A cape-ish par 5, the 9th hole will require three good shots from tee-to-green for a chance at par, for most.
The tee shot must navigate between sand left, water right, and bilateral trees to boot.
The course does have “rough” of sorts, but not enough to contain the architect.
Only the longest players will be flag hunting during phase 2. Mortals must choose their line and distance carefully when laying up, thanks to a cleverly sculpted lakeshore and inland bunkers.
This is the rare Morrow, McBride, McBride backside portrait. Taking photos during the backswing is a rotten bit of gamesmanship.
Morrow has managed to escape trouble thus far, hence his solitary state.
Phase 3 continues the high degree of challenge, with a bunker left and a shaved slope feeding shots into the lake on the right.
The approach is appropriately more inviting from closer range, but still no bargain with the wind coming hard off the lake. The lake’s edge has a naturalistic “erodedness” to it, a look I much prefer to the more manicured slopes that render most artificial lakes into eye sores by my reckoning.
Players must also contend with a false front…
…in addition to the ever-present threat of a watery grave. The architect may need bigger spikes to stand there on a wet day.
This look from behind illustrates the “sporty” pin position selected by Mr. Mahaffey.
