I was asked to give my thoughts on Royal Lakes in my other recent thread, but since I also have a little report on another course (well, the front nine), I figured I'd start a new thread.
One of my teammates' fathers graciously hosted us at their lake house at Keowee Vineyards, so instead of driving the full 7 1/2 hours to Royal Lakes today, we left early yesterday morning in order to reach Sunset, SC for nine holes at the new Nicklaus (Signature) course, Keowee Falls (the Fazio course was unavailable due to a member-guest). A few thoughts (sans pictures, I'm afraid) on the front nine:
- The course was in very good shape, considering how short a time it's been open, as well as the fact that it's been a pretty crummy year to grow grass in this part of the country.
- The landscaping around the golf course is really ornate, almost too much so at times.
- A lot of the greens had side and/or backboards. It would appear that Nicklaus was asked to be fairly accommodating to low-spin (typically lady and older gentleman) golfers. As a result, some mediocre shots to rear pins are slightly over-forgiven.
- There were two excellent front-to-back sloping greens. The first belongs to the long par 5 2nd hole, where the pin was way back left over a bunker, making a run-up shot not only possible, but thrilling. The second front-to-back green...
- ...belongs to what is by far the strongest hole on the front: the 251-yard dramatic downhill par 3 7th. I'd never seen such an obvious Nicklaus take on one o the MacRaynor template holes. This hole is a wonderful Redan. In addition to the compulsory front-left greenside bunker, rear bunker, and front-right-to-back-left sloping green, there is a perfectly placed bunker about 40 yards short-right of the green so that a ball that carries this bunker should bound onto the green.
- I also really liked how Nicklaus employed a stream on the 609-yard par 5 9th. I find creeks and streams to be the most intriguing water hazards because when incorporated properly into the design of a hole, they tend to "play bigger" than they really are in the player's head. In this case, the prudent layup shot from the 9th fairway must carry the elbow of the stream, which makes the second shot landing area seem MUCH narrower than it really is. It's a neat looking shot; I wish I had a picture of it.
Now, Royal Lakes:
- While I see why some have called it a "second shot golf course," in the firm playing conditions we're seeing this week, placement off the tee becomes much trickier than I'd imagine it is when the fairways are softer.
- I've never had so many putts break toward the back of the green, which is interesting, if a little annoying at times.
- I love that the scariest-looking bunkers at Royal Lakes are a ways back from the targets, for the most part. Reminds me a bit of Yale.
- The setter-uppers of the tournament have converted the 3rd hole from a 495-yard par 5 to a 480-yard par 4. It's certainly the most difficult hole at Royal Lakes, and it makes more sense as a par 4 because of the fairly flat green.
- The island green par 5 is a little hokey, but it could be a lot worse.
- I enjoyed the hollows in the fairways on the shorter holes which make the short iron shots a little trickier.
A bit long-winded, I'll freely admit, but the Methodist University players next door are a bit noisy.
Next up: 8:20 tee time in the first round of this tournament.
Cheers.