So how good did the front nine turn out? (With greens at about 6 on the Stimpmeter, most likely.)
I think it turned out great. The turf has progressed unbelievably since the summer. Hole 5 is definitely the furthest along tee to green. Perfect.
4 is my favorite hole. From the back tee is the best in order to really open up the view of the left hand fairway. We had a winter wind that made reaching the fairway on 9 very difficult so we moved up to the forward tees allowing for a more straight on approach across the road.
The new greensite on 12 is excellent. Actually the entire hole is. Great looking tee shot with just enough intrigue and doubt as to where the fairway might end to keep the first timers honest. That is one of the coolest spots on a course full of them.
17 tee is one of the more thrilling I've played.
The finish work on 18 including the native areas short of the green really do help to give the course its own unique identity. I think it all adds up to a wonderful course that complements the other perfectly, making for one heckuva 36 hole day in the sand hills.