Huck, I never really thought that the match game was too good of a measure straight up. I like my alternate match up of par 3s 4s and 5s to like pars on the oposing course better.
Yet, without an explanation of why one judges as they do, it still has little significance.
I'll try to explain myself on the alternat match play thinking...
first par 3 at SH is longish bunkerless to a potato chip green. I like WH 4th better because it is well bunkered, NADER style with more interesting kick points along the left side, and equally good pin positions, with one cool back right pin at WH that is better than any other pins on # 3 at SH.
the second par 3 at SH is 6 and frankly 9 at WH, with the false front, and either played at the old 150-55 yard or new 180 yard tees blows 6 away at SH. While both have partially hidden elements up the left side, WH's 1 visable and 1 hidden bunker and exciting play from them or native grass on shots missed left are just way more fun to play that 6 SH.
the third par 3 at SH is 13 skyline green with a totally demanding long shot, while the oposite demand is put on the delicate short and wonderfully bunkered and contoured 11th at WH. I'll have to go with the SH because of degree of difficulty, but not really by much on the thrill factor.
the fourth par 3 of 17 SH vs 13 WH isn't even close, as I am absolutely certain you will agree.
par 4s SH 2 WH 1 = well the opener at WH is cute but not difficult as SH 2, which is more or less skyline and very contoured.
#4 SH vs 2WH is again not even close...
#5 SH vs 5 WH = a nod to WH because it is just unique with enough challenge off the tee, maybe even 3W, but with the inverted bunker and a ticklish second shot and tricky green, it is a gem.
#7 SH vs 7 WH is a slight edge to WH. SH is a drivable par 4 as is WH in strong wind. I even got it to the front left bunker at WH on a 40MPH gust and firm LZ (as always) But the tee ball has a good chance to land in Dan's mid FW A-hole off the tee at WH, and the second to a fall away front to back slope green is just more fun.
#8 SH vs 8 WH is a toss up. 8 is reportedly Ben's favorite at SH, and the boomerlike green and varied approach strategy from high left side or lower head on or right side is just plain fun. But, 8 at WH is a very strong par 4, both off the tee and the second shot to a tricky Maxwell roll style green that also has interesting slope high left to down front right to bunkers. I gotta say tie here.
#9 SH vs 10 WH is another tie in my book. SH with the tee ball shot through the notch is exciting, and WH can be slightly blind up right where a blind right side rough bunker lurks. The green at WH is bunkerless, yet more fun to approach due to contours than the more defined greensite at SH 9.
#10 SH vs 12 WH is tie. The tee ball at SH is as wide and varied as any on the course, plenty of fun. WH tee shot has a blind bunker over the right slightly blind side leaving some apprehension to the golfer who hits a good drive up that side. A big tee ball can run through the FW up middle and left, either into native or bunkers there. There is an aiming top shot bunker also, and the downhill nature of the tee shot is one that you can choose to bite off vs the wideness and high vs low fairway LZ choice atSH 10. The approaches are high in thrill factor though different looks, and both greens are well sited and contoured. 10 approach from high left side is pretty much a blind thriller. This is a tough call for me because I like 12 WH so much.
11 SH vs 15 WH, well the short par 4 at WH is everyone's fav, and possible as good as 10 Riv. SH 11 is another skyline approach and is a great hole, but this one goes to WH for sheer fun and ticklishness approaches to the green.
12 SH vs 16 WH. WH wins, and it is a winner by a long shot with mid FW drivable bunker off tee, lots of choice off tee, and demanding second to elevated green of great contour and devilish orientation high left side to lower front right and great bunkering. At 445 and into prevailing wind, this is one hell of a hole at WH.
15 SH vs 18 WH. SH is a ball buster, cross into prevailing wind, and a great fairway roll off tee and partially blind green approach to bunkerless green. I love it, but... 18 WH is an exceptional hole off the tee with carryable FW bunker left, hugh blow-out bunker up right rough LZ distance, then another fw bunker for short knockers on second approach, with excellent green orientation and bunkering front left and back right, great green contouring and high bounce in or kick plate for ground game from right approach. gotta go be diplomatic and wishy washy and declare a tie.
par 5s 1 SH vs 3 WH, goes to SH as one of the all time great opening holes. Yet, 3 WH is a contender in that it has the ominous bunker group off tee, and excellent mid FW bunker on second shot LZ with a great green also guarded in front by boomerlike bunker and excellent contours. But SH it is...
SH 14 vs 6 WH is tie. While WH is bunkerless, the green approach is very tricky, and you can try to fly the green or run one on with a very ticklish bounding shot from right side approaches. The false front and steep contour make this one very exciting green. Both holes are not that tough to drive or play second shots, but the green at WH is darn good. SH strenght is the more rolling FW, yet even than, not by much. tie
SH 16 vs WH 14. slight edge to SH but not by much. SH 16 is the long one into the wind, and the awesome blow out bunker to bite off. The second, if you land in 1rst LZ safely is not too tough. But again that sets up an exciting approach. 14 at WH is very good however. The widest FW in Nebraska off the tee, yet the orientation can suck you into native left rough, and the approach over a carry mid FW bunker and a green with all sorts of funny contours and hidden rear bunker is just a riot. But, SH by a nose...
The odd holes out are #18 par 4 at SH and #17 par 5 at WH. I see them tie. The vast waste land off tee at SH is not that tough to stay right of, and the approach is very defined into the green. WH over the hill tee ball can make it to a mid FW bunker, and has very different approaches depending on if you are in rt or left 1rst LZ. The right side is guarded well by bunkers and the open right side is tempting to go for in 2. I like them both equally...