I recently had the opportunity to play Murphy Creek and seeing how I couldn't find a review of it, decided I would do one.
Its a Ken Kavanaugh course that recently hosted the US AM Pub Links Championship. I wasn't really sure what to expect going in but it certainly exceeded my expectations.
A few things I liked:
1) Interesting angles and strategy on several holes.
2) Bunker placement was well done and usually placed where one wants to hit the ball.
3) Variety of shot requirements including long and short par 5s, 4s, and 3s.
4) The front 9 was housing free and played as Prarie'ish type of golf.
A few things I didn't:
1) Switch the 9's. While the back had some good holes, the course would be best routed IMO with the front 9 climaxing to the end.
2) A lot of housing on the back 9, especially the stretch from 14-17 which played behind the houses in tight corridors and was out of character with the rest of the course.
3) While the low flying jets didn't bother me much, I can see where this would be the case.
Overall, as stated I really like the course and the risk/reward/options of many of the holes. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition, and the bump and run option was certainly available into many of the greens. As usual, the pics don't do justice to the undulations and elevation differentials on the site. On that note, please enjoy:
#1 - Par 4 - A decision to be made right out of the gate. Challenge the bunker on the right for a short wedge in or lay back and hit a longer approach:
The approach from the top of the landing area:
#2 - Par 4 - A long par 4 requiring two good shots to get home in two. Its actually split fairway with left portion blind off the tee:
The approach in for my 3rd after a poor tee shot.
#3 Par 5 - Reachable with a long drive, otherwise must decide where to layup to
Some old cars not far from the tee.
:
The blind 2nd shot if you don't make it to the top of the hill with the drive:
The layup area. There is a ton more room to the right than it looks.
The short approach after a successful layup, don't go long, nasty trouble lurks:
#4 - Par 4 - Another decision to be made off the tee. Clear the bunkers on the right for a clear approach in.....
And if you fail like me, its bunker time...
Or play to safely to the left...but you have a blind approach in:
#5 - Par 3 - A really cool hole with a massive waste bunker in front. From the tips its long, but from the blues, only a short iron:
Looking back on the expansive nature of the hole:
#6 - Par 5 - More decisions to be made off the tee. Challenge the bunkers and junk on the left to get home in 2. Or play out to the right with a longer shot in.
A look in from the fairway:
A closer look at the green complex. There actually was quite a bit of slope and movement to the greens.
#7 - Par 4 - Another decision off the tee. Challenge the centerline bunker for a short approach in.
But if you miss, its a blind approach as I just came up short here.
A look in from beyond the bunker:
#8 - Par 3 - A very tough par 3 from the blue tees. Nearly 200 yards from the blue tees with nowhere to bail out.
A closer look at the bunker placed right where one such as myself would have loved to bail out too!!
#9 - Par 4 - Once again, another decision to be made from the tee. Its a 230 yard carry to make it over the junk on the line to the green for this short par 4. Just a beautiful hole!
Or take a safer route off the tee, leaving a tougher approach in:
A look at the greenside bunker...its much deeper than it looks.
Looking back down the fairway. I really loved this short risk/reward hole!
Back 9 to come in a few minutes!!
