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1. The
bunker is built into a natural ridge that crosses
several holes. The bunker causes the player to
challenge it if they want to get into the ideal
position from which to approach the green on their
third shot when the hole plays as a par 5. The big
tree on the left comes into play when the player
attempts to work the ball over to this ideal
position. Conventional wisdom is that the strategy
of a hole should not depend on a tree, but as is
often the case conventional wisdom in golf course
design is wrong. The tree is a great feature that
has been expertly incorporated into the strategic
design of the hole. By positioning the bunker and
wetland features in relation to the tree, the tree's
eventual demise will not significantly affect the
hole. However, its presence is a great benefit.
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2.
The safe position to the right of
the bunker leaves the player with a force carry over
the wetland pond. The green is about 80' in
length from this angle, but the force carry, and
varying slopes in the green make this a most
difficult angle from which to approach the green. |
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3.
A carry over the bunker leaves
the player with a slightly better angle from which
to approach the green, although pin positions near
the right edge of the green make this an interesting
challenge. The green depth is about 65' from
this angle. There is a slight ridge in the
front of the green. This ridge requires the
player from this angle to play a very precise shot
to pin positions on the left half of the green. |
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4.
This is the best angle from which
to enter the green. The shot into this area
requires a well played shot because all of the
design elements come into play to certain degrees.
The bunker must be carried, the tree on the left
must be accounted for, and the wetland on the right
must be avoided. The approach from here can be
a simple bump and run or a pitch shot. Most of
the green from this angle is only about 50' deep,
and the wetland awaits behind the green. |
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5. A close up of the slight bump, or
ridge, in front of the green. A simple design
feature that can be a major factor in the play of
the hole. |
The hole is growing in well,
and should be ready for play next summer. Currently, 5
deciduous trees are being planted in appropriate locations
around this area. The previous green was marred by
pine trees that were overcrowding the green. Several
of these trees were removed allowing sun and air to reach
the green. Wetland plants will arrive in April 2007,
and the shallow pond will eventually be a beautiful wetland
covered with green plants.
Friday, July 27, 2007
During a visit on July 27th I
took updated photos of hole 5 which is featured above
shortly after work was completed and we were in the growing
in process.
HOLE 5, PAR4/5
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This is
the new bunker that was built into an existing
ridge. As a par 5 this bunker must be
considered on the second shot. A direct line
over the bunker will be taken if a player wants to
go for the green in two, or if a player wants to
take the wetland to the right of the green out of
play on their third shot. Plenty of fairway is
provided beyond the bunker and to the left of the
green, however the large tree makes you shape a shot
around it to find the fairway and avoid the tree.
Notice to the right of the bunker there is plenty of
fairway as well if you want to avoid the bunker but
this brings the wetland into play on the third shot. |
| This is
the shot that awaits you if you play away from the
bunker to the fairway area right of the bunker: a
delicate shot over the wetland which wraps around
the back of the green . |
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A well
placed shot over the bunker and shaped around the
tree leaves you in the position shown to the left:
an open pitch or bump and run. However, the
shot must be played with skill because this is the
narrow axis of the green and wetland is beyond.
There is a small bump in front of the green that can
spoil an otherwise good approach shot. |
Before getting to new
pictures of hole 6 under construction here are some updated
photos of other holes that have been renovated over the past
three years.
HOLE 2, PAR4
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Depicted to the left are two fairway bunkers that
challenge the player who wants to take a direct line
at the green from the tee. Other options
include laying back safely from the bunkers leaving
a longer approach shot to a small green, or playing
to the fairway area that was expanded out to the
left which can bring into play a large tree that
guards that area. |
| The
picture to the right is of hole 2 green which was
expanded out to the edge of the fill pad. The
bunker was rebuilt and made deeper. There are
more exciting pin positions along the periphery of
the green that bring this bunker more into play. |
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HOLE 7, PAR 5
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Pictured to the left is a complex of 3 fairway
bunkers in the landing area of the second shot on
this par 5. The fairway is narrow to the left
of the bunkers, then opens up to become a much wider
target just beyond the bunkers. These bunkers
coupled with the fairway bunker farther down the
fairway on the left cause the player to take
seriously their decisions for how best to attack the
hole on their second shot. Notice how the fairway
feeds right into the bunkers. |
| The
bunker pictured to the right is the aforementioned
bunker along the left side of the fairway that is an
excellent complement to the 3 bunkers pictured
above. This bunker is along the direct line
from the tee shot to the green and therefore must be
confronted when playing for the par 5 green on the
second shot. |
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Pictured left is the left side of the green.
The bunker was made deeper and the green was
expanded out to the edge of the fill pad.
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| Here is
a close up of the left side of the green, pictured
to the right. The original green edge is no
longer visible; this green was a small oval when
work commenced so the expansion has given many more
challenging pin positions along the periphery of the
green. |
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HOLE 6, PAR4/5
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Work on
hole 6 began this past week. The hole plays as
a par 4 and a par 5. The area in the picture
to the left is being prepared for a new complex of
tees. The hole is lined with trees and from
this tee location will play as a doglegged right
hole because of the trees that nudge into the
corridor from the right. |
| Prior to
the work commencing this summer the maintenance crew
removed some pine trees that had over crowded the
right side of the hole and hid some magnificent
deciduous trees. The picture above is of this
area prior to the trees coming out. The
picture above, right is after the trees were
removed. One pine tree was left although it is
hopeful this tree will be removed as well.
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Pictured to the left is the first fairway bunker
that the player will encounter. It is
positioned along the left side of the fairway and
should be in play particularly when the hole is
played as a par 5. |
| Farther
down the fairway on the right side two more fairway
bunkers are being shaped, pictured to the right.
These bunkers cross into the original fairway and
break up the straight line between the tee and the
green. These bunkers will definitely be a
factor when the holes plays as a par 4. Not
pictured is an approach bunker in line with the two
players on left at the green. |
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| Above are two
pictures of each half of hole 6 green. The
pictures show where the green will be expanded out
to the edge of the fill pad to provide many more
challenging pin areas. |
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