Well, I never thought I'd be saying such a thing but Tom Doak and his crew have their work cut out for them if they hope to surpass D M Kidd's Tetherow with their Wicked Pony course.
Took two loops around Tetherow on Monday. Before I go any further I want to mention how this was the least snobby club I've ever been to. Martin Chuck, Director of Golf; Caleb, one of the Professionals, absolutely down to earth and cool guys. If they happen to peak in on this thread, you guys are awesome.
What a golf course. I mean it. I think it's better than Pronghorn Faz and Chambers Bay. Variety of golf holes, check. Solid conditioning, check. Thrilling hazards, check. Options, check. Stunning terrain, check check check.....
Entering the facility kinda reminded me of Bandon Dunes. You turn off the main road and meander up a road cut through a large bluff. Apparently a forest fire gutted the property so you've got a lot of burnt out snags dotting the landscape. Once you crest the bluff you are greeted by a Bandon Dunesesque clubhouse.
A large portion of the golf course is layed right out in front of you. The clubhouse occupies the highest point on the property. Putting greens down from that and driving range pretty much right in front of the clubhouse. Totally killer range with all sorts of targets to hit towards. They didn't have Pro V's for range balls like Pronghorn but I'll give 'em a pass there
So #1 and #10 shoot down the hill, #9 and #18 come back up it. We took carts and a caddy the first go around, forgoed the caddy the 2nd. (Just don't really like 'em, though our guy was totally fine.) This course would be a solid walk, no doubt, but it could be done. Plenty of up and downhills, a few walks between holes like getting in and out of "Kidd's corner," which occupies holes #3-#6
I'm going to let the images do most of the talking, keeping my comments to a minimum. I will say this, I dislike the "eyebrows" that apparently the folks who've played the Castle Course have mentioned disliking as well. These two courses look a whole helluva a lot the same to me, which is both good and bad. It's like golf course architects nowadays need SOMETHING to leave their distinctive mark and this is Kidd's mark. I got screwed quite a few times by these things. When a well-hit shot caroms about and nestles up in this "hay" that's right about the time I'm gettin' pretty hot. I can see a need for a few of these, for example I've never had a problem with the central grassy mound hazards on Bandon Dunes #5, but something like the 8th hole at Tetherow is literally dotted with 25 or so of these things. ENOUGH!!!!
There are some really neat holes on this golf course. I've never seen anything like #6 which I'm still not sure is a good or bad thing. A very unique hole. #17 is an epic one shotter through the quarry. I was told that hole was sitting there the whole time, local mountain bikers use to "drop in" and play around in there. I was also told all the sand for the bunkers was brought in from Florence. It played nicely....
A la the Doak Scale, I'd give #1, #6, #7, #8, #9, and #15 a ! #10 and #17 get !!
Weakest holes probably include #5, #11, #14 and I just hated #16. The staff in the clubhouse said they may have to rework that hole. It's the #2 handicap, so I get it's suppose to be tough, but it's too blind. A lot of blind shots out there. 3 wood off the tee is highly encouraged in a number of places. You can get a lot of bounce and roll out there.
I'll field questions if you've got 'em. If you are even mildly intrigued and may find yourself in Bend, get to Tetherow soon, it's epic. An easy Doak 8. Oh, and since I'm sure he looks in, Tommy N......you would LOVE this golf course.
Clubhouse
Weird glass thing....
#1
#1 green
Driving Range
Broken Top looming in the background. On a clear day there are a lot more mountain views.
Incredibly detailed pin sheet
#2 tee, blind up over a hill
#2 fairway, beginning of the grassy eyebrows.
Driving towards #3 and "Kidd's corner," a looksee at #6 green. BRUTAL pin on this day.....
#3, one shot hole
#4 tee shot
looking back on #4. A very contoured green.
#5 tee
#6 tee. Wild hole. Drive 230 straight or hit a sweeping draw to the left. Not sure if it's a unique gem or trying too hard. Looks awfully busy and is almost overstimulating.
#7, about 200 yds downhill
#8 tee, Kidd's plot of land is to the left. So if you hate the course hit a big hook up there!
Zooming in on #8. Tough pin on this day.
#9 a three shot hole
#9 again
#10 is a drivable par 4, all downhill, very cool hole.
#11 doglegs right. A narrow driving hole, almost feels out of place with the rest of the course.
A peak at the 11th green. Another grassy ridge blocking the entrance.
Another look at the 11th green
#12 is a medium long two shot hole. Some of the deepest and most hateful pits of death down to the left for the really snap hooked drive. Looks like a skateboard half pipe in there it's so deep. Awesome hazard
Zoomed in on #12
Look at 13th green from landing area. A reachable but very narrow par 5. The play is conservative.
Cool integration of hazards into the native terrain
One shot 14th hole, relatively vanilla compared to everything else.
Drive on #15. A neat hole.
More #15, the correct play is left of the central bunker, short of the water.
Drive on #16
A peak into the green on #16. You can only really see the green from the perfect spot in the fairway. But with so much trouble everywhere, it's really too much.
#17, nothing needs to be said here.....played about 165 yds at elevation
#17
#17 zoomed
Looking back on #17
This is near the 18th tee and looking southeast. You can see the clubhouse to the right. Those players are about to tee off on #11. This is where the hotel and resort will be located, along the bluff.....
Zooming in on the same place
Here is a peak up the 18th fairway from the LZ, a par 5. Kinda weak finishing hole IMHO.
Another of the 17th from rd #2
Zoomed on the 17th from rd #2
A peak at the driving range, 9th green below.
Leaving after two rounds. Moving left to right is the 9th hole, the 18th and the 10th. The 11th can be seen way down to the right..