Thanks for a really good review, and it made me to be sure to include play of "The Squeeze" in my flying visit to CCF on Saturday during preview, I feel so lucky and grateful to have had the opportunity. I wish them well for the re-opening events on Tuesday 21st, but fear the weather may not be kind to them.
It will be of no surprise to those who may have picked up my views on Sunningdale Heath on here, that I feel this format of shorter challenging and fun golf designed at the highest levels of creativity, is one of the ways forward as we try to rediscover "craft over thuggery" in the way the game is played. Design taking the advantage of bombing drives away, but not by precuding use altogether.
Mike Nuzzo has designed a gem of a 10 hole loop (I'll discuss the optional Hole 6 1/2 in a bit) which is packed full of fun by clever design features, without screaming man-made at you.
One area I would say he really shone brightly for me was in his creation of and/or discovery of micro-contours.
Many of which took me back to the randomness of rolling Scottish links fairways, especially those along the sand ridge down the entirety of the long Par 5 4th Hole, but once again without seeming forced.
The greens are spectacularly placed mostly draped down on the grade level of sweeping topography, and many feature Braid-like or Travis-esque prominent bumps creating fun and real challenge to players if the wrong side (or worse if partially so).
There was so much variety too, as Drew mentioned, from entirely bunkerless holes to huge swathes of aesthetically pleasing naturalised waste bunkering, including some very humourous uses of sleepers and steps. All together these simply made me smile, and sometimes chuckle in agreement/excitement.
I have numerous great pictures (but as I am tech klutz I still don't know how to get these up on here) and I would say that I feel its a good sign when one has to move the smartphone from portrait into landscape to try and capture the scale and width on offer, but it is even more exciting when the sheer size and subtle complexity of the green complexes meant I had to use "panoramic" to take it all in.
Agree one of the best holes was the 5th, where it felt the crossing hazard complex was constrainingly penal in limiting length off the tee, but there is an alternative strategic outlet down the right for the bombers, but I liked the twist in that this didn't just expose the easiest second on that line but it gave them the additional jeopardy of a semi-blind approach. Variety in such things and mixtures of penal and strategic are IMHO what good designs are, unpredictable.
The 6th Green complex (amongst a decimal set of really high imagination and quality) is wonderful and the hazard grouping to the left side is a work of art.
Some may ponder why have 6a (optional & aka "6 1/2" as well) and then 7th split as two Par-3's, but the clue is in the name "The Squeeze" as the routing is made on only c.100 acres of land wrapping around the Practice Range and Mike's other solo creation here "The Wedge" a floodlit rollicking 11 hole Par-3 course with music (with a curated 90's rock anthem playlist!)
Those same questioners might suggest joining the two holes (6a & 7) to make a single medium Par 4, but the close proximity of both the Par 5 4th Hole and the 5th Tees would likely create some real safety concerns. Hence, the solution of breaking the two holes up so that players are in more prescribed locations, and thus less in danger, works.
The 8th is a really strong hole with another challenging green, there is no respite on the surfaces so even the best players will be challenged, this is no "executive" course, the design quality and playing challenge belies what is on the card at less than 3000 yards for the 10 holes.
Overall it was great fun, and I am sure there are many ways around to play the 4 "courses" at Cabot Citrus Farms during a stay.
I played "The Wedge" under lights on arrival, which was a great way to break into the venue's relaxed and incredibly friendly vibe (all the staff were superb and so welcoming), then the following morning "The Squeeze" and finally the new "Roost" which I will follow with more on. Sadly not enough time even to walk Kyle Franz's "Karoo" this time...and I really hope there is an opportunity one day.
"Roost" shares several design cues from "The Squeeze" no surprise given Mike Nuzzo's input along with Ran Morrisett (doyen of this parish) and Kyle Franz. These three were supported by both Ron Whitman and Don Mahaffey in construction. Quite the team.
More on that to come, but it was hugely enjoyable, and it brought the ground game more into play by both necessity and design to a greater extent than I have seen on any new course, let alone one in Florida!...It simply (a compliment) hits the spot in so many ways...
Cheers