I just wanted to say a belated thank you to Mike for putting together a wonderful outing and to everyone else who attended for being so kind and welcoming to a newcomer. I met some great new friends and had many interesting conversations about things golf as well as non-golf. If my schedule allows I will almost definitely be there for Dixie Cup 2019.
For those who weren't able to stick around for the round at Bulls Bay, I would highly recommend checking it out if you ever find yourself in the area. I have no idea how a course of this quality flies under the radar the way it does. Below are some of the photos from holes I particularly enjoyed.
The 8th hole is a dogleg right that invites one to cut the corner, only to be thwarted by a beautiful oak that guards the dogleg.
The "wrong" side of the dogleg. Look closely and you can see two of our tee shots behind the tree.
The view from in front of the green. Playing out to the left provides for a much wider landing area but also requires a carry over the the large bunker fronting the green.
The 9th hole plays back up the hill to to the clubhouse. The view below is what I faced after I pulled my drive into the left rough. For perspective, between the wind and the elevation, I needed an extra three clubs to reach the green.
Looking down the fairway at the par 5 10th hole.
#11 is a medium-length par 4 that gently bends around the lake. Once there the golfer is greeted by a green 65 yards from front to back!
The par 3 12th hole from the tee box.
Looking back at the tee on the 12th.
A view of the the third shot on the par 5 13th hole.
Playing back up towards the clubhouse, the 14th is a dramatically uphill par 3 that is might be the most visually intimidating hole on the course. Pro tip: there is a huge slope just beyond the green that should act as a backstop for anything long. There is no reason to mess with the front portion of the green...unless of course you chunk it like yours truly.
Here's a look back from the green on the 15th, famously discussed in-depth in Volume 2 of the Confidential Guide.
Finally, a shot of the beastly approach on the 18th hole. We played it as a 354 yard hole and I hit driver, 2-hybrid...and came up short! From the back tees it's over 450 yards playing uphill and into the wind.
A view of the 18th from the rocking chairs on the clubhouse verandah.
