ST PAT'S TOUR CONT
For me, the heart of St Pat's is 9-12. Four holes which are difficult for one reason or another. From the daily tees (slate) not one hole is less than 400 yards and two are monster par 4s which could easily be three-shotters. Its rare that a difficult stretch such as this impresses me, yet I can't help admire these holes. Somewhat similar to the 4th, the 9th tee shot plays to a fairway well below the tee. The tee for this 460 behemoth is essentially what could be a section of the 8th green. I can't reach the green in two from this tee, however, it perfectly fits my mantra of short walks between greens so it must be used.
There is a cavernous hollow short and right of the green which on the second shot will be blind for most. Below is the green from well right which highlights the hollow.
Right and rear of the green is a sizeable bank which offers some bailout for those attempting to play over the hollow. Below is another side view of the green.
On the rear bank. Don't be short!
A short walk takes us to the back nine. 10-12 are in an isolated inland part of the property which play off the edge of the dunes. These holes definitely feel different from the remainder of the course. Almost as if the land is not quite as good for golf as the holes ringed in dunes. It's surprising then that I gravitate toward these holes.
Well placed bunkers up the left of 10 set the hole up for the wildly pitched boomerang green.
A large chunk of the green is out of shot to the left.
St John the Baptist (11th) is one of the most intruiging hole names I have come across. Many will drive by this church on the way to St Pat's. By coincidence, I happened to stop by the site of the original chapel and cemetary just down the road from the current church.
Playing downhill, the long 11th finishes at one of the oddest greens I have encountered. When playing the hole for the first time the personality of the putting surface isn't in the least obvious. There is a large trench dividing the green! The right side seems like it flows into the rough. Its the damndest green I have seen in quite some time. The hole is located in the trench near the rear of the green. Its unfortunate the drive is pointed directly at the car park, but I expect there are plans to hide the cars or move the lot
A grueling par five, #12 is uphill for all of its 546 yards over what is probably St Pat's most unruly fairway. The large green sort of matches the uphill and rough nature of the fairway. Same as the 11th, only one photo. Folks need to see the hole personally as their first experience. Its a shame this section of the course has to end. Its a rare treat to be beaten over the head and enjoy it.
More to follow.
Ciao