It took over 16 months after first seeing the property for Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw to sign a contract with founder Ken Bakst, and agree to design a course here in Baiting Hollow, Long Island. This was 1998. It wasn't until 2000 that clearing work was completed, and earth moving would commence. The course opened for play in 2002.
The 350 acre property runs along the north shore of Long Island. It includes bluffs of 3/4 mile, that extend some 150 - 200 feet above Long Island Sound, and 165 acres of tree covered dunes that were sandwiched between the bluff, and the potato farmland to the south.
Coore didn't just want to build a "Jekyll & Hyde" style course, where the nines were completely different to one another, which would have been the easier option. He was determined to integrate the various elements of the property, and has done so, with holes on each nine working into the dunes, and down to the farmland. It was this vision, and gaining an understanding of how he could get holes to work in this fashion, that took many site visits, and plenty of time.
Both nines start in the dunes, and each nine has "transition" holes. Holes that tee off from high in the dunes, and work down into the farmland area.
The club name comes from what 19th-century merchant sailors saw from their ships—a bald dune top with a ring of vegetation further down, resembling a tonsured monk looming above the shoreline.
The club logo, as depicted above with the pin and flags, also carries a nautical reference. Relating to the International Code of Signals. The diamond on the upper flag represents the letter "F", and the red and white split flag represents "H".
Remnants of the Potato Farm still remain, with old outbuildings as seen a little earlier, and the pump equipment as seen here on the tee of the par four cape style 6th hole.
This is the massive bunker to the right side of the par five 7th hole. It extends all the way from driving distance, right up to the green. It is very difficult to avoid.
Friar's Head is very much a private member's club. So much so, that there are no hole numbers on the tees, no distance notifications, or hole ratings on holes or scorecards, and no rakes in bunkers. Play must be with a caddy, and the caddy is responsible for providing all distance information. Lasers / GPS devices are prohibited, encouraging golfers to trust the caddy and embrace the experience. The caddy also carries one of these. A personal rake. They will hang the rake head from one of the golf bags, and screw in the handle when required. Solves the rakes in or out debate!
Wendy Pullar prepares to deal with the carry over the sandy waste area in front of the par three 8th hole.
Sue Hovell just about to drive at the par four 9th hole, with the majestic clubhouse in the distance.
The stunning views continue as you get closer to the halfway point of the round.
One very clever aspect is the hidden integration of the putting green into the 9th green.
The green wraps around behind bunkers and sandy waste to extend into the practice green. It is a great link, but virtually unnoticeable from the 9th until you actually get to the putting surface.
This is the view you have when you make the turn. The virtually blind par three 10th hole with it's vast dunes and sandy expanses, gives you the feel of no space to land your ball.
This is what actually exists up there. The biggest green on the course allows for a 70 foot putt should the caddy get the number wrong, or you not believe them.
The transitional 11th hole, a great downhill par five, again with a very long green, and a near impossible downhill putt if you are a long way above the hole.
The course works its way back through the dunes as you get to the par five 14th.
The view back to to the tee from the dune behind the green.
The signature hole here at Friar's, the par four 15th. The hole weaves it's way down through the dunes and approaches the Long Island Sound.
Mike King doing his best "Blue Steel" on the walkway from the 15th green to the 16th tee. One of the best green to tee walks in golf (14th to 15th at Cypress excluded), along the Long Island sound.
Atop the dunes sits the par three 17th hole. The par threes here are all varied, providing a great contrast of length and styles.
The view heading into the par four 18th. After golf we had a great lunch in the clubhouse. A truly special experience all round, complementing the brilliant golf course.
Jeff Faure was our winner of the day today.
No comments:
Post a Comment