No problem...always happy to talk Myopia! Now on to three diverse and interesting finishing holes. Two out of three of them (16/18) are quite controversial in this day and age. With maintenance standards very high these days at top tier clubs, some of the older features aren't able to come into play as they once did. Is this for better or for worse? I call 16 and 18 fair, but only barely so like 13. They are not card-and-pencil holes, but they do fare very well in match play.
Hole #16: If you have seen one picture of Myopia, it is probably of the gorgeous 16th hole, a downhill par three of about 190 yards with the Revolutionary War-era clubhouse behind, and the golf shop to the left. Now take a good look at the green...how do you intend to stop a ball on there? As on many holes at MHC, the real yardage means little. 190 yards can some days be covered with a 7 or 8 iron even by mere mortals. The green runs away from the tee 50 feet above, with the steep left section unpinnable. The only shots to have a chance to hold the green are those that carry a bunker 30 yards short, bounce through the tiny fairway section, and hopefully come to a stop before the back fringe. For years, the fronting fairway played too wet to allow this to happen. Lately it has firmed up and the fairway functions as planned, but most shots will end up long anyway. The green is surrounded by hazards on all sides, and the only recovery area is the back bunker, as you will have an uphill shot. For me, there is a bit too little recovery area for greatness, but it is thrilling to hit a shot and wait to see if it will run out and stop correctly. No doubt it is a great match play hole, where a 4 is never a bad score.
Hole #17: A mid-length par four recently improved with tree removal between 17 and 18, which makes the player even more uneasy off the tee with less definition available. This is the only hole with OB in play, as a stone wall separates #17 from the driving range to the left. Classic strategy is at play, as the fairway slopes hard L->R, requiring a tee shot in the general direction of the OB wall. The green is at the very end of the slope that dominates the hole, with a steep shaved dropoff to the right. With a left to right stance, the shaved bank is ever more in play. For those able to use the flat run-up on the left side of the green, a short birdie putt awaits, as this is one of Myopia smaller greens. Another underrated hole.
Hole #18: On a course full of "most difficult for its length" holes, the 18th is no exception. The dominating feature off the tee is a slope about 260 yards out that shoots long tee shots into the left rough to a difficult stance. If the player can stay short of the slope, it must be between deep pot bunkers on both sides of the fairway. The approach is a mid- to short-iron, but extremely demanding. The green slopes gently towards the rear, and 8-foot deep bunkers guard the entire front and right edges. The green is not small, but it is so flat that very little of it can be seen from the fairway. Fear of the front bunker makes each player pucker even with a 9-iron in hand! One can miss left, but not far, as a slope will kick it further left, or long, where there is short rough because the majority of third/fourth shot play is from there. The last full shot on the course has one of the neatest "only at Myopia" views, with the yellow clubhouse just behind, and grassy courtyard, putting green, and tennis beyond. This is another very difficult stroke play hole, but most definitely fun for match play if it gets this far!
Questions, comments, heckles? Now-and-again GCA poster and PGA pro Jeff Fraim worked at Myopia the same year I did, so a hearty hello to him if he sees this!