Kevin:
Everyone keeps talking about the angles, but nobody has clarified whether there is a "reef" or not. I have always interpreted the concept as being about a ridge that can be used to bounce the ball onto the green if played correctly, but which can deflect a shot to trouble if played poorly. Is that the case for the hole at Paramount?
Tom,
The way I had read Tillie's article, I thought the "Reef" was defined more by the distinct separation of the fairway provided by a diagonal hazard, not so much the precise nature of the hazard (whether it be sandy bunkers or waste-area). When I think of the Tillinghast designs I have played, the most prominent feature to me is the use of diagonal landing areas and obliques, which is why I focused more on the angled aspect of the Reef.
I noticed the discussion of the "gathering" slope (for longer off-line shots right) and the potential "kick slope" towards the green (for a pull left) in "The Course Beautiful." In my opinion, those features really aren't in play at Paramount's 18th.
Overall, the hole plays uphill, so a miss to the right probably won't kick forward or left into the hazard, but may simply stop short or be kicked right. On the left side, it appears that there may be some rightward slope, but I'm not sure it is pronounced enough to be an intended play (vs. a hole like Dormie's 7th). I can't recall if there is a bunker long & left to catch a pull that misses the kick-slope (as described in the book). From the photos, I can't see one (unless it is over the slight rise).
I generally don't get too hung up on just how precise a living, breathing, real hole reflects some template idea. The hole has some angled features that are interesting and I think the hole stands up on its own without reference to some historical template. I would judge it on that alone.
However, I just think the hole would need much more length and danger to match the intent of the Reef hole discussed by Tillinghast. According to my interpretation, Tillinghast wanted a Reef hole to make a golfer seriously consider the need to lay up on a par 3 (right) or intentionally play away from the hole (left), but with a little more danger involved in that route.
I'd be curious to hear how many of the Paramount members really consider that there are two lay up options or if they play this as a demanding aerial hole with some bail-out area short-left.