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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:06:17 GMT -5
Valhalla GC now published! This is an RCR of the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville KY.
Here's a little back story:
Mr. Gahm and his three sons - Walt, Gordy and Phil - commissioned Jack Nicklaus to build a private golf facility on 486 acres of rolling Kentucky terrain that would provide its members with the highest level of service. With Nicklaus’ vision, it would be the caliber of facility that could host a major championship comfortably and provide the members with an incredible golf haven. Nicklaus, described the site in 1983 as a "golf designer's dream because there is a variety of terrain, vegetation and water to work with. Everything necessary for an excellent golf course is here: room for wide, tree lined fairways and spectacular golf holes." In the spring of 1984, after considering 40 potential course routings, construction began and the final product opened for play in June of 1986.
It also recently hosted the 2014 PGA Championship.
Tee times are filling up fast! Enjoy!!
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:06:48 GMT -5
No. 1 "Cut the Corner" 450 yd Par 4 This slight dogleg left is a deceptive par 4. From the tee, the hole may appear tame, but the approach shot will be dramatically different from what players experienced in the 2000 PGA Championship because of the addition of two greenside bunkers – one front right and one back left. The front-right bunker is a visually intimidating sight for approach shots to front-left or back-right hole locations. The left bunker is positioned to gobble up errant shots aimed at the back portion of the green.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:07:06 GMT -5
No. 2 "The Ridge" 530 yd Par 4 A slight dogleg left, this par 4 challenges the players from the tee with a finger of Floyd’s Fork, a waterway that meanders through the front nine and borders the left side of the fairway. The green is well protected by three bunkers as well as Floyd’s Fork, which can attract any ball heading left of the green.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:07:27 GMT -5
No. 3 “Floyd's Fork” 210 yd Par 3 This is a challenging par 3 with Floyd’s Fork sweeping around to the right of the green, which is guarded by a large bunker to the right and smaller bunkers to the left and behind. The real danger at this hole is misreading the wind, which can push a shot to the right, where the ball can careen off the slope and into the hazard.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:07:58 GMT -5
No. 4 “Short & Sweet” 375 yd Par 4 The tee shot at this slight dogleg left is challenging because players must pick the correct line to play. There is a deep bunker protecting the entire left side of the fairway, with another smaller fairway bunker on the right. The aggressive play is to take the tee shot over the left bunker, however such a shot can cause a drive to end up in heavy rough. Although a relatively short par 4 by today’s standards, this hole will still be a test for all players, as the green features significant movement and contours. Distance control is the key for approach shots to this green.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:08:15 GMT -5
No. 5 “Fade Away” 460 yd Par 4 This is a challenging par 4 with a large fairway bunker on the right side that complements the three bunkers that line the left side of the landing area. Players will take caution to keep the ball in the fairway on this dogleg right. The green has a bunker positioned to grab errant shots to the right or short, and there is a closely mown collection area left of the green. This green allows for a back-right hole location, which is one of the most challenging on the course.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:08:32 GMT -5
No. 6 “The Bear” 495 yd Par 4 This is one of Valhalla’s most difficult holes, demanding an accurate tee shot. For some players, this may require less than a driver from the tee as the aim is to get as close to Floyd’s Fork as the player dares. From here, players still face an approach shot of at least 200 yards to a challenging green complex with plenty of trouble. A deep bunker guards the left side of the green and a closely mowed collection area will grab shots to the right. This will be a difficult par.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:08:52 GMT -5
No. 7 “Players Pick” 600 yd Par 5 The seventh offers a definite risk-vs.-reward approach. There’s a split fairway here. The shorter route, to the left, shortens the hole by more than 50 yards. However, the landing area is only 26 yards wide and the entire fairway is surrounded by bluegrass rough and a water hazard. The approach from this island fairway will be a carry of 210-230 yards, all over water. The fairway to the right is the longer, but safer route. With the water hazard skirting the front and the entire left edge of the green, it’s a brave player who attacks the green from any angle.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:09:11 GMT -5
No. 8 “Thor's Hammer” 190 yd Par 3 The eighth will require only a short- to middle-iron shot, but the green complex is extremely challenging, with the front protected by a deep bunker and a severe, closely manicured collection area. There also is a bunker to the left and another closely manicured collection area to the rear of the green. The green itself allows for multiple hole locations that will test the very best players.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:09:27 GMT -5
No. 9 “The Rise” 415 yd Par 4 The tee shot at this uphill par 4 is challenged by three fairway bunkers bordering the right side of the fairway and two more to the left. The uphill approach to this green makes judging the yardage difficult, while the presence of one of the largest and deepest bunkers on the course looming just right of the green, does not ease the pain of missed shots.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:09:45 GMT -5
No. 10 “Turns” 595 yd Par 5 The 10th is a double-dogleg par 5 with a fairway bunker on the right side of the driving zone and deep rough and trees to the left. The undulating, two-tiered green is protected by a large, deep bunker guarding the front. Distance control on the approach is a must, as shots missing long will make par extremely difficult and shots coming up short will find the front bunker.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:10:01 GMT -5
No. 11 “On the Edge” 210 yd Par 3 This par 3 will require a middle- to long-iron shot. The shallow green features a slight false front with one bunker bordering the front of the green and one bunker behind the green. Accuracy will be a must, as shots carrying too far to the left will bound down the hillside, making par a difficult task.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:10:20 GMT -5
No. 12 “Odin's Revenge” 470 yd Par 4 This par 4 has been an extremely challenging hole in every spectator event at Valhalla. The difficult driving area leaves players with an approach shot of 170-190 yards to an elevated green. The green is punishing to errant shots, with one of the deepest bunkers on the course to the right and gnarly bluegrass rough to the left.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:10:38 GMT -5
No. 13 “The Island” 355 yd Par 4 The shortest par 4 at Valhalla, No. 13 has seen its fair share of excitement over the years. A series of six bunkers on the left of the driving zone must be avoided. The "island" green is one the most spectacular on the course, built up nearly 20 feet on large boulders. Since the green is almost completely surrounded by water, accuracy with controlled spin is a must for this hole.
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Post by friendBOMBER on Dec 22, 2017 11:10:55 GMT -5
No. 14 “Two Tears” 220 yd Par 3 The longest par 3 at Valhalla, this hole features a two-tiered green with two bunkers in front and two behind. Shots played from either of the two rear bunkers will make for a challenging up-and-down, as the green slopes from back to front. This hole demands proper club selection.
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