While I'm not around much any more, I figured with the GD
Best New lists coming out recently, I should try to squeeze in
some time to post my pics of Osprey Meadows, the new
course at Tamarack Resort (first new ski resort in U.S. in over
20 years) that opened up this past season.
I played the course while we were on a camping trip on the
other side of the lake (Cascade Res.). Several folks on the
Best New thread gave their opinions on the course, and, for
the most part, I agree with the majority who were
diappointed in the course (not counting conditioning - I don't
hold that against a new course coming off a tough winter).
There were still some good holes, not to mention split/option
fairways, central bunkering, and tempting r/r holes, though
not all were pulled off well, IMO.
Certainly, the location is beautiful, overlooking the lake, the
mountain/ski runs behind, and mountains in the distance, and
a number of holes capture the views of the lake in the
distance. A few notes that the course is at 4900 feet
elevation, so the 7300+ tips distance isn't as long as it
sounds. Also, the place is crawling with high grass/natural
areas teeming with mosquitos. In the pro shop, they let you
have repellent wipes to wipe on before playing. You'll notice
the conditioning issues in a several of the pics, with bare
spots and numerous sod patches visible, though the overly
wet conditions not so obvious.
#1, par 5, with blind landing area for the bigger hitters between left bunkers and over right bunkers:
#1, from left side looking at 2nd shot landing area and a pretty good green:
#2, tees shot on long, uphill par 4:
#2, approach to long green w/creek to the side and lodge/clubhouse in distance:
#3, par 3:
#4, long, crescent-shaped par 5 with split fairway. Fairway
on right (left of lone tall tree and over bunkers )is supposed
to be r/r to go for green in two, but the fairway is so narrow
and sloped, that trying to hit it would take a shot of extreme
precision. It didn't work.
#4, second shot from right side of main fairway, showing how
hole curves continually around and down to the green by the fish-stocked lake:
#5, par 4 with central bunker in landing area. Left side is
smaller, but makes approach to green more open (not over greenside bunker):
#5, approach from right of central bunker:
View from 5th hole toward lodge and ski runs. It's late June,
and there's still snow at the top of the mountain. (that white
scratch was accidental and I didn't catch it):
#6, long par 3 over wetlands:
#7, uphill par 4:
#7 approach:
#8, par 3 in start of wooded portion of course:
#9, par 5 w/blind, narrow tee shot:
#9, towards landing area on wettest/barest grassed hole on course:
#10, short par 4 around pond to small and partially blocked/blind landing area:
#10 approach with nice view of lake and more snow-capped peaks:
#11, par 4:
#11 approach to tough pin position:
#12, par 5, reachable with big drive over bunker....
and taking the left route around bisecting tree...:
#13, par 3:
#14, long, uphill par 4:
#14 approach (blind without a huge drive):
#15, out of the woods, par 4 downhill dogleg left:
#15 approach from left side to good green:
#16, driveable r/r par 4 with numerous bunkers, though officially a dogleg right:
#17, long par 3:
#18, tee shot at the clunker par 5 (as others stated):
Unless your tee shot is long and left and you're a big hitter,
you likely have to pitch to this tiny island fairway, then have
a long approach to the (wild) green in the distance:
Good day.
http://www.tamarackidaho.com/summer_adventure/golf/index.php