Like most golf architectural observers I have followed quite closely the development of Sebonack on the east end of Long Island for quite some time.

When the facility had its grand opening about a month ago I had the opportunity to personally walk the course with one of the professionals -- Mike Finney. Clearly, the totality of the property cannot be fully apprecated simply from being in or around the clubhouse area. I also learned a good deal about the course with the absence in having to golf one's ball around the layout.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to play the course and before I go forward with comments I have to say that creating such a stellar layout cannot happen without the vision of its founder -- Michael Pascucci.

For those who may not realize the east end of the Island is loaded with a wide range of "successful" people and a number of them are fully prepared (dare I say even eager) to take issue with anyone who as much as might move a leaf or blade of grass in the area. Some of the protectionst impulse is clearly needed -- however -- some of it can mean the calling forward of a battery of law firms and other groups for the purpose of maintaining the status quo as they see fit.

Michael Pascucci had a dream to create something very special on the east end and the determination and passion he possesses have brought forward what one sees today at Sebonack. No doubt his canny sense in linking together the Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak and their very talented internal teams is of major importance -- no less skillfully working through each of their unique personalities / egos -- but at the end of the day the success of what one sees today at Sebonack starts with the founder himself.

My day at Sebonack was rather interesting in that I encountered a very stiff east wind -- in the 10-20 vicinity. Temps were in the high 60's and even 70 during the later parts of the afternoon. However, the course was just coming through a major aeration process. As a result the overall speed of the fairways and greens were not at optimum levels -- that took place during the inaugural club championship which, I believe, took place earlier in September and right after Labor Day.

As an FYI -- Sebonack is listed at 7,200 yards from the tips (Black Tees) and plays to a par of 72. The blue tees play from 6,717 yds and the white offer a yardage of 6,164.

The course is not officially rated yet -- but from what I was told that will change shortly when officials from the MGA arrive before this season ends.

I do apologize to those who have insisted that I should use a camera with my course descriptions. I have just purchased one and will be using it shortly but unfortunately did not have with me when I went to Sebonack. I am sure photos of the different holes will appear via others.

1st hole -- 355 yds (par-4)

Very interesting starting hole. The 1st introduces you to the course but in so many ways is "hidden" from the totality of what you find at Sebonack. The 1st tee sits behind the spacious practice area and abuts the property with NGLA.

As I stood on the back tee I had a bit of difficulty in discerning the proper play. Fortunately for me Mike Finney and club member David Miller pointed out what the hole offered.

I selected driver and Mike indicated that I needed to keep my tee shot to the right of a bunker that guards the left side -- roughly 280 yards from the tee -- the space between the left and right bunkers on the hole is no more than 28 yards. Players can lay-back if they choose but the approach becomes a bit longer.

If someone decides to bang with the driver and can "fit" the ball through the opening you can receive a bit of an assist from the ground dimensions that have been provided. Strong players can come very close to the green and my tee shot finished no more than five paces from the green.

But now -- here's what develops -- the green is neatly contoured. You have different sections that make up their own little "green" if you will. Fortunately, for me the pin was cut in the far rear and I decided to play a bump and run shot.

The toughest pin location, according to Finney and one I can understand, is a slight central rise which features falloffs to several different locations. Landing a ball on this with a flop shot would take a Tiger-like play. Even if you play a bump and run shot the overall speed of the greens are so keen that you would need to judge such a shot with tremendous judgement / speed in order to finish in the correct spot.

The 1st at Sebonack is well thought out and there is an alternate green (19th hole) located to the immediate right of the hole.

2nd hole / 454 yds (par-4)

When I first walked this hole I was thinking on the ride from Jersey to the course how grand it would be to play this hole. The feeling only intensified as I walked off the first green.

The back tee box on #2 is very close to the 1st green -- just a short walk in fact. The 2nd hole generally plays into the prevailing south headwind. This day the wind was blowing hard from the east (left-to-right). Like the 1st it's critical to have a very clear understanding on what it is you need to do for your tee shot. The 2nd swings a bit to the right and you can see the green in the distance.

The hole includes a number of interesting bunkers that need to be avoided at all costs. There is a reverse "C" bunker complex on the far left side roughly 310 yards from the tips. It includes more than just sand as you have a range of native grasses that give the bunkers a very sinister edge and with it a striking appeal of naturalness. There is also a bunker complex to the far right which abuts the 18th hole which comes up the other way and is alongside the 2nd.

The key bunker is one perfectly placed in the right center of the fairway -- roughly 275 yards to carry from the tips. Depending upon the wind situation -- the player faces a range of options. Compounding my dilemma was the force of the wind -- hard from the left.

My tee shot faded right and I was quite fortunate to find a tiny strip of fairway grass between the bunkers on the far right side -- leaving me no more than 140 yards to the hole.

Mike indicated to me that when the wind blows in at typical velocity of 10-15 mph the stronger players can hit driver and avoid the bunker in question. Of course -- the 2nd shot becomes much longer as a result. Playing downwind the hole becomes even more taxing because you need to execute with a total sense of where the ball will finish and what bunkers to be avoided.

Even after you reach the fairway -- no small assumption -- the shot to the green is simply breathtaking. The green sits above the fairway and has more movement than a stormy day on the Atlantic. The common tendency for players is to bail to the left and avoid the trouble (bunker and high grass) that closes in from the right. That is a big mistake and one the Nicklaus / Doak partnership has cleverly baited the player in taking.

The left side is severely sloped and includes a major false front to nearly the entire putting surface. The
s-l-i-g-h-t-e-s-t bit short can result in a ball coming back a number of yards. If you miss to the left you also must handle a green that falls away from that side.

If the pin is placed to the far left and you miss on that side you may need to consider if you are named the following ...

Houdini
Seve
Merlin

Short of those three names you will not up and down the ball from that side.

The green includes much more than the left side aspect. The pin was cut in the far right hand side on my visit and I had roughly 140 yds left to the target. The caddie advised me in the strongest terms to be sure to get the ball to the target and not come up short or right -- there is a superb bunker on that side that is very deep to be avoided. Fortunately for me I was able to get the ball deep enough and finished roughly 20 feet away from the hole.

The 2nd also includes a series of rear bunkers and heaven help anyone who hits it too boldly on their approach. The bunker shot must then be played back to a green that falls away. To up and down from that position simply review the three (3) names of the people I listed above.

The 2nd hole is handicapped as the #1 hole at Sebonack but its sheer greatness and visual appeal escapes all of the traditional superlative words one can mention. Anyone who plays the course will have the memory of this hole burned into your brain.

Thank heavens the 2nd is located where it is because if were the starting hole it would be a bit much given the requirements previously mentioned. Given its existing location it plays the perfect role as counter puncher to what the beguiling 1st offers.

In simple terms -- if you should make the fortunate birdie at #1 be more than prepared to give back at the 2nd.

Time is tight for me now to write further -- more to follow and I do apologize to all in not having pictures to accompany the narrative.
 

Thanks, I look forward to reading more.

Noel:

Keep in mind that my fade tee shot at #2 was helped somewhat by the wind I mentioned -- although more pushing the ball to the right then actually assisting it forward.

I'll share comments on #3 and the remaining holes a bit later today.

I do concur with you that when played into the prevailing headwind the length of the hole certainly becomes more of an issue.

P.S. You are correct to add the element of the knob you mentioned and the role it plays.

what is "trinity status"?

Matt,
   Great start, looking forward to hearing more. One thing I don't get though is where can you land the ball besides on the green on #2? Also, it sounds like you are saying pitching up from the left has the green falling away from you and if you go long the green is falling away from you. If you could clarify I would be interested to know what is going on with that green internally. Isn't #2 green set into sort of an amphitheatre?

Matt,
   One of the cool things about #3 is how golfers will be terrified of the left fronting bunker and will bail out right to what probably seems like a straightforward bump and run, but that shot from over there has some pretty tricky contours to get through to get near the hole.
   The first 4 holes get you off to a rousing start at Sebonack. You don't want to have to find your game out on the course, that's for sure.
   Keep it coming. Nice job so far. A little more detail on what the 4th green contours do and how the bunkering sets the strategy up would be nice for those who haven't seen it.

Matt,

Thanks for sharing your detailed analysis.   I personally appreciate your efforts to point out things you feel are not up to par, while also lauding what seems to be a grand course by providing specifics about each hole.

Too often around here we tend to see things in all black and white, particularly as relates to glowing, flawless plaudits directed at the creations of some of our favorites.  I think ultimately that stifles conversation and discussion, and ironically does a disservice to the architects involved.

While I don't always agree with you, I do appreciate your forthrightness in expressing your opinions.  

Also, it seems you both played Ballyneal and Sebonack within the past month.   You're a very lucky guy.

Matt, wow!

The course is so far below its neighbors that I can't imagine the title of your piece.  I find it almost difficult to type a coherent response.

I would just say that I didnt' think there was one world class hole on the golf course.  Not a single one. Plenty of world class views and world class bunkers, but not one fully realized, sensible, coherent golf hole.

Matt,
This is excellent stuff; thank you for being so detailed.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest.

I'd kill for pictures to go with what your text.

Yes I have. Twice.  It's the Emperor's new clothes.  And 11 is the best hole. A 7 or 8 out of 10. But a hole worthy of mention in context? Not a chance.

Matt
How does Sebonack compare with Friars Head?

Matt
How does Sebonack compare with Friars Head?

Tom,

I don't know that you can compare them.

I think they're unique, in their respective sites and designs.

One of the issues I raised with respect to Sebonack was the siting of the parking lot and cottages.  I think that decision may have limited the final product.

Friar's Head has a continuity within the framework of the design that is easily discernable.  Sebonack, by its origin, has a split personality that will forever raise the question of:   who did what ?  And, is it the best that could have been done ?

I think Sebonack's genesis will always raise the question, "would the holes and features been better, worse or the same had only one voice spoken ?

Friar's Head is a wonderful golf course.
But, don't forget that some fine tuning took place between opening day and today.

I suspect that Sebonack will go through the same fine tuning process over time.  The question is, will there be unanimity in the design decisions and who will do the fine tuning ?

I don't believe that the Doak-Nicklaus team functions in the same manner as the team of Coore-Crenshaw, and that distinction might produce different results on an ongoing basis.

I'd be surprised if anyone didn't enjoy Sebonack, provided that they played from tees commensurate with their ability.

Mike,

I can't disagree with the basic concept you outline, however, some of the cottages don't have water views at the front or back.  Some of the views are of the other cottages, the parking lot or range.

But, let's assume that that's what you want.

What happens to the views when the sun sets ?

What good are the views from the cottages when you're out playing golf during the day ?

And, when the views are at the golf course's expense that has to be a negative.

If one's to judge a golf course, opportunity lost must be considered.  At least that's what Tommy Naccarato told me about Sandpines and Gib Papazian told me about Spanish Bay

You can't view the golf course in a vacuum.

And, as good as it might be in its present form, perhaps it could have been better to far superior had the prime, elevated land been used for something other than an ashphalt bed.

While your point about the cottages makes some sense, the parking lot's location still leaves me wondering.  One would think that the parking lot could be viewed in the context of a step-child, or an off Broadway production.

I like the golf course, but, I'm puzzled by some of the non-golf course related structures..