| Championship |
400 |
| Maroon |
374 |
| Teal |
345 |
| Orange |
345 |
| Green |
306 |
| Ocean |
306 |
| Khaki |
268 |
| D. Muirhead |
215 |
Par
(Mens/Ladies) |
4/4 |
Handicap
(Mens/Ladies) |
11/7
|
|
|
This hole is again precise and reasonable, but it is a good bit harder than number 1. There are large hills on the sides of the fairway and a trap which is potentially punishing if you miss the landing area. You must place your drive to avoid the trees to enjoy a good second shot, or trouble looms in the form of the long diagonal trap in front of the green.
This trap introduces the idea of diagonal penalty which for over a century has been a cornerstone of golf course architecture. The idea derived from the famous 15th "Redan" hole in North Berwick, Scotland, with its large yawning diagonal bunkers and its green which slopes away from the golfer at the rear. The hole was named fro the Russian redoubt at Sebastopol, which the British stormed in the Crimean War. This oblique entrenchment was attacked in force. The bravest regiments took the longest route and were exposed to the most fire. The timidest soldiers took the shortest route for minimum exposure, and so it is with golf.
Although the Redan in Scotland is a par three, this is a short par four hole. It is shorter still when the prevailing wind is blowing, but you may then require a more accurate approach with plenty of topspin. With the pin at the farthest point of the green, if the drive is at all inadequate, a daring second shot indeed is needed. The surface misdirected shots will be heavily punished. Yet the less brave who take the shorter route will have rolls in the green to negotiate. Thus, the principle of the Redan is upheld.
Desmond Muirhead |