Holein1
France |
Posted: Sunday, July 23, 2023 @ 11:53:52 AM at |
IP Logged |
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Even though I am not a big fan of Cello's courses (too unrealistic and/or unplayable, at times), I must say that this par 72 is an exception, even though it is still very unusual ! With its superb textures and plantings and his "wild" imagination, Cello designed a very challenging course, which will leave you scratching your head all the way until the 18th green... But, first, xon't be fooled by the peaceful illustrating picture above : if you can survive the first three holes, then you should give yourself a standing ovation ! On the par-3 opening hole, you will face a green, set way up on a very steep hill, before hitting a blind and downhill tee shot toward the green, set at the bottom of a rocky crater on the right dogleg par-4 2nd, and a steeply-uphill approach to reach the green on the right dogleg par-4 3rd hole. On the par-3 4th hole, and par-4 5th, the greens are partially hidden by rocks and/or trees, whereas, on the long left dogleg par-5 6th hole, you can forget about scoring an eagle, with its winding fairway, and downhill green, again partially hidden by trees. More obstacles are on your way as you play the par-3 7th hole, with bunkers framing the flag, or the par-4 8th, uphill all the way, with its multi-tiered fairway and blind and downward approach to its green. The scenery then changes somewhat to being "normal" on the right dogleg par-4 10th hole, with a tee shot over an elongated lake (on the right), but reaching the downhill green, surrounded by 5 bunkers around won't be an easy task... The downhill par-3 12th and 14th holes are both gorgeous, with a blind tee shot flying above a 8-shaped green (with water around) on the first, and another blind tee shot over a key-shaped small creek, flowing and ending around the green, on the latter (another make-or-break hole). Then, after the par-5 15th hole, and its small pond, midway in front, forcing you to hit your tee shot to the right (short of a multi-tiered fairway), and leaving you with a long and uphill shot toward its elevated green, you will move on to the last par-3 hole, the 16th, with another blind shot downward to the green, set at the bottom of a rocky crater, with small rocks, two bunkers (front and left), and a tiny pond behind to "welcome" you ! Finally, after the right dogleg par-5 17th hole, where you can forget about getting an eagle opportunity, you will walk over to the pretty left dogleg par-4 18th, which summarizes this course, in a way, with a blind and downhill shot landing onto an island green, and another blind (and uphill) approach over the water landing... downward onto the last green, set in the middle of a crater. Overall, if this Hills & Hollows is definitely a fantasy course, it can very quickly turn into a nightmare, if you are not (very) patient as Cello seemed to enjoy adding "everything but the kitchen sink" on a few holes to make you sweat all over ! Last, but not least advice : don't forget to bring your hiking shoes, mountain gear, fishing rods and nets, and an inflatable raft, as you might need them to retrieve your balls... with a few greens impossible to reach on foot, thanks again to Cello's vivid imagination !
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