The Riverlands
Apr 26, 2021 17:08:47 GMT -5
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Post by cathalos1991 on Apr 26, 2021 17:08:47 GMT -5
The Riverlands - Published
Welcome to The Riverlands, a fun, water filled journey, through a plot of land inspired by the beauty on the island of Ireland.
18 championship holes, 17 of which have an element of water in play, await to challenge, frustrate and occasionally reward you. Keeping in line with the theme for the course, there are a multitude of water features across the course; rivers, lakes, streams, tributaries along with some river erosion, meandering rivers and ox bow lakes all of which you have to do your best to stay out of.
The course doesn't play very long, a mere 7094 yards off the blues. However don't get complacent, position is key on most holes throughout the course. As you make your way through the front 9 you will play through two valley like holes, the 3rd and 4th, which were inspired by a beautiful area of Co. Wicklow used to film some scenes from season 6 of Vikings. With these two holes, I wanted them to be more than just be inspired by the location but to be inspired by Vikings, tough, unpredictable and willing to do whatever it takes to get your precious golf balls 😂😂
Moving towards the turn, the 7th is another hole that brings a tough challenge regardless what conditions you are faced with. Into the wind you could have a 200 yard shot off a side hill / uphill slope to an undulated green 20 feet below you that is also surrounded by water on 3 sides. Downwind, you run the risk of running out of fairway at the bottom of the hill, leaving you with a downhill / sidehill 120 yard shot to an undulating green, surrounded on 3 sides by water and potentially coming from the rough. Especting this one to be Index no. 1.
As we move through the turn, this area becomes inspired by a specific plot of land on a course local to me. Getting to go down and walk the course while it was closed for play due to Covid, I had a bit of fun getting creative with how I would change things, how I could introduce water etc. The 10th hole is a mirror image of the closing hole at Dromoland Castle Golf Club. I just really love the hole and wanted to pay homage to it, and yes that big ass tree in the middle is also there IRL. (literally just smacked into it right there, playing a round as I type 😂😂)
The Dark Hedges of Co. Antrim are in full view as you tee off on 11, as long as your laying up. I've always found these trees to be really cool and really wanted to find a way to include them. You may have seen them before on the Kings Road heading north (Game Of Thrones reference if you didn't get that 😂, think it was season 2 they were in) The theme for this hole is inspired by that wonderful Ramsay Bolton quote "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention"
As you move further into the back 9, the less you will need your driver. 13 through 15 are difficult holes as it is without having to negotiate trees and heavy rough too. This area is inspired by areas along the River Liffey in Co. Kildare which is another beautiful area of Ireland worth checking out. With the last three holes, I wanted to throw the metaphorical kitchen sink at players, really keep them guessing in terms of best strategy to all come to a close in front of The Powerscourt Estate, or at least a really nice Manor inspired by it.
*The default lighting is set up to highlight the chevron sculpting effect used for creating the Manor in the backdrop of the 18th green. Dawn and Dusk also provide some great lighting, Dawn being similar to default*
Welcome to The Riverlands, a fun, water filled journey, through a plot of land inspired by the beauty on the island of Ireland.
18 championship holes, 17 of which have an element of water in play, await to challenge, frustrate and occasionally reward you. Keeping in line with the theme for the course, there are a multitude of water features across the course; rivers, lakes, streams, tributaries along with some river erosion, meandering rivers and ox bow lakes all of which you have to do your best to stay out of.
The course doesn't play very long, a mere 7094 yards off the blues. However don't get complacent, position is key on most holes throughout the course. As you make your way through the front 9 you will play through two valley like holes, the 3rd and 4th, which were inspired by a beautiful area of Co. Wicklow used to film some scenes from season 6 of Vikings. With these two holes, I wanted them to be more than just be inspired by the location but to be inspired by Vikings, tough, unpredictable and willing to do whatever it takes to get your precious golf balls 😂😂
Moving towards the turn, the 7th is another hole that brings a tough challenge regardless what conditions you are faced with. Into the wind you could have a 200 yard shot off a side hill / uphill slope to an undulated green 20 feet below you that is also surrounded by water on 3 sides. Downwind, you run the risk of running out of fairway at the bottom of the hill, leaving you with a downhill / sidehill 120 yard shot to an undulating green, surrounded on 3 sides by water and potentially coming from the rough. Especting this one to be Index no. 1.
As we move through the turn, this area becomes inspired by a specific plot of land on a course local to me. Getting to go down and walk the course while it was closed for play due to Covid, I had a bit of fun getting creative with how I would change things, how I could introduce water etc. The 10th hole is a mirror image of the closing hole at Dromoland Castle Golf Club. I just really love the hole and wanted to pay homage to it, and yes that big ass tree in the middle is also there IRL. (literally just smacked into it right there, playing a round as I type 😂😂)
The Dark Hedges of Co. Antrim are in full view as you tee off on 11, as long as your laying up. I've always found these trees to be really cool and really wanted to find a way to include them. You may have seen them before on the Kings Road heading north (Game Of Thrones reference if you didn't get that 😂, think it was season 2 they were in) The theme for this hole is inspired by that wonderful Ramsay Bolton quote "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention"
As you move further into the back 9, the less you will need your driver. 13 through 15 are difficult holes as it is without having to negotiate trees and heavy rough too. This area is inspired by areas along the River Liffey in Co. Kildare which is another beautiful area of Ireland worth checking out. With the last three holes, I wanted to throw the metaphorical kitchen sink at players, really keep them guessing in terms of best strategy to all come to a close in front of The Powerscourt Estate, or at least a really nice Manor inspired by it.
*The default lighting is set up to highlight the chevron sculpting effect used for creating the Manor in the backdrop of the 18th green. Dawn and Dusk also provide some great lighting, Dawn being similar to default*