Pat,
Though I have never played from the forward tees at Pine Valley, I believe that 18 from the members tee is too pedestrian for top players. At 425 yards (per the scorecard) the approach would be between a sand wedge and an 8 iron for most of the field. I think it's a fair assessment that the reason for the difficulty on the 18th hole is the length. From the rough on either side of the fairway it is nearly impossible to hit that green from 200 yards, but from say, 130, it is an executable shot.