Stone Eagle "The Walker's Course"

[Peter Ferlicca]

If you haven't played Stone Eagle, it is 1,000 feet up the side of a mountain in a bowl.  It is very hard to explain, you have to see it in person to understand it.  I am going to post many pictures that will not only show you the walker’s course I have made up, but also aerials taken from above the course on the top of the mountain.  Almost 98% of people that play stone eagle take a golf cart around; the 2% that walks is probably 2 members and I.  I am trying to change that by creating a much shorter course that is less strain on the body.  By doing this I shortened 2 par 5's into par 4's, took a par 3 and made it a par 4, and then took a par 4 and made it a par 3.  Stone Eagle is probably one of the best courses ever created for cross country golf; you can start on any tee box and go to 18 different greens if you wanted.  The original course is a par 71 that measures just over 6,800 yards.  "The Walkers Course," is a par 69 that measures 6,167 yards.

The first 4 holes start out the same; they are great opening holes with wide fairways in case you went straight to the tee.

#1 Par 4- 402 yards

[Peter Ferlicca]

Hole #2 Par 4- 398 yards



Hole #3 Par 3- 138 yards


Hole #4 Par 4- 464 yards
This is a fantastic hole, I know we had a recent thread about sloped and canted fairways.  When looking back up the hole it really shows how tilted the fairway is.

[Chip Gaskins]

Thanks for the pics.  These are the first I have seen of Stone Eagle.  Lots of rumples in those fairways.  Something about #3 just doesn't remind me of a Doak course?  Maybe the large rock pile...  The course looks really fun!  Greens look massive

[Peter Ferlicca]

Now here is where the golf course changes a little bit.  Starting here almost every hole is changed.  What I did here is change the tee shot a little to the left to make it a cape hole.  This tee shot is one where you bite off as much as you can chew.  

The approach shot is taken from above to give you a view of how the green juts out like a peninsula.  This hole now has a lot of characteristics of a cape hole.

[Jeff_Mingay]

I haven't been to Stone Eagle, yet. But two really neat things stand-out to me looking at photos of the course. First, the rock formations kinda mimic dunes-land, at least in places; and, second, the use of short grass to meld holes into a "landscape for golf", as opposed to 18 individual corridors through the desert, appears to be really smart design.

Your "Walker's Course" sounds like a neat concept, too.

[Peter Ferlicca]

The next two holes are back to back drivable par 4s.  This is almost reminiscent of 8 and 9 at cypress, but not that close don't want to step on anyone’s toes on this board.

Hole #6 Par 4- 252 yards
This hole is straight uphill to a green that is tucked behind a big rock formation.  To be able to drive the green you need a laser to land in a 10 foot quadrant short left of the green. 

The approach if you lay up is quite difficult with usually a hanging lie below your feet to a green that is small guarded by a 10 foot deep bunker on the right.


Hole #7 Par 4- 280 yards
This hole is originally a par 3 that requires a long but scenic walk to the tee.  I transformed it into a par 4 that goes back down 6 fairway.  The big mound to the right of the green caroms golf balls in any direction.  This is a great hole that members should play more often.  It requires a little draw to hit the green, as opposed to hole #6 requiring a little cut.

[Tom_Doak]

Peter:

I'm sure you will come up with some stuff going forward that I haven't thought of.  But, I have played #5 from the apron of #4 green as you suggest, and all of my associates have played backward down #6 fairway to #7 green ... in fact I played the hole that way myself when I was out there a month ago.  That's why there is a little flat spot on the approach to #6.  The idea was that if you were out there late in the day and there wasn't a group behind you, you could play that way instead of hiking up to #7 tee.

I know we aren't the only ones to think of it, somebody in the pro shop mentioned to me that they've done it, too.

Playing #6 from down below is hard to visualize, though ... you might kill somebody on your next "tee", too.

[Tom Birkert]

Thank you for the pics - looks like a fantastic course! It's one of those I've not played in the Palm Springs area and one that I really want to, along with The Madison.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Hole #8 Par 5- 510 yards
The walk to the original tee box isn't bad, but I am a fan of links courses and like the occasional blind shot to test the nerves.  So I figured a good spot to do one on the widest fairway on the course.  You want to aim it right over the two cacti, you have a 50 yard wide fairway, and so you can hit it horrible and still walk up and see your ball.

This is usually a three shot hole unless you really bomb one.  The 3rd shot is a fun one where the green is sloping extremely hard from right to left.  

Hole #9 Par 4- 312 yards
This is the last drivable par 4 so take advantage of it.  I play from this tee almost every time I play the course.  There is a back hidden tee behind 8 green which is also fun.  You want to hit your tee shot way out right and then watch it roll down left to the green.

This is a great look at the bunkers and how they just blend into the desert rocks.


Front nine is Par 36- 3,181 yards
You definitely want to take advantage of the front nine because the back stiffens up.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Now to the back nine

Hole #10 Par 4- 386 yards

This hole stayed exactly the same.  The fairway is probably 45 yards wide but there is 3 different levels on the fairway that make a huge difference on your approach shot.  The hole runs up a ravine that is coming down off the mountain.  This is a cool hole, and it only gets better knowing you have world class tacos afterwards at the den at ten.



Hole #11 Par 3- 208 yards
This hole is originally a par 4, but Doak added an extra tee to the left side of 10 fairway to make this an alternate par 3, and thank goodness he did that because this is a fantastic hole that never gets played.  It actually plays almost as a redan, where you want to play your shot out to the right and once it hits the green it takes off to the back left portion of the green.  The slope of the mountain really makes this green lightning quick from front to back.


Hole #12 Par 3- 153 yards
This is a great short little par 3 that you have to hit the green or it is almost an automatic bogey or worse.

[Jim Nugent]

To Peter: I'm really enjoying your re-routing.  The blind tee shot on number 8 looks Joe Cool to me. 

To Tom: every time I see pictures of this course, I want to on a plane and play it.  Does any other course in the Palm Springs area remotely resemble Stone Eagle?  Is any other course anywhere like it, or has it created its own classification?

[Peter Ferlicca]

Hole #13 Par 4- 430 yards
You have to play pretty good from here on out to post a good score.  This hole is originally a 530 yards par 5, but playing from the red tees I made it a long par 4 with tons of options.  You can try to hit driver over the ravine but requires a 255 yards carry, which is a lot no matter who you are.  The other option is to hit a 3 wood or long iron short of the ravine but you leave yourself a 180 to 210 yard shot uphill to a very undulating green.



Hole #14 Par 4- 425 yards
I changed this hole by making the tee right in front of 13 green, this makes the hole more of a dogleg and you get to hit over that beautiful bunker.  You want to hit a hard draw over the right hand side of that bunker and you will be in perfect shape.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Hole #15 par 3- 130 yards
I changed the tee shot on this a lot.  Doak has you walk through a cool ravine, but I cut off a lot of walking distance by putting it right behind 14 green.  You have to hit your shot over the 3 bunkers guarding it with a delicate pitching wedge.

This is the view looking at the hole straight on, you are coming in from the right hand side over those bunkers.


Hole #16 Par 4- 352 yards
This is a great par 4 with bunkers everywhere, there is plenty of room to hit your tee shot out right but the dreaded hook will put you in one of those devastating fairway bunkers.

Here is a cool look from where you would end up if you hooked your tee shot, quite an intimidating shot.

Hole #17 Par 4- 401 yards
This hole plays as a par 5, but to shorten the walk considerably you play from an alternate tee just to the left of 16 green.  The tee shot will land in between the big Sahara bunker on the right and the desert to the left.  If you don't hit your tee shot well your ball will roll back down the hill in the middle of the fairway and will leave you will a blind 200 yard shot.




Hole #18 Par 4- 501 yards
This is by far the hardest finishing hole I have ever played; it gets me every time I have a good round going.  It is the tightest tee shot on the course, IF you want to be in good position for your second shot.  Then the approach to the green is usually over 200 yards from a downhill lie to an uphill green, (the scariest shot in golf is a long iron from a downhill lie that you know you have to get up in the air).  Then to top it off the green is one of the most undulating on the course, if you get on the green in regulation, most of the times you are going three putt for a bogey.




And if you still have some golf left in you, hole #19 at 153 yards is always a fun one to play right at the edge of the cliff.

[David Stamm]

Thanks for the pics.  These are the first I have seen of Stone Eagle.  Lots of rumples in those fairways.  Something about #3 just doesn't remind me of a Doak course?  Maybe the large rock pile...  The course looks really fun!  Greens look massive

Chip, the course is fun and a real treat. It's quite a sight to see in person.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Here are some cool photos of when I was up hiking behind the golf course.  When you are at the top of the mountain you can see over 20 golf courses.

[Jonathan Cummings]

Forgive me but the concept of Stone Eagle being a "good walker's course" is crazy laughable.  Stone Eagle is build over a tortured mountaintop rock pile steeply sloping up to a mountain pass.  It would take an Olympiad just to hoof it up from Stone Eagle's temp clubhouse to the first tee - and he would then be good for little more than a resuscitator. 

Don't get me wrong, I've played Stone Eagle 5 times (admit I'm no expert) and I think from a cart the place is quite special.  But walking??  Damn near EVERY course in the valley (100+ of them) are far, far more walkable than Stone Eagle.

IMO Stone Eagle is characterized by: dicey landing areas for tee shots; richly diverse green complexes; fine views; plays shorter then you think; wonderful 19th finisher and "Ben's-type" shack. 

But walkable?  Talk walkable if you want to discuss another Doak course in Globe.....

JC

 

[Peter Ferlicca]

Forgive me but the concept of Stone Eagle being a "good walker's course" is crazy laughable.  Stone Eagle is build over a tortured mountaintop rock pile steeply sloping up to a mountain pass.  It would take an Olympiad just to hoof it up from Stone Eagle's temp clubhouse to the first tee - and he would then be good for little more than a resuscitator. 

Don't get me wrong, I've played Stone Eagle 5 times (admit I'm no expert) and I think from a cart the place is quite special.  But walking??  Damn near EVERY course in the valley (100+ of them) are far, far more walkable than Stone Eagle.

IMO Stone Eagle is characterized by: dicey landing areas for tee shots; richly diverse green complexes; fine views; plays shorter then you think; wonderful 19th finisher and "Ben's-type" shack. 

But walkable?  Talk walkable if you want to discuss another Doak course in Globe.....

JC

 

I am not trying to say it is a good walker’s course by any means.  What I am trying to do is to get more members to walk it and enjoy the course in a different style.  Sorry If I didn't mention I always take a cart just to get up to the golf course, that is an automatic, but once you are up there it really isn't that bad.  I would compare the walking of this course with any So Cal course in the hills.  You have to be in somewhat good shape to walk it, and when you are finished you have a sense of accomplishment that you don't get when you finish walking any other golf course.  For us who feel that playing golf is more enjoyable when walking, this isn't that bad at all.  You also get to enjoy the long vistas more when you walk.

Peter F

[Jonathan Cummings]

Peter - understood.  Enjoy your course.  It's a fascinating layout very much worthy in all aspects except walkability!

JC

[Joel Zuckerman]

It's a fascinating layout very much worthy in all aspects

Amen to that!  When I was in the area writing a half-dozen chapters for the Dye Book, I took an afternoon hiatus to play this GC.  It was fantastic, and the fact that my host and playing partner was "Mr. 59" himself, who serves as their pro emeritus, made the occasion even more memorable.  IMO, an absolute standout facility in an area with untold dozens of viable golf options.

[John Kirk]

Thought I'd bump this once.

Peter, thanks for the effort, especially the effort to walk those hills behind the course for the vertical shots.  Wow!  Now that's a tough walk.

[David Botimer]

This is a great golf course that plays, IMO like a "members course".  The greens are hands down the hardest to read in the Coachella Valley and having played it only once can tell you you'll walk off about 18 greens scratching your head with a "I didn't see it breaking THAT way" feeling.

Doak went to great lengths to hide cart paths from your view and leave the course as pure as possible, e.g. sans feux waterfall.  The result is a course like none other in Palm Springs.  Having grown weary of the over-watered, over manicured, over-everything all the others share (Indian Wells, site of the Skins Game being a GREAT example of that), I for one like the result.  The vistas are awesome.  If a flat lie exists on the course other than tee boxes, I never found one!  And the taco stand after #10 was a great touch to a round that felt very unrushed (btw, I wish they could do the same at Old McDonald between #7 and #15 overlooking the ocean).  Nothing like a 15 minute break in the middle of a round with a great view and food to get your battery re-charged.

My only complaint about the course would be the greens.  It seemed to me there were so many elephants buried under them they allowed only a few useable pin locations, and adding to that the difficulty of reading them the net result was a course great for members, and their regular guests, NOT one-timers such as myself.

[jkinney]

Peter - Your mountain shots are marvelous. Thank you. I've walked the course numerous times and find that it's quite reasonable if someone is driving a cart with my bag on it. The walking paths throughout the desert areas are nearly complete now, and they cut off distance in many spots. It's a pleasant walk indeed, taking in the great vistas and examining the desert plants.

I've not yet played anything like your inventive "walkers' course" but have often thought that we should have several cross country hole tournaments - #1 tee to #10 green, or #11 tee to #6 green. They do that at The Creek Club in the winter, I'm told.

[Peter Ferlicca]

Peter - Your mountain shots are marvelous. Thank you. I've walked the course numerous times and find that it's quite reasonable if someone is driving a cart with my bag on it. The walking paths throughout the desert areas are nearly complete now, and they cut off distance in many spots. It's a pleasant walk indeed, taking in the great vistas and examining the desert plants.

I've not yet played anything like your inventive "walkers' course" but have often thought that we should have several cross country hole tournaments - #1 tee to #10 green, or #11 tee to #6 green. They do that at The Creek Club in the winter, I'm told.

Thank you Mr. Kinney, those mountain shots are pretty cool when you are up there, you can see all the ripples in the greens and fairways.  11 tee to 6 green sounds awesome I have never thought of that one. The greens are getting pretty darn quick now just how like them.  On hole #9 the other day I landed the ball short of the green and it raced all the way to the back off the green. 

And to reply to everyone’s doubts about it being walk able, the walkers course longest green to tee walk is 30 yards from 9 green to 10 tee.  Every other hole you are pretty much walking a foot of the green and teeing up for the next hole, like the good old days where you tee up a club length from the hole.

[Bill_McBride]

The almost aerial photos just emphasize how painfully out of place that lake is!  I guess there was no other way to get an irrigation reservoir into the master plan, it just doesn't fit in there.  But that is a very good hole with that huge right to left swing off the tee.

[jkinney]

The almost aerial photos just emphasize how painfully out of place that lake is!  I guess there was no other way to get an irrigation reservoir into the master plan, it just doesn't fit in there.  But that is a very good hole with that huge right to left swing off the tee.

Actually, the lake fits into that hollow seamlessly when one's at ground level. From an aerial standpoint, yes - it's obviously out of place, but on the ground it's a lovely oasis, IMO. And it
makes #4 a superb driving hole.

The water is pumped up the mountain from a deep well in Palm Desert that the Club was able to purchase because the water was unfit for drinking. Peter's idea of playing #5 as a classic Cape hole unfortunately places the tee too close to #4 green. Doesn't mean we shouldn't mow one out though, with TD's blessing.