[Jeb Bearer]

So I was reminiscing today on a fairly recent trip to the Canadian Rockies. I played Jasper, as well as Banff, which I liked a lot, but I really felt that Jasper Park was just awesome. Definitely in the top few courses I've played. There was a specific place to be or something to accomplish on really every shot I played. Every shot, that is, except the 11th tee. This was the only hole on the course that I really didn't get. It's flat, wide open, with no noteworthy hazards. The green is open in front, seemingly from whatever angle you end up with, and there are no great landforms. So I'm wondering if...

a) The flat terrain had to be used as a "connector" hole and Thompson just accepted this
b) The lack of definition/obvious strategy is actually the point of the hole (if this is the case, it worked; on a day when I had been driving the ball well I suddenly hit a tremendous block miles right of anything good on this hole. I'm convinced it was because, with nothing in particular to drive at, I just swung away without really thinking)
or c) the hole is just that subtle that I completely missed what was there in my one play.

Anyone with knowledge of the course, what am I missing here?

[Aidan Bradley]

Jasper #11

[Mike Nuzzo]

I think you were supposed to pay more attention to the scenery than the hole.
The course was more about the setting and overall rolling terrain for me.

Aidan
Nice work
Would you post some more from Jasper?

Cheers

[Jeb Bearer]

Aidan,

Thanks for the pics. I had forgotten about the short bunker. It does add some visual interest, but from what I remember doesn't really come into play. Right? And Mike, I agree that the setting and topography are spectacular, but I also found most of the rest of the course really strategic. That's why I was confused. Did you not think so?  Maybe the cross bunker and one if the best views were enough though on eleven.

[Adam Clayman]

I'm not a big hitter so the centerline  bunker provided all the interest I needed. I chose to be heroic and was successful.

I recall feeling like the hole was somewhat of a connector, because the holes that followed were all anyone could want out of a beautiful setting.

[Yancey_Beamer]

Note the bunkers,they are mirror images of the mountains.This was pointed out by Geoff Cornish who certainly spent time with the architect.

[Aidan Bradley]

Mike, as per your request.......... FYI, I carried my wife's engagement ring with me on this course in a thunderstorm (first time I was there). I checked it on the 8th hole and couldn't find it. Finally located after I walked off on the 10th. There used to be a little hut behind the 10th green where a wonderfull elder gentleman dispensed a few snacks and some beer and miniture bottle's of whiskey. I had two.  Played Banff Springs the next day and proposed to my wife. She said "yes". Still married.. A very special place.

[Jeb Bearer]

Note the bunkers,they are mirror images of the mountains.

Cool! I hadn't noticed that.

Aidan, awesome pics! A special place indeed.

[Bill_Yates]

And getting there is half the fun.

Traveling from Calgary to Jasper Park, you have the pleasure of driving the Icefields Parkway, skirting rivers, Lake Louise and ancient glaciers.  The 144 mile trip is one of the most scenic drives in the world. WOW!

[Aidan Bradley]

Bill, its a beautifull journey. Just a few to jog your memory.

A.

[Bill_Yates]

Thanks Aiden - Fantastic photographs

[Jeff_Mingay]

Great photos of an incredible place, Aidan. Awesome.

I'm not going to pretend to know the answers to Jeb's questions, but I will say I love Jasper. And I do believe, whether it's "easy or hard", the 11th is a beautiful hole. There's the bunker in the foreground off the tee, the lovely trees lining the fairway, the hole's alignment toward the magnificent mountain in the distance... it's one of 18 very distinctive holes there. 

When you put the course in context, Jasper really is a remarkable accomplishment.

[Steve Lang]

  i just aimed at that one peak in the distance... like a steeple at TOC

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