I used to think that this course was good for beginners, but after playing it on a hot Labor Day Monday, I'm having second thoughts. It's not because the course is really that hard, it's that the hol... Continue »

I used to think that this course was good for beginners, but after playing it on a hot Labor Day Monday, I'm having second thoughts. It's not because the course is really that hard, it's that the holes are spaced so close together that errant shots are likely to land in adjacent fairways. Also, many tee boxes are placed only a few yards away from the preceding greens, sometimes with no fence protection. The tee shot into the long par 3 11th hole almost aims you to the 12th tee, especially with the prevailing wind against you. The approach into the par 5 13th hole, with the 14th tee just a moderate hook to the left, also seemed especially dangerous. The course starts off tough, with the first hole a par 4 that requires a hard draw, followed by a long par 3 over a gully with a green that is framed by a couple of trees. Then holes 3 through 7 are placed parallel with one another, separated only by a single line of large trees. Calls of "Fore!" are heard constantly, and holes seemed to back up as golfers waited for groups to clear so they could run over and hit their balls. All of the par 3s, except for the 17th hole, were pretty long, over 175yds from the blues. The greens were pretty nice, as nice as I've ever seen them here, putting at a medium speed. The only exception seemed to be the fourth green, where the hole was inexplicably cut in a moist part of the green. The fairways were decent. The bunkers were brown, little dirt clumps that could be half the size of your ball. The rough was nothing to speak of, with many dried over mud patches. I saw some pretty severe divot damage on a couple of holes, with the 9th tee coming to mind. The course was pretty busy, and we waited on the tee on most holes, and ended up with a 4 1/2 - 5 hour round. No beverage cart came around, but the snack shop was smartly placed in that you go by it three times during the round. The prices for food were very reasonable for a golf course. Get a fountain drink, and you can get free refills.