From: Dave Tutelman (dmt@pegasus.bl-els.att.com) Search Result 3 Subject: Re: Post Hershey PA Tourney Observations Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf Date: 1995/06/06 View: Complete Thread (2 articles) | Original Format In article , Stephen Payne wrote: ...A completely accurate review, but one that didn't even scratch the surface of that delightful afternoon. So indulge me while I list a few of my reminiscences (if for no other reason than to prolong the experience): - Julie and Coops did a fabulous job of organizing this event. I am forever in their debt for inviting me. The only hitch I noticed was immediately solved by Coops' extraordinary sportsmanship, as Steve has already noted. - The fellowship in our foursome was almost instant. Only Tom and Coops had met before Sunday afternoon (though Coops and I probably knew one another pretty well through Email). Tom and I struggled with more golf course than we were used to, while Steve attacked it with gusto and Coops played what the course gave him. Clearly (from the results) Coops had the right strategy; but I think we were all greatly enriched by the experience. - The course is spectacular, IMHO. Steve has undoubtedly seen more courses and has a better standard of comparison, but I don't think his compliments quite do it justice. The holes range from six good but straightforward holes (that would grace almost any course) to the terrifying tenth (and the three or four that follow it ... and the gorgeous par-5 that precedes it ... and ...). The hills are as steep as any I've played. I have never enjoyed cart golf, but it's hard to imagine surviving this course without a cart (or Superman for a caddy). The meandering stream adds a lot of character, as Steve notes. I counted nine holes where it's a factor, if you include the fact that it's lurking just beyond the trees or rough if you miss the fairway by too much. The trees are huge, mature, and placed strategically. - Having mentioned the "terrifying tenth", I guess I better say something about it. You tee off from a seriously elevated tee area (switchbacks on the cart path, but that's not the only place you find that). The ground falls off into the gully cut by the stream, then up a sheer cliff on the other side. The carry across the gully to the fairway is about 150, and framed tightly by trees on both sides. Tom and I were intimidated, blew our tee shots, and had to hit out of "challenging" lies in the gully. Coops played a nice, safe shot (long iron, if I recall) on exactly the line he advised us. Steve boomed a long drive beyond what any of us thought possible. After you reach the fairway, it's a long uphill slog for a total hole length of about 420 yards. If you do get on in two, it's no easy 2-putt, especially if the flag is anywhere near the falloff (as it was on Sunday). A pitch that doesn't reach the ridge will roll off the green. A downhill putt much past the hole will cross the ridge and roll off. - The first and last holes we played (#5 and #4 respectively; it was a shotgun start) were singularly good experiences. #5 is a short (130 yard) par 3, up a very steep hill. Three switchbacks on the cart path. 12-foot flagstick so you can see the flag from the tee. All four of us put it on the green or the fringe, for three pars and a birdie. (False sense of security? Nah!!) #4 is a rather short par 4, of 280 yards. Flat, pretty, in the valley. Woods and OB left, and a very steep hill right (probably kick back to the fairway, but an impossible stance if it hangs up in the rough, and it can). But the major feature is the 20-foot-wide, swiftly-flowing stream, which meanders THREE times across the straight line from tee to green. The third meander is only 10 feet in front of the green-front bunker. Clearly an iron-iron target-golf hole. Steve, who had been having an up-and-down day, ruminated, "This calls for course management. What'll I hit? BOOM-STICK!!! You guys buying drinks if I drive the green?" His drive cleared all three meanders, and splashed into the sand, while we gaped in awe. When we got closer, we saw that it had bounced out of the hard sand, and sat on the green only six feet or so from the pin. He made the eagle putt, too. What a way to finish the day! Guy, Steve, Tom -- it was a beautiful afternoon. Julie, thanks so much for arranging it and inviting me. Anytime........ Cheers! Dave