HOLE-BY-HOLE

Number 1 is a fairly easy opening par four measuring 378 yards from the white tees. If a cautionary warning were to be given it would be to keep the ball well left . The fairway slants slightly right and balls landing on the right side of the fairway have been known to kick into the pines.

Number 2 is a 129 yard par 3. There are sand traps front right, front left, and back left. The green is one of the smallest on the course so aim for the center rather than the pin if it is near the edge. The wind normally is at your face so use one or two clubs more than usual.

Number 3 is a 471 yard par five that is normally unreachable because it is mostly up hill and into the wind. Be certain to not hit it right here off the tee as there is a pond located about 200 yards from the tee. The green is the longest from front to back on the course and the pin is normally all the way back. Use one to two clubs more for your approach.

Number 4 is The Valley’s signature hole. It is 181 yard long and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the valley. Because the green is well below the teeing area, depending on the wind, anything from a three wood to a nine iron might be required to reach it.

Number 5 is a 340 yards played from the white tees but 405 when played from the blues – a much different hole. In either case, there is out of bounds on the left and a lateral hazard on the right although one has to hit it very right to get to those red stakes. There are bunkers left and right of the green and out of bounds over. The green is very large slanting left to right.

Number 6 is the shortest par four on the course measuring a scant 261 yards, but, and there is always a but; this hole plays straight up hill. Were one to measure the line, I would guess about 15 degrees up hill. An easy ride on a cart for certain but quite a climb for those walking. The drive should be directed to the right side of the fairway where one can have access to the most of the green. If the drive is left, you have a cavernous bunker to fly over before the green is reached. Too far left is OB and a cornfield.

Number 7 is a 473 yard par 5 that plays like a par four. The teeing area is located at the highest point on the course, at least a hundred feet above the 150 yard marker. When the wind is just right, the hole plays with a drive and an 8 or 9 iron for your second shot. However, there are dangers on this hole counted by 8 bunkers that come into play on every shot until you reach the green. In addition, be aware there is out of bounds on the left on the tee shot. The tendency is to aim for the center of the fairway but be advised to aim right.

Number 8 measures a mere 351 yards from the teeing area, but many consider this hole and number 9, two of the toughest holes on the course. To play the hole from the teeing area the best shot is a draw as the fairway turns right to left. There are trees and out of bounds right, trees left. The toughness factor begins with your approach. The green is fronted by two bunkers. If you are left of the green, it is all but impossible to get up and down. Once on the green you will realize that although the green is small, it has the most severe breaks on the course. Nobody is given putts here as 18″ puts have been known to break 4″. Give nothing!

Number 9 measures 390 yards from the teeing area and requires a draw or you are looking at playing your next shot out of the grove of pine trees (lateral hazard) or if not struck hard enough will be out of bounds. The green is very long front to back guarded on the right by a bunker. A very good finishing hole to the front nine.

Number 10 measures 391 yards from the blue tees and 281 from the whites but both are played somewhat identically. There is out of bounds on the right which comes up quite fast and a thick tree line on the left. The green is what makes this an opening difficult hole as it appears an elephant may be buried in the middle of it. As a result, any approach shot requires a bit of luck to remain on the putting surface.

Number 11 measures 298 yard par four. There’s out of bounds right and a large bunker left at about where drive would land – play the middle of the fairway. Sand traps guard the green left and right.

Number 12 is a 516 yard par five that is rarely reached in two because of the prevailed winds coming directly at you. There is OB right and lateral water hazards to the left. Although the fairway is wide, hitting it in the center can be intimidating. Don’t try to hit your second shot directly at the green as the OB comes up quickly, rather aim a little left. The green is one of the largest on the course and is guarded by front left and back right with bunkers.

Number 13 is a 378 yard dogleg right par 4 also with out of bounds on the right and lateral hazards on the left where heavy, long grasses will swallow your ball. The green is well bunkered. Regardless where the pin is located, it is suggested to aim towards the center of the green.

Number 14 is the longest par four at 424 from the white tees and 439 yards from the blues. Be certain you stay well right with your tee shot as the left side of the hole is left in it’s natural state. You may be tempted to cut the corner but should you not carry the corner you can kiss your ball goodbye. The best tee shot is a straight tee shot played right of the sand trap. Your approach shot will normally be somewhere around 200 yards depending on the the wind. Over the green is a pond, left is more natural area. Once on the huge green, take careful aim!

Number 15, while not the longest par four at 385/435 yards is the toughest on the course because it is uphill. Your approach shot will normally be somewhere around 200 yards to a plateau of a green with OB right and over. Aim well left when approaching as everything kicks right. The green is normally very fast – use caution as putting off the surface is common.

The par four 16th is downhill at 346/375 yards. It is imperative your drive be in the fairway as either side is well defined by groves of trees. The approach will be short but be cautioned by the bunkers short left and one greenside right. Once on the green it can be difficult to read. You can read it to break a foot left and it breaks two feet right. Use caution.

The 17th is a slightly uphill par four measuring 336 yards. You don’t want to hit your drive too far as it will end up on a severely downhill lie to an uphill green. Plan on being about 25 yards short of the crest of the hill. There will be a deep valley, some call it a chasm, between you and the green that can be very intimidating and tends to swallow mis-hits. Be certain to land your approach on the back half of the green or as sure as grass is green, the ball will roll back at you. This green is very quick, so use caution.

The 18th at “The Valley” is somewhat unusual in that it is a par three. Measuring 154/176 yards, because of the deep swale running in front of the green, it can be very imposing. It is a very difficult green to hit in regulation as there are bunkers short left and back left and again, that chasm between the teeing area and the green. Also, once the green is attained, you have to be mindful of the slope of the green – a very subtle left to right – and very fast!