Romanov na Murmane (National Treasure, Alternate-Russia)
Jun 15, 2021 12:10:41 GMT -5
jwtexan, ChrizZcE, and 3 more like this
Post by gforce41 on Jun 15, 2021 12:10:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the port city of Murmansk, Russia. Although Murmansk lies over 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle on the eastern shore of the Kola Peninsula, it is well known for it’s ice free port which is approximately 30 miles from the Barents Sea (also ice free). This ice free harbor makes the city an ideal and strategically important location for shipping and supply routes. Currently, the city maintains vital importance as a fishing, ship building and oil transport center. It has a fascinating history, as its strategic importance made it vital to both the war efforts in World War I and World War II as an important supply route.
Being so far north, the winters are long and dark, of course, but interestingly, the summer’s are full of light and it does get a little green thanks to the warm current of the sea that keeps it ice free.
What does all this mean?
It means it is home to one of the best well kept secrets in the world of golf, the relatively unknown golf course named Romanov na Murmane Golf Club, after the original name of the city.
Built in 1947 after the second World War, this hidden gem is not surprisingly quite unorthodox and a little unique in layout and routing. While little is know about its origins, the long standing belief it that is was built post WW II by a core of military engineers stationed here the during the war. The knowledge they did have of golf course design was seemingly influence by coastal links courses of Europe, but it has a style all its own.
While it plays to a standard par of 72, it's how it gets there that is a little unique. There are 5 par 3s, and 5 par 5s. Two of the par 3s are back to back uphill on the second nine (13 and 14). And while there are 5 par 5s, there is only 1 on the front while 4 appear on the back. The first nine goes out from the clubhouse atop the hill and down towards the bay. It does not come back to the clubhouse but rather ends almost as far out from the club house as you can get. Subsequently, you will find an old refurbished house transformed into the Taverna na Polputi (Halfway Tavern). The second nine winds up and down the hillside before finally returning to the clubhouse.
The terrain here is rugged and the elevations changes can be dramatic. You might find yourself needing to be creative to get out of trouble. While not from the traditional school of golf, the architecture makes terrific use of the natural landscape to find 18 fun and challenging holes of golf situated with a beautiful scenic view of the harbor. Bring your imagination and maybe a few extra balls and get ready for a golf adventure!
Par: 72
Length: 7,258
Suggested Settings:
Wind: West, Medium, to give the effect of wind coming in off the water. (if you are daring, crank it up further)
Fairways: Firm
Greens: Default is 177, but definitely can go to 187.
The Course Details
Outward Par 4, 496 yds
A big par 4 opening hole heads downhill towards the bay providing a dramatic view to begin your day. The fairway takes a hard turn left to a green further offset to the left. Danger lurks…you guessed it…left.
Windward Par 4, 470 yds
Hole 2 continues the decent down the valley and moves even harder right to left off the tee, there is even more danger to the left of this fairway. However, the approach is much simpler, a straight forward shot from the fairway to a slightly elevated green.
Mainsail Par 5, 568 yds
The third moves back uphill towards the clubhouse and with a forced carry tee shot to an elevated fairway. You might be able to use the prevailing wind at your back to make this reachable in two, but it will take 2 excellent shots. Against the wind, this is a 3 shot hole.
Dare Par 4, 320 yds
The short par 4 fourth dares you to go for it off the tee. This “bunkerless” hole is highlighted by the numerous brushy areas which have the same strategic effect and are located throughout the course. There are plenty of options here- Driver, fairway wood, hybrid, even an iron might do the trick if you think it through.
Vista Par 3, 234 yds
The first par 3 is a long one from an elevated tee across a small valley to a green perched on top of a hill overlooking the bay.
Jib Par 4, 493 yards
The sixth features one of the more interesting drives down to the most undulating fairway on the course. The stream that runs throughout the course intercepts the fairway and dissects the hole in two, and a really big drive with the wind at your back might just trickle into the rough at the end of the fairway. The approach is to an elevated green that slopes hard to the left.
Ugol Par 4, 424 yds
Ugol, or “Angle” is one of the more interesting tee shots is a carry to a fairway that is angled hard right to left, how much you can cut off depends on your length and the wind.
Short Par 3, 136 yds
The shortest hole on the course, is a downhill par 3 with a smallish green moving primarily right to left. Distance control is the name of the game here.
Taverna Par 4, 465 yds
The final hole on the first nine heads back inland with an undulating left to right fairway. The approach is to a green sided by a hill, right will make for a tough up and down.
The “Taverna na Polputi” is on the hill left and above the green.
Headwind Par 5, 537 yds
The second nine begins heading back out to the bay with a downhill par 5 that will play predominately into the wind and make it a chore to get there in 2. On rare days with a tail wind, this one should be easy to reach in two.
Crosswind Par 3, 196 yds
Most days will find a stern right to left wind making accuracy a premium to a green that moves left to right. To make things worse, fronting the green is one of the more treacherous bunkers on the course.
Keel Par 5, 545 yds
The next par 5 starts with a dramatic looking tee shot to a fairway the bends around to the right. You must make a decision as to how much fairway you want to try to cut off. Placement on the far right area of the fairway will let you reach the green in two fairly easily.
Tack Par 3, 181 yds
The first of the back to back uphill par 3s plays to a uniquely shaped green that moves right to left.
Jibe Par 3, 154 yds
The second of the back to backs plays a little shorter to a green that heads left to right, with a sharp drop off right of the green
Vysota (Elevation) Par 5, 614 yds
Get ready to let one FLY. While this is the longest hole on the course, the tee is dramatically elevated allowing you to blast one into the stratosphere. One problem, the hole usually plays into the wind. However, if you have the wind at your back, you can unleash a Blast for The Ages. Can you beat my best (401 yds!)?
Starboard Par 4, 463 yds
Heading back inland, this pretty par 4 features a centerline brush area and the stream defining the right side of the hole. With fairway sloping towards the water, wind and hole location will help you decide of which side of the fairway is the best line of play
Leeward Par 4, 431 yds
Heading back outwards, the stream in now on the right side of the fairway which bends hard left to a pretty green perched on a small hill.
Homeward Par 5, 531 yds
Head home with a big forced carry over a rocky water area on this shortish, winding, uphill par 5. Don’t let the length fool you, the uphill nature of the hole and wind will make this tough to reach in two.
Pictures:
1st Tee
9th Fairway and green
12th Tee
13th with 14 in distance above
16th fairway