fairway that plummets from the tee before turning left just before getting to the green. There are trees on either side, with the right side falling downhill in even more trees. It's a great opening hole and sets the tone for what to expect throughout. Hitting my approach shot five yards before the green and watching it bounce and roll to the green, then roll and curl around until it cozied up to the hole just showed how much fun the hills can be as they're incorporated into play.

The First

Approach shot territory

From the fairway looking back at the tee

A closer look at the green

The Second is a 219 yard par 3. I don't know what it is but I feel like most of Flynn's par 3's are over 200 yards. I'm sure that's not correct but it's just the impression I have. This hole supports that, as it's a forced carry to a wide green that runs back to front and a little right to left, in defiance of the hillside. There's plenty of room running up to the green, keeping shorter shots very much in play for par. Even ending up in the green side bunker on the right is ok, but any shot off the reservation will likely be lost or locked in the trees.

The Second

The green, from the right side

The Third is a 357 yard par 4. An uphill par 4 with a blind tee shot that carries over a sharp ridge. The other side of the ridge is a fairway canting from left to right. The hillside upon which this hole is set pulls balls to the right a lot more than it looks, especially on the green. Great use of the hillside and placement of the green here.

The Third

A closer look at the ridge

Approach shot territory

Looking back towards the tee

The Fourth is a 318 yard par 4. A hard dog leg left that starts climbing uphill at the turn. The right side will push balls away from the green while the closer your tee shot to the treeline on the left will result in a closer approach. Too far left, however, will block you out of the green by those trees. The hill to the green is steeper than it appears, so clubbing up is a good idea.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory

The Fifth is a 413 yard par 4. The number one handicapped hole is fairly straight away, but the hills and ridges make it strategic and engaging. The tee shot is to a fairway that's downhill and depending on where you hit it, will get a lot of run more on the left side. The approach is to a green sitting below the fairway, but the fairway dips below it before rising up, so I should say most approach shots will be from the fairway above the green. While the corridor to the green is wide, the fairway is narrow, with most of it rough.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway

The Sixth is a 147 yard par 3. The shortest par 3 on the course, it's a carry to the green, which is tear-dropped shaped, starting narrow in the front then widening as you get to the rear. A shelf creates two tiers on the green, with the higher near the front, so placement from the tee is critical to avoid traversing tiers and risk three-putting. There really isn't much room off green to miss, so precision is premium here and the green was one of the more challenging on the course.

The Sixth

The green

The Seventh is a 435 yard par 4. One of the flatter holes on the course that runs slightly uphill from the tee, with trees on either side. There's not much to the hole and it almost feels like it's use is to get us back over to the other side of the property to set up the last two holes of the front nine leading to the clubhouse. This and the Thirteenth run parallel with each other and on similar flat terrain, but the Thirteenth is slightly more interesting because more was done with the green and lead up to the green. Here, well, it's a good scoring hole.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green from the left side

The Eighth is a 503 yard par 5. A wild par 5 that starts out straight and wide, the second shot is likely completely blind, as the fairway rapidly descends down before crashing into the green. Knowing where to hit the second shot, is paramount here, even though it's completely blind. There's a lot of ways to play it, while using the severity of the fairway to your advantage will end up making the hole much shorter. The fairway is high above the green, even within 20 yards, while the back side has a bunker and the green moves away from you towards the front. The views, slopes and placement of green in relation to the fairway make this one of the more exciting holes on the course.

The Eighth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green, from the right side

From the fairway

The Ninth is a 377 yard par 4. A dog leg left with a forced carry off the tee to a fairway that juts up in front of you and immediately and continuously climbs uphill to the green. The fairway also cants from left to right, so aiming close to the treelike on the right is always a good idea so it falls towards the center. The approach shot is tough depending on the lie and could be blind if played from more on the left side. The pull of the hill is likewise felt on the subtle green.

The Ninth

Approach shot territory

The green from the right side

Looking back towards the tee, which shows the canting of the fairway

The front nine embraces the hills, which results in a some very good holes and a good amount of distinction. I would rank them 8, 1, 3, 2, 9, 5, 4, 6, 7.

The back nine starts with the 175 yard par 3 Tenth. A drop shot par 3 to a green that curls off to the left with the right bunker above the green and the left bunker below. Short of the green slopes away from the green, but is safe. With the hills of trees as your gallery, hit it to the right side of the green since that side moves towards the center. Yet another nice par 3 that is wide and allows different lines to the green, but narrows its focus with how the ball moves once it hits the ground.

The Tenth

From the left side

The Eleventh is a 562 yard par 5. Yet another wild par 5 to an uphill fairway that slopes hard from right to left. Aiming at the treeline on the right and getting as close to it as possible is a good line from the tee, which will move the ball down the fairway and left. There is a break in the fairway to force the second shot, but with the fairway dropping and turning to the green, there are options as to how to advance the ball and set up your approach, or try and go for the green in two. With the green so far below the fairway, it's tempting to go for it, so just keep in mind it's better to miss left than right.

The Eleventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A look at the fairway from the green

The Twelfth is a 153 yard par 3. Set on a terrace, it's uphill from the tee, with the slope on the front and back of the green moving balls downhill towards the tee. It's a straight forward hole, but any shot off the green and/or above the hole will need to be met with the deftness of delicacy in accommodating the slope fo the hillside to get the ball close to the pin.

The Twelfth

A closer look

From back and above

The Thirteenth is a 400 yard par 4. Running parallel with the Seventh, it is likewise one of the flatter holes on the course. Straightaway and tree lined on both sides with no fairway bunkers, the green provides a little intrigue here being raised from the fairway and undulating left to right, but otherwise this seems more like a way to get from point A to point B on the property.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

The Fourteenth is a 525 yard par 5. While straight, there is a little more rolling terrain here. The tee shot is a forced carry over water to a fairway that slopes left to right. The fairway then starts downhill to the green, canting the same direction all the way up to it. Trees on both sides confine you to the stay within the fairway but there's enough width to work with. The fairway feeds into the green but becomes raised as you get towards the rear, with anything too far back blocked out by trees. The back of the green also provides a view of the Susquehanna River, showing just how much the terrain juts vertically from the river banks.

The Fourteenth

Moving down the fairway

Still moving down

And closer to approach shot territory

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway

Showing what's off green and how raised from the back

A view of the river

The Fifteenth is a 424 yard par 4. The number 1 handicapped hole on the back and number 2 overall, the tee shot is exacting to a rumpled downhill fairway that moves and kicks the balls in all different directions. Hitting the fairway is vital, as the approach is to a downhill green with water along the right side while a hillside of rough is off to the left. A tee shot moving to the left side will ensure the approach has a clear angle to the green. Short of the green pulls hard towards the water, so finding the balance between aiming for the hillside on the left and water on the right makes it challenging yet endearing, so long as you pull it off...

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green

The Sixteenth is a 159 yard par 3. Bunkers on both sides of the green pinch the front while it moves from right to left. There's not a whole lot of room off the green beyond the bunkers, so if you miss, miss short.

The Sixteenth

The Seventeenth is a 558 yard par 5. Another exciting par 5 that starts off with what appears to be a narrow tee shot between trees to a fairway that starts downhill, making most tee shots blind. The fairway keeps plummeting, then twists to the right, ultimately ending at the road into the club. The green sits on the other side, with the fairway slithering uphill to the green while the green itself moves pretty well from back to front. The approach shot is one of the tougher on the course and just like the Fifteenth and some of the other holes before it, the lie will not be a flat one. The green's movement also makes things interesting, as any pin position in the front will be a challenge.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway

The green in view

Approach shot territory

The green

Looking back

The Eighteenth is a 298 yard par 4. The final hole goes uphill and left to the green. Lots of width off the tee but getting the line right is important to set up the approach shot, while the tree lines muddle where the proper landing area is. The approach shot is inviting, and still uphill, taking any shot you decide on. The views of the course and Susequehanna get better and better as you reach the green and with the clubhouse in the background, the excursion about the hills comes to an invigorating end.

The Eighteenth

A view of the Eleventh green off to the right and river beyond

Approach shot territory

Looking back

A look at the green side bunker on the left

The back nine uses what the ground gives and in turn there is three par 5's, 3 par 3's and 3 par 4's. The routing works well with the terrain, with most shots exciting and challenging. The par 5's were the highlight for me, which inevitably had to be exciting considering their length and terrain; it's only a matter of time the long holes run into undulating land. I'd rank them 11, 15, 17, 18, 14, 10, 12, 16, 13.

Generally, CCH is a fine example of a classic design routing very well over severe terrain to create a boisterous and formidable round. Lots of variety here that comes with the property the course is set on. While the greens were fun, they were well restrained instead of being lost to the severity of the hills. While a few holes were commonplace, these still played well fit into the routing as a bit of a reprieve from the bolder and thrilling holes. A few more trees could be taken down to open up some views but more importantly more playability in spots, but the width was sufficient for the most part. There is just the right amount of quirk along with encountering so many different shots, lies and angles. While Flynn had many great courses to build in front of him, CCH stands as one of his first memorable designs, showcasing his uncanny talent for routing.

Gripes: Not much. The driving range is into a hillside that runs uphill, which is always awkward to me for some reason.

Bar/Grill: A nice area with an indoor and outdoor area overlooking the Eighteenth green.

Clubhouse: Fits in well with the surroundings. The pro shop has a nice selection of everything and their emblem is top notch.

Practice area: Driving range, short game area and putting green.

Northampton Valley CC

2018-07-28T11:32:00.001-04:00

6,402 yard, 126 slope from the Blues

Course: In Richboro, PA, which is about an hour northeast of Center City, is Northampton Valley Country Club, a course built by Edwin Ault, opening in 1963. Ault has some nice courses to his credit, including Baltimore Country Club (West), Las Vegas Country Club and TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. He ended up forming a design firm, which ultimately included his son, Brian, who has a nice portfolio to his credit with some courses I like a lot, primarily including Wyncote and both Mercer Oaks courses. Ault is renowned in the industry and his son's design firm remains as busy as anyone else today.

I wish I could say I sought this course out after diligent research to play one of the few Ed Ault courses in our area, all in my relentless pursuit of covering Philadelphia's public golf scene. No, the sober truth is this course was a halfway point for a friend and I, was affordable and seemed nice enough from the photos and website. I had heard of Northampton before and had never heard anything bad about it, I just hadn't really heard anything one way or another. Nevertheless, my friend and I were looking to play and wanted a faster round on a Friday morning, so we settled on NVCC.

And with that, I ended up discovering yet another pleasant classic course with lots of variety, strategy and delightful greens. I think a chainsaw would do a lot of good here to lighten up on trees in some sections, but generally Northampton was yet another course I stumbled upon that ended up being a great play. I could see the locals already knowing this but for everyone else, it's worth giving a play and possibly adding to the rotation. Moderate hills with many of the holes being tree lined, with some forced carries over water and good use of the terrain that will not kill you with difficulty yet gives you different paths to the green while ensuring your tee game is in good shape to score well. I should stumble onto courses more often!

The First is a 328 yard par 4 (from the Blues). From an elevated tee, the narrow fairway has cross bunkers to contend with before reaching the green, which has a false front leading slightly uphill to it. Trees line either side but are heavier on the left. The green moves back to front and right to left. While it's a nice gentleman's handshake of an opener, selection off the tee to get it on the fairway is critical to starting the round off right.

The First

Approach shot territory

A look at the green from the back right

The Second is a 338 yard par 4. Going back in the opposite direction, this hole climbs uphill to the green, with the fairway ending before a bunker, then rough, before a short grass apron in front of the green, where the opening in the front is pinched by green side bunkers. The green moves strongly from back to front and the approach will likely need to be aerial to carry over the bunkers and rough. Again, placement off the tee is important to set up the approach, as the green is small and has lots of movement.

The Second

Approach shot territory

The Third is a 218 yard par 3. A longer par 3 that plays a bit shorter than the stated yardage since the green is below the tee, the green is well protected by larger bunkers one the left and front right side. As is the theme here, there is a nice apron short of the green, providing a way to avoid trouble surrounding the green and instead test your mettle with the wedge and flat stick. The green moves from back to front, so saying below the hole is a good idea. In fact, going long is a bad idea all around, with the trees and rough back there.

The Third

The Fourth is a 410 yard par 4. At this point, the holes have been straight from tee to green, yet far from redundant or dull. Using the undulations of the terrain, bunker placement and green shaping are all used nicely to vary the play among the holes, showing that it's possible to switch back holes if there's enough room while tee and green placement is done properly. As for the Fourth, the fairway starts uphill from the tee, widening a bit towards the landing area, while a tree line runs up the entire left side of the hole and a few trees are off to the right. The fairway crests and starts downhill, narrowing as it gets closer to the green, which is well bunkered. Again, the green runs from back to front and the apron is there as an option on the approach. The approach gets fairly precise, so do what it takes to avoid the bunkers and get on the green.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory

The Fifth is a 185 par 3. A deep green with bunker pools surrounding most of it, the green is set a little above the tee. Bunker pools is basically my coined term for wide, shallow bunkers that typically cover most of one side of the green. Like here, bunker pools will take about 85% of the balls hit off the green, so you either hit the green or get ready for a sand shot. Good bunker pools on this hole, which rang true on mis-hits. Kind of a standard hole you'll encounter from time to time.

The Fifth

The Sixth is a 388 yard par 4. The hole starts off to the right more than it dog legs, with bunkers lining each side of the fairway, trees just beyond the bunkers on the left side while the driving range is along the right. The fairway narrows as you get closer to the green, but there's a short grass collection area at the front left of the green. It's a scoreable par 4, but there's not a whole lot of leeway if you get sideways.

The Sixth

Moving down the fairway

The Seventh is a 530 yard par 5. Straightaway with trees lining both sides, the fairway is narrower than you would expect, with a larger bunker on the right enveloping most of the fairway for the second shot. After the bunker, the fairway widens and flows into the green, with a single green side bunker on the right. There's not much to it.

The Seventh

Moving up the fairway

The Eighth is a 410 yard par 4. The number one handicapped hole, the fairway meanders through trees on either side, starting right before snaking in both directions over a crest, leading downhill to the green. Cross bunkers are effective at taking tee shots missing their mark while the green is well defended, as any shot that misses the green will be met with a recovery shot out of rough in the trees or in a bunker. Of course, short of the green is the reprieve, but even that area will be challenging to navigate to the pin with the undulations in the green. It's a nice challenging parkland par 4 that uses the terrain to assert some distinction.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 315 yard par 4. This short par 4 is even shorter than the stated yardage because of its elevated tee shot. The hole dog legs right around a pond, with trees protecting on the inside of the turn to protect the angle directly to the green from the tee. Closer to the trees and over the water gives means a shorter approach shot, while a more conservative tree shot off to the left leaves you with a longer approach yet likely a better angle into the green. Temptation is strong here to take on the water from the tee, but any shot just a tad off to the right puts you in more trouble than you need to be here. A nice risk reward hole.

The Ninth

The front nine takes on the north and west corners of the property on mild rolling terrain. The holes are well placed in a smaller radius of property, yet it never feels cramped. That's likely due to smart placement of trees and green/tee placement. An enjoyable front nine, yet the par 5 falls into the standard rota of parkland holes that are encountered too often in our area. Ranking them, I'd go 8, 9, 3, 6, 2, 4, 1, 5, 7.

The back nine starts with the 366 yard par 4 Tenth. Yet another example of a straight hole presenting as one that twists and turns based on the shape of the fairway and areas of rough. It is indeed a straight hole with an elevated tee shot that starts slightly ascending uphill to the green. The range is off to the left and while trees surround the right and far sides of the green, it's fairly open so long as you're not off to the right. The bunker off to the right seems like an ode to Oakmont, with church pews contained therein. The short grass areas off this green, especially off the left side, are some of my favorite on the course. Lots of sloping and many different ways to get the ball to the pin.

The Tenth

Moving down the fairway

The bunker complex off to the right

The Eleventh is a 433 yard par 4. Straight out with trees on either side, this is usually the stuff of my nightmares. This area is fraught with tree-lined corridors that switch back 18 times and call themselves a golf course. This course, however, is an example of doing it right. Using the terrain to create visual variety, bunker placement and green complexes can all be used creatively to constantly engage the golfer. This course does that well, as with this hole, which is straight to the green, yet the fairway climbs to the green, with cross bunkers, and the apron running to the green, along with the green side bunkers, asserts its identity. Yet another one nice green complex, running from back to front.

The Eleventh

Looking back towards the tee

The green, with spectators

The Twelfth is a 422 yard par 4. Straightaway yet again, but trees are not encroaching as much as on the prior holes. Cross bunkers along the fairway, then the slightly raised green set off to the left of the fairway with a larger apron sweeping the right side. The green runs towards its front and there is plenty of width around it to receive all sorts of approach shots.

The Twelfth

Approach shot territory

A look at the green

The Thirteenth is a 400 yard par 4. Straight, but the tee shot is semi blind with the fairway dropping downhill. The pond on the right side just before the green is the feature hazard, ensuring that the approach must be true to the green, which in turn makes it important to get the tee shot in the fairway, as any recovery out of the trees or bunkers means a much tougher choice of whether to go for the green or lay up before it. The green is wide, allowing extra space to carry the water, yet runs back to front, so any putt or chip downhill brings the water back in play.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

The Fourteenth is a 545 yard par 5. A dog leg left set on the edge of a hillside on the left, which tumbles down to water that runs along most of the left side. While the hole is high above the water, it's very much in play off the tee, yet you never would know it's there if you haven't played the hole before. Even with this knowledge, the tee shot becomes a lot more important, and challenging, as you balance staying out of the water, far enough out for a healthy second shot and not in the trees off to the right. From the fairway, the green can be seen, below and to the left. There are two fairways so to speak, one closer to you before a creek, and one further away on the other side of the creek. The closer fairway amounts to a very short second shot and is likely best utilized if you're in trouble off the tee, while the further fairway leaves you with a shorter approach into the green, which is surrounded by bunkers. It's a cool hole and with its open space and elevation change, is much different than the others on the course. In retrospect, it felt like the holes before it from the Tenth, all par 4's and in the trees, set up this par 5 coming out of them rather well.

The Fourteenth

Second shot territory

The Fifteenth is a 170 yard par 3. Believe it or not, we have not seen a par 3 since the Fifth. Moving back into the trees, the tee is a little above the green, with green side bunkers pinching the opening of the green in the front, trees on the back side and a bunker on the back right. The green is subtle, moving from left to right.

The Fifteenth

The Sixteenth is a 388 yard par 4. This dog leg right climbs uphill to the green, with a tree line outlining the left side and bunker "lakes" taking over the right side. These are large bunkers and they must comprise most of the surface area over there. The tee shot is important to avoid trouble, as the approach will be a longer one, over rough (between fairway and green) and to the deep yet narrow green, with greenside bunkers on either side. The green almost moves fro the outside in, with the bunkers proving a lot of its slope on the edges. It's a challenging hole and with the Fourteenth, has a bias towards the aerial game.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

A look at the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. There's actually a lot of them.

The Seventeenth is a 349 yard par 4. A dog leg right around water on the right, driver is likely too much club off the tee unless it's a prolific shot that swings over the left treeline or water towards the green. And even then, a bunker sitting right in the middle of the fairway before the green must be negotiated. For most of us, needling the tee shot between the water and trees leaves a shorter approach into the green, which becomes necessary to hit the green to avoid the multiple bunkers surrounding it. The green is one of the more flatter on the course though, so even longer putts can be easier to get in the hole.

The Eighteenth is a 207 yard par 3. Ah, ending on a par 3, uncommon yet can be seen on a number of terrific courses. This is the longest of the course, where the water we see on the Seventeenth comes into play here off to the right and must be carried. The green is deep with a long apron in front of it, with bunkers dotting the left side and one in the back. There's room to miss, so long as it's not to the right, or short right to be exact. The green runs from back to front, which is actually accommodating for this hole, where most will be short of the the hole anyways, leaving a more manageable uphill putt. A nice ending to the round.

The Eighteenth

A look at the green from the left

The back nine is on more diverse terrain and uses it nicely. I enjoyed it a little more than the front. I'd rank them 14, 18, 16, 17, 10, 12, 11, 13, 15.

Generally, Northampton Valley is a good classic play that's a nice example of design ensuring that straight, or even straight and tree lined holes, can be interesting and different from one another if the right things are paid attention to. Many parkland courses focus on forcing certain corridors and angles into the green, then making the green far too severe, for its challenge. Here, width is actually in the right places and the aprons in front of the green operates as a bail out area that can be used strategically for a player of any skill level, which also ensures the course is accessible to all. The greens had movement, but did not try too hard to create unnecessary difficulty. In all, I was glad to have stumbled upon it and would liken it to Downingtown, but shorter, on less rolling terrain and with Downingtown having a better collection of par 3's. Yet it belongs in the grouping of interesting classic parklands that I'd be fine playing any day of the week. Alas, another affirmation that the Philadelphia area is rich with great golf, and quite pleasantly and surprisingly, I have yet to discover all of it.

Gripes: Some of the grounds crew, bluntly, were annoying. Sitting off of the green as we hit our approach shots, hovering as we did our best to putt out and get out of their way, and on one occasion, one of them on their phone. We were one of the first groups out on the course and I understand they have a job to do, but the serenity of those early morning summer rounds was a little lost here with grounds crew. Get there earlier, come up with a different way to wait for golfers to get through the hole, I don't know. It took a little away from the round.

Bar/Grill: An area close to the Tenth and Sixth holes, both inside and out, along with a formal dining area.

Clubhouse: Decently stocked with friendly staff. I kind of use clubhouse and pro shop interchangeably.

Practice area: A driving range and putting green. Good enough.

LedgeRock GC

2018-07-15T12:07:00.000-04:00

6,349 yards, 144 slope from the Greens

Course: In Mohnton, PA, about an hour west of Philadelphia and 20 minutes west of King of Prussia, is LedgeRock GC, a private course that opened in 2006 and designed by Rees Jones. As one of the newer courses in the area, it has quickly become one of the more well regarded courses in the western suburbs and is slowly becoming more well known in Philadelphia.

In full disclosure, I've been a member of LedgeRock for a few years. Sure there's a bias because I obviously like the course and want others to enjoy it as well, but I also know the course a lot better than most courses I reviewed. I decided on doing a review of Ledge because for me, it brings out a perspective of course architecture that I'd like to address in general.

Before we get there, I'll get into how it all started. I remember reading that the club had won one of the GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia) championships and wondered where the club was since I had never heard of it. Seeing where it was, I didn't think anything of it until I was at a tournament and saw someone with one of their shirts on, so I talked with him a bit about the course. After a few more discussions and a little bit of research, the preliminary consensus was it was very scenic, and very difficult. I was intrigued but still not moved. It wasn't until I was thinking about joining another club when that membership chair mentioned LedgeRock was too difficult and he didn't understand how anyone would want to torture themselves by playing there.

And that was it. I had to play it. What made it so challenging that most people I talked to felt compelled to mention it? Why had I never heard of the place? I find challenging courses interesting for a number of reasons; they can require strategy, focus or simply force you to elevate your skills, there are various types of difficulty that appeal to me. I wanted to know exactly how this course challenges the golfer. By reviewing photos, it appeared that the course was set on hilly terrain where most of the trees had been cleared of play. There seemed to be some forced carries and monster bunkers, but nothing from the photos jumped out as atypically difficult.

And really, there's a lot more to Ledge than its challenge. After my first time playing the course, what struck me most about it wasn't how hard or easy it was, but rather how unique the course played. It's indeed set on hilly terrain and there's a lot of freedom in using the hills, slopes and curvatures to play many of the holes a number of different ways. It's also wide open for the most part, so there's no constraint on ball flight or direction in approaching the holes. The sweeping nature of the fairways, flowing and switching different directions down and through the hills to the greens, then spilling over and around it to short grass areas, gives the course a tremendous sense of movement and continuity. That's what really struck my about the place. Its movement. It was unlike any course I had played in the area and I was impressed.

To be sure on the point as well, it is challenging. There are several shots on the course where there is no where to hide and you simply must execute. The greens run fast and while they incorporate the hills in their slopes, show restraint and are much more subtle than wild. While challenging, however, the course is not overly penal. Balls are easily found for the most part, providing a chance for recovery while the forced carries have bail out areas and other avenues to avoid lost balls. If you get out of position, how you decide to recover is typically vital in determining whether you salvage the hole or drown in a barrage of strokes. Thoroughly thinking through shots out of position is another appealing aspect of Ledge, as staying focused, strategic and avoiding temptation is paramount.

Beyond this, Ledge is terrifically scenic. The severity of the hills provides panoramic views of the course and beyond while it's set on an isolated tranquil site, among hills, woods, ponds and streams. It's about a 45 minute drive from my house to the course but for the ambience of the setting alone and getting to the bucolic countryside, it's well worth it.

So putting this together, I decided Ledge was some where I could belong to and play over and over without any sense of boredom, redundancy or monotony. And that has held up very much so to this day.

Alas, we get to the point of course architecture I want to address, one of its cardinal rules as far as I'm concerned. Play what you like. Set aside any preconceived notions of what other people say, who designed the course, what "era" it's from, how it's ranked or even what your score is, and figure out which courses speak to you. Then play those places as often as possible. For me, it's something I try to do on any course I play, whether it's ranked as one of the best in the world or regarded as not very good. All of that goes out the window as I give the place a clean slate to figure out my thoughts. Some courses have earned their reputation while with others, I simply see something different than the general consensus. I'm sure I'm not alone on that.

As course architecture has risen in popularity over the years, it's been great to see more focus on design and attention on different styles. Places like Bandon Dunes, Streamsong, Cabot and now Sand Valley have raised the awareness in North America of different types of design than what was popular in the U.S. for the last couple decades. What's been a little unsettling, however, is that most courses designed during this past era are now being summarily dismissed as bad golf, so are undergoing renovations or restorations to meet the approval of the trend, or otherwise have been held in disfavor. Even more unsettling is that architects well known for their work during this era almost now have a strike against them when looking at their courses. This type of reflexive thinking contradicts the entire philosophy behind the art of course design and the reasons behind its rise in recent popularity. The awareness of course design nowadays is about recognizing the artistry of the game and how the craftsmanship of the course can evoke certain emotions and skills that comprise the round. The backlash we're now seeing of courses built in decades past lies in the sheer number opened (and now closing), the focus more on eye candy than actual play, or focus on distance and penalizing slightly wayward shots, or how more money was spent on an elaborate clubhouse than on the course itself. These types of courses should still be evaluated on their merits, but the good part of course design nowadays is that attention is where it should be placed; on how the course plays.

This does not mean, however, that any course built during the Golden Age is automatically great and every course built in the 1970's through 2000's is a "Dark Age" course that should be passed. If this type of thinking holds, we'll see a different homogenization of golf courses pretty soon and I believe we're starting to see it already. I mean, I've heard guys with their own podcasts say they just wouldn't play a course designed by Fazio, or Robert Trent Jones, or Nicklaus. That type of generalization is just as bad as anything else when discussing architecture. Being able to rattle off every course designed by Flynn while shirking off any course built after 1940, in my opinion, goes against the entire enlightenment course architecture is now experiencing.

Which brings me to Rees Jones. The son of RTJ, Rees has been involved in golf course construction his whole life. His portfolio of designed courses is immense and includes Atlantic GC, Cascata, Poppy Ridge and The Bridge. In Pennsylvania, he has designed Broad Run, Totteridge (both reviewed here), Huntsville and Lookaway. His first design in Pennsylvania was called Eagle Lodge and opened in 1981. In 2001, the course was purchased by ACE Insurance, was renovated by Gary Player and is now called the Ace Club. The courses he has performed remodeling work on is likewise immense but includes Bethpage Black, Sleepy Hollow and Sahalee, with total renovations done at courses including Bellerive (where the PGA Championship will be held later this year), Duke University and Congressional. At some point, he was known as the, "U.S. Open Doctor," as he would renovate courses so they would attain the caliber of consideration, and oftentimes get rewarded, with a U.S. Open. Rees would institute changes to the courses that frequently made them more difficult, tightening fairways and adding bunkers, but this too is a generalization. As is wont to happen with such a large body of work, some of his work, mainly some of his renovations, have recently come under fire. Whether justified or not, the unfortunate consequence is that his courses are generalized, his bunkering scheme has been labeled rote and some pass over the chance to play courses designed by him based on this. At any rate, I'm glad I'm not one to do this, nor would I ever prejudge a course by its architect, as it would inevitably lead to missing out on memorable golf.

The point is Ledge is not a difficult US Open Doctor style course by Rees meant for low single digit handicaps. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, it's a course set on severely hilly terrain that incorporates those hills to invite the aerial and ground game throughout the round. It slaloms through the hills, shifting from strategy and creativity to downright do or die challenge. Its visuals and setting make it difficult to feel too bad about the bad shots, providing a constant calm throughout the round. Every aspect of your game is called upon yet there are several ways to get the ball in the hole here. The course plays well in the wind due to its width. The conditioning is superb. Mind you, however, it's not without its imperfections. Playing it as often as I have, I've noticed some holes that could be improved, at least in my opinion, which I'll get into once we get there.

Driving up to the clubhouse, one gets the feeling of arriving at a mountain resort. Just beyond the clubhouse, the hills immediately jut above it, with the First, Third and Eighteenth fairways seemingly miles above. The clubhouse and locker room have a modern rustic feel, with the driving range below and across the Fifteenth, the original clubhouse now serving as a practice and learning center, with indoor hitting bays next to the outdoor spots. The aesthetics of the course extend to the range as well, hitting down into the woods and hills beyond.

As you're on the First tee, you may glance over to your left and see, alone by itself on the ledge of a hill, a green, and wonder how on earth that green comes into play. Don't worry, we'll get there soon enough as well.

The First is a 347 yard par 4 (from the Greens). The fairway climbs uphill from the tee, with the bunkers on the left side below the fairway while the right side bunkers are level with the fairway. The fairway dog legs to the left, up to the green. One of the green side features we see where, and throughout the round, are bunkers completely monopolizing one side or the other in front of the green. Here, the green side bunkers are on the left side while there's an opening on the right from the fairway, with the hillside coming into play as a sideboard. It may be tempting to go right at any pin on the left of the green over the bunker complex, but the landing area gets very tight on that side. Instead, I usually go up the right side and use the slope to kick the ball towards the left. For left pin positions, I may go at the center of the green, which still will leave me with an uphill putt. The green moves from left to right and back to front. A nice opening hole that gets you in the hills right away.

The First

Approach shot territory

The green

The Second is a 140 yard par 3. The green is a little below the tee with a forced carry over a ravine. The green is wide yet shallow and while the left side gives plenty of room, the right side tightens up, with a green side front bunker on that side to collect short shots. The green moves from left to right and back to front, so any shot or putt from the back side of the green, or rough, or bunker, will be a tricky one. An easier hole, but be sure to hit the green. There are places to miss off to the right, left and short but things get dicey quickly.

The Second

A closer look

The green

The Third is a 323 yard par 4. This short par 4 is a mild carry over the same ravine to the fairway, which rises before cresting and running slightly downhill to the green. There's a bank of rough on the left of the fairway while bunkers are on the right side, below the fairway. A well hit tee shot will hit the crest and run forward towards the green, leaving a short approach shot. Tee shots to the left of the fairway will get the benefits of bouncing and running towards the center, yet another example of utilizing the hills to your advantage. The approach shot is open to the fairway while a bevy of bunkers is off to the front right of the green. These bunkers mainly collect errant approach shots and make you think twice about your sand shots from the left side, since the green runs from left to right, into them. They are deep and inject some trepidation into that shorter approach shot. I love running my second shot from the fairway onto the green, then getting out my flat stick. There's simply too much that can go wrong very quickly if you mis hit your approach bad enough. Of course, club selection off the tee to leave a long approach may actually be a better play for some.

The Third

A little closer look

Looking off to the right of the tee

Approach shot territory

The view off the back of the green, one of the better view spots

Further right from the same spot

The Fourth is a 185 yard par 3. Going over the ravine, the tee shot is a forced carry to a wide green with a ridge running through the center near the back of it, yet generally runs from left to right and back to front. Bunkers on the left are carved below the green while a short grass area runs from below left of the green all the way up to it. The hole usually plays every inch of its stated yardage, usually more. Wind can be a factor here as well.

This is one hole I could see being improved. Already running the risk of being seen too similar to the Second, the width of the green lends itself to being a terrific Redan. If the green was tilted more to the right, the cart path was taken out and bunkers put in, I could see this hole asserting more distinction while playing extremely fun, especially since the tile of the green would be against the hillside. Or you could tilt the green to the left, use the bunkers already there and then have a ton of movement right to left, using the hillside and build up the right side off green as a sideboard.

As it stands, it's a longer forced carry testing your acumen with the longer clubs and is another part of the course exposing any weakness in this regard thoroughly.

The Fifth is a 406 yard par 4. At this point, you are at the top of the hill and will now start descending until you get to the Ninth. Like the Third, the fairway crests before falling downhill, making the tee shot some what blind. Here, the fairway sweeps to the right while terracing in different spots until it curls back at the last minute to the green. The hill side on the right faces the green, so it can be used to bounce balls off of towards the green. The green moves from left to right and back to front, dropping off severely on the back and right side.

There are so many different ways to play this hole. A longer tee shot will hit the downhill and can result in a shorter approach, yet the further left you are (even though you have a better look at the green), the more precise you need to be due to the long and right sides off green dropping off so suddenly. A longer approach, however, especially from the left side, can utilize the hillside to get the ball close to the pin. Even punching it towards the green from the correct angle can use the slopes around the green. It's one of my favorite holes of the course.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory, from the right side, with the green peeking out

Sunken bunkers on the right side of the fairway, coming into play off the tee

Approach shot from the center of the fairway

Shorter and more to the left

Looking back from the front of the green

The Sixth is a 350 yard par 4. A shorter par 4 where the fairway yet again crests before going downhill to the green. The fairway cants from left to right and significantly downhill. A bounding tee shot can get fairly close to the green. Here, however, hitting the fairway is paramount, as anything left is in rough on a severe slope, and anything to the right is likely on the hillside, in deep grass. Club selection off the tee doesn't need to be driver and some may take less than that to end up on a flatter part of fairway. The approach shot can be right at the pin, but any pin on the right means you'll have to take on the larger bunkers carved out on that side. One of my favorite shots of the course is to punch, or even hit a mid-flight shot, to the left slope just above the green and watch it roll on, cozying up to the pin. Whether by air or ground, it's all there for you to decide.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory

Looking at the bunkers on the left side in front of the green, with the Seventh fairway beyond

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Seventh is a 566 yard par 5. The pendulum decidedly moves back to challenging here, the well earned number one handicapped hole. It's time to put your boots on and salute with the first two shots. The tee shot is a forced carry over a pond and getting it as far down the fairway as possible is critical, especially if the wind is against you. The fairway starts uphill and slowly turns left, with slopes on each side running towards the fairway, which is on the narrower side. The second shot needs to get as far down as possible as well, but keep in mind that it drops downhill for about 20 yards before ending at a ravine. Staying on the level fairway before the downhill is preferred, which gives you a good look at the green. The approach shot is a forced carry over the ravine, with bunkers on the left side below the green. The green is one of the tougher on the course in my opinion, with no real easy pin placement. I suppose back left is what I think is easiest, but even then there's a lot of movement from right to left and back to front.

It's a tough hole that requires three well hit shots to reach the green, then some work with the putter to earn par. I would like to see how it would play by shortening the rough on the hillsides on either sides of the fairway (but the right side would even be good), to either use to get more roll towards the hole and give a little more of a bail out area for that second shot, especially if you're playing out of trouble off the tee. As it stands, if I par or bogey here, I start thinking a nice scoring round is on the way.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Closer to the green

The flag is peeking out..

Approach shot territory

The slope before the green

The green

The Eighth is a 509 yard par 5. Back to back par 5's, although this one is much different. As the pendulum swings, we go back to more fun than challenging here. The tee shot is a forced carry over the ravine to a fairway that crests before shifting downhill and curving progressively to the left. The fairway drops gently to the green, with long grass on both sides of the fairway, yet with enough room to find your ball. The second shot is completely blind, so local knowledge and repeat play are a huge benefit here, knowing exactly which tree to aim for in the background to get down the fairway. The great thing about this hole is that the second shot can be almost any club you want. The wind is blowing with you most of the time and with the downhill, you'll get a lot more roll and push towards the green. Just get it on the fairway. If you decide on a longer club, a well hit shot in the right place gets you very close to the green. Using the ground on the second and third shots can also result in smart plays, while the fairway runs right into the green, which runs from back to front and right to left.

The Eighth is my favorite hole of the course. The number of ways it can be played, the differences it plays in wind and firm/fast or wetter, its quirk and blind second shot, the creativity around the green and its scenery make it not only my favorite hole of the course, but one of my favorites period. After playing it for the first time, I remember thinking that unless the back nine was a train wreck, I'd become a member here to play this hole over and over. The below photos don't adequately capture it; I'll be posting more soon.

The Eighth

The Seventh fairway on the left

A closer look at the Seventh end of the fairway

A look at the clubhouse from the tee off to the right

Down the fairway

Approach shot territory, off the right side, with the Ninth fairway in the background

A closer look at the green from the right

On the green looking back, the Seventh fairway, then Sixth, in the background

On the green looking back towards the fairway

The pin from way off to the right, showing the drop off on the right and back sides

The Ninth is a 327 yard par 4. Another short par 4, but it plays longer than stated because of the hill it climbs to the green. The tee shot is a forced carry to the fairway, which is set at some what of an angle from left to right. Bunkers are sunken to the right while rough is off to the left. The approach shot is blind to an uphill green that moves from back to front and has a short grass collection area about the left side. The green side bunkers on the right should be avoided at all costs. The view from this green across the course is yet another one to drink in.

The Ninth

Approach shot territory

The bunkers off to the right

Looking across the fairway near the green from the right side

The green, from the back side

The front nine initially climbs to the higher hillside of the course, then starts descending until climbing up another incline for the Ninth. The back to back par 5's are the obvious crescendo, but I like the swing seen in the holes on the front from challenging to fun/strategic. Candidly, the par 3's could be stronger. While the Second is still in the warm up stages and presents as a good test of your short iron coming at the right time in the round, the Fourth could assert more distinction from the Second than it does. The par 4's are all unique and present different plays while the Eighth has a very heathland feel to it that's a lot of fun. Ranking them, I'd go 8, 5, 6, 3, 1, 7, 4, 2, 9.

The Tenth is a 166 yard par 3. A drop shot that's typically a two club length difference, it's one of the longer drop shots I know of, at least in the area. The green is fairly large and in general runs from back to front. There's room to miss off to the right and a little room off to the left, but hitting the green is imperative here to avoid any bad bounces into the brook that crosses in front of the green, the water on the right, or water further left.

The Tenth

A closer look

A look back at the tee

The green

The Eleventh is a 387 yard par 4. Now on one of the lower parts of the course, this dog leg right makes it clear where you need to hit your tee shot. The correct tee position for level of skill is important here, as if you're able to take on the fairway bunker complex on the right and carry it, you're rewarded with a short approach shot in to a semi blind green. If your length off the tee is unable to challenge the fairway bunkers, get it out to the left side and if it reaches the plateau area, you'll be rewarded with some roll. Unless you carry or cut some of the bunkers off, the approach shot will be on the longer side. More bunkers protect the front right of the green, so if the pin is on the right, you'll have to decide whether to take those on as well. The fairway feeds into the green on the left side, with the green moving from back to front and left to right, although the right side of the green moves back towards center.

The isolation of this hole highlights the beauty and calm of the natural surroundings. With the terrain and hillside, I'd like to see how this hole would play by roughing in the fairway bunkers and sliding the green off to the right a bit. This would create a few more options to play it while taking more advantage of the contours. As it stands now though, it's a hole I enjoy that provides plenty of challenge while leaving options into the green.

The Eleventh

During the fall, the course takes on exquisite visuals with the changing of the leaves and this hole is no exception

The water off to the left

Moving down the fairway

A closer approach shot area

A peek at the green

Further back

From the back side

The Twelfth is a 262 yard par 4. Set above the Eleventh on the same hill side, this short par 4 looks simple enough, as the green is straight ahead, just slightly uphill from the tee. The hillside on the right will push tee shots towards the fairway, unless they get caught up in the rough on that side. The left side off fairway are bunkers set below the fairway. While the fairway runs into the green, there's a depression on the left side that spills down the hillside, leaving you about 15 feet below the green. The green is large, more deep than wide, with several quadrants running in different directions.

There are a number of ways to play this hole. Whether it's taking a shorter club off the tee to leave yourself a longer approach, trying to use the right hillside to advance the ball close to the front of the green, or trying to drive the green itself, the entire left side is best to be avoided while there is leeway off to the right. It's a fun short par 4 allowing a good amount of creativity.

The Twelfth

Approach shot territory

The green

The left side, below the green

Lots of movement on the left side

Off to the left of the green, down below the short grass area

Looking back at the fairway from the left side

The Thirteenth is a 527 yard par 5. On the tee, the hole is in front of you and the green seems like it's a mile away. The fairway is below the tee, with bunkers on the left and the hillside on the right sloping to kick balls towards the fairway. The fairway then drops down before ending at a stream. Getting your second shot on the top level of the fairway is an ideal spot, as you're able to better carry the stream and navigate where your approach shot should end up. Bunkers are scattered on most of the ground leading up to the green, with the fairway sweeping right around them and up to the green. There's a smaller fairway on the left, above the bunkers, that gives you an ideal angle and look at the green, but there's a lot of risk hitting over there and only the most precise longer shots will reach it. I'd like to see that left fairway a little longer to become a more viable option to the green. The green runs from back to front, with green side bunkers on the right and back side. So many different ways to reach the green, a great hole that gives you strategy, beauty and a healthy dose of challenge.

The Thirteenth

The slope on the right side

Looking back at the tee from the beginning of the fairway

The plateau of the fairway, an ideal tee shot landing

Moving down the fairway

In the center of the fairway. The alternate fairway on the left provide a better look and angle into the green

The bunkers on the left below the green

Short approach shot territory

The green complex from the Ninth tee

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Fourteenth is a 157 yard par 3. The last par 3 of the round, the green wraps around a bunker on the left front side, with water along the left side and a hillside of fescue on the right. The green is deep yet narrow, rippling from back to front and right to left. Wind is typically a factor here as well. Placement on the green is important and while safer shots to the center avoid the trouble lurking beyond, the work towards par is hardly finished, as longer putts will be challenging as the slopes and ripples will need to be outmaneuvered. It's my favorite par 3 on the course.

The Fourteenth

Looking off to the left at the driving range and learning center

The green side bunker front left

Looking back at the tee, with the Ninth in the background

The green

The Fifteenth is a 425 yard par 4. An elevated tee shot to the fairway the bends slightly right before diving downhill to a ravine, with fairway bunkers on either side and fescue beyond. A well placed tee shot is necessary for the longer approach, which is to a large green complex with a run off area on the front, steeper on the left side. No doubt about it, two good shots are needed for a chance at par here. While the tee shot is a good one with a nice view, the green complex is a lot of fun, with countless different recovery shots and lies possible based on the contours and bunkers. It's just as easy to par here than it is to double.

The Fifteenth

The view from the left of the tee

The start of the fairway

Moving down, off the right side

Approach shot territory

The slope leading downhill to the end of the fairway

Short of the green, on the other side

The green complex, from the right side

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Sixteenth is a 295 yard par 4. The shorter dog leg left has a mild carry over native grass while bunkers on the left side are in play off the tee. Closer or over the bunkers gets rewarded with a short approach shot into the green, which sits slightly above the fairway. The fairway also cants from right to left. The green slopes off on the left, back and front right side while the hillside slopes downhill to the green on the direct right side. The green is one of the more subtle on the course as well.

While a short par 4 with a generous fairway that I regularly hit off the tee, this hole is my nemesis. The wind blows across the green often and the lie is usually above your feet and maybe this explains it, but I flub the approach in a variety of ways. Sometimes it's an easy par, but other times trying to keep it below the wind, or fire at the pin, or use the green to get it close to the pin, some how goes awry. There's always next round to figure it out.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory

Fairway bunkers on the left, looking back towards the tee

The green

The green side bunker on the right while the clubhouse looms

The backside bunker

Looking back at the tee

The Seventeenth is a 379 yard par 4. The fairway bends just slightly to the left, with the right side banking hard leftwards and the fairway canting left for the most part. Depending on where the tees are placed, driver may be too much, but getting as close to the end of the fairway is ideal, as the further out you get it, the short the approach, which in this case is a very good thing. As for the approach:

"The vital thing about a hole is that it should be either more difficult than it looks or look more difficult than it is. It must never be what it looks" - Tom Simpson

And so it is with the approach shot here. The green sits like a throne above, playing any where from a club to a club and a half longer than it looks. There's room to miss, but a whole lot. The best result is to ensure your shot ends up level with the green, or slightly before it, never past it. The shot is undoubtedly intimidating and certainly has the potential to ruin a good scoring round. And really, there's no where to hide from it either; you either execute or end up paying for it.

At the end of the day, the shot is not as difficult as it appears. It's a longer club into a deeper green with a carry. But I love its presentation and how it has the capacity to affect those with weaker resolves, myself included. To me, however, the shot comprises much of the identity of LedgeRock. There are a number of ways to play the tee shot, calling upon creativity and strategy to set up the approach, while the approach is more about do or die challenge, calling upon a different mental strength, that of fortitude and confidence in one's game. The back and forth between fun and challenge with this hole is representative of the course in general, which ends up testing most every component of a golfer's arsenal. Playing here over and over, and this hole in particular, has made me a stronger golfer, able to play other courses with more confidence in my ability and much disinclined to intimidate easily, knowing that the approach at Seventeen will always be there for me to take on.

The green runs from back to front, with an upper and lower tier, running off on all sides. Any putt downhill should be handled with the utmost delicacy. Once you finish the hole, looking out onto the course and clubhouse provides one of the nicer views of the property, so take that in before climbing up to the Eighteenth tee, where a higher and more expansive view awaits.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway, the green coming into view

The right side can be used as a sideboard to get closer to the end of the fairway

The green, now full in view

A closer look at the fairway and right side

A closer look at the green

The left side of the fairway on the other side of the ravine

Recently widened a bit, you can always lay up over here...

Moving closer to the green

The bunkers before the green

Getting to the green

Looking back at the fairway

A great view from the green

The Eighteenth is a 598 yard par 5. The tee shot is at one of the higher points of the course and the fairway is seemingly a quarter mile away, but it's easy to reach considering the height differential. There's a ridge above the bunker on the right and if your tee shot gets past it, the ball will advance downhill another 10 - 15 yards, leaving a level lie. Any tee shot too far right will likely end up on the Seventeenth fairway, which is not bad at all. It's a blind shot back onto Eighteen, but there is enough room and space to advance the ball as much as you want. The second shot may be reachable for some (I've only seen one successful try), but for everyone else, there are options. The fairway continues towards the green, then drops downhill before ending at the ravine. So you have to decide whether you'd like your approach to be on the top part of the fairway looking down on the green, or a closer shot with the green above you. The main focus is making sure your ball stays on the fairway, so even hitting something shorter yet straight and leaving a longer approach is something I've done in the past. The green is multi-tiered, with the upper portion back right and lower tier to its left, moving towards the front. The green is inviting, but staying below the hole is preferred.

The Eighteenth

The climb to the tee. True story, 5 seconds after taking this picture, a substantially sized snake was on the path, then went back in the bushes when he noticed I was coming... I teed off from the Whites instead.

View from the White tees

Looking down the fairway from the right side. The banking on the left side is visible as well.

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway from the green. The drop off from the fairway to the creek can be seen.

The back nine loops around the lower portion of the property before climbing to one of the higher points with the Seventeenth and Eighteenth tee shot. There are great par 5's, a nice collection of diverse par 4's and the best par 3 on the course in my opinion. The last 3 - 4 holes can be a tough closing, yet they maintain the theme of swaying between challenge and options. I'd rank them 13, 15, 18, 12, 17, 14, 11, 16, 10.

Generally, LedgeRock has a style of its own that makes it a terrific and unique play in the area. Its versatility invites a number of different shots and plays while there are points during the round where the challenge becomes very focused. The versatility also extends into its ability to play well in a variety of weather conditions, from firm and fast to slower to windy and any combination thereof. All of this makes it an outstanding match play course as well. The setting and conditioning are first rate, which makes the ground game a lot more available than it initially appears. What I think helps set Ledge apart is that despite its hilly terrain, it resists the urge of being yet another mountain target golf course with woodsy corridors and opened things up, allowing width which in turn creates a lot more options and lines of play. It embraced the severity of slopes upon which it sits and recognized that in order to use such severity ideally, width and open air was necessary. The strategic use of the slopes is likewise one of the characteristics of the course that give it a style of its own. As I continue to play here, I'm becoming aware of a lot more of its subtleties as well. There are decisions to make for each shot and sometimes, the decisions of where to miss are even more important.

Ledge is certainly a modern design. Maybe even post modern. It incorporates features of the links and aerial game, as well as featuring some heroic shots, all while requiring strategy throughout the round. I'd posit that Ledge is the result of Rees's design style evolving, as can even be seen from his courses in Pennsylvania. Aside from Eagle Lodge, the timeline of his Pennsylvania original designs are, Huntsville 1994; Lookaway 1999; Broad Run 2000; Totteridge 2001; and LedgeRock 2006. With Huntsville, a lot of holes are framed by trees, but there are some open holes and paths from fairway to green, even though some of those paths are constrained. With Lookaway, the terrain is flatter, trees are used prominently and a lot of greens are pinched with bunkers, yet we see sweeping fairways and tiered fairway bunkers. At Broad Run, we see his use of hills becoming more prominent with a little more width, even though there are some awkward forced carries. We also start to see more restraint with bunkers and better use of off green areas. Totteridge shows an embracing of width and openness, relying on slopes and hills much more efficiently and naturally. The way I see it, Rees progressed in his design philosophy with Ledge in promoting width, embracing the natural contours and slopes, as well as making forced carries a strategic feature as opposed to awkward and disrupting the flow of the course. While I have heard comparisons to other Rees courses in Pennsylvania, there may be some similarities but it is and plays much different than those. In fact, as I've mentioned, any preconceived expectation of Ledge based on Rees will be surprised. This course does not fit in to a convenient category and my hope is that others experience LedgeRock for themselves and reach their own impressions. In fact, that's something I hope for any course. Otherwise, I don't see how course design evolves or progresses.

Gripes: A sand based grass is used on the range that you see on most links courses. It gives extremely tight lies, which is different from what you encounter on the course. It's probably easier to repair the grass this way but wish it had a little more cushion.

Bar/Grill: The main clubhouse has a large indoor area, as well as a smaller one, with an expansive patio over looking the course. Always a great beer selection and the food is top shelf. The learning Center, which is the building near the driving range, was the original clubhouse, has a large living room with a bar and big patio area overlooking the water of the Fourteenth.

Clubhouse: The pro shop is in the same building as the locker rooms and is well stocked.

Practice area: A putting green near the First tee, as well as a grass driving range, learning center with indoor hitting bays and a short game practice area. It's ranked as one of the better driving ranges in the country.

Cobb's Creek Update

2018-07-04T19:22:00.002-04:00

A couple weeks ago, the Philadelphia City council passed a bill that makes it possible for Cobb's Creek Olde to be restored to its original routing, the plans of which have already been drafted by Gil Hanse. This bill, which was already approved by Mayor Kenney, places control of the course into the hands of the organization that already raised approximately $20 million to restore the course and expand it for up to 70 years.

The bill itself can be found here.

This is terrific news. The permits and plan have already ben taken care of, so it's a matter of figuring out other logistics before work starts on the course. The goal is to turn the course into a venue for professional and amateur tournaments, being able to take yardage from the Karakung course to make it lengthen to sufficient PGA tour standards.

The clubhouse burned down last year, yet still the course has kept on, each time I play there you can feel the enthusiasm for the place. A new clubhouse and restaurant will be built.

The restoration plan has received national attention, including specials on The Golf Channel. One can't help but think of Bethpage's revival in the 2000's and while one can only dream, the thought of Cobbs Creek returning back to its original design and the proper resources to ensure the course remains in great condition is fantastic.

There are a few key individuals that were relentless in making this happen and I salute them. Through their efforts, the Philadelphia public golf scene should rise in prominence shortly.

Blue Bell Country Club

2018-06-23T15:09:00.000-04:00

6,397 yards, 140 from the Blues

Course: In Blue Bell, PA, about 40 minutes northwest of Philadelphia proper, sits Blue Bell Country Club, a course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay that opened in 1994. BBCC is in a residential community and like many courses built during that time, was part of a real estate development plan to attract homeowners to purchase the houses that line the course. Laurel Creek is the other local course that followed a similar housing model with Palmer while Commonwealth National Golf Club is the third Palmer design in the area. BBCC embraces its Palmer roots; the scorecard features (or used to) a full length photo of the King himself while the restaurant on site is named, "Arnie's."

The course is set on moderate hilly terrain that includes several water hazards that narrow landing areas and oftentimes create forced carries. Much of the course is visually pleasing and requires a good amount of proficiency with ball striking. The greens straddle the line for me between engaging and gimmicky, mainly because some of the slopes are a little much and in some odd spots. There is serious rough beyond the fairways, even severely punishable in spots. The course was in great condition when I was there and overall, the round was enjoyable.

BBCC provides a nice playing experience for its members and for outings it hosts. The course demands good golf in spots and there's a good amount of accessibility for higher handicaps. Beyond that, it's more of a one-dimensional point and shoot course, meaning most of the holes are straightforward and limited in how they can be played. Much of the design is similar to other courses built around that time in housing communities and because of that, there's not a lot that's memorable or gives the course a sense of distinct character. While it may not be an architecturally complex course, it's a nice example of a well conditioned attractive course being able to providing enough for a nice round. For many golfers, that will do.

BBCC is fairly close to me and some where I have wanted to check out for a while. The pro has done wonders for my friend's short game and recent work to the course has piqued my interest in getting over there. Even though the course got a lot of rain the night before, it held up impressively well. After taking a look inside the clubhouse and locker room, we headed out for a wet early spring round.

The First is a 319 yard par 4 (from the Blues). The hole angles left from the tee, with a group of trees on the left side of the fairway to protect that side from the tee. The fairway widens out after the trees to promote aiming the tee shot off in that direction, which lengthens the approach shot. The more left you go off the tee, the shorter the approach. After the tee landing area, the fairway narrows and is bottlenecked between bunkers leading up to the green, which is a nice size and runs from right to left.

The First

Approach shot territory

The Second is a 428 yard par 4. The elevated tee shot give you a choice to lay up short of the water, where the fairway is wide, or try to belt driver up the left side of the fairway, which narrows considerably to the left of the water. It's a nice shot to ponder, yet the approach even short of the water isn't all that long. The fairway widens back after the water, leading up to the green, which moves from back to front. There's also a ridge running from the back to the front of the green that moves balls away from the center, so make sure you're on the right side of it on the approach.

The Second

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green

The Third is a 190 yard par 3. Water yet again dominates, running along the right of the hole and creating a forced carry to the green. There is a short grass area straight off the tee as a bail out area, while the green curls out to the right with bunkers along the far side. Point and shoot over the water.

The Third

The Fourth is a 422 yard par 4. The tee is set on the left side of the fairway, which is wider than we've seen thus far, and remains so up to the green. There are cross bunkers to ensure that tee shots stay honest and the green tilts to the left, with a short grass collection area off the far left. The green undulates, then slopes substantially from back to front and right to left. This was Palmer's favorite hole of the course, which is one of the more natural and lends itself to be played a number of ways from its width. It's an interesting hole for Palmer to like, which to me signifies the owners/developers were driving some of what we see on other holes a little more than they should have.

The Fourth

Approach shot territory, from the left side

The Fifth is a 357 yard par 4. From one of the more pure holes on the course, we get one of the uglier ones, with power lines running just off to the right and the driving range within easy reach, with its abysmal ground running the length of the hole. The fairway cants from left to right, so the second shot will likely be below your feet to a green that's tilted left to right as well and above the fairway. At this point, the redundancies with the course are noticeable.

Approach shot at the Fifth

Same, a little further left

The Sixth is a 154 yard par 3. With the power lines in full glory, the green is set uphill from the tee, with a larger bunker wrapping around the front left side of the green. The green pulls from left to right and is on the subtler side. Anything too far away from the green will likely be in rough.

The Sixth

The Seventh is a 491 yard par 5. The uphill par 5 is of moderate width, then narrows once the wasteland on the right comes into play as the fairway dips downhill over the crest seen from the tee. The fairway widens again after the waste area, then narrows once it reaches the bunker complex on the right. Bunkers then guard the green on all sides but the back right. It virtually screams at you to play aerial target golf.

The Seventh

Moving up the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Eighth is a 421 yard par 4. It's a shorter double dog leg that turns right first around a raised bunker, which goads you from the tee to challenge it. Any shot over or close to it leaves you with a much better and closer approach shot and likely takes the water to the left out of play. The green is large, moving from right to left, with a green side bunker on the right. The tee shot sets up the hole, so get that right and you should be making out well.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

The Ninth is a 519 yard par 5. The fairway dog legs right off the tee, then narrows when it reaches water on the left side. Bunkers line the left side after the water while bunkers on the right come into play on the approach. The green is wide and fairly easy to hit. Really, the only challenge on this hole is if you hit it wildly sideways, in which case you'll end up in water, rough or a bunker. Otherwise, the fairway and green are wide enough to keep it in play for par.

The Ninth

Moving down the fairway

Further down the fairway

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway

The front nine has a few nice holes and some interesting shots. Most of it, however, is pleasant target golf on enterprising greens. I'd rank them 4, 2, 8, 7, 1, 9, 3, 6, 5.

The back nine starts with the 180 yard par 3 Tenth. The green is downhill from the tee and is angled diagonally from it, asking for a draw into the back pin positions and maybe a fade into the front positions. Rough and below the hole awaits for any shot to the left of the green while a bunker on the right awaits those shots. Short of the green is safe, but it will not be the easiest of shots since the green initially runs away from you at that point.

The Tenth

A closer look

The Eleventh is a 450 yard par 4. While a longer par 4, the fairway runs downhill to the green from the tee, creating roll of the ball and making things a bit shorter. The tree lined fairway is on the narrow side and gets narrower towards the green, where it turns right. The green is slightly raised and there's not a whole lot of room off green to miss on. Again, not whole lot of variety here, although the green is open to the fairway so those wanting to punch their approaches up there may do so.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

The Twelfth is a 147 yard par 3. The green is right before you, with large bunkers on either side of it and the green moving from left to right. The green is large but must be hit to avoid the likely more challenging recovery shot you will have. Plenty of ways to go right at the pin here.

The Twelfth

The Thirteenth is a 373 yard par 4. This dog leg left runs uphill from the tee, then swings left around the tee landing area. Getting off the tee in good shape is necessary for the approach shot, which demands more of you than usual to carry uphill and over the large bunker that stands directly between you and the fairway. It appears this bunker is part of the recent work to the course and it's a great improvement, creating a unique challenge to the approach. The green runs from back to front, so pin positions in the front either need to stick the pin or can use the green to get closer, depending on how much you want to risk losing it in the bunker. Any shot long of the green ends up in the rough, below the green, which is a difficult recovery since the green runs away from you there. There's also room to the left of the bunker, in case you want to avoid confronting it altogether. A nice hole I enjoyed playing that sets itself apart.

The Thirteenth

Approach shot territory

The green, from the right side

The Fourteenth is a 488 yard par 5. A dog leg left that initially runs downhill, the fairway eventually ends at a creek then returns on the other side running perpendicular to the first fairway and straight to the green, all of which cants from right to left. The shorter distance actually opens up a lot more options on how to attack the hole, with longer hitters contemplating reaching the green in two shots while there is plenty of room to lay up for a comfortable third shot into the green. The contours and angles of the hole add nicely to how the hole plays as well. Another one I enjoyed playing a lot.

The Fourteenth

Moving down the fairway

Looking back at the fairway from just below the green

The Fifteenth is a 435 yard par 4. From the tee, there is a wide landing area before the water on the right, which will take less than driver to get to. Once the fairway reaches the water, it narrows considerably and with the slope towards the water, it's almost not worth risking. Similar to the Second, those who opt for the safer tee shot face a longer approach, but this approach is a big one, to an uphill green with a false front. The water will need to be carried as well. It's a big boy shot and those who overdo it may end up in the short grass area on the far side of the green, facing a tough shot to a green running downhill away from them. I like a few do-or-die shots during the round and this is one of them here. No where to miss and comes at the right point during the round.

The Fifteenth

Longer approach shot territory

A little shorter

The Sixteenth is a 170 yard par 3. The final par 3 of the round is uphill, with a bunker in the center creating a false front, as the green is still a ways from it. Bunkers on both sides of the green as well make sure that the tee shot has to be precise and like the other par 3's, hitting the green is paramount since the off green areas present tougher recovery shots. The green runs downhill with some undulations as well, adding yet another wrinkle to the hole.

The Sixteenth

The Seventeenth is a 465 yard par 5. A dog leg right where the fairway is level with the tee before turning right and downhill, at which point the fairway straightens out to the green, which cants from right left substantially. The green is well defended by bunkers on both sides with a couple ridges that sets it off in different directions. Another shorter par 5 where you're likely to have an extra shot to play with to ensure coming away with par.

The Seventeenth

Approach shot territory

The Eighteenth is a 388 yard par 4. A dog leg left set out a little similarly from the few holes where the ridge from the tee drops the fairway downhill, making it necessary to get paste ridge and the turn for a manageable approach shot. The approach itself is wide open, with it being pin position dependent and anything off to the right side brings the large bunker on the right in to play.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The back nine features the more interesting holes, with Thirteen through Seventeen being a nice stretch. Ranking them, I'd go 13, 14, 15, 17, 16, 18, 12, 11, 10.

Generally, BBCC has some nice holes and the round overall was satisfying, but it doesn't take much thought, strategy or creativity to play. Like many courses built in this era, the course was meant to accentuate the housing and surrounding areas more than it was supposed to be revolutionary course architecture. Make it nice to look at, tough enough for a respectable course rating with a signature hole or two by a big name architect to make it an attractive venue was the mantra at that time. A couple things that detracted here were how close the houses were, which made a lot of areas near the fairways OB and translated into probably a more penal course than it should be. This meant that keeping it straight was rewarded more than anything else, which again robs it of variety and excitement. None of this means I didn't like the course, it's just not my first preference. It's a sign of an era in course architecture where different aspects were prized more than others today. I happen to prefer the aspects more prevalent and highlighted in today's architectural climate.

Gripes: Nothing that hasn't already been addressed.

Bar/Grill: Decent space overlooking the Eighteenth.

Clubhouse: Mostly below the bar/grill area, a nice sized shop yet the course insignia is a little too replicative of Pine Valley.

Practice area: A putting green near the clubhouse and a range off the Fifth fairway.

Forsgate Country Club - Banks Course

2018-06-04T21:56:00.002-04:00

6,379 yards, 134 slope from the Blues

Course: Located in Monroe Township, New Jersey, just off exit 8 of the Turnpike, is Forsgate Country Club, which consists of two courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by Charles Banks. I was fortunate recently to play the Banks course, yet another Golden Age treasure in the area that some how stays under the radar and has been on my short list since I knew it existed.

Charles H. Banks is some how not as well known as Seth Raynor or C.B. Macdonald, but worked for Raynor and learned course architecture from him, with his courses resembling those revered for their template holes and interesting green complexes. Banks worked with Raynor on such greats as Yale, Mid Ocean and Yeaman's Hall (anyone associated with working on Yale is tops in my book!). Whippoorwill in New York, Essex County GC and Hackensack GC in New Jersey, as well as Cavalier in Virginia, are amongst Banks' courses that, like him, are well respected yet not as well known as other architects and courses of that time have become to be. Called, "Steam Shovel," Banks liberally used that machine to carve into greens and create steep, bold and memorable green side bunkers. These bunkers are a cornerstone at Forsgate and are a large part of its identity, yet there is much more here that makes the course one of the better in the area.

The course was built during the Great Depression and opened in 1931. It would be the last course Banks designed, who passed just before it was completed. While course construction slowed considerably during this time, this allowed the architect to remain on site more often and pay attention to more intricate detailing than they normally would. Jeffersonville GC was built at the same time and Ross certainly spent more time on that site than others for that same reason. The detailed components of Forsgate certainly support this, which include greens that are sublime with wonderful subtleties that are the result of meticulous shaping. While subtle, the greens are also distinct and bold in many respects, with one of the better Biarritz greens I've played. The greens are indeed touted as some of the best on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard, while the collection of par 3's is as strong as any course out there. There are template holes and like Yale, they are amongst more of a parkland setting that's wide enough in enough places to come into the green at different angles, without creating narrow corridors where you're forced to "thread the needle" between them. In fact, the trees only come into play for mis-hit shots off to the side and never as an obstruction you need to negotiate. The course is set on moderate rolling terrain, where blind shots are used sparingly yet cleverly and the elevation changes create intrigue, especially on the back nine. In fact, many of the holes are straight to the green, a testament to just how interesting golf can be even if there's not a lot of dog legs and turns.

The two most distinctive features here, however, are the greens, followed by the bunkers. Even the template greens are distinct, while the "horseshoe" green at the Twelfth is one of the more memorable in the area. They are some how subtle and bold at the same time and aside from mandating placement on approach shots, are just a whole lot of fun. Whether it's using the back slope of the Biarritz to get your ball close on a chip off the green, or using the punch bowl on the approach, there's so much variety and movement. As for the bunkers, they are intimidating and dramatic, asserting themselves as hazards to avoid and with how severe they drop off from the green, it is common to find yourself needing to get the ball 15 feet straight up in the air and landing softly, as any green side bunker shot overhit will likely sail over the green to another similar monster bunker. Once you experience this, the bunkers do their job of intimidating and influencing your approach shots; namely, hit as far away as possible from them.

What intrigued me about Forsgate is that while Banks used template holes, his own style is very much alive here, which differs from Raynor in many respects. The most striking difference is Banks used very few blind shots, as Banks liked the player to be able to strategize and maneuver the course in front of them. And more dramatic bunkering instantly comes to mind. Along these lines, I'd say Banks imposed a steeper penalty for finding a hazard, where the goal in recovery was more towards survival than with Raynor hazards, which generally allowed more of a chance for creativity in saving par. If there was any critique I have of the course, it's that there are a handful of holes where the approach strategy is similar; stay away from the steeper green side bunkers and if the pin is close to them, decide how close you're willing to risk getting. I actually started punching my approaches into the green away from the bunkers, taking them out of play completely. This is limited, however, to a few holes, and even then, exacting approach shots are necessary to avoid the intimidating hazards.

It befuddles me that the Banks course is largely unsung. It is easily in the top 10 of New Jersey courses, which includes such behemoths as Pine Valley, Somerset and Plainfield. While the course is respected and enjoyed, its greens, par 3's and par 5's on the front nine are the stuff of greatness that I think warrant a much higher ranking. It's yet another example of an outstanding historically significant course in our area that many may not know about. While Macdonald and Raynor courses are now widely celebrated, Banks is slowly getting his due with his smaller portfolio of brilliant courses, Forsgate amongst his best.

The First is a 367 yard par 4 (from the Blue/Member tees), the "Prepatory" hole. A nice wide fairway leading uphill to the green, with a single fairway bunker on the right that's in play off the tee, as well as trees running up the left side. A gentle handshake for sure, until you get to the approach shot, where you immediately get acquainted with the dramatic bunkering. The deeper, more penal bunker is off the right side of the green while a shallower-yet-still-tough bunker is on the left side, both running at angles, parallel with one another. The green in general pulls from left to right and is pretty wide.

The First

Approach shot territory

JD doing JD things

The Second is a 403 yard par 4, the "Narrows" hole. An elevated tee shot that is set on the left side of the fairway is again sufficiently wide, although trees on either side come into play if you really overplay your tee shot. I suppose it is narrower than most holes, but I still felt there was plenty of width. The fairway rolls in waves to the green, which is set slightly above the fairway, this time the more severe bunker is on the left side, although the right one, albeit shallower, is to a green running away from you. Easy enough and as I see it, the first two holes set you up for the man-eating Third.

The Second

Approach shot territory

Another look from the center of the fairway and a little closer.

The Third is a 182 yard par 3, the "Eden" hole. By far the most difficult Eden hole I have come across. The Strath and Shelley bunkers were both severe and deep. While on the tee, I thought I'd be clever and favor going long, since I'd at least take those two massive bunkers out of play. I hit my shot a little longer than I wanted, which hit the back side of the green before taking another bounce. I thought I'd have a nice chip to the pin, but once I got up there...yep, there's a bunker on the back side. Aside from the three killer bunkers surrounding the green, the green itself has a ridge towards the middle that separates the left and right sides into two tiers. So even if you nail your tee shot, which by the way plays longer than the stated yardage, your putting must be up to snuff to get your par. It's quite an introduction, after two gentler welcoming hole, this one lets you know you're in for a round.

These plaques are on each hole. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to photograph all of them, but they were nice to read.

The Third

So there is a bunker on the rear side...

The Fourth is a 332 yard par 4, the "Hog's Back" hole. The fairway bounds downhill from the tee, pinching in where a mound on the right of the fairway sits and the left side slopes towards the center. While it's a short hole, there really is no place to miss off the fairway. I was able to get my tee shot down the fairway, watching it roll after it landed. After the massacre on the Third, I opted to punch into the green and avoid any chance of the bunkers altogether. The green is subtle, yet the hog's back does provide undulations and is on the smaller side, again compensating for its shorter length by demanding more precision.

The Fourth

Moving down the fairway

Getting to the green, from the right side

A mound that meets you on the right side, blocking the view of the green

The green, this one on the subtler side, yet the hog's back visible

The Fifth is a 403 yard par 4, the "Punchbowl" hole. The fairway climbs uphill and spreads off to the right, so there's a lot of room to attack the green from. While there is room to really get a tee shot out straight off the tee and to the left of the bunker, getting off to the right a little gives you a better line to the green, which is one of the few blind shots on the course. The punchbowl green slopes more along the back and right than the left side and moves from back to front in general. The various spots that can be accessed off the tee allowing for different angles into the green, along with the movement of the green and how that can be used on the approach, make this a fun hole.

The Fifth

The end of the fairway

Getting closer to the green once fairway ends

Looking back at the tee from the right side

The left side of the fairway as it starts going up towards the green

That left side, just a little further back

Approach shot territory, one of the few blind shots on the course

The punchbowl green

A closer look

The Sixth is a 334 yard par 4, the "Knoll" hole. While the tee shot is straight away, like the Fifth, placement off the tee is still very determinative of how you'll fare on this hole since it dictates the difficulty of your approach shot. There's a large mound that blocks a view of the green from everywhere except the very far right side. With a bunker in front of the mound, or knoll, and green side bunkers surrounding the green, it's with considering advancing up the right side, even into the rough off of the fairway, to see the green on your approach. A hazard that affects how the entire hole is played demonstrates the effectiveness of the design.

Approach shot territory

The Seventh is a 189 yard par 3, the "Redan" hole. It's actually a reverse Redan, as the green moves from right to left instead of left to right. The tee is above the hole, with everything moving away from the tee, downhill. This means that there is a very real possibility of some shots rolling off the far side of the green, even when landing towards the front, so hitting well short, imparting backspin, or getting the ball high in the air to land softly are paramount here. It's a tough hole, as acceptable landing areas are scarce and the green is quick, making any pin placement on the left side a bear. Yet it's a hole where contour movement can't be ignored, only negotiated.

The Seventh

The right side of the green looking towards the tee

The Eighth is a 551 yard par 5, the "Long" hole. The first of two back to back par 5's, the fairway runs straight to the green, canting from right to left the entire way. This makes for some tricky lies, even in the fairway, and becomes more treacherous closer to the green, where it becomes apparent any approach shot off the left side of the green actually goes off the side of the planet. Don't worry though; there's a bunker on the left, or high side of the green as well, that drops off abruptly. I lucked out here, as my second shot ended up in the rough on the right side, which gave me a pretty nice lie into the green. As for the green, it also moves from right to left with subtle undulations on the lower rear side. A fantastic par 5.

The Eighth

Approach shot territory

Off the left side of the green

Looking back at the fairway

Trying to show just how abrupt the bunkers drop off from the green

The green, from the back side

The Ninth is a 495 yard par 5, the "Plateau" hole. Still going in the direction of the Eighth towards the clubhouse, the tees are set off to the right of the fairway. The fairway cants from right to left just as much as the Eighth, so there must be care off the tee to favor the right side, or else the ball will certainly bounce and roll off the left. There's also a ridge that blocks the view of the fairway leading up to the green. Any tee shot getting over the ridge will get a lot more roll as well, putting the green well into play on the second shot. The green is indeed on a plateau, wide yet narrow, with a deep bunker along most of the front. There's also a bunker off to the right of the green that extends away from the fairway that can't be seen from the fairway. The plateau green takes an exacting shot, with the only bail out room short and off to the right that may or may not stay up near the green. The approach is simply one of those shots you must execute, or else. One of may favorite holes here.

The Ninth

A closer look

Moving down the fairway

Looking back towards the tee from the other side of the ridge

Approach shot territory

Looking back towards the tee

A look at the plateau green

The right green side bunker, hidden from the fairway

Looking back from the green

The Eighteenth green and clubhouse facilities

The front nine has a nice rhythm, starting off gently before the stiff challenge of the Third, then bounding amongst challenging, fun and strategic before the sobering stretch of Seventh through Ninth. The par 3's and 5's are excellent while the punch bowl is a nice little par 4. The greens are very well done, with the green complexes typically bold while the surfaces are subtle and complex. The back to back par 5's set the course and this nine holes as memorable. I'd rank them 8, 9, 3, 5, 7, 6, 4, 1, 2.

The Tenth starts with the 408 yard par 4, the "Valley" hole. Turning around and heading back in the direction of the Ninth, there is a halfway house to stock up on food and drinks. The bag of trail mix was a nice idea. As for the Tenth, it's straightaway to the green, but the valley causes the fairway to fall, then rise back up to the green. Trees on either side of the fairway do limit its width. The green side bunker on the right is severe, at least 15 feet below the green, with the fairway and green running towards it. There's also a green side bunker on the left higher side, which has its own unique set of reasons to avoid. The green has a ridge that creates tiers, more over on the right side. It's a great approach shot.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory

Greenside bunker

Greenside bunker, left high side

Back side of the green

The Eleventh is a 349 yard par 4, the "Steamshovel" hole. It reminded a lot of the Tenth quite honestly; straight out, tree lined, steep dramatic bunker on the right, shallower but still dangerous bunker on the left. The differences between the holes are that here, the fairway is flatter and there's a green side bunker on the back side. The green here actually tilts to the left, so there's another difference. Nonetheless, the differences weren't enough for it to feel mostly redundant.

The Eleventh

Approach shot territory

A closer look

The green from the left

To try and show the steepness of the bunker from the right

The Twelfth is a 140 yard par 3, the "Horseshoe" hole. A short par 3 with a raised green surrounded by bunkers, the key feature is the green contour, which is a horseshoe shape facing the front left of the green. This creates an upper tier along the outter side of the green and a lower tier towards the center. The green complex is one of the course's more famous features and for good reason. Most pin positions will have their own separate intrigue while I like seeing it in the middle of the horseshoe, which creates a more challenging punchbowl. A terrific shorter par 3.

The Twelfth

From the left

On the green, from the back right

The Thirteenth is a 519 yard par 5, the "South Wind" hole. Now going back in the direction we came from the last three holes, the tee show only appears narrow but actually widens once it goes past the ridge visible from the tee. Again, one of the better jobs at placing a course on a rectangular property; although back and forth holes are generally frowned upon, Banks didn't have much of a choice from the land given to him. Regardless, it's a great example of how to deal with such a property. You don't notice the holes beside you and they generally don't come into play. The different elevations of each of the parallel holes helps, as well as tree placement, which is far enough back from each hole to not impose its ill too much. As for this hole, the fairway is a little narrow and wavy, leading up to the green, which curls to the left around a large bunker. The green moves towards that bunker and is on the larger side. Perhaps the south wind helped me, as I had 185 into the green on my second shot and a 15 foot eagle putt, which I of course missed, settling for birdie.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green

A better look at the left bunker

The Fourteenth is a 396 yard par 4, the "North Wind" hole. Another one that's straight to the green, more severe bunker on the right of the green, shallower on the left, green runs left to right. At this point, the round reaches a sort of a flat point, as the Tenth, Eleventh, now Fourteenth feel very similar. The fairway here widens a bit and it's flat from fairway to green, but boy does the bunker here get deep in a hurry. So severe, hitting out of them with a good result is a challenge. Punch your approach shots in like I did!

The Fourteenth

Approach shot territory

From the left side

From the right

The Fifteenth is a 318 yard par 4, the "Chocolate Drop" hole. The hole bends slightly to the left, with a couple fairway bunkers on the left side as well. The second fairway bunker on that side has the chocolate drop, a raised mound directly in the middle of the bunker. Going for the green likely brings the chocolate drop bunker into play, while trying to go right of it is fine but you'll be in rough and your angle into the green is far from ideal. The green is protected by a large deep bunker on the right and a deep trench bunker on the left, making an approach hitting the green a priority. A nice short par 4 with lots of options and more than enough to keep the reckless long ball in check.

The Fifteenth

The green, from the right side off fairway

Looking back from the green

The famous chocolate drop

The Sixteenth is a 388 yard par 4, the "North Berwick" hole. Bending slightly left, the tree line on the left makes it seem like the hole has more turn to it than it actually does. The right side is open for the most part, there are a couple trees that are problematic if you hit it directly behind them. The green complex exhibits a terrific balance of fun and challenge, wide up front where it meets with the fairway, a ridge running from front to back on the right side and a narrowing as the green reaches the back. While the bunkers aren't the steepest on the course, the narrowing of the green means there's a very real possibility of hitting from one side to the bunker on the other, making them more treacherous in ways. Really liked how this hole set up from tee to green, and how its difficulty remained proportional to the degree of miss.

The Sixteenth

From the right side

Approach shot territory

Left side of the green

The Seventeenth is a 201 yard par 3, the "Biarritz" hole. The last par 3 is my favorite, as the sloping of the Biarritz is first rate. Steeper in the back, either front or back can be used to get the ball to the pin, yet any shot too far to the front, or back, runs the risk of staying there. While recovery shots are more fun for me, chipping off green or out of the bunkers, getting creative with the tee shot and ball flight is also a good time. It was definitely one of the more well done Biarritz greens I've played.

The Seventeenth

Front of the green

Looking at the back from the bottom of the Biarritz. The photo couldn't capture the severity of slope

Towards the front of the green

A good vantage point

The Eighteenth is a 398 yard par 4, the "Purgatory" hole. On the same topography as the Tenth, the fairway rises from the tee, then dips down before going back up to the raised green. Perhaps purgatory is supposed to the right green side bunker, I think the left green side bunker is equally purgatorious, especially if the pin is set on the left. Or it could be that anything off the green is purgatory, take your pick. The green runs from left to right yet is on the larger side. but the trees actually come in a little more on both sides of the fairways than most holes, so it gives more shots a chance to hit the green. Another great green complex to finish the round, as the clubhouse facilities sit directly behind the green.

The Eighteenth

Approach shot territory

A little closer

From the front right

The green, from the left side

Trying to capture the depth of the left bunker

Another look

The back nine features another pair of all world par 3's and some very good par 4's. While there's a little bit of redundancy in the middle holes, the strong finish ends on the right note, with the Eighteenth punctuating one of the better one shotters you'll come across at the Seventeenth. Ranking them, I'd go, 17, 12, 16, 18, 10, 15, 13, 11, 14.

Ben Hogan once characterized golf and putting as two different games, as golf is played in the air and putting on the ground. There may be some truth to that and you certainly see it here, as once you're on the green, it seems like an entirely new adventure from the one taken to get there. Just as you're able to take different lines and ways from tee to green, you're then free to use the slopes, dips and undulations of the green to your heart's content, options abounding. Beyond the intrigue of the greens lies a strategic gambit, where each shot must be well thought out, with the next always in mind. While there is a lot of attention and trending towards Golden Age courses nowadays, it's always important to keep in mind why those courses are so revered. From a playing perspective, some of the prominent features include accessibility and interest for all skill levels, as well as having to think your way through the round, not just mindlessly swinging away like you're at a driving range. The straightness of the holes actually allowed for more angles and lines to the greens, making a broader range of ball flights acceptable. Along with that, you're able to cut up whatever preferred distances you want on most holes, or lies, by hitting a variety of clubs off the tee. It's a course that requires a complete set of skills, and that includes course management.

Here, there are no visually striking tranquil lakes serving as water hazards, nor are there any seaside cliffs tipping out to the horizon, and you're certainly not in an enchanted forest where each hole is seemingly a world apart from the other. It's a course set on a trapezoid piece of property, of moderate size and elevations. The point is Banks showed how much course design can turn blander property into mesmerizing art and here, the ambience rests solely with the course itself and its design features. Features like the Biarritz green and horseshoe green are works of art that can be admired just as much as a view of the ocean, maybe even more so.

Forsgate is an important course, both historically and from a design perspective. It's one of the few Banks courses showcasing his brilliance, shaped by his experience with Raynor, as well as an example of what what can be accomplished when there's plenty of artistry, craftsmanship and talent.

Gripes: Time to upgrade the range balls.

Bar/Grill: A nice inside area with wrap around seating and an outdoor area. Good beer selection and food was decent.

Clubhouse: An array of different buildings, which provided ample space without seeming imposing. The pro shop was fairly big with a good selection.

Practice area: A full range and the putting green was great, showing off a severe slope to get you ready for the real thing out there.

Driving range

Wildcat Golf Club - Lakes Course

2018-05-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

6,535 yards, 131 Slope from the Gold tees

Course: Just north of downtown Houston is Wildcat Golf Club, a 36 hole course designed by Roy Case. The site is set on a landfill and features broad views of downtown and the surrounding area. Case has completed a number of courses and locally, he designed New Jersey National. As for Wildcat, the Lakes course fluctuates between moderate hilly and flat terrain, widening and narrowing to extreme degrees all while featuring a number of forced carries over ravines or water. There are also a number of blind shots, which certainly rewards repeat play. The greens were likely the most enjoyable part of the course for me, as they were interesting and bold yet tempered. Indeed, shots inside of 100 yards were where I had most of the fun here.

Beyond that, however, there were a lot of things about the course that I didn't enjoy. Many of the holes were awkwardly laid out, cart paths seemed out of place, many times interfering with visuals, and the majority of the shots were forced carries that removed any possibility of creativity or options in playing the hole.

I was part of a scramble here for a work-related function. On the way to the course, I heard others quip that in past years, they had played their golf as part of this function at places like TPC Sawgrass and Torrey Pines. While I had done some research on the course beforehand and knew Wildcat was not in the same realm as those courses, I remained optimistic the course would still be a good one. In the area we were and from what I know of Houston golf, I would have loved to check out the Golf Club of Houston (I walked the course once during the Shell Houston Open and it looked like it would be fun to play) or Memorial (I've played Cypresswood and really liked it as well), but GC of Houston was closed for the upcoming PGA tournament and Wildcat is fairly close to downtown, so I was just happy to get a round in and check out a new course. While golf is always enjoyable, I just didn't find much of the course all that engaging or strategic. Mind you, I was fresh off my trip to Bandon, playing some of the best courses in the world, but the holes and shots seemed redundant.

With that said, for those enjoying the aerial game and a nice set of greens, the course could be a nice play every now and then. I'm not sure how the crowds are or even how much green fees are (the website was down at the time of this writing), but if either were even remotely problematic, I would have no issue going elsewhere.

The course did seem well versed in handling scrambles and everything ran smoothly. Even though it was a shotgun start and we started on the Fourteenth, I'll start the review from the First.

The First is a 379 yard par 4 (from the Gold tees). It's an uphill par 4 with a fairway on the left and right, separated by taller grass. The right fairway is wider and offers a better look and angle at the green while the left side is narrower, yet extends closer to the green so if you execute your tee shot in that area, you'll have a closer shot into the green. The green slopes front to back so take that into consideration with the approach, as it will roll off the other side if the approach hits the rear half of the green.

The First

The First (right fairway)

The green from the left side

The Second is a 547 yard par 5. Unfortunately, my photos of the course are scarce and I wasn't able to capture too many of this hole. The tee shot is to a fairway that dog legs right slightly and begins downhill after the turn. The fairway keeps running downhill to a ravine, where the green juts up on the other side. A well hit tee shot can get out far enough where you might consider going for the green in two, as the shot is downhill, yet you must also carry the ravine. Unfortunately, the first cart path gaffe is on this hole, as the path cuts through the entire fairway in the middle of the hill, interfering with a lot of those tee shots that may have a shot at the green in two. The bunker below the green on the other side also makes for a tempting landing area short of the green for a third shot.

Looking back a the fairway from the green, on the other side of the ravine

The Third is a 387 yard par 4. The fairway runs at a 7:00 to 2:00 angle from the tee and it's necessary to carry a native scrub area on your tee shot to reach the fairway, taking as much carry as you want to get closer to the green. The green is simply in front of you from the fairway and there really is no discernible difference where your approach is from, so the reward for taking an aggressive line off the tee is a closer shot. The green is fun, as it's a semi punch bowl with separate ridges that can make short game shots and putts interesting.

The Third, looking back at the tee from the fairway

Approach shot territory

The green, a nice little semi bowl here

The Fourth is a 160 yard par 3. An uphill green that's semi-blind, there is a bunker short left and a trench bunker running along the back right of the green. The green is subtle, running from right to left, sloping off on all sides, making pin positions towards the edges a little frisky for putting. Really though, ending up any where near the green except the back right bunkers puts you in good shape for an up and down par.

The Fourth

A little closer

A look at the green side bunkers

The run off area on the left side of the green

The Fifth is a 422 yard par 4. Now we get into the confusing tee shot portion of the course. Looking at the photo below and as a first time player of the course, it looks like hitting it out left away from the bunkers in the center is the correct play. In fact, if you hit it in that area, there's really no rough and you still have a nice lie for your approach shot. Once you get to your shot, however, you'll realize the fairway is actually to the right of the bunkers, which is further away from the hole and risks bringing bunkers on the right side in play. So to recap, it's tougher to hit the fairway and even if you do, you're further away from the green than if you simply tee off to the left, where you're technically off fairway yet closer to the green. I'll hit to the left all day and ignore the fairway and all the elaborate bunkering.

The Fifth

Approach shot territory (from said left side)

A look at the fairway bunkering you can basically ignore

Looking back at the tee

The green

The Sixth is a 416 yard par 4. Confusing tee shots that don't make much sense, part two. From the tee, as shown in the photo below, it seems like you should hit it straight out. There's a smattering of bunkers between you and the green, but there are no hazards interfering with you going straight at the hole. The fairway is actually off to the left, with the cart path cutting through the middle of the tee shot, even though technically it's to the right of the cart path. Yet again, there's no reason to pay attention to the fairway. You're bringing fairway bunkers into play and essentially aiming at the cart path in the middle gets you close to the green with a nice lie. There's also a green off to the right of the tee which you should keep in mind for safety reasons. There wasn't much structure to the hole and with plenty of width, just swing away from the tee and you'll likely have a good approach into the green. But yet again, the cart path placement is baffling and thee's no benefit in hitting the fairway.

The Sixth

Approach shot territory, kind of

Looking back at the cart path

The Seventh is a 520 yard par 5. Water now plays a prominent role in the holes, which essentially occurs in one way or another from here through the Fifteenth, but more dominantly until the Thirteenth. The tee is elevated and is a forced carry over water. While you want to be left enough to you have a clear angle to the green, the further left you go gets you further away from the hole. The water encroaches into the fairway from the left, eventually narrowing the fairway to nothing closer to the green. There's room to go for the green in two, but it's more than reasonable to lay up for a short approach over the water. Not a whole lot of options here and certainly must attack the green through the air.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green

The Eighth is a 182 yard par 3. A forced carry over water to a green that moves from back to front with a bunker on the front left side of the green. The green is fairly deep, so just get it over the water and you should be fine.

The Eighth

The Ninth is a 330 yard par 4. The tee shot is again over water to a fairway that runs from left to right, 5:00 to 10:00. The fairway runs uphill to the green as well, so the temptation is in trying to cut off as much water as you can for a shorter approach. The incline makes it a little tougher, yet the angle from the tee to the green helps you think it's possible to get as close as you want. It's a fun hole, yet the temptation rests only the first time you play the hole, as afterwards you realize even getting it over the water towards the right leaves you with a manageable approach.

The Ninth

Another look

Approach shot territory

The front nine starts off on moderate hilly terrain before reaching the flatter areas where a number of different water hazards become the dominant design feature. Ranking them, I would go 3, 9, 7, 1, 8, 4, 2, 5, 6.

The back nine starts with the 374 yard par 4 Tenth. I didn't like this hole all that much when I played it, but I think it does well to appear wide from the tee, persuading many to take out their driver and try to get close to the green, yet the fairway narrows considerably, with water off to the left very much in play and off to the right in play for bad shots. A mid iron off the tee to take advantage of the wider fairway is a smart play, as the approach to the green needs to be exact, especially since it runs off the back side. Any shot off to one side or the other will likely not end well.

The Tenth

Approach shot territory, with some of the hidden water hazards

The Eleventh is a 390 yard par 4. A forced carry over water off the tee to a fairway running at an angle from 7:00 to 10:00. The fairway narrows as you get closer to the green, then ends altogether, creating a forced carry to the green, which sits on a hillside slightly above the fairway. Not much here other than getting the ball in the air and on the fairway and green, which moves from back to front. If the wind is up, I could see this hole being a little more fun.

The Eleventh

A closer look

Approach shot territory

The Twelfth is a 495 yard par 5. Another forced carry over water to a fairway that is straightaway to the green. Water is on both sides of the fairway, that gets narrow in spots. The green is on a mini peninsula, so it's a forced carry from the green. The hard and fast fairway is fun to play and figure out how to get down the fairway, but then it's confusing that you need to get the ball in the air on the approach to stop the ball near the hole.

The Twelfth

Moving up the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Thirteenth is a 150 yard par 3. An uphill green over water that is blind from the tee, I actually liked this hole a lot. You have to exert a good amount of precision in getting the ball to the green, which is confounded by the elevation and any wind, and the off green areas are good at collecting shots to provide an opportunity at recovery. At least one club for the elevation.

The Thirteenth

The Fourteenth is a 408 yard par 4. The hole seems straight out, with a left to right cant, but the fairway than abruptly ends, turning left and down the hill. So the tee shot needs to get far enough down the fairway to get a look and angle at the green, without going through it. The green is well below the fairway and is wide and shallow. I liked this green, with a good amount of undulations and slopes, with run offs in all directions.

The Fourteenth

The turn, with the green 90 degrees downhill to the left

A pretty fun green

The Fifteenth is a 323 yard par 4. A dog leg right where the fairway narrows as it gets closer to the green, which sits above the fairway a good deal. Something less than driver is probably a better play from the tee to negotiate the best angle and landing area for the approach shot. It's another blind approach shot that I actually liked a good bit.

The Fifteenth

Approach shot territory

Looking back to the tee from the fairway

The Sixteenth is a 362 yard par 4. Similar to the Fifteenth in that it's a dog leg right, with the green set above the fairway, but the turn and elevation are milder while the fairway is wider. The width gives you options of how to advance into the fairway and thereby set up the approach. The bunkers complicate the decision making as well. Probably one of my favorite holes on the course.

Approach shot territory

The Seventeenth is a 158 yard par 3. The green is above the tee, with bunkers short right and to the left of the green. A nice subtle hole with a green that is likewise subtle, providing a little more challenge than it appears it should.

The Seventeenth

A closer look

The Eighteenth is a 532 yard par 5. The tee shot is to a fairway climbing upwards, but once it hits that ridge, it plummets downhill to a green you cannot see. There's a split fairway, but there's not a whole lot of benefit to going one way or another. In fact, as a first time player, you really have no idea where the green is unless you drive a cart down and take a look. Perhaps after the first time playing you'll figure out where to place the second shot for a beneficial approach shot. It was a head scratcher of a hole for me.

The Eighteenth

The green

The back nine has the more interesting collection of holes, with a nice pair of par 3's and a couple nice par 4's. I'd rank them 16, 13, 17, 10, 12, 14, 11, 15, 18.

In general, Wildcat (Lakes) has a few good holes and a number of fun shots with a decent set of greens. There are a lot of aerial shots that beckon too much for target golf while some holes are awkward and don't work all that well. To be fair, I'm assuming there were some environmental restrictions in place that dictated placement of cart paths, but the paths were a visual distraction and occasionally interfered with how the hole played. If I was local, maybe I'd play here every now and then for a lower green fee. As someone traveling to Houston, I would likely play elsewhere, as the good aspects of this course you have likely come across at dozens of other courses while the detractors are reason enough not to seek out a round here if your time in Houston is limited.

Gripes: The design and cart paths as mentioned above.

Bar/Grill: A good sized indoor area and some seats outside. I liked the memorabilia in display cases.

Clubhouse: Well stocked and the hats with the vintage insignia are pretty cool.

Practice Area: Um, I'm not sure. I didn't see a driving range and because the website doesn't seem to be working, I can't clarify.

Old Macdonald

2018-03-21T13:06:00.002-04:00

6,320 yards, 125 slope from the Greens.

Course: The most recent course built at the resort is Old Macdonald, which opened for play in 2010. The course was designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, with contributions from several others who were knowledgeable in the design philosophies of C.B. Macdonald. The idea was to construct a course that was inspired by Macdonald, meaning if Macdonald actually designed the course, what would it look like. The result is one of the best links courses open to the public.

Old Mac is unique in many ways. In the way it was designed and constructed, which was more of a collaborative effort than most courses, as the design team wanted to make sure it was in line with Macdonald's work. In addition, the design is bold. With three widely revered courses under its belt, Old Mac had more of an opportunity to do things a little different to set itself apart. The Hell bunker on the Long hole, the gigantic dune you tee off over while the ghost tree looms, the sea cliff you literally hit onto straight up vertically, only to reach the green and have the view of the ocean knock you back; it's all spectacular. The biggest attribute here in my opinion though, is the variety of play. More than the other courses, Old Mac doesn't really suggest a line of play to the hole; it allows you to figure it out yourself. It's simply fescue as far as the eye can see, flowing into the greens and hills, inviting any shot or line you'd like to take. The width here is staggering and the size of the greens immense, so the possibilities are endless. With the wind up as well and the different directions of the holes, it's a whole new course every time you play. Everyone is allowed to play their own game, and as I took note of how myself and the others in my group advanced to each hole, it was ready apparent at just how effective the course was in that respect.

Old Mac isn't a tribute or replica course, but rather more of a portrayal and showcase of Macdonald's design style, in accordance with the terrain. Urbina had worked on a number of Macdonald courses before this and with Macdonald "experts," such as George Bahto and Brad Klein, the braintrust dedicate to staying true to those design philosophies within the confines of the gripping natural landscape, it very much has a feel of a Macdonald course. There are Macdonald's template holes, like the Sahara, Biarritz and Short, there are also original holes some of which I think are the best on the course.

The character and uniqueness of this course was impressive, along with its scale and beauty. The freedom to play the course allows you to be as creative as possible, which in turn makes the round all the more fun and challenging. With the fescue melding into the mounds, hills and greens as well, Old Mac is what I have in mind when I think of an ideal links course.

Our first round here was in the afternoon of the second day. We had the course to ourselves for some reason and the wind was coming off of the shore only slightly, but enough that it carried the sounds of the crashing waves over the course for the entire round. There was a fog in the air as well, which gave the round a tinge of eeriness and mystique. The second round was in the morning of our last day and the wind was really blowing. Both times, the round was thrilling, enjoyable and engaging, yet completely different. Each time, however, it was golf as I always think of it in its purest form; thinking your way over the land, only limited by the bounds of your skills and imagination. Old Mac intrigued me the most and out of the courses, is the one I'd play the most if I lived in the area.

The First is a 304 yard par 4 (from the Greens). The width is something to get used to right away, with the bunker complex off to the left, the Principal's Nose, very much in play on the second shot. The tee shot is really about figuring out how you want to approach the green. Flirting with the bunker on the right gives you a shorter second shot while going to the safer left side brings the Principal in play and a different, possibly worse, angle into the green. The green is huge, and the double plateau makes it devious, with three putting very much a possibility, and pin placement has the capacity to change the entire make up of the hole. There is also nothing stopping the ball from rolling off the sides of the green and away, making for a difficult recovery on the tight lie fescue. It's a great starter; subtle, full of possibilities, yet underneath it all, strokes can pile up easily.

The First

Approach shot territory

A little closer

The Second is a 162 yard par 3. The "Eden" hole. The Eden is a template, typically a raised green that runs from back to front and the bunkering, a deep pot bunker (the "Strath" bunker) on the front right and the "Hill" bunker wrapping around the left of the green, reaching the rear side as well. This rendition works well because of the movement in the green and its size, which brings those bunkers into play off the tee (especially in the wind), then again on the green, as the speed and distance of some putts run the risk of rolling on in if the pace is off. Even landing on the green well away from the green makes bogey a real possibility, with the speed and undulations of the green.

The Second

A little closer

The Third is a 345 yard par 4. This is the "Sahara" hole. The first time we played the course, we get to the Third tee and I see this tree off to our left. I half jokingly told our group we had to tee off over the tree and hills, and were about to tee off straightaway to the fairway in view. Thankfully, our caddie set us right, that in fact we were teeing off over the dunes near the tree and that the fairway we were looking at was the Seventeenth.

The tee shot here is the first time the course shows just how fraught with character and zest it has. The blind forced carry over the gigantic dunes, as close to the right of the Ghost tree as possible is one thing. Climbing the dunes and having the course reveal itself with each step over to the other side, with the cloud line seemingly within reach and the topography before you, is quite another.

As for the hole, the large slopes of the dune continue on to the other side, sweeping all movement from left to right down the hillside, while the green is at the bottom, or base of the dune. The tee shot dictates so much of your play into the green. A well struck tee shot stays true in the air, over the ridge and on to the other side, its whereabouts unknown. A tee shot off to the right will likely bound most of if not all the way down the hill, leaving a much longer approach to the green. A tee shot off to the left might be ok but if it hangs up on the hill, could get tricky fast. The green is very wide yet shallow, melding from the fairway seamlessly. The approach shot here could be one of the most volatile of the resort, with so many different possibilities. A fantastic hole.

The Third

Probably my favorite landmark to photograph on the property; the Ghost tree

Apparently, one day a bunch of crows were all sitting on the tree, all of its branches, every where. Now that's spooky

In my opinion, the tree should have been the course logo

The other side of the ridge, the course beyond

You can see the flag here and the sweeping undulations comprising the fairway

Lots of different looks based on the lighting and fog

A closer look, walking down the hill

The Fourth is a 472 yard par 5. The "Hog's Back" hole. First off, the photos on this and the prior hole aren't the best. That's mainly because our first round here was in the afternoon and those holes played directly at the sun, in conjunction with the mist, it just didn't do well with my clicking away. The second round we were facing 40 mph gusts and photo taking became more limited to get around faster. At any rate, the name of the hole signifies the ridge in the fairway that repels shots away from the center and towards the sides. Here, that ridge is rather pronounced, which creates an upper (left) and lower (level), which a bunker in the right center of the fairway does well to denote. In fact, tee shots on the right will be blind to the fairway on the second shot, so left center is a nice play off the tee, as anything too far left will keep going further in that direction. Moving up to the green, it's elevated from the fairway, with a hollow just in front, which complicated the approach shot, as shots too shallow into the green will likely end up about 15-20 yards away. Like most every hole, the green is quite large, and generally runs from left to right.

I don't know what it is, but I think I'm +3,623 on Hog's Back holes. I never seem to appreciate the movement of the fairway and typically end up in trouble off the tee, which then compounds extra shots simply getting to the green. The wind is usually against you here, which lengthens the hole. Even though I had perfected a bunt driver shot for months before this trip and hit it perfectly off the tee during our windy second round, it wasn't enough to reach the left/upper side of the fairway and I think hit a 6i from 100 yards out . Not as wide as other holes, this one makes you work a bit.

The Fourth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

The Fifth is a 134 yard par 3. The "Short" hole. There's a forced carry to the green, which is immensely wide, moving from back to front and left to right. The front side rolls off to the beach grass below while there's a rear shelf that can be used as a back board. The right side is on a higher tier than most of the green, so ending up there, or above on the rear shelf, will be very touchy getting close to the green to save par.

This is a great example of one of the strategic themes of this course. Getting on the green is not enough; getting to the right area of the green is critical, which follows setting up the correct approach shot and angle. With as much roll as the course provides, figuring out how to get the ball close to the hole is more than simply trying to stick it at the pin. It's about understanding what the contours and winds do, then using those from your skill set accordingly.

Like every great short hole, the adventure gets into full swing after the tee shot. With the pin position as shown in the photo below, even a close shots on the left will likely fall off to the short left collection area. Right of the pin is a goof play, but then using the back slope will be necessary for your putt. During one round, I was a little short of the pin and tried to use the back slope to bring the ball in that way, but put too much on it and it ended up stuck on the top shelf, leaving me with a very difficult two-putt. A very well done par 3. Oh yeah, if you end up in the bunker on the short right of the green, just put a 6 down on the scorecard and move on.

The Fifth

The green, from the left side

Looking back at the tee

The Sixth is a 520 yard par 5. The "Long" hole. We now start to delve into the meat of the valley in which the course is set, bordering the Fifteenth of Pacific Dunes on the left side. There's room off the tee, which should be used to set up how to handle the great hazard of this hole, their version of the Hell bunker, a gargantuan cross bunker with planks of wood shooting upwards, giving the impression of a giant mouthful of teeth, just waiting to wreak havoc. The fairway narrows at this point, putting the bunker more into play and forcing most shots to carry it. The green complex is wild, with a devious tiny pot bunker on the far side that the green slopes towards. The green is actually two separate levels, with juts and undulations in every direction. Lots of ways to play this hole on with most of the challenge after the tee shot. A great and diverse par 5.

The Sixth

Second shot territory

The prominent hazard, almost smiling at you

Approach shot territory

A trench bunker on the left side, short of the green

The green

The Seventh is a 345 yard par 4. The "Ocean" hole. The tee shot is over a lower ridge that partially obstructs your view of the fairway, but there's plenty of room straight away. After your tee shot, you find yourself at a dead end of sorts. The fairway abruptly ends, but looking up at the top of the hill, you will find the top of the flag stick, just peeking out. The steepness of the hill makes the shot to the green completely blind and any shot falling short will fall all the way down to the bottom of the hill. Of course, hitting the approach too far means you'll likely end up on the bunker on the far side, with a tough shot back uphill to the green.

The green itself yields the best view of the ocean on the property. It seems like you could jump right in, or at least reach out and touch the ocean and with a birds-eye view of the entire course from the front side of the green, it's one of the more exhilarating places of the resort.

When the course was being built, Keiser and Doak/Urbina were discussing the placement of the green for this hole, which was originally going to be placed at the bottom of the hill. Keiser starts asking whether it could be placed on top of the bluff and during the discussion, finally decided on it, exclaiming, "Macdonald would have put the green up here." I agree with Keiser and this green placement truly exponentially makes the course better.

It's also important to note that this hole is not a template, but rather an original design and one of if not the best hole on the course.

The Seventh

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory, at the base of the hill

The green

Looking back from the green, with the sea mist making for one of the cooler rounds I've played

The view of the ocean that awaits at the far side of the green. And yes that bunker is very much in play

Approach shot territory, taken during our second round here, in the morning. The flag is visible right center

One of the best views

Looking back, love the cloud line here

The Eighth is a 170 yard par 3. The "Biarritz" hole. The tee shot is atop the same bluff as the Seventh green, hitting to the green below, which is on the other side of a ridge line that must be carried over. The swale in this Biarritz green is healthy and enough to challenge any two putt from one side of the green to the other. The tee shot, however, is more challenging, as the mid iron forced carry to a green that tightens around the sides means many will be playing their second shot from off green, either taking the Biarritz out of play or having the benefit of chipping through it. It's a nice rendition of this template and a great tee shot from one of the higher points on the course.

The Eighth

A little closer look

The green, from the left side

The Ninth is a 352 yard par 4. The "Cape" hole. This slight dog leg right features a swath of bunkers, beach grass and assorted vegetation off the right side. The shortest path to the green is from the tee over this area, so like most Cape holes, one must calculate how much of the right side you want to take off from the tee. The more you take off, the shorter your approach into the green. The contours and ridges of this hole made it one of the more complex Cape holes I have played. Many Capes are straightforward risk/reward holes, with the conservative route clearly mapped out, but here, there was a lot more angles and tee options than I've seen previously. Even falling short into the hazards on the right side did not necessarily mean you were dead, as those recovery shots ranged from manageable to eye-gouging difficult. The green is one of the more subtle on the course and like most of the holes here, this one never plays the same twice.

Moving up the fairway of the Ninth, with the right fairway bunkers in the foreground

Approach shot territory

Spectators

Random view of the course

The front nine essentially takes you from one valley to another, traversing and playing directly over and on to severe coastal dunes, each hole ensuring drama, creativity and challenge. Each hole asserts its character nicely and while the diversity of terrain adds to it, the design ensures that the terrain focuses on providing great golf in addition to the scenery. The boldness of the terrain of the Third, Fourth and Seventh, the greens at the First, Second, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth, and the bunkering on almost all of the holes are some of the great features of the front nine, among many others. There are no weak holes. I'd rank them 7, 3, 5, 6, 4, 1, 9, 8, 2.

The back nine starts with the 440 yard par 4 Tenth. The "Bottle" hole. While the fairway seems to have miles of width, there are a series of bunkers starting on the left side and ending on the right that narrow the acceptable corridors for the tee shot. While the two bunkers, one right center and the other left center, attract the most attention, the other two off to either side demand adequate attention as well. How these bunkers are negotiated off the tee is vital in determining the difficulty of the approach shot, which is to an elevated green sloped on all sides (yet is some what connected to the Fifth green on the far left side). The green makes for a tricky approach shot, first because it's one of the smaller greens on the course and the slopes will take a lot of off target shots back towards the fairway. Hitting a running punch shot from about 120 yards out and watch it bounce and tumble to the pin was one of my favorite shots of the trip, yet those bold enough to try and fly the approach in need to be pretty accurate to pull it off.

The Tenth

Moving down the fairway

Approach shot territory

A closer look at the green from the front

The Eleventh is a 399 yard par 4. The "Road" hole. Mark Twain once wrote a story where at the very end, he apologized to the reader. He had written the protagonist in such a mess that no matter how long he thought about it, he could not figure out a way to extract the character from it and properly end the story. So he apologized to the reader, explained the problem and that was it.

That sums up my encounter with a few select golf holes, including this one. The green, no matter what approach played or strategy used, I'd tangle myself up to the point I should simply pick up my ball and apologize to everyone within sight. The left side of the bunker on the right is a nice line off the tee and sets up a nice position for the approach shot, allowing for a number of options. The green runs away from the deep bunker at the front left, and continues to slope substantially all the way off the green on the far right, resembling the road of the Seventeenth at the Old Course.

The green is vexing. Even a tee shot off to the right that places you away from the bunker and alleviates the need to carry it can come into play if your approach is hit in the wrong place, as there is a good amount of pull towards it. In the alternative, your shot will veer towards the back right side. Anything on that side risks chips and putts rolling right into the bunker. I tried laying up short of the bunker with the intent of lobbing over the bunker to the pin and walking out with a par or bogey, but I promptly lobbed right into the bunker. The challenge is terrific here and while I still haven't figured out what approach is ideal (other than simply sticking the shot next to the pin), it was a lot of fun trying and the experience was worth more than whatever score I ended up with.

The Eleventh

Moving down the fairway

From the left side

Approach shot territory, with the dreaded front bunker

The Twelfth is a 205 par 3. The "Redan." The green moves from front to back and right to left. While there are bunkers off the tee that only come into play if you duff your tee shot, green feeds to the deep bunker on the left side of the green. The remarkable feature of this hole is the front slope of the green, which can be used a variety of ways in conjunction with the movement of the green. As the tee shot here often faces a strong head wind, playing a bunt driver low and having it run up the front of the green is something to consider. Or get it in the air and shape it accordingly.

The Twelfth

From the right side, with the mesmerizing ocean fog and links beyond

The green primarily moves from right to left

The Thirteenth is a 319 yard par 4. The "Leven" hole. While the shape of the fairway from the tee makes it look like there's not a whole lot of room to work with, there actually is plenty, so long as you mind the smaller bunker up the right side. The green sits between a hillock on the right and group of bunkers on the front right, in a little nook of the dunes. The green is also uphill from the fairway, so most if not all approach shots will be blind. The fun doesn't end there, as the green moves significantly from the left to right, with a side bar on the leftmost side and a thumbprint dip on the front right, just after the bunkers. So much fun and yet another example of fantastic terrain used splendidly.

The Thirteenth

Moving down the fairway

The right side

The green is set to the right of the hill on the left

Approach shot territory

The wild green

The left side of the green

The Fourteenth is a 297 yard par 4. The "Maiden" hole. The walk to the tee from the Thirteenth green is the departure of the valley where we have been playing since the Third, moving into the dunes, where we jaunt around in until the Seventeenth. The hole plays all uphill and turns slightly left to the green. The bunkers on the left should be avoided, yet the closer to them provides a closer approach shot to the green. The undulations leading up to the plateau green, as well as the large bunkers set on each side, do not give a whole lot of room to miss on the approach and there is a lot more movement on the green than most plateau greens typically have. The green is another place to take a moment and admire your surroundings, with the ocean and course below you.

The Fourteenth

Walking up the fairway

The bunker complex on the left

Climbing to the green, off to the right side

Looking back, from the green

The Fifteenth is a 482 yard par 5. The "Westward Ho" hole. The hole marches towards the ocean, from one high point on the dunes to another. The fairway seemingly feeds into the bunkers on the right and it is likely you will be fighting the wind coming from the ocean to get to the green. After the tee shot, the fairway climbs to the green, which is quite large and plateaus on top of the dune. The slopes, bunkers and especially wind lengthen and complicate this hole, yet battling the natural challenges of it is invigorating.

The Fifteenth

From the right side

Moving a little closer to the green

Still on the right side, a little closer

Approach shot territory

Looking back at the fairway from the green

The Sixteenth is a 433 yard par 4. The "Alps" hole. Tee shot should be as right as possible without going into the bunkers on that side, as that is the only chance of seeing the green on your approach. All other tee shots in the fairway will be completely blind to the green and a forced carry over the large hill on the left is necessary. This variation of the Alps provides a way to see the green on the approach, at the risk of ending up in a hazard. A more conservative tee shot likely results in a tougher approach shot to the green, yet course knowledge counters some of that challenge. Like the Alps hole at National Golf Links, a bunker comes into play for those shots over the Alps and collects those shots not hit far enough into the green. There is a lot here to digest and from what I learned, hit a lot more club into the green than you think you need. The green moves from right to left and is more wide than deep.

The Sixteenth

Approach shot territory, with the Alps in front

A look at the green, from the right of the Alps

The green

The Seventeenth is a 515 yard par 5. The "Littlewood" hole. Coming out of the dunes, we are now on the side on which we started and the march to the clubhouse begins. The tee shot provides a conservative option down the left side while a bolder line is down the right, which must carry the marsh area to get to the fairway. If successful, there is a chance to reach the green in two shots, as the green reveals itself from that angle. For those who opted for the left, the choice is to keep left and avoid the bunkers on the right, which will leave you with a blind approach. You can opt right and if the bunkers are avoided, will have a much better look and angle into the green. The green itself is great, with a daring bunker jutting up directly in front of the green, and a high mound on the right side, that can be used to get the ball rolling near the pin.

The Seventeenth

Moving down the fairway

A bit further

These bunkers split the fairway, but its preferable to stay on the right

The green is in the background

The railroad ties in the bunker to the right are a great tough here

The Eighteenth is a 426 yard par 4. The "Punchbowl" hole. A fantastic way to end the round is by being able to have your approach, chips and putts utilize the contours of the punchbowl to finish things up with a nice score. The tee shot needs to maneuver between cross bunkers, with left to left center a nice line. Then figuring out where the pin is and how to use the contours to get close is a great closing task. Even if your approach is longer from the pin, there is a lot of fun and creativity in figuring out how to close things out, using the punchbowl as a back stop or sidebar.

The Eighteenth

Moving down the fairway

A look at the green, from the right side

The mounds surrounding the green on the right and back side

The back nine is much longer than the front (700 yards), which is also due to only having one par 3 and two par 5's. The inspiration found on the back is ample and while I found the back more challenging, the fun and character is just as much as can be found on the front. The Road, Redan, Leven and Punchbowl holes were excellent and unique renditions, as were Westward Ho and Maidstone with their excellent use of the coastal dunes. I'd rank them 12, 11, 10, 18, 13, 15, 14, 17, 16.

Generally, Old Mac was my favorite course at Bandon for a number of reasons. Mainly, its unique character sets it apart from any other course in North America. Its links allow you so much freedom of thought and play, in and on such distinctly aesthetic surroundings and terrain, that the experience is unlike any other you'll encounter. Highly playable, abundant choices of play, a great routing that best uses its environment, all while guided by the design tenets of one of golf's pioneers. Its charms are infinite while its complexities reveal themselves slowly, and only after experiencing the pangs of battle from one round to the next, never complete, but rather an endless journey full of wonder.

One of these days I will create a list of courses I could play over and over forever without being bored once. This course would be near the top of that list and even though I'm thousands of miles away, I'm still there contemplating the possibilities, thinking about my approach at the Road hole, walking next to the Ghost tree hoping that my ball bounded close to the green and atop the green of the Ocean hole, admiring my approach as the waves crash before me.

Gripes: That I will never be able to play enough rounds here.

Bar/Grill: A bit more spartan than the other courses, there are a few tables inside the modest clubhouse, or you can sit in the chairs overlooking the practice green.

Clubhouse: Well stocked, but like I said it is modest. A shack that does well not to impose itself on the course.

Practice green