Arrowhead Golf Club (Scott Witter) in Akron, NY-Holes # 1-18 Posted

[John Foley]

It is too bad that Scott had to get out of the business -

Thank stinks - agreed Scott is the Gentlemen's Gentlemen

It would be great to get a group get together and see if we could get him out

[John Foley]

I would go 5-5, as I find both courses to be way better than what I grew up playing in WNY. I'm also a fairly straight driver, especially when I stop experimenting and stick with the Nike driver that I hit well. My friend, Mr. KPL, is a bit wild at times, although never boring. As a result I understand why he dislikes Ruby Buzzard (code name for a certain area course) and parts of Arrowhead, that place a premium on driving.

I hear you on the Ruby Buzzard - As much I have seen that I like from H /F - I was very dissapointed but then again I am definetly in the wild camp

When Ivy Ridge was being built, the guys were convinced by the owner of Reservoir Creek down in Naples, NY, to hire Blaine Harrison, a Canadian shaper, to do the greens. Best decision they ever made.

Agreed the shaping on the greens are very good at LAIR

If not for that hire, the greens would have looked like Buffalo Tournament Club's nondescript, big swingers. I think that, tee to green, both courses are close in terms of worth. I absolutely despise the two parallel par fives at LAIR, yet love the course.

Dislike two of them - one would have been ok though

In my mind, those holes have the landing area for the second shot precisely where water (on both sides!) comes into play. To make it worse, the fairway shrinks down to nothing, so you either have 185 in for your third shot or you risk getting wet. The greens at the end of both holes are not very interesting. I think that the par fours and threes make LAIR.

I think the par 3's at Arrowhead are very good while the short #8 at LAIR is disappointing IMHO

At Arrowhead, Scott's professionalism shines through. Interestingly enough, people have called for Arrowhead to add a set of decks, to offer a 7K yard playing option. It can be done, but does it need to be done?

[Ronald Montesano]

I personally like Ruby Buzzard. Two reasons are, I think that I've played it much more than Kevin, so I know where to hit the ball and where not to; when to charge and when to back off. Still, it is a very challenging course. The second reason is, I'm a pretty straight hitter, whereas Kevin "Phil" Lynch simply cannot resist going for the big game. He is a swashbuckler, whereas I am not. I believe that Ruby Buzzard has a lot of character and, when playing fast and firm, is the toughest course in the area from the tips, Crag Burn included.

[Ronald Montesano]

Number 6 completes the first third of the course and is the least spacious hole on the nine. Scott had to shoehorn a par four in between the 4th/5th and the 7th and did a very nice job. The play again is up the left side, away from the wee wetland that guards the right. There is no reward for carrying the wetlands, as the other side reveals a salad bowl of rough and a bunker. Balls played to the center of the fairway will drop down to the right, but should land short of the hazard. The approach is mostly carry, as a front bunker guards the left entrance to the green. The green is smallish, but will hold the short iron or wedge needed for the approach. The green has much successful internal movement and a 4 is cause for a smile.

Tee Shot From Deep-Dark Image


Tee Shot From Forward-Lighter Image


Angle From Right Side, About 150 From Green, Across wetlands


Angle From Around The Bend, About 100 From 6th Green

[Ronald Montesano]

Number 7 is a fantastic start to the middle third of the course. The prototypical risk-reward short two-shotter, if you can bomb it from left to right, this hole is for you. It has its narrow moments, but a well played shot over the left edge of the fairway beach will always find safe purchase. The green is incredibly well constructed, with strategic internal contours. Love it, love it, want more of it!!

Tee Shot From Deep-Dark Image


Tee Shot From Forward-Lighter Image


Angle From Right Side, About 150 From Green


Angle From Behind 5th Green, About 100 From 6th Green


Angle From Behind 6th Green

[Kevin Lynch]

Fairway Shot from Lower Bowl Right

LOOK AT THAT FORM!!!

Don't forget to mention the exquisite balance it takes to keep that much top-heavy weight (OK- Middle Heavy) upright on such scrawny little ankles.

That finish may be the most graceful-looking thing about my swing, so I'm flattered that it was memorialized.

Also, in my defense, I did hit the green in regulation and Heavy Putter took care of the rest.

[Kevin Lynch]

I personally like Ruby Buzzard. Two reasons are, I think that I've played it much more than Kevin, so I know where to hit the ball and where not to; when to charge and when to back off. Still, it is a very challenging course. The second reason is, I'm a pretty straight hitter, whereas Kevin "Phil" Lynch simply cannot resist going for the big game. He is a swashbuckler, whereas I am not. I believe that Ruby Buzzard has a lot of character and, when playing fast and firm, is the toughest course in the area from the tips, Crag Burn included.

First, it’s not so much that I’m a “swashbuckler”, it’s just an understanding that the “safe plays” can end up going astray on me as well.  If I’m going to eff-up, I’d rather do it trying something exciting.

Second, my lack of enthusiasm with Ruby Buzzard isn’t so much the difficulty or the difference in our playing styles.  It probably has more to do with overall terrain.  I grew up playing part-time ski slopes like Byrncliff, while you honed the game at Audobon.  The terrain and shaping at Ruby Buzzard provides little in terms of inspiration, while it may be technically solid.  Ruby Buzzard provides plenty of challenge to “play” golf, but lacks in terms of “feeling” the game (except for the nauseating feeling of in-course OB – use your damn mower!)

Ruby Buzzard has several very good holes, but the “meh” factor is too prevalent, especially from the tee.

[Kevin Lynch]

When Ivy Ridge was being built, the guys were convinced by the owner of Reservoir Creek down in Naples, NY, to hire Blaine Harrison, a Canadian shaper, to do the greens. Best decision they ever made.

Agreed the shaping on the greens are very good at LAIR

In my mind, those holes have the landing area for the second shot precisely where water (on both sides!) comes into play. To make it worse, the fairway shrinks down to nothing, so you either have 185 in for your third shot or you risk getting wet. The greens at the end of both holes are not very interesting. I think that the par fours and threes make LAIR.

I think the par 3's at Arrowhead are very good while the short #8 at LAIR is disappointing IMHO

At Arrowhead, Scott's professionalism shines through. Interestingly enough, people have called for Arrowhead to add a set of decks, to offer a 7K yard playing option. It can be done, but does it need to be done?

[/quote]
John,

While the greens at LAIR are decent, do you think they compare favorably to Arrowhead?  Again, my recollection of LAIR may be fading so I may not be giving as much credit as I should.

As for the Par 3s, I think Arrowhead has the better set, in terms of variety of shots required and shelving of the greens.  LAIR probably has the advantage on the Par 4s, mainly due to less space restrictions, which gives it a little more variety and challenge.  I agree with Ron about the parallel 5s at LAIR, so I’d give a slight nod to Arrowhead there.

As for the extra decks, I think Arrowhead has added a few that are not reflected on the card.  Unless we had too many “Swing Doctors”, I seem to recall playing from a 409 deck on 18 Sunday (tips according to the card), but there was another deck 40-50 yards behind.

(For those who don’t play with our buddy Eric, “Swing Doctors” are post-birdie celebratory sips of bourbon or scotch from the “Swing Doctor” Flask – it can be nasty during a Scramble).

[Kevin Lynch]

All right, before this thread gets jacked, let's keep it moving! (but keep the commentary coming, too)

Hole #5 -- Par 4...378...356...322...380

As Kevin Lynch notes, Scott Witter utilized the "over the ridge and beyond" theory of fairway construction to get golfers through a potentially claustrophobic part of the property without feeling claustrophobic. Number five, a slight dogleg right par four, takes a drive some 225 yards to a ridge, then down to a vale, then up to the green, with water behind. The green is so deep, you should never be near the water. Up the shorter and higher (right) side of the fairway are three bunkers that tempt the brazen hitter to fly them. Not a good idea, as you will then come over the greenside bunkers. the more strategic play is up the left side, although a missed fairway left probably spells trees. You'll find your ball, but you'll need creativity. The approach, in any case, should be with wedge or less, thanks to a springboard off the far side of the fairway ridge.

The more I play this hole, the more I realize that it really is very wide, but looks much more intimidating at first.  There is plenty of room to bail out right, but the price can be an awkward downhill/sidehill lie (in addition to the right greenside bunker).  The pond behind should not come into play, but I imagine there are many balls in there from thinned short irons / wedges resulting from said awkward lie.

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole #8 -- Par 3...184...168...144...121

I like to assess par 3s from a number of vantage points, for my personal valuation. The first is the variety of distances. Witter gives us a 90s, an 80s, a 60s, and a 50s on his card. Could they be extended? Sure. The 90s tends to play into the wind most days and always a bit uphill, so perhaps you get it there. The 80s plays the opposite direction, so more like a 70s. The second most important vantage point is the entry into the green. Is it better to come in from the left, the right, or straight on? Two of Arrowhead's shorties are straight-ons, one is a left and one more, a righty. Need there be perfect balance? Since there are only two such combinations of 24 possible, no.

#8 is a mid-length, one-shot hole from the tips. It bears sand front right and left, so there is no safe side. Past the green is no gimme, either, so the safety zones are front (over the wetlands) and on the green. The putting surface is a deep one, with a sizable (although not steep) ridge bisecting the green into front and back halves. The ridge is not set at a 90 degree angle, so there is always some lateral movement as the ball ascends or descends. The hole is interesting and makes excellent use of what others might consider a throwaway piece of terrain.

The Walk To The Tee


8th Green, From The Bridge On The Walk To The Tee


The Tee Shot, From Close


The Left Side & A Bit Of The Entrance To The Green

[Andy Hughes]

My friend, Mr. KPL, is a bit wild at times....

Say what you will, you do NOT want to tangle with him in a Shamble.

PS  I truly wish I had followed Kevin around the 9th at Ballyhack--his 'form' above is pretty tame in comparison! 

[Kevin Lynch]

My friend, Mr. KPL, is a bit wild at times....

Say what you will, you do NOT want to tangle with him in a Shamble.

PS  I truly wish I had followed Kevin around the 9th at Ballyhack--his 'form' above is pretty tame in comparison! 

I was "Tebow-esque" on Saturday at Ballyhack.  It was hideous throughout, with much improvisation from broken plays.  But damn, if I didn't walk off with a Par.

The last hole in Ron's Tour (Arrowhead 8th) was standard-issue for my game.  Caught the initial tee shot heavy into hazard 20 yards short of green.  Eschewing the drop, re-teed and hit high draw to 8 feet.  Never boring, as Ron says...

[Kevin Lynch]

Hole #8 -- Par 3...184...168...144...121

The hole is interesting and makes excellent use of what others might consider a throwaway piece of terrain.

I hadn't really thought of that, but now that you mention it, that little piece of land could have produced a very boring one-shotter.  The diagonal ridge and angling of the green makes this an enjoyable hole.  There are delicate recovery shots from all angles.

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole #9-Par 5: 548...527...476...427

Another of four memorable three-shot holes, courtesy of Mr. Witter. This one banks right, then left, with strategic bunker placement at each turn. The first is a large sand hole on the inside corner, then a pair of sand hazards in the region of the lay-up. Another bunker awaits at the green, a sizable putting surface that show off Witter's penchant for bi-level targets.

Tee Shot


Fairway Shot 1, from left side of fairway


Fairway Shot 2, same shot, a bit closer

Fairway Shot 3 from 100 Yards, right-side fairway bunker


Shot from behind green

[Ronald Montesano]

I think that, if the wind is doing anything back in the 8th-hole corner. it is the toughest par three on the course. Typically, #16 can be the biggest bear, as we saw last Sunday, into the teeth of the wind. 4 is short enough, as is 11, to nullify the meteorological influences.

[JNC Lyon]

More photos, more photos!

For those of you at home, Arrowhead is sort of a poor man's Crag Burn.  The 9th is where that's most apparent: flat terrain broken up by large bunkers, some penal and some strategic, along with an interesting two-tiered green.  Clearly, Scott Witter played some golf at Trent Jones' excellent design in his day.  I only wish he was back on site to comment.

Arrowhead is another one of those solid public courses in Upstate New York that nobody ever discusses.

[Ronald Montesano]

#10-Par 5-504...487...420...384

The tenth at Arrowhead is a splendid lesser-half-shot hole, a par five that plays like a long par four (if you hit the fairway.) If you fan the ball right, you'll still (probably) carry the wetlands, but you'll be faced with a 200+ yard shot into the green. Approach shots need to carry 40 yards less to clear the second set of wetlands, but anything short or sideways of the putting surface leaves an inspired recovery shot. The putting surface is actually fairly manageable, meaning that Scott Witter is not averse to the good run at eagle that two fine shots bring. The day we played, three of the four in our group managed birdie, with an eagle putt and chip just missing. A challenging, inspired, feel-good hole to start the back nine.

Tee Shot (From the tips, about 240 carry is needed to clear the hazard)


Fairway Shot 1 (From about 180 yards out)


Fairway Shot 2 (From just shy of second wetlands, about 100 yards out)


From behind green, looking back up fairway, toward clubhouse

[Ronald Montesano]

Par 4: 433...409...376...348

The 11th is "up there" with the second as one of my favorite two-shot holes on the course. Both play west to east, so both will be influenced similarly by the wind. While the second meanders sharply to the left, the eleventh rides gently to the right. The second green sits below the landing area, while the eleventh is pushed up slightly. It is very deep, allowing for longish putts and chips from front to back. What makes the hole that much stronger is the left front fairway bunker/hole location. If the flag is tucked left, behind the bunker, the right fairway bunker must be challenged if one wants to get close. The smart/safe play at all times is fairway left, followed by an approach to the center of the green.

Tee Shot...From the front edge of the 409 deck, better contrast...the tallest tree to the left of the white stake is the target


Fairway Shot 1...From the right rough, just short of right fairway bunker


Fairway Shot 2...From left side of fairway, about 165 yards out

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole # 12-Par 3: 164...153...132...111

A terrific little hole that begs a right to left shot, especially for back left pins. Witter incorporated a feeder chute that funnels balls from front right to back left with panache. If you end up in the front left sand, you deserve it for trying to scarf too much. The right-side mounding frames the hole quite well.

Tee Shot from 111 Yard Tee


Tee Shot from 164 Yard Tee


Shot from 80 yards out on left side

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole # 13-Par 4: 415...398...368...337

Unlucky # 13 is a solid, apparently-straight two shotter that (thanks to bunkering and mounding) plays anything but. It is typical to reach for a little more distance on this hole, but anything abnormally wide of the fairway has a chance at OB left or wetlands right. Understand, though, that you REALLY have to be wild to have this happen. One of the larger greens on the course awaits, offering easy access but no simple putts.

Tee Shot from behind farthest deck


Fairway Shot 1, from some 200 yards out


Fairway Shot 2 from 160 Yards

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole # 14-Par 4: 300...272...357...340

One of the more magical holes on the course, 14 has eye appeal, strategy galore and complete satisfaction. Want to take a run at a par four green with a left to right slider? Here you are...watch out for the OB left and the water course right. There's plenty of room to punch a 7 or a 5 or a 3 iron into the fairway, leaving a full wedge to a receptive green if you decide to take the more conservative route.

Shot from behind 13th green, across water course


Up Close view of fairway and greenside bunkers right


Fairway Shot 1, from center, about 100 yards out


Fairway Shot 2, from left rough, showing left front bunker, about 72.16 yards out

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole # 15-Par 5: 535...521...483...430

The 15th is another subtle yet bemusing creation from the mind of Witter. Ample room awaits to the right side of the fairway, so no need to follow the line of charm and challenge the bunkers (unless you like to live dangerously.) Blast away with your fairway metal; Witter lets you take a full run at this one, as little trouble (outside of short and way right) awaits. The green surrounds are inspired and tricky. The green is large yet gentle in its break.

Before the Tee Shot, a nice view of nature on the right


Tee Shot


Fairway Shot # 1...From the left fairway bunkers


Fairway Shot # 2...From the center, at 150 yards

[Ronald Montesano]

Hole # 16-Par 3: 193...184...163...124

The fourth in a series of memorable one-shotters. Despite the wetlands carry and the intimidating sand around the putting surface, 16 is a fair hole. It has a penchant for playing into the wind but, on the day that we played it, dead into the wind, I hit a 3 iron to the front of the green. Unless force winds arrive, no more than one club need be added from the deck. The green itself is a marvel, fairly narrow yet deep, with a sizable elevation change from front (low) to back (high.)

Tee Shot from Forward Tees



Tee Shot from Middle Tees



Tee Shot from Back Tees



Tee Shot from behind green...up close and personal



Tee Shot from behind green...a bit farther back



Tee Shot from behind green...favoring right side of green

[John Foley]

Ron - keep them coming - I really like 10, 11 14 15 on the back - definelty need to get back there

[Ronald Montesano]

Let us know when, John. Kevin and I will be glad to meet you there. Wish I had used my "A" camera that day.