#9 at The Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut - Hands Down!
A 165 yard par 3 built in 2000 to take the course back to the new clubhouse.
A perfectly constructed $200,000 stone wall wraps this quasi-island green, and in doing so, is completely out of character with the other 15 holes that feature winding streams and laconic ponds. Besides the fact that the new green is built to USGA specifications in contrast with 16 other greens on the course, the slopes/contouring of the green are quite unforgiving. The green features several vitually unpinnable areas in its middle, and its size is at least 20% larger than any other green on the course.
Furthermore, the plan called for contrasting strategic elements. One was to make a 100-110 yard hole that the 18 handicap woman could reach without dunking too many balls. The second (Misguided) goal was to create a TPC/PGA West Island green. The only thing that wasn't installed here was a Shot Link tower which would have contrasted nicely with the Willie Park design of 1914-16.
The real "Tell" is to ask guests what they think of it.
The final tragedy is to see the original plan designed by Harry Day whose father was instrumental in the development of the course from the 1950-80's. We could of had a winner!
JWK