Post by shawnbell on Jan 1, 2021 0:32:28 GMT -5
Welcome to Chapeau Noir GC, nestled in the beautiful McAllister's Valley.
Blending a links inspiration with a misty, early morning Fall landscape reminiscent of being in the Canadian lake country, Chapeau Noir; at 6712 yards, is a fair challenge. Leveraging elevation, terrain and the prevailing winds; good play requires patience, focus and a steady hand. Rewards await those who play the shots the hole demands vs. playing the shot you might want to hit.
Done as my submission to the Rookie Design Contest, this also became my homage to a member of the golf community - Mike McAllister (aka @chapeaunoirgolf), gone too soon.
I left the terrain virtually untouched as I really wanted the land to dictate. Greens I mostly had to smooth a touch, and a few I toned down a bit, but without a lot of bunkering the course defense is the green. What bunkering there is, is somewhat rougher, less refined - fitting of a course that came from the land and doesn't have, or require, a ton of manicuring.
Rarely a flat lie in a fairway, they key is to consider how the ball needs to come into the green in order to hold. Most often this will be to use a slope, land short and trundle, go long and pull it back. Miss the mark and saving par is going to be the game. On the downhill's, going too long will be rough. On the uphill's, under clubbing will likely be just as painful.
Just about every hole requires a shot to land somewhere away from the pin. Unless you can stop the ball on a dime, going flag hunting is at your peril.
The par 4's have some give and take, par 3's can have some bite and the 5's are all reachable, however actually being on the green in 2 may not actually be the play - is it safer to get on the fringe and trundle a chip for possible eagle or tap in birdie; or do we stroke the ego and try to hit/hold the green and risk bogey (or worse)?
(looking over 13 green with 14 fairway/green ahead, 16 green on the hill on the right and 15 green on top of hill by the yellow tree)
(11 green with 12 tee on right)
(1st green with 4th bridge in the distant background)
Here's a quick rundown;
1.Give it a Rip!
Par 4 - A great opening hole that can set the pace for the rest of the round. If you’re confident enough to hold the upper shelf leaving a short chip - Give it a Rip!
If not, smash it into the lower zone. Place it well for what should be an easy iron in.
2. Hogsback
Par 4 - Precision is key off the tee. Keep it in play to make this a more enjoyable walk to the elevated green.
3. Shorty
Par 3 - The first Par 3 of the day. Don’t let the length fool you. Do the maths, watch the wind and trust that you’ll get away with a Par.
4. Pickpocket
Par 4 - Tee to green we’re heading toward the top of the property. Be mindful of approach shots as the holding the green is essential to avoid bringing bogey into play.
5. Trundle
Par 4 - The second in a fun quartet of holes. Will you go for it or will will you play that sweet draw you were hitting on the range and let the ball use the land to trundle into position?
6. Respite
Par 4 - Closing the first 3rd of the round provides a little respite. Smash your tee ball right up the guts, keep focus on the approach and you won’t be scrambling to save par
7. Temptation
Par 4 - Heading into the home stretch of the outward 9 will you be tempted to aim at the clubhouse, let the big dog eat and try to carry the gorse and play from heavy rough or give yourself a decent chance at birdie?
8. Snowman
Par 4 - Not long on paper, but playing uphill to a sloped green will require your attention to avoid the dreaded snowman.
9. Cakewalk
Par 5 - Time to eat. The first of 3, this reachable par 5 to close the outward 9 taunts with a great scoring opportunity to those who figure out this tasty test.
10. Mayor’s Office
Par 4 - Making the turn with an executive decision to make. Pound driver to find yourself perfectly situated in the Mayor’s office or play [somewhat] safer off the tee and test your ground game with a front to back sloping green?
11. Puckerupper
Par 3 - With elevation and wind out of left, this beauty of a par 3 will pucker the bravest among us and requires a perfectly executed tee ball.
12. Mike’s Pulpit
Par 4 - A well struck tee shot could leave you with 67yds left to a raised green that has views of most of the course. A birdie here is a cheers to Mike.
13. Mind the Gap
Par 4 - On a calm day, unleash one. One a big windy day (West) best mind the gap and a play down the alternate left fairway might be the way to avoid a horror show on your scorecard. If you do happen to rinse one, no worries there's a drop zone atop the bluff that might come in handy.
14. Precision
Par 5 - The beginning of McAllisters Triangle is the second of 3 reachable par 5’s. It may not be long, but the only between you and gaining a stroke (or two) is your precision.
15. Let it Fly!
Par 4 - That’s it. Tee it high and let it fly on this reachable par 4 - just don’t miss.
16. Blackout
Par 3 - Give yourself a slap, a pep talk or do the Maori haka. Whatever it takes to avoid blacking out on the tee. As you make your way out of the Triangle sticking the proper tier on this floating green is essential.
17. Snakebite
Par 3 - The second in the par 3 duo requires respect. Hitting into a cobra hood style green, slopes are waiting to strike and if you blink you might just get snakebit.
18. ‘Round the Bend
Par 5 - Bringing it home with the last of the reachable par 5’s. Finishing strong is all about trees being 90% air, trusting the land and flushing your tee ball by slinging it down ‘round the bend. Anything less and you’ll need the pint you’re thinking about. Play it safe and you're playing for par.
If you happen to give it a go, I hope you enjoy the walk
Blending a links inspiration with a misty, early morning Fall landscape reminiscent of being in the Canadian lake country, Chapeau Noir; at 6712 yards, is a fair challenge. Leveraging elevation, terrain and the prevailing winds; good play requires patience, focus and a steady hand. Rewards await those who play the shots the hole demands vs. playing the shot you might want to hit.
Done as my submission to the Rookie Design Contest, this also became my homage to a member of the golf community - Mike McAllister (aka @chapeaunoirgolf), gone too soon.
I left the terrain virtually untouched as I really wanted the land to dictate. Greens I mostly had to smooth a touch, and a few I toned down a bit, but without a lot of bunkering the course defense is the green. What bunkering there is, is somewhat rougher, less refined - fitting of a course that came from the land and doesn't have, or require, a ton of manicuring.
Rarely a flat lie in a fairway, they key is to consider how the ball needs to come into the green in order to hold. Most often this will be to use a slope, land short and trundle, go long and pull it back. Miss the mark and saving par is going to be the game. On the downhill's, going too long will be rough. On the uphill's, under clubbing will likely be just as painful.
Just about every hole requires a shot to land somewhere away from the pin. Unless you can stop the ball on a dime, going flag hunting is at your peril.
The par 4's have some give and take, par 3's can have some bite and the 5's are all reachable, however actually being on the green in 2 may not actually be the play - is it safer to get on the fringe and trundle a chip for possible eagle or tap in birdie; or do we stroke the ego and try to hit/hold the green and risk bogey (or worse)?
(looking over 13 green with 14 fairway/green ahead, 16 green on the hill on the right and 15 green on top of hill by the yellow tree)
(11 green with 12 tee on right)
(1st green with 4th bridge in the distant background)
Here's a quick rundown;
1.Give it a Rip!
Par 4 - A great opening hole that can set the pace for the rest of the round. If you’re confident enough to hold the upper shelf leaving a short chip - Give it a Rip!
If not, smash it into the lower zone. Place it well for what should be an easy iron in.
2. Hogsback
Par 4 - Precision is key off the tee. Keep it in play to make this a more enjoyable walk to the elevated green.
3. Shorty
Par 3 - The first Par 3 of the day. Don’t let the length fool you. Do the maths, watch the wind and trust that you’ll get away with a Par.
4. Pickpocket
Par 4 - Tee to green we’re heading toward the top of the property. Be mindful of approach shots as the holding the green is essential to avoid bringing bogey into play.
5. Trundle
Par 4 - The second in a fun quartet of holes. Will you go for it or will will you play that sweet draw you were hitting on the range and let the ball use the land to trundle into position?
6. Respite
Par 4 - Closing the first 3rd of the round provides a little respite. Smash your tee ball right up the guts, keep focus on the approach and you won’t be scrambling to save par
7. Temptation
Par 4 - Heading into the home stretch of the outward 9 will you be tempted to aim at the clubhouse, let the big dog eat and try to carry the gorse and play from heavy rough or give yourself a decent chance at birdie?
8. Snowman
Par 4 - Not long on paper, but playing uphill to a sloped green will require your attention to avoid the dreaded snowman.
9. Cakewalk
Par 5 - Time to eat. The first of 3, this reachable par 5 to close the outward 9 taunts with a great scoring opportunity to those who figure out this tasty test.
10. Mayor’s Office
Par 4 - Making the turn with an executive decision to make. Pound driver to find yourself perfectly situated in the Mayor’s office or play [somewhat] safer off the tee and test your ground game with a front to back sloping green?
11. Puckerupper
Par 3 - With elevation and wind out of left, this beauty of a par 3 will pucker the bravest among us and requires a perfectly executed tee ball.
12. Mike’s Pulpit
Par 4 - A well struck tee shot could leave you with 67yds left to a raised green that has views of most of the course. A birdie here is a cheers to Mike.
13. Mind the Gap
Par 4 - On a calm day, unleash one. One a big windy day (West) best mind the gap and a play down the alternate left fairway might be the way to avoid a horror show on your scorecard. If you do happen to rinse one, no worries there's a drop zone atop the bluff that might come in handy.
14. Precision
Par 5 - The beginning of McAllisters Triangle is the second of 3 reachable par 5’s. It may not be long, but the only between you and gaining a stroke (or two) is your precision.
15. Let it Fly!
Par 4 - That’s it. Tee it high and let it fly on this reachable par 4 - just don’t miss.
16. Blackout
Par 3 - Give yourself a slap, a pep talk or do the Maori haka. Whatever it takes to avoid blacking out on the tee. As you make your way out of the Triangle sticking the proper tier on this floating green is essential.
17. Snakebite
Par 3 - The second in the par 3 duo requires respect. Hitting into a cobra hood style green, slopes are waiting to strike and if you blink you might just get snakebit.
18. ‘Round the Bend
Par 5 - Bringing it home with the last of the reachable par 5’s. Finishing strong is all about trees being 90% air, trusting the land and flushing your tee ball by slinging it down ‘round the bend. Anything less and you’ll need the pint you’re thinking about. Play it safe and you're playing for par.
If you happen to give it a go, I hope you enjoy the walk
