First, let me say I don't think there is much of OTM's work on display at the OTM Links!
The OTM Links has a convoluted history of which I can make little sense. It would appear that the Strand 9 (oddly titled front nine of the course that isn't near the strand) is in the main a quite new Pat Ruddy routing which may have used bits of an earlier routing by E Hackett. Renaissance was commissioned to make a few alterations and redo the greens. I am not sure what was done in terms of the contours or surrounds of greens, however, they did move the 5th green to a completely new site, making it a par 4. This change I believe necessitated making the 6th a longer par 4. The back nine or Valley 9 (which is near the strand!) is likely a combination of Colt holes mixed with heavy modifications. I didn't think the two nine blended well together. The front is in the main a tightly routed group of holes over rolling, humpty bumpty terrain while the back nine seems more open, over a larger area and with markedly flatter fairways. The card will confirm that from the daily tees the back nine is close to 350 yards longer and it feels this way. There is also a marked difference in the fairway width and condition of rough. The back nine is wider with much more punishing rough while the front nine is tighter with much more whispy rough. Many will disagree with me, but the Strand 9 was my favourite nine holes of the trip. To me, the land is a bit less wild providing for more playable and interesting holes. The greens are not complex, but are more intriguing than those on the rest of the property. There are, however, a few wild and wooly spots to pique one's interest.
Map of the Rosapenna property.
Unlike the Sandy Hills Links, the first is a gentle start to an open fairway bending right. The Coastguard Acedemy 9 is across the street on high ground.
The short second plays straight toward the road. It would seem some work has been recently done as there are two greens. I believe we played the new green further left. I thought it would be cool if the two greens were connected, thus creating a big double green. A shortish two-shotter played between low-lying dunes draped in superb rough, the 3rd is very pleasant. Below is the approach.
A closer look at the green.
Behind the green.
The straight-away fourth is more of the same.
I spose one could grumble about the parallel holes and similar yardages for the par 4s. I suspect the Renaissance changes may have added to the yardage similarity, but I am not sure. The fifth slides around a corner to an angled green. Bouncers need to be precise for the terrain feeds to two right greenside bunkers. The hole is quite short and it is easy for the long ball to miss right and be left with an awkward approach over the previously mentioned bunkers. In effect, this hole sets up beautifully for the 200-220 yard hitter.
Things get a bit hairy for the remainder of the front nine. I am not convinced by the 6th, but no matter, it is from here the front nine goes on a wonderful ride. The hole plays down a funnel to a drive zone which is quite tight. I reckon a bit of insider knowledge helps here. One can easily lay back to the fatter part of the fairway because the second continues down the funnel and doesn't play anything close to its listed yardage. One can just about bumble a shot down the left and it will end up on the dance floor or somewhere nearby.
The difficulty is increased with hole on the left of the green.
A look at the hole from the 7th.
The 7th is he-man golf. Played over a chasm, the green sits on a plateau. One might think a foozle is dead, but there is a play from the depths of the dip. From the daily tee at 180 yards the hole looks menacing, however, from the 120 yard ladies tee the carry isn't bad.
Behind the green.
I am not sure what to make of the 8th! The drive is somewhat blind. Because of the green position and bunkering, a sort of double dogleg is created. The green is an absolute killer with its tilt from right to left that is blind from the driving zone. The approach to this reachable par 5.
Taken from short right of the green.
Taken from short left of green.
One of my favourite holes on the Rosapenna property, the 9th seems like it never stops turning left!
The safe play is to stay short of the bunkers seen in right of the photo.
If the hole is cut in the back left of the green it doesn't appear as if there is anyway to get at the hole. I just accepted this and played right. Low and behold my ball kicked and ran miles left; what a lovely surprise!
More to follow.
Ciao