Last week I had the chance to walk around Kittansett during the playing of the Mass Am’s 100th anniversary matches.
The setting is idyllic, the conditioning was very firm and fast. The day before they had some 30 MPH winds which caused many a problem to the competitors.
A few notes & questions on the architecture:
- The routing is pretty special - out & back. The 9’s are non-returning. Only 2 par 5’s. The flow of the holes works very, very well.
- The Par 3’s seem to have the best green sites. The pics of the 3rd are very common place but the long 8th & 11th and mid length 14th have wonderful designs. Is there another course whose best green complex’s are on all of the par 3’s?
- The use of the buried rock’s as mounding was pretty unique, though they are mainly on the sides and other than the 16th hole do not cross the line of play on any two or three shot holes.
- The strategic use of the rough across the fairways gave many a player fits. The rough was pretty benign not penal. Is there another course which uses this feature as we’ll as Kittansett?
- Could the coastline / waterfront have been utilized more? The initial plans had housing lots where the range is and along side the inlet, but it was never utilized. Could a routing have been come up with if that was going to be used for the golf course from the start?
They appear to have gone through some pretty significant tree management though more should be done. Some of the vista’s opened up create a very dramatic look. Adding to the dramatic feeling is the fescue’s which really enhance the look.
Her are some phot's to enjoy. I have some large panorama's that I am putting together which I will try and post later.
Hole 1 – very tough starting hole – 445 yard par 4 #1 handicap.
Hole 2
Looking back to the tee in the distance.
The green site.
Hole 3
Has the front always been so dramatic a lip?? Also, this green has much more movement than the pictures show.
Here is a view of the green from about 45 degree’s left of the tee’s near the 16th green. This view had been obscured but with the tree management it’ looks like a great location for an alternate tee?
Hole 4 – dogleg right w/ marsh & tree’s right, mounds and fescue left.
Looking back from the green
Hole 5 – Great center fairway bunker. I believe this was not in the initial design and has been added by Gil Hanse.
Hole 8 – 195 yard par 3 – to a great green w/ some great movement and hazards galore. Plays slightly uphill to the highest point of the property.
Hole 11 – Very demanding par 3. 240 yards from the back.
First picture is from the cross bunker looking to a very difficult green w/ a pronounced ridge. This green has some of the greatest movement I’ve seen in a green. Playing to a back right pin has got to be brutal.
Hole 12 - very difficult driving hole - as you can see
Hole 13 – dog leg right to a great small well bunkered skyline green.
Hole 14 – My favorite green – steep fall of the back w/ a very sneaky back bunker (is this from Gil or is this original?) and mounds left and tough bunkers right. Fantastic hole.
Hole 15 – Demanding long par 5 w/ mounds galore down the left, bunkers right (incuding a very large one pinching near the green. Very cool little fescue covered ripple short and left.
Here are the fescue covered mounds
How is this for a view – 15th green, 16th hole, Buzzards’s Bay and Cap Code in the background
Hole 16 – Back out in the more exposed are now. Par four out towards the water
The green site is raised and totally exposed.
Hole 17 - Very tough par 4 usually into a strong prevailing wind.
Looking back from to the tee.
Hole 18 - very tough long finisher to a slightly raised green
Great setting and a wonderful golf course.
GolfClubAtlas.com