Hole #8 “515 yards”
Another world-class hole. Though it is a short par 5 by modern standards, especially given that the course is 3,200 feet above sea level with low humidity, it plays uphill and requires a well struck approach (from what will be an uneven lie in all likelihood) to be reached in two. Into a fierce wind, one might consider playing from the shortest tees (350 yards).
The dominant bunker complex (which I shall refer to as the “Yucca Monster“) that eats into the center line of the hole from the right is 300 yards from the back tees. However, with a very strong, helping wind a long bomber might try to hoist one over the Monster or play through the narrow patch of fairway to the left. The more one (successfully) challenges the Monster from the tee, the greater one’s odds of making 4.
Another photo borrowed from the Ballyneal website elucidates the massive furrows and folds which define the 8th hole’s topography.
As on the 4th hole, plenty of fairway width is offered to improve playability in strong crosswinds and to allow careful placement of tee shots by experts seeking the ideal angle of attack.
Another showcase of the naturalistic quality and variety found in Ballyneal’s hazards.
A view of the monster’s left edge and the lay-up area beyond from 200 yards out.
The front edge of this bunker is 60 paces shy of the green’s center. From this little beauty, perfection will be required if hopes of par are to be realized. The feral green contours are visible even in photos from this range. The pin was at the very far right, upper portion of the green -- a surface that is 31 yards deep and angled from front left to back right -- on the following day. I was able to skip a 5-wood up onto that shelf while my father’s wedge came up short and rolled more than 30 yards back down the hill to the right.
From this angle, looking across the green from the left side, the back stops at the right rear are visible, as is the bunker behind the green. That rear bunker presents very dicey recovery prospects and strikes fear in the heart of anyone going for the green from a great distance.
One last rearward glance reveals the eminently naturalistic qualities of the 8th hole, the setting sun revealing the various humps and hollows that tie the fairway and green into their surroundings.
