I spent an amazing "business" weekend in Valentine, NE at The Prairie Club. My first trip to the sandhills.
Mark Saltzman did an excellent photo tour a while ago (
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49022.0.html), and I hope this one sheds a little more light on the course. I can't vouch for Mullen as I've obviously not played there, but if Prairie Club isn't a must-visit then I just don't understand golf courses (which is a total possibility, perhaps even likely).
I started on the Pines course on Saturday. I played from one tee up at a little over 6800 yards, though it tips out at 7400. Most yardages are from the tees I played. I'll save my thoughts on the course for after I've posted all 18, and my descriptions are written as someone who, at the time, had not yet played the Dunes.
The practice green gives a good indication of what's to come. Lots of speed, size, and undulation. Obviously contours don't come through well in photos, but when I first saw it I thought of a mini version of Sitwell.
1st hole:
A straightforward opener, the first plays 400 yards to a 60 yard wide fairway. A tee shot just right of the bunker in the distance works nicely.
A better look at the huge bunkers in the landing area.
The approach from about 160.
Nearer the green area, you can see some of the swales and more bunkering. The turf here is EXTREMELY firm, and shots can run 50-60 yards if hit low. Greens rolled very fast but playable.
2nd hole:
An excellent 500 yard par 5. The ideal tee ball carries the barely-visible centerline fairway bunker.
Opening up this awesome approach. Whether laying up or going for it, you'll need to negotiate sand and try to give yourself a good angle into this diagonally set green.
A look at the approach from about 160. Just an awesome hole that you could play in about 10 different ways.
3rd hole:
154 to an elevated green with plenty of sand. While the slopes around the green are severe, the putting surface is relatively flat.
4th hole:
For the first time, we start moving toward the pines from which the course gets its name. A brutal par 4 at 435 into the prevailing wind, the tee shot is fairly open once you get past the waste area.
I'm a fairly long hitter, and hit it pretty well on this hole. I never reached the green in two in my 2 days on this course due to brutal wind. The approach must negotiate some staggered bunkers on the way to the green.
A better look at the green. Very large, it plays more like two separate greens split by the fronting bunker, particularly considering that most players must hit a running shot to get there.
5th hole:
Visually stunning, this hole winds back into the pine forest. The huge waste bunker in front of the tee becomes a theme on this course. Again though, it's fairly open once you get to the fairway.
The approach.
A better look at the green shows some of the contour.
The nines don't return, but you pass the Pines Canteen every 6 holes or so.
6th hole:
The best green on the course probably belongs to the sixth. A splendid 150 yard par 3 toward the canyon, you can see some of the swales and ridges even from the tee. My first tee shot here landed 2 feet from the hole and bounced 15 feet in the air, rocketing over the back of the green. I was smarter and landed it short during my second round to make a simple enough par.
The green with the canyon in the background.
The canyon behind the green. First of many WOW moments.
Yep, 3 putts are possible.
7th hole:
I really liked this par 5. From the way back tees, it's a scary 616 yarder through a chute.
From my tees, it's a more manageable 530 with the wind helping. One of the tighter shots on the course, you'll need to split the trees left and right to get home in two.
From about 170, it's all downhill to another wild green.
Looking back up the hill and showing the infamous "invisible bunker" that can't be seen on the approach. After looking at it, I have a hard time imagining a shot that could actually end up in there. The sand is very firm and the lip low enough that even a high approach that came up short and landed in it on the fly would probably bounce out, and a running shot would skip right over it. Of course, I'm sure some poor pissed-off soul found out otherwise...
8th hole:
This 430 yard par 4 leaves the pines and returns back to the sand dunes. Ideal tee shot is down the center of the left side of the huge 150 yard wide double fairway shared with the 9th.
A better look at the huge double fairway, with the 9th side on the right of the big bunker and the 8th side on the left.
8th green left, 9th fairway right.
Approach to 8.
9th hole:
299, but into a stiff wind you can forget about reaching off the tee on this day. I'm sure there's a correct angle to take off the tee to make the approach easier, but I never found it.
A look from about 130 yards out reveals the elevated, very shallow green.
From closer to where a big drive might finish.
A look back at the incredible area occupied by 8 and 9. Just gorgeous as you move back into the pine forest for the back nine, where things get even more scenic. More to come in the next day or two.
