The 17th, a par 4 of 440 yards(ish) with wind quartering in from the left, continues the superb closing sequence. Multiple teeing options are available, with two noted by arrows on the map below.
Sir Nuckles elected to tee us up in the 16th fairway, creating a left-bending cape for the group.
The creek and trees guard the inside edge from the “Cape” tee.
…But a the lack of a pedestrian bridge meant we were graced with an opportunity to stroll around and see the hole from the alternate teeing grounds – it’s a much straighter affair from here, with a bit less reward for well-executed aggression.
Once again, a steady combination of central hazards and wind (and teeing options) ensures that the hole will never play the same way twice. This trap protects the starboard margin of the landing zone from the “Cape” tee, but it must be carried or skirted from the “Straight” tees.
The cape tee shot bends around this tree and trap, but these obstacles may impede second shots from any tee for those that struggle off the peg. It really is a lovely hole when Morrow keeps his hind quarters out of frame.
Spectacle (?) bunkers will crowd lay-ups and low trajectory approaches .
The green is raised a tad, like its siblings, to shrug away rain and indifferent approaches.
More delectable Nuckles are on tap, and the easiest recovery shots will come from the front/right side for most pin positions. Left and long are always wrong.
Looking back from behind, one sees the folly of attacking left/rear hole locations.