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Hole By Hole Commentary

  

Hole 1,  350metres par 4

  

As with all the holes, we play from a familiar starting point, out along a fairway that, although following an old route, shows off new characteristics of undulating landforms, elevated native vegetation, this case hiding the 10^th hole and new high bunkering.  The same greensite location is now bunkered on both sides with strong pin positions to the rear-right of the putting surface.

 Hole 2, 480metres, par 5

 In line with a trend of including strategic architecture by maximum angle to the holes, this initial landing area is adjusted slightly left.  A new green to the rear and left of the incumbent follows a second angle to the centerline of play and for the two-shot offensive is well hidden behind a long bunker.

 Hole 3, 330metres, par 4

 From a more forward teebox the hole turns to the right, through the existing hedge to occupy the sharp end of the estate.  A series of bunkers guard the right-side direct line to the putting surface entrance which is sunk below high mounding.  A sump behind the green directs the surface water collection down to the porous shingle below.

 Hole 4, 160metres, par 3

 The original ground excavations leading to this green were the inspiration for all the landscaping animation that has been proposed on the new golf course, i.e. an excellent example of the free-draining ground conditions which permits so much animation to a fresh landscape.

The abrupt swales and hollows are extended completely to and all around a plateau green, connected, as if by birth, to the 7^th hole.

Hole 5, 470metres, par 5

Now a well-known driving point transformed into an exciting tee shot out over a deep hollow to a far fairway showing all the signs of a lengthy association with water.  From the first turning point the new lake dictates the design strategy all the way to the green.  A well-hit tee shot flirting with water will set up a two stoke possibility as the target is aligned for this daring but rewarding escapade.  As always, there is a longer but safer route of the positively more inland type.  However entering from this direction involves an approach pitch over a spacious greenside bunker.

Hole 6, 190metres, par 3

The surrounding environs change drastically as the hole again notes the intimidating influence of lake views and the subsequent long assault required on the pin positions.  For some of these minute targets it will be possible to employ the old-fashioned pitch and run into the green but this should also depend on accurately landing on frontal ground sculpturing.  Trouble lurks left and right of this entrance.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 7, 415metres, par 4

 

 

 

The most demanding hole now has legitimate claims to infamacy.  The new lake, if not making its presence felt on the right off the tee, proceeds to overflow at its south-eastern corner and runs obliquely down and across the fairway, just at the turning point.  Staggered landing areas offer strict decisions of attack or hold back that will positively affect the long approach to a raised and well defended green.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 8, 380metres, par 4

 

 

 

The second in a trilogy of demanding par 4’s plays as before from a turn towards the clubhouse.  Bunkering throughout the hole and peripheral mounding leading well into the fairway, the paradox of intensified character being waylaid with play definition and the relaxing themes of the lines of Nature, distinctly changes the play aspect for the better.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 9, 370metres, par 4

 

 

 

Replacing the tree influence by ground movement and ultra strict bunkering, only the unwanted leaf and branch debris is lost.  Again the formal and repeating green shapes of straight, falling-away sides and putting surfaces uniformly rising to quite square rear ends, is replaced with more defined pin areas punctuated by gently rolling divisions.

 

 

 

 

 

OUT, 3145metres, par 36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 10, 360metres, par 4

 

 

 

This hole has a new scenic theme and play influenced on the right side in the form of a substantial lake.  A more acute dogleg left creates added strategy plays and the approach crosses the stream that overflows the lake and connects to the other comparable mass of golf course water.   The green tends to open its entrance from the right side and an adjusted overall location leaves development space for the 13^th hole.

 

  

 

 

 

Hole 11, 460metres, par 5

 

 

 

Once again quality in the golf hole strategy is deemed to be a more vital asset than length.  A series of directional options in play from the tee can provide distinct approach rewards as fairway space is masked behind high bunker faces on the right.  An expansive green offers the maximum in pin placement variety, open to the enterprising two shots, while arrival from the lay-up means obligatory play over rather wild bunkering.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 12, 150metres, par 4

 

 

 

A switch of tee location plays this medium length short hole from the Brosnan Road boundary although forward tees could still be available from the right.  A well guarded, undulating green returns memories of the former challenge and majestic views are opened to the snowy mountain tops in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 13, 500metres, par 5

 

 

 

An exaggeration of challenge is created by fairway bunkering and playing length.  Through the rolling turning point saddle vision into this smaller putting surface is astutely governed by some of the most prolific bunkering on the course.  A new greensite is positioned well past the existing, almost up to the present 10^th fairway.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 14,  410metres, par 4

 

 

 

On this exacting new hole a new tee, well to the right of the present box, brings intimate contact with the new lake.  An early shoreline bite, supported by rustic wooden piling, brings water very much in front of the tee.  Playing up to the elevated fairway landing area one is conscious of left-hand bunkering and the rocky lake feeder running almost the entire opposite side of the lengthy approach stretch.  Elevated native vegetation screens the 15^th tees but a cavernous hollow replaces the pinewood plantation behind the green and allows improved views to the distant ranges.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 15, 180metres, par 3

 

 

 

A one-shot hole is all that remains of the former course at this point.  From tees, pushed back from existing starting points, play must be directed into a long, narrow greensite completely dominated by high mounding.  The whole feature is shared at the far end with hole 17 and occasionally the dividing putting area is brought into play on either hole.

 

   

 

 

 

Hole 16, 380metres, par 4

 

 

 

Changes to this difficult run-in hole include pushed-back tees and play away from the road to another plateau landing area to the right of the existing fairway.,  Play then swings left, across the present fairway to a new greensite adjacent to the maintenance centre and into the new course shop window at the property entrance.  Deep hollows feature hard on the green’s right flank as a spacious leftside, frontal bunker often demands a long carry into the putting surface.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 17, 320metres, par 4

 

 

 

When short par 4’s are good they are usually very good, especially at this stage of play.  As we reverse direction again and play over the vast depression in the terrain, an influential sandy-waste area with all its irregularities must be negotiated high in the dogleg.  A close encounter may reward the golfer with an opened-up putting surface however, a deep and serious pot-bunker sentinel and dead centre of the wedged approach may have the last word and that occasional rear pin placement, hidden over the rise in the green surface, may be another factor in the day’s surprises as the round draws to a close.

 

 

 

 

 

Hole 18, 390metres, par 4

 

 

 

Turning for home, the lake dominates the tee shot. A double fairway offers long driving aspirations an alternative and potentially match-winning route via. the elevated inland turning-point and a consequential open left side to the green.

 

 

 

The longer route boasts scenic waterscapes as we head directly for the famous Golden Pine, a shoreline lighthouse to direct our turn towards the clubhouse and home.  It is a long approach by any standards where a large bunker with rough islands directs us away from the 1^st and 10^th tees where the temptation begins all over again.

 

 

 

 

 

IN, 3150metres, par 36

 

 

 

OUT, 3145mteres, par 36

 

 

 

TOTAL 6295metres, par 72