Opened during the summer of 2009, Lonnie Poole originated as an ambitious project to include a golf course, hotel and alumni hall located on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University. The project eventually became more simplified to merely a course and practice facilities. The large, mainly square, hilly and beautiful property serves as the NCSU course and is open to the public. The architect of record is Arnold Palmer, though I seem to recall that associates Brandon Johnson and Eric Larsen (no longer with Palmer), both graduates of NCSU, were heavily involved in the design process. The project was finally finished in 2014 with the opening of a rather grandiose and heavily clad in red clubhouse.
It would be interesting to know if a reasonably easy walking course could have been created. The back nine is a tough, but decent walk. The front nine is a walking nightmare with several very long walks between greens and tees. It may be that the site dictated that the game would primarily be played in a cart. Be that as it may, the poor walk is a major negative tick which is difficult to overcome. The shame is that there are many good holes highlighted by a very fine trio of 16-18. Other than the poor walk, being someone not at all used to Bermuda, I find the rough, even cut at 2-3 inches, very burdensome. It seems every shot has to be dug out, making fairway width an especially important feature. For the most part, Lonnie Poole does offer generous fairways except for around the greens. Perhaps the rough near greens is kept lower outside of summer months, but on this August day, it was sticky and extensive.
After inspecting a course map and checking the thermometer which read 92 Fahrenheit...with predictably high humidity, we decided to pull up to the first tee on wheels. Like much of Lonnie Poole, the 1st is expansive. This par 5 is a relaxed if an unremarkable start to the round.
After what seemed like a half a mile drive, right past the 8th and an oddly placed practice area we arrive (one should never arrive at a tee like its been a journey
) at the par 3 second. I really liked the huge front to back two tier green which drastically effects club selection.
#3 is an awkward hole not only due to its forced carry to a raised green with a false front, but also because its the second par 5 in three holes. This signals to me that there may be a fistful of three-shotters, something which doesn't sit well with me. The hole swings sharply left around a large bunker. Below is the approach after a 6 iron lay-up. Not a bad hole, but not one to note.
We played the 298 yard Wolfpack Tees on #4 because of the awkward length. The fairway gradually funnels to the green making the long drive susceptible to trouble left and right. Although, over the brow, there is rough to hold up a ball leaked right.
More to follow.
Ciao