I have always been interested in the theories about whether the routing at Merion was an easy decision or not. Following Mike Cirba’s thread last week I decided to have a go at an alternative routing. I hope that Mike doesn’t mind me not replying in that thread as I would prefer to avoid some of the peripheral stuff in that thread.
I would be more than happy to have the validity of my routing tested or critiqued, it is only based on a couple of visits to the course and a review of photo. I hope it leads to some interesting discussion. I have limited my routing to holes 2-12 as this is the area with the most scope for variation. Each hole replaces the concept of an existing hole. THe 8th hole is the only hole with the same routing. So, anyway, here it is.
Hole Details as follows:
2 – 430 yards.
Tee: approximately on 10 green.
Green: just past second shot fairway bunker on left of fairway (see photo)
Replaces: The current sixth as a long strong par 4.
3 – 550 yards
Tee: Close to property boundary on right hand side of second fairway at top of hill
Green: Existing 6th green
Replaces: Current second hole as long Par 5.
4 – 460 yards
Tee: left of existing 7th tee.
Green: on ridge where visible left hand side 4th fairway bunker is. (see photo)
Fairway. Along the ridge to the current third green location. Cuts out about 320 from tee.
Replaces: Current 5th hole as dramatic long 2 shotter.
5 – 148 yards.
Tee: On ridge in right side of 4th fairway
Green: Just to the left side of the exisiting 5th green.
Replaces: 3rd hole (however a bit shorter) .I would like to make the hole longer but not sure if the topography suited shifting the tee back a bit.
6 – 345 yards
The current 8th hole with no changes. Tee might shift right slightly.
7- 550 yards
Tee: back left tee on the current 9th. (see photo of shot from front tee)
Green: Current 11th green.
Replaces: 4th hole as par 5 with water carry to green
8 – 400 yards
Tee: close to current 12th tee location
Green: Just to north of first fairway bunker on 10th hole. (see photo)
Replaces: 12th hole as drive and short iron par 4.
Note: I think that a bit of earthwork would be needed to soften the existing terrace to make this hole work, however looking at photos (below) it looks as if a fair bit of earth was moved to form the current 11th and 12th fairways.
9 – 300 yards.
Tee: on hill behind existing 4th green.
Green: at top of hill on 4th fairway.
Replaces: Exisitng 10th hole as strategic drive and pitch (or drivable) par 4.
Note: Like the existing 10th there is room to make the hole longer, this time the contour actually suits an alps hole.
10 – 165 yards.
Tee: On top of ridge on left hand side of 4th fairway.
Green: Just behind existing 5th green.
Replaces 9th hole as water carry par 3.
11th – 365 yards
Tee: to the left of the existing 5th green.
Green: Short and left of existing 4th green
Replaces: 11th hole as drive and short iron to green guarded by creek.
12 – 350 yards
Tee: current front 5th tee.
Green: current 12th green
Replaces: 6th hole as drive and pitch par 4.