Mike,
I'd say that the 2nd green is fairly extreme and/or demanding on the approach, recovery and putt.
While the 1st hole could be described as fairly benign, a nice starter hole, the second hole, like smelling salts, gets your attention and snaps you out of any euphoria or lull associated with begining of your round gently, rather quickly.
I can see how some would call it extreme or too extreme.
On the other hand, it's not the green, it's how the green is maintained.
At 7-9 on a stimp, I think it's rather fair, primarily because balls can be hit left and will feed to the green, and because the green sits up above you and further rises up from front to back.
If you go long or miss left, or god forbid, right, you've got your work cut out for you.
But, the architecture sends a clear tactical signal to the eye and only the most obtuse (I won't mention TEPaul) won't recognize those signals.
So, it's not as if the architects suddenly surprised you.
They didn't.
Could some deem it too severe a challenge for that early in the round. I guess so, but, while I prefer a kind starting hole I see nothing wrong with a radical change of pace on the 2nd hole.
Since playing golf today seems so rarely contexted in the realm of match play any hole that's demanding will be viewed in a different light.
In the context of match play, and as the 20th hole, I think it's a good hole.
And, it's visually stunning.
The fairway bunker configuration can confuse and make golfers ill at ease, and the winds can have a devastating effect, but, if they do, the 3rd hole will be a pushover.
Or, if the winds make # 2 easy, # 3 will be a bear.
I think conditioning/maintainance is important at Sebonack.
And, it's really far too early to draw final conclusions.
Remember, Pinehurst, NGLA, GCGC, Friar's Head and many, many others were tinkered with for years before the course
"settled in"
So, I say, give it some time.
But, remember this.
Mike Pascucci wanted a HARD golf course.
And, in that context, in # 2, he got his wish.
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