Just got back from a trip to Sand Hills and couldn't have been more impressed. What I enjoyed most was the variety in holes and how the changing wind makes you feel like you are playing a different golf course every time.
If I had to pick out one or two holes as favorites, I would say 10 and 17. The par four 10th at about 430 yards changed character the most, I believe, depending upon wind direction. With the wind at your back, the slight downhill drive allows for a short iron into the green, but into the wind it requires a lot of club.
The par three 17th, rivals the 11th at Shinnecock and I loved the back-to-back bunkers on the right side.
During our visit our group had dinner and drinks with Dick Youngscap. He is a very interesting guy and seemed genuinely humble with regard to what he created at Sand Hills. Here are sme highlights of our conversation:
1)He thought Crenshaw and Coore made a great team because of how well they complimented each other. Coore, he said, was the vision behind he routing and Crenshaw the green compexes. His one criticism was that Crenshaw tended to be indecisive.
2)He also told us that when he initially purchased the land he had a one year option to raise the required cash. With twelve days remaining on the option, he had only 50% of the funding and he thought he was going to lose the property. Fortunately, a local contractor fronted the money with a four year loan in return for revenue sharing and inerest. So Sand Hills was 12 days away from not being.
3) Finally, he also said he will not build a second course on the property. The primary reason for this is the area can not supply enough staff to run a larger operation.
All in all, just a great experience. The combination of a great golf course and even nicer people make for a very memorable trip.
Regards,
John