Funny story: I spoke with one of the pros at my club this morning and when I mentioned I played The Creek yesterday the first thing he said was "That 11th hole is really something isn't it?" When I spoke with the managing partner of my firm about yesterday the first thing he said was "The Creek, that's the one with the really great par 3 through the marsh isn't it?"
So clearly the hole stands out and as I said, I agree it is an outstanding hole. I just wouldn't put it in the top ten par 3s I have played (and I am not nearly as well traveled as almost everyone else on this board).
Pat,
To respond to your specific questions (or try to anyway
): The 11th is multi-dimensional in the sense that it can be played at a lot of different yardages, but I don't see why that is as much of a virtue as you are claiming.
Personally, I would prefer a course that had a really great short par 3 with a severe, well protected green and a longer par 3 with a less contoured green. It seems that you might lose something when a hole fills both purposes.
The flexibility also doesn't strike me as that unique. Depending upon the wind and pin position I have hit anything from 9 iron to 4 wood at the 14th at Inwood. I suspect other courses on windy sites have similar holes.
In my opinion, the water surrounding the hole diminishes the diversity of the hole. You are either putting or reteeing.
If the green at the 11th was more contoured, it would be a better fit with the green within a green theory. Without more severe contours there is little incentive to challenge pins that are near the edges. That is why I referenced my straightforward 50 foot putt on the 11th yesterday and the 9th at Yale in my original post.
You are right, it is unlikely that Mike Sweeney's son would have parred the 9th at Yale. However, if that is his biggest problem playing Yale (the 3rd is the first drive that jumps to mind), then he is a much better golfer than I was at 10!!!