Iditarod Golf Course, Ruby, AK (Invicta Design)
Dec 29, 2016 21:33:07 GMT -5
nevadaballin, SAM, and 3 more like this
Post by jivesinator on Dec 29, 2016 21:33:07 GMT -5
Welcome to Alaska, golf's final frontier (at least until a lunar golf course opens up).
Iditarod Golf Course is set near the small town of Ruby, Alaska, a stop on the famous Iditarod dog sled race and which has a population of a whopping 166. And by near Ruby, I mean that in Alaskan terms, as it is in reality about 40 miles further upstream on the Yukon.
This gem, carved out of the Alaskan wild, covers 7520 yards from the blues at a par of 72 with holes ranging from 108 to 640 yards. Most holes have tees located further, but, as many people would understandably not want to play a course upwards of 8000 yards, they are not all used simultaneously.
At the time of its release in mid-April (no it is not December in my world just roll with it), temperatures were barely above freezing and snow had still been on the ground from the previous winter. The ground of the fairways and the rest of the course that isn't green is very hard as it had been frozen for over half the year. However, the greens are up to USGA standard and give hard kicks but average roll; the putting is also near average as the grass used on the course must be resistant to subzero temperatures for three months.
The course is routed as follows:
Holes 1 and 2, a par 4 and a par 5 respectively, start out by going north along the lake. Hole 3, a par 4, still follows the lake, but now nearly due east, crossing a stream feeding the lake. Hole 4, still facing east, is the longest par 3 on the course from the blues. Holes 5 and 6, a par 5 and 3, reverse direction, with the stream from Hole 3 guarding the front of the 5th green. Hole 6 plays over a ravine which is played as out of bounds. Holes 7 through 9, all par 4's, return south to the clubhouse and are located near the Yukon.
Hole 10, the longest hole on the course, is a massive dogleg that almost always plays as a three-shotter and heads southeast from the clubhouse. Hole 11 is a fairly easy par 3 that goes toward the lake and is bordered on the right by another stream. Holes 12 and 13, both par 4's, run beside each other, with 13 located near the lake. Holes 14 and 15, also both par 4's, are on the opposite bank of the stream from the 11th with the 15th crossing the stream. Hole 16, the shortest hole on the course, plays 108 from all tees and is a short shot up a hill to a tiny Biarritz-style green. The 17th, which is considered the signature hole, is a par 5 that reunites with the stream and follows it as it drains into the Yukon. The finishing hole is a long uphill par 4 that finishes with the cafe in the background as well as the pavement between the clubhouse and the cafe.
I can't say this enough, but thanks to Griff as well as the other 30 designers for making this possible. Thanks to Vic -karma4u- for the astounding pictures on everyone's courses. And, lastly, thanks to everyone for, well, everything to do with this site. Have a great remainder of 2016 everyone.
Iditarod Golf Course is set near the small town of Ruby, Alaska, a stop on the famous Iditarod dog sled race and which has a population of a whopping 166. And by near Ruby, I mean that in Alaskan terms, as it is in reality about 40 miles further upstream on the Yukon.
This gem, carved out of the Alaskan wild, covers 7520 yards from the blues at a par of 72 with holes ranging from 108 to 640 yards. Most holes have tees located further, but, as many people would understandably not want to play a course upwards of 8000 yards, they are not all used simultaneously.
At the time of its release in mid-April (no it is not December in my world just roll with it), temperatures were barely above freezing and snow had still been on the ground from the previous winter. The ground of the fairways and the rest of the course that isn't green is very hard as it had been frozen for over half the year. However, the greens are up to USGA standard and give hard kicks but average roll; the putting is also near average as the grass used on the course must be resistant to subzero temperatures for three months.
The course is routed as follows:
Holes 1 and 2, a par 4 and a par 5 respectively, start out by going north along the lake. Hole 3, a par 4, still follows the lake, but now nearly due east, crossing a stream feeding the lake. Hole 4, still facing east, is the longest par 3 on the course from the blues. Holes 5 and 6, a par 5 and 3, reverse direction, with the stream from Hole 3 guarding the front of the 5th green. Hole 6 plays over a ravine which is played as out of bounds. Holes 7 through 9, all par 4's, return south to the clubhouse and are located near the Yukon.
Hole 10, the longest hole on the course, is a massive dogleg that almost always plays as a three-shotter and heads southeast from the clubhouse. Hole 11 is a fairly easy par 3 that goes toward the lake and is bordered on the right by another stream. Holes 12 and 13, both par 4's, run beside each other, with 13 located near the lake. Holes 14 and 15, also both par 4's, are on the opposite bank of the stream from the 11th with the 15th crossing the stream. Hole 16, the shortest hole on the course, plays 108 from all tees and is a short shot up a hill to a tiny Biarritz-style green. The 17th, which is considered the signature hole, is a par 5 that reunites with the stream and follows it as it drains into the Yukon. The finishing hole is a long uphill par 4 that finishes with the cafe in the background as well as the pavement between the clubhouse and the cafe.
I can't say this enough, but thanks to Griff as well as the other 30 designers for making this possible. Thanks to Vic -karma4u- for the astounding pictures on everyone's courses. And, lastly, thanks to everyone for, well, everything to do with this site. Have a great remainder of 2016 everyone.