It is difficult to judge width from pictures but this course looks beautiful but brutally difficult in any sort of normal wind and impossible in a heavy wind. Remind me to bring some used balls when I inevitably visit the area again.
Did the owners want a beast or do you think the desire for dramatic visuals trumped thoughts of making the course playable?
Is there room to soften the course in the future?
Thanks for the tour Greg.
Jason, No, I do not believe the owner or Jack were looking to create a beast. I simply think that, in spots, the effect of the wind was not properly factored into the width. Perhaps they fell in love with a look, like on 7 where the hole would be perfect if not for the wind. I could probably carry the second central bunker with no wind but as it is I struggled to squeeze a tee shot between the junk left and the first central hazard... probably 30-35 yards wide in that area with slightly less room on the right side. Similar look/issues at 15 from the tee before opening up for the second shots. Tough deal with a 20-30 MPH wind.
As noted they did provide plenty of room for the average guy on the approaches with the exceptions of the cliff side par 3s where there is no bail out.
Seemingly an easy fix as the "problem" is not present everywhere. I think with some considerable work on 5, softening of the central hazard/additional width on 7, a little more width on 8(right side), some kind of blending of the fairways on 11 and some rethinking of the 14th hole in general the golf course could be quite good. Perhaps some modest changes on the third as well.
For all my critiquing the course is, at worst, entertaining and definitely worth a play.