 |
| Rendering of Prep's New Golf Course |
Description of Routing and Circulation Relationships
For the “long course”, 4-5 foursomes (depending on skill level and/or speed of play tolerance) may be on the course at one time, making three loops around the golf course to play nine different holes. Once the last of the original 4-5 groups has reached #7 green, a new group may tee off on #1. All listed yardages are from the back tees. Multiple sets of tees and yardages will be finalized in consultation with the various golf interests. The facility is tailored to beginners through junior varsity level players, yet even very low handicap players can enjoy this facility.
#1 – 300 yard par 4, slight dogleg left. The drive is hit from the elevated and shared driving range tee and carries a deep grass swale back up to a raised fairway landing area. Those trying to cut the corner by hitting into the fairway for #5/7 will find it nearly impossible to hold the green from that angle, maintaining the strategic integrity of this hole.
#2 – 315 yard par 4, dogleg left, protected by a deep bunker on the inside of the dogleg. The green is cozily set above a natural ravine with the hillside behind.
#3 – 150 yard uphill par 3, this hole may also play to the shorter (#8) green. (Note: Balls hit to the wrong green anywhere on the course shall be played from off the green surface, at least 20 feet off the green not closer to the hole.) A shot hit short of the green may roll all the way down the hill to just short of the pond.
#4 – 245 yard, driveable par 4/long par 3 hole, over the water. Along with #9, the sand filter and large storm water management requirements tighten the available bail out area. Boys will become men on these holes at this fine “Preparatory” facility.
#5 – The second loop begins on this 330 yard dogleg right par 4. As with #1, the strategic integrity of the hole is protected by making it nearly impossible to hold the green from the wrong angle – in this case from #1 fairway. Added considerations for the drive on this hole are the large mound on the left at the landing area, and the deep grass swale just beyond it, which big hitters might be tempted to try and carry.
#6 – A 460 yard par 4/5, cunningly (though most might say diabolically) crafted over the available area. As with #2, the pond or inside bunker will gobble up a big drive that is not dead accurate. That perfect drive will be well rewarded, as the green can then be reached in two. For most mortals, however, even playing it safe is no guarantee of success, as a second shot hit too far right may well bound all the way down the hill into the pond, and too far left will be in the woods. Definitely, the most intriguing hole on the site.
#7 – Whereas #6 rewards power bridled with pinpoint accuracy, #7 lets the reigns loose a little more to see who can really bomb it. From the back tees, this is a 510 yard par 5 with a drive working over the pond 30 feet below, and back up a tiered uphill/side slope. The second shot continues to work up hill and must follow the #5 fairway to get a good third shot to the green. A real muscle hole!
#8 – Tricky, fun, and once again, quite intriguing. At 410 yards the second shot to this green can be played two different ways, by hitting it up a little short and left and hoping it rolls onto the green, or by going right at it with a full carry. Any ball hit too short or too far right will be watched with apprehension as it either it rolls into the pond or stops just short.
#9 – One more good swing is required on this 190 par 3 over water and sand structure, with the green in an amphitheatre setting. Pretty tough, but again there are shorter tees for those whose skills are still on the rise (or well past their peak).
Short Course – The short course (designated with roman numerals) consists of six shorter holes (three par 3s and three par 4s) modified within the long course configuration, allowing 6-8 groups of beginners on the course at any one time. Roman numeral I is the same as the par 4 5th hole, II is the par 4 2nd hole, and III is the 3rd hole played to the short (#8) green. A small tee for IV is created on #6/8 fairway and plays as a short par 3 to #6 green. V is the same as the par 4 9th hole, and a small tee for VI is created in the front part of #1 fairway, then playing as a 130 yard par 3 to the 9th green.
Driving Range – The driving range tee is an all grass tee approximately 140 feet wide by 140 feet deep, allowing for season-long grass range use. It also serves as the teeing area for the 1st and 5th holes, and it is used when the golf course is not being used. #1 fairway serves as the target fairway for the driving range, the total landing area for which is approximately 400 yards long and 500-600 feet wide, larger than most golf course ranges and as large or larger than most commercial stand alone ranges as well.