Post by plawlor15 on Apr 27, 2021 22:07:45 GMT -5
Course Name: Irish Dunes of PEI
Yardage: 7,330
Irish Dunes is a salute to my home Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada and my favourite local golf course, the Links at Crowbush Cove. It is not a recreation. I tried to create the same environment and feel - a mix of holes along the north shore dunes of PEI, some amongst the coastal marshland, and some in the trees. It is my shortest design to date, but I think its is more difficult than my previous three (Balley Marrey, Tracadie Falls, and Erie Cliffs), primarily because of the narrow and pinched fairways. It is meant to be played with fast greens and a bit of a breeze. A northeast wind is by far the most difficult.
For those that have been to PEI, try to imagine the rocky cliffs as white, sandy dunes. I think the look works better than sand. Using a sand texture took all of the texture out of the dunes, and they just didn't look right. Also, PEI has no actual rock. It is a big sand bar in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, so also try to imagine the rocks along the shore as red sandstone.
Thank you to irwinm2006 and nsrichardson79 for the time you took to BETA test and the valuable feedback you provided. You will see some of that feedback in this final release.
Hope some of you out there enjoy it. Here is a bit about the course...
Hole 1 - A stiff Par 5 to start things out. Hitting the fairway off the tee is key, but even then, there's no guarantee you can reach in two as the green is guarded by water short and left and the north shore beach long.
Hole 2 - Avoid the fairway bunkers off the tee and you'll have a short approach to a tiered green.
Hole 3 - A huge risk reward Par 5. Miss the fairway off the tee, and a layup is a must. From the fairway, it's still a tough carry across the marsh.
Hole 4 - Another risk reward hole. The safe play is out to the left, leaving an approach of 200+. Successfully take on the narrow fairway on the right, and you've got a wedge in hand.
Hole 5 - A tough driving hole in the wind, but regardless, you're left with a short approach to a green set in the north shore dunes. Beware that the green slopes front to back.
Hole 6 - The first Par 3 requires a carry across the beach to a generous green nestled in the dunes.
Hole 7 - This drivable Par 4 is tougher than it looks, especially in the wind. Mid iron, wedge is the safer play.
Hole 8 - This short Par 3 requires accuracy off the tee.
Hole 9 - This tough, uphill Par 4 will challenge you off the tee. The wind will often dictate your options.
Hole 10 - There are options off the tee on this mid-length Par 4. Hit the fairway and you've got a short iron into a shallow green.
Hole 11 - This one may baffle you the first time you play. Drive placement is key. Smash a long one, and you're left with a blind approach over the dunes. The shorter play leaves the best angle and view. In the right wind, challenging the green off the tee is a possibility.
Hole 12 - The miss on this long Par 3 is short and right. Left into the dunes spells trouble.
Hole 13 - This long, uphill Par 4 provides some forgiveness off the tee. Hit one down the middle, and you'll be pleasantly surprised with a mid-range approach into a green guarded by a large bunker short and right.
Hole 14 - Only a perfect drive will provide an opportunity to reach in two. A long approach, however, must avoid the pond short and left.
Hole 15 - A scenic downhill Par 3 over the marshland.
Hole 16 - This signature hole requires you to challenge the marsh and beach on the right in order to gain the best angle and view.
Hole 17 - Challenging the small green protected by the dunes and the beach is a must on this drivable Par 4.
Hole 18 - This short Par 5 provides a great birdie opportunity. Staying right off the tee provides a great angle. Pull your drive left and your looking at either a layup or sweeping draw into a shallow green.
Peter
Yardage: 7,330
Irish Dunes is a salute to my home Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada and my favourite local golf course, the Links at Crowbush Cove. It is not a recreation. I tried to create the same environment and feel - a mix of holes along the north shore dunes of PEI, some amongst the coastal marshland, and some in the trees. It is my shortest design to date, but I think its is more difficult than my previous three (Balley Marrey, Tracadie Falls, and Erie Cliffs), primarily because of the narrow and pinched fairways. It is meant to be played with fast greens and a bit of a breeze. A northeast wind is by far the most difficult.
For those that have been to PEI, try to imagine the rocky cliffs as white, sandy dunes. I think the look works better than sand. Using a sand texture took all of the texture out of the dunes, and they just didn't look right. Also, PEI has no actual rock. It is a big sand bar in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, so also try to imagine the rocks along the shore as red sandstone.
Thank you to irwinm2006 and nsrichardson79 for the time you took to BETA test and the valuable feedback you provided. You will see some of that feedback in this final release.
Hope some of you out there enjoy it. Here is a bit about the course...
Hole 1 - A stiff Par 5 to start things out. Hitting the fairway off the tee is key, but even then, there's no guarantee you can reach in two as the green is guarded by water short and left and the north shore beach long.
Hole 2 - Avoid the fairway bunkers off the tee and you'll have a short approach to a tiered green.
Hole 3 - A huge risk reward Par 5. Miss the fairway off the tee, and a layup is a must. From the fairway, it's still a tough carry across the marsh.
Hole 4 - Another risk reward hole. The safe play is out to the left, leaving an approach of 200+. Successfully take on the narrow fairway on the right, and you've got a wedge in hand.
Hole 5 - A tough driving hole in the wind, but regardless, you're left with a short approach to a green set in the north shore dunes. Beware that the green slopes front to back.
Hole 6 - The first Par 3 requires a carry across the beach to a generous green nestled in the dunes.
Hole 7 - This drivable Par 4 is tougher than it looks, especially in the wind. Mid iron, wedge is the safer play.
Hole 8 - This short Par 3 requires accuracy off the tee.
Hole 9 - This tough, uphill Par 4 will challenge you off the tee. The wind will often dictate your options.
Hole 10 - There are options off the tee on this mid-length Par 4. Hit the fairway and you've got a short iron into a shallow green.
Hole 11 - This one may baffle you the first time you play. Drive placement is key. Smash a long one, and you're left with a blind approach over the dunes. The shorter play leaves the best angle and view. In the right wind, challenging the green off the tee is a possibility.
Hole 12 - The miss on this long Par 3 is short and right. Left into the dunes spells trouble.
Hole 13 - This long, uphill Par 4 provides some forgiveness off the tee. Hit one down the middle, and you'll be pleasantly surprised with a mid-range approach into a green guarded by a large bunker short and right.
Hole 14 - Only a perfect drive will provide an opportunity to reach in two. A long approach, however, must avoid the pond short and left.
Hole 15 - A scenic downhill Par 3 over the marshland.
Hole 16 - This signature hole requires you to challenge the marsh and beach on the right in order to gain the best angle and view.
Hole 17 - Challenging the small green protected by the dunes and the beach is a must on this drivable Par 4.
Hole 18 - This short Par 5 provides a great birdie opportunity. Staying right off the tee provides a great angle. Pull your drive left and your looking at either a layup or sweeping draw into a shallow green.
Peter