What do you think of this par 3??

[Garland Bayley]

I think Jack's overdoing it.  Whatever he learned from Doak, it sure wasn't minimalism.

What about that hole isn't minimalist?    

[John Foley]

Yup It's Nicklaus @ Cougar Canyon in Southern CO.

It would be great to know if that land form is natural, it's got to be doesn't it? It would appear to be built either in or on the edge of a wash or arroyo.

From 120-140 yards it wouldn't be, but from 160+ w/ some wind. It would be tough.

[JMorgan]

Yup It's Nicklaus @ Cougar Canyon in Southern CO.

It would be great to know if that land form is natural, it's got to be doesn't it? It would appear to be built either in or on the edge of a wash or arroyo.

From 120-140 yards it wouldn't be, but from 160+ w/ some wind. It would be tough.

John, with the rock rip-rap, I'm assuming it's an island inside an arroyo.  

[Doug Ralston]

Please look at the Nicklaus design website and their pix for this course. Enlarge the 1st one, and look at that green. I do not automatically think of Nicklaus when I think severe greens, but whoa!

Doug

[Tim Leahy]

It looks like the same erosion that created it would destroy it. Wonder how it holds up to the rain/flash flood season.

[igrowgrass]

I would enjoy it as part of a golf vacation, but not if I was a member of this club.

[Adam Clayman]

Intersting we never heard of this course. Oh wait...That's the cousre Baxter Spann pulled out his routing iteration at Paa-ko-Ridge during the gca.com sanctioned Land of Enchanment event. As I recall, Ran was very keen on his plan to re-create some of the great concepts from historical GCA.

Alas, the world is blessed with another JN course.

[John Foley]

It does look natural, but I wonder if the backside was excavated or possibly semi-excavated to make it an island?

[Tim Gavrich]

Excellent; a desert version of #13 at Pawleys Plantation.

It seems to me that "2 or 20" holes are looked upon fondly here.  Why not this one?

[Tony_Muldoon]

I would enjoy it as part of a golf vacation, but not if I was a member of this club.

Agreed Sean,   I don't like water but I'd still like one time at TPC 17th.


Doesn't make either of them great or quirky, just ...freeky.

[David_Elvins]

Thanks for the photo, John.

I don't understand why the area at the base of the cliff can't be playable.  Removing most of the rocks and shrubs wouldn't be too hard, niether would moving the cart path further right, presumably.  The hole would still look and play intimidating and the recovery shots would be challenging and interesting as well.