2. Amherst CC, Amherst NS (1)
3. Avon Valley G&CC, Falmouth NS (4)
4. Eagle Crest GC, Centreville NS (2)
5. Paragon GC, Kingston NS (1)
6. Truro GC, Truro NS (1)
Number of times played each shown in brackets after location.
Courses listed in order of ranking, based on 1) course conditions 2) design 3) challenge 4) value.
I am going to continue to add a little more about myself and the blog at a later date. For now, just to get caught up, I am just posting a quick collective review of courses played to date; as I play each round, I will add each course individually from now on.
1. Ken-Wo (last time played: over a week) is in the best shape of any course I have played in '09. Each time I have played (two 18 hole rounds, and 1 9-hole) it has had very fast and true greens, good fairways, manageable rough. It is a relatively difficult layout, with the biggest challenge coming on the final 5 holes. Overall, the back nine plays about 5 strokes higher (for me) than the front.
Best birdie chance: Hole # 2, a short par 3 with relatively little trouble, but if the pin is tucked in behind the left trap, it is best to play safe to the middle of the green.
Most difficult hole: Many would disagree with me, but #13, another relatively short par 3 can be devilish if you miss the green in any direction but short right. If you miss left you face an impossible uphill chip with large pine trees between you and the green; miss right and you have to chip over a deep sand trap to a small green that runs away on both the left and right sides. Over the green, you're in the parking lot, and there is another deep sand trap front left. The green itself has crazy slopes; depending on where the pin is you can easily 3 putt from 20 feet.
Don't: go left on #17! Ever!! On any of the 3 shots it takes to reach this par uphill par-5. It is jail, even the left side of the fairway is bad, with the ball either below your feet or sidehill, it is practically impossible to aim far right enough to not roll back to the left side. Even if you hit every shot along the tree-line to the right, you're better off than being left. Trust me on this.
Twilight discount (25, incl tax) bucks at 5 or later; 2 for 1 greens fees Tuesdays). Exceptional value.
2. Amherst CC. (last time played: 1 week) First time playing this hidden gem. Overall, the course was in great shape with the exception of the 1st and 18th fairways. The greens were medium-fast, although uphill putts needed to be hit very firm to hold the line. Not a lot of break in these greens... fairly subtle, but good shape and rolled true. The design is great; no really quirky holes, a few semi-blind tee shots but most greens are visible on the approaches.
Best consecutive holes in province candidate: Classic old, short dogleg-left risk/reward par 4 6th hole followed by another shorter par-4, also angling left, but with a driveable green for the longer hitter. The huge old oak and elm trees to the left of 6 give great definition to the fairway. 7 features an intimidating tee shot over a deep gorge with a creek with thick foliage along the left-hand side blocking the view of the fairway. Loved these holes.
Don't: forget about the water hazard to the right on your second shot on the par-5 18th. It's not easy to see unless you really smash your tee shot well past the top of the hill.
Most difficult hole: Probably would change with more visits, but the tee shot on Number 1 makes it a very difficult par chance. There is no room for error; the fairway narrows to about 15 yards at the landing area if you're hitting a driver, and falls down a fairly steep hill. Bad idea to miss left, and right isn't great either unless you're out past the tall pines that line the right side.
Twilight rates (25 bucks + tax), 2 for 1 Tuesdays: very good value.
3. Avon Valley G&CC: (last time played: nearly a month). I have played Avon 4 times now, but not recently. Twice at the end of April, and twice in early May. Obviously, conditions will have changed quite a bit by now. Overall, even at the early part of the season the course was in great shape. A few greens had some winter kill in April, but they were actually still putting quite smooth and fast. By May, nearly all the greens were excellent, and medium-fast. There are a lot of steep slopes at Avon, so beware downhill putts. There was pretty severe damage to the fairways on 13 and 14 this winter; I'm not sure how well these have come in but hopefully I'll soon be able to report.
Most difficult hole: Hard to pick one, but the par 3-s here are all a challenge especially in a high wind, which was the case for me on 3 of my 4 rounds. The 8th and the 15th are both killers with elevated tees to slightly elevated greens-- but below tee level-- (not exceptionally large ones, either) so hitting either one feels like an accomplishment. Have yet to hit the 8th (have been on the collar a few times) and only hit 15 once.
Best two consecutive holes in the province candidate: 8 and 9.
Best birdie chance: 9. A short par 4, if you hit the fairway and can handle the deceptively deep green, as well as avoid what must be the widest sand trap in Nova Scotia, a par should be do-able.
Don't: go left on your tee shot off No. 10. The fairway slopes severely left and the approach to the green is steeply uphill and the trees on the left totally block you out. Aim for the right tree-line; you'll be suprised how much the ball will move back to the left especially if you draw it slightly. (for us lefties, fade it).
Twilight fee: 26 bucks incl. tax after 5; Mon-Tues after 2, 29 bucks incl. tax. Very good value. (rates may go up in July...I'll update).
Will continue with the other 3 courses' reviews soon.
Courses upcoming soon:
Osprey Ridge GC, Bridgewater NS.
Hartlen Point GC, Eastern Passage, NS.
Glen Lovat GC, Linacy Greens GC, New Glasgow NS.
Greenwood GC, Greenwood NS.
Grandview GC, Dartmouth, NS.
