Mark Hissey,
I"m glad we got the chance to meet at the best new golf course in America in the last 20 years
With respect to # 8, I'd be curious to see how the hole looks from atop a 10 foot step ladder (faux dune) set in the middle of the current tee, and from the offset angles.
As we discussed, almost every new golf course goes through an initial and sometimes a perpetual process of fine tuning.
I think that has to be one of the neatest experiences in GCA and you're fortunate to be a part of it.
With respect to # 17, with the hole cut back right, the hole becomes more difficult because the margins for error are eliminated. One must now carry the fronting dune or be faced with a very difficult recovery, and going long or right will challenge the golfer with a very difficult recovery.
My thoughts would be to hit that Nicklaus fade at the center of the green and hope if finds the putting surface. A 30-40 foot putt seems like a welcome alternative when one views the surroundings at the 17th green.
I viewed that hole as a round wrecker.
I could see a golfer, playing well, and getting a little defensive on the last few holes.
I predict that a great number of golfers will state that they had a great round going for the first 15 holes, only to lose it on the last three holes. It's certainly an intimidating finish.
Hopefully, we'll get to continue our discussion later this fall or next spring.
P.S. The apple tart was good.