I happened to be there when Golf's most beloved character
declared the first hole to perhaps be his favorite opener that he saw..As Ran's match vs. Augusta shows Cuscowilla starts out strong and just kind of fades a bit towards the end. It doesnt slump, it just loses a bit of character. I remember turning to Ran after the 11th hole (where he could not believe they still have those pine trees) and saying WOW, this course is just so much fun and so strategic.
*The 5th hole is one of my favorite short par 5s in golf
*The opening holes par 4, par 5 and par 3 is one of the best starts I've seen to a course.
*The Martian/lunar style bunkering is unique amoung golf courses and with the ragged Jeff Bradley edges give the look of art as well as function.
*The par 3 8th hole is very strategic if one takes advantage of a slope where one can bounce it close to what look like touch pin positions to get near with a low iron in your hand..
*The conditioning was paramount. Just the right run and bounce you want to see and fast/true greens. I think the course was in better playing shape for competition (not for greenery) than Augusta was the next day when I went to the Masters.