Continuing...
Props to Pritchard for restoring bunkers from Ross' drawings that are marginally relevant given today's distances. For example, these three wicked sisters on the 6th fairway require a carry of no more than 175 yards, but can easily steer the casual driver into the severe right side bunker up ahead. As is often the case at Idle Hour, the drive lands into a slight uphill slope on this 439/444 yards par four.
One might expect an easily accessible green given the hole's distance, but one would be disappointed as I was in attempting to fly my 5wood onto the pushed up 6th green:
Ross gives the player an opportunity to pick up a few strokes or at least salvage a little dignity on the course's three par fives, beginning at the 8th, playing 487 from the member tees and only 503 from the Ross tees - provided one can negotiate the well positioned fairway bunkers on this dogleg left.
The second at the 8th requires a definitive choice given this tandem of bunkers approximately 50 yards short of the green, a deep leftside green bunker and OB lurking in the trees to the right:
This photograph attempts to convey the false rear right side of the green and proximity of OB for the playing who pushes his second shot in attempt to reach the green in two:
I only have a few photographs of the back nine since I was fortunate to be joined by the club's professional, Peter Garvey. It was obvious that he was severely bitten by the architectural bug during the extensive renovation, even admitting a little letdown after the process was complete. He is justifiably proud of the renovation, committed to helping the membership understand that what they have is a treasure and will no doubt exercise sound stewardship of golf course going forward. He's also got game.
Ross gives the player a breather with the 361 yards 10th, downhill 181 yards 11th and the 521 yards 12th. After the 164 yards 13th, he nastily cinches the screws as previously noted with a string of challenging par fours - an appropriate nickname could be The Long Green Mile as they total 1708 yards. The 420/437 yards 14th plays up and over a small rise to an enormous green with countless subtle undulations. The 427/477 yards 15th is significantly uphill every inch of the way with a false front that insures the hole plays its full distance. This photograph is from approximately 150 yards out:
I believe as this point in the round I mentioned to Peter that it was getting tiresome hitting metalwoods into par fours. His response: "Welcome to Idle Hour!"
Ross gives the club player a chance to go home happy at the reachable 480 yards par five 18th, again requiring fairway bunkers to be negotiated from the tee and forcing the tee ball into an uphill landing zone. No such break from the Ross tees which play to par of four at 460 yards. The tee shot:
Hopefully these photographs give the reader a feel for the golf course. Holes neither discussed nor photographed are by no means weak sisters.
It is not my place to suggest that this course make any rankings list, though an argument can be made that it warrants strong consideration among the nation's better classic courses. Regardless, it absolutely should not be missed by any student of golf course architecture that travels to the Bluegrass State and is fortunate enough to garner an invitation.
These pictures were taken and are posted here with permission.
Mike