John, sorry it took so long to post this, Ive been wrapping up work on several master plans. Thanks for your interest in the Toxaway project, you can see some new photos of the completed front nine work on my photo gallery at
www.pbase.com/kspdesign Click on each photo to enlarge.
We reversed 9 holes including old holes 1-4 , 7-9 10 & 18. The nines were switched to allow the opening hole to play away from the clubhouse /golf shop area and start on a 4 par with 10 being an uphill 3 par. The primary reasoning behind the reroute was to utilize the natural contours more effectively in the strategy of the course. Most of the old ridge lines and slopes in the landing areas were 550 to 600 feet from the tees, obsolete in terms of distance if we wanted to use them as landing areas etc. We could have moved the dirt but it made more sense economically to turn it around, not only does it fit better the views are greatly enhanced and many of the homeowners got greatly improved lot views.
The first nine we reworked (new 10-18) were extremely narrow, I would say 5000 plus trees were removed to open the corridors. I wanted to create a course that was inviting and somewhat comfortable off the tee with 45- 55 yard landing areas. The fairway bunkering is somewhat conservative in number relying more on the natural hills and valleys to dictate strategy.
I would describe the greens as being on the subtle side for my work, they flow with the natural surrounds articulating along the edges with spines and rolls breaking up the internal sections. The Toxaway members and guest come to the area during the summer to get away and relax, I kept this in mind when designing the course, they certainly don’t go up there for a stern mental or physical workout. The course requires them to think about placement off the tee and gives them multiple options on every shot. So far the reviews are very positive.
Summary of changes using new hole numbers
#1 Plays backward old 18 corridor, dogleg right to platuea green
Removed pond between 1 and 9, created meandering creek bed
#2 Plays same direction as old #11, green moved forward 30 yards
#3 Tee move back to old #11 green site, hill lowered 6 feet in landing
#3 Green in same location redesigned
#4 Old #13 600+ par 5 converted into par 4 and par 3
#4 New 435 par 4 designed on natural grade, very little earth moved
#5 Green left of old 13 green where 14 tees existed, short bail out frwy rt
#6 Straight away par 4 from short of 14 green site, heavily bunkered on right green 20 yards short of old 15 green
#7 Lengthened par 3 with tees near old 15 green site
#8 Move tees back 15 yards, cross bunker on right green in same area
#9 Plays backward on old #10, green below and left of clubhouse near lake
#10 Plays directly up hill and backward of old #9, lowered green site 12'
#11 Tees old #9 tee site, 515 ish par 5 dogleg right around hill green down in valley near old 8 tees
#12 Tees on side of hill hitting down to heavily sloping fairway from left to right. Plays backward down old #7, the old fairway witht he large bulge in the center. Green site at old tee site
#13 Plays same as old hole, tees shifted right, lengthened 15 yards with a newly designed green into rock outcroppings.
#14 Tees move back 30 yards, trees removed on left providing view of drivable green from tee. Around 280 yards
#15 Plays backward of old #4, very natural hole. Tees move up to street with green in toe of slope below old 4 tees.
#16 Beautiful par 3 from old #4 tees to old #3 landing area 185 ish
#17 Plays backward across old #3 tee site to unused area between old #2 green and 3 tee. Tee shot is semi blind around the corner of a large hill, ideal line along creek on right. Green across creek from old drop shot #2 green site. Major environmental headaches at green site, we were forced to pipe creek along left side of green, I wanted it left open. Now the state wants to change their mind also.
#18 Plays from old #2 tees backward down old #1. Provides dramatic view down to lake with green at old #1 tees. The owner wanted me to leave the pond in front of green, my original design plan had a creek 30 yards further from green with a small approach fairway, I feel the current hole is a bit forceful on the second shot, I would rather the player have the option of laying up over or short of the creek instead the all or nothing now.