I played Wildwood Green on the day I departed. It is a semi-private course with a typical public course clubhouse - very minimal with a snackbar and a few tables - I liked this aspect of the club very much. So many fancy public courses have jacked up prices in part due to silly clubhouses that are big and nice, but without soul. The price is right, about $30 to walk 18, but it is busy. I am told that Raliegh is a bit lacking in the golf department - surprising given the climate and growth of the city. The greens were decent, but should have been far more interesting given the terrain. I don't know if this was down to the designer, LaFoy, or if the idea was to try and get people around the track. BTW, the surrounds of many greens were very similar to Southern Pines.
Tee shot of #2. There is a creek at the bottom of both valleys. This hole reminds me of Ross.
The approach to #2. The flag is in a great spot as the greens feeds to the front left. Again like Ross, any shot too safe leaves a difficult putt back down the hill.
The approach to #3 - not a terribly special hole. A big tree to the left of this approach is employed to cause trouble - I say cut the bugger down!
The 4th is an excellent and tough stoutly uphill par 3. The green angles away from the player to the right. I think you can just make out the flag on the far right past the bunker.
The 5th is a long par 4 slider to the right, its easy to lose it on the right where there is a creek.
The approach to this narrow green which slopes to the water is testing. I bailed to the right thinking the ball would kick down. To no avail, a swale/collection area is between the green and hill. Its not a feature I admire and would rather see a bunker used to limit the kick down rather than just taking away that option. I am sure that most any course in the UK would not use a swale to divide the green from the hill. One of the differences between modern and classic design I spose.
From behind the green you can just make out the swale/collection area.
The par 3 6th isn't a bad hole, but I think the penal use of water on back to back holes is unappealing. The green is pretty cool as it has a lower front section where the pin is. Anything beyond the pin requires some patience. The dreaded bunker between green and water rears it ugly head. I would rather see a mound there if interest needs to be created in that area. I have a feeling the bunker stops shots from bounding to the right over the cartpath and OB.
The 7th is a good par 5 that may be reachable for very flat bellies. I like how the land moves left toward trouble making the golfer feel he needs to aim down the right where in fact is a road.
The very intimidating approach. This is one of the better greens on the course and has several large areas of hole placements possible.
The drive for the 8th, a hard slinger to the left.
The approach - a creek is short of the green. All of the hidden creeks reminded me of Old Town and they are also indicative of how hilly the land is.
Tee shot for #9 - another good hole. The bunkers are a big hit for me to reach from the back tees.
Approach to #9.
Sometimes in our rush to see the best courses we can overlook the pleasures of the little course next door. I am not saying Wildwood is architecturally special, but it is very good for the money and this in itself makes it special. I don't think it is quite in the class of Southern Pines mainly because it doesn't have the potential of Southern Pines. Each side has a few holes which are very good and none of the holes are terribly weak. I would certainly sooner play here then far more celebrated Duke and Bald Head - thats a no brainer for me. I would also choose this place over Pine Needles most of the time because PN is so ridiculously over-priced. The course does have it problems with a few long walks because of housing. Even so, I give it a 5.8 on the SRA Scale because its a cheap and cheerful with a decent amount archie value to keep me interested. Plus, it was refreshing to see so few bunkers used for a change. Let the land do the talking.
Ciao