This is the second of the three courses, designed by SJM, and this one is quite different from Billabongs with a gorgeous mid-range green mountain panorama (and a big lake below), nice plantings and some pretty steep elevation changes.
But one thing remains constant : SJM loves bunkers (!) as there are plenty, spread all over this par 72, all "well-placed", be it in the fairways or near, and around, the greens. And if you add a few small ponds near some elevated greens, you end up having a masterpiece in your hands with some breathtaking views to top it all !
After the nice left dogleg par-4 1st hole, with a downhill tee shot and a steep elevated green, the steep downhill par-3 2nd is spectacular with its panoramic view, big bushes and a big pond in front of the green, just like the sharp and long right dogleg par-5 3rd hole, with a steep downhill tee shot, a big pond at the foot of a hill flowing across the fairway and a big bunker in front of the elevated green.
If the right dogleg par-4 4th hole, with its elevated green and a small pond in front of it is nice, don't expect an eagle on the steep downhill right dogleg par-5 5th hole, quite long...
One of my favorite holes is the right dogleg par-4 6th, with its gorgeous panoramic view of the lake and the mountains from the tee box, its tiered fairway and a blind approach shot downhill to the small green, guarded by a huge bunker all around !
As you reach the elevated green of the right dogleg par-4 7th hole, after an uphill tee shot, don't be surprised if you hear some... Australian birds (!) before seeing some more bunkers all around the green.
After the sounds, back to the... sights, with the gorgeous steep downhill par-4 8th hole, slightly to the right, with a beautiful panoramic view from the tee box, a wide lake near the green and big bunkers around it, before heading for the nice steep downhill par-3 9th hole with a lake across, in front of the green.
The back 9 has some nice holes too, starting with the right dogleg par-4 10th, with two big twisted bunkers on the right side of the fairway, and another one in front of the green, whereas the left dogleg par-5 11th hole, has a rollercoaster fairway, twisting right, then left, and a small pond to the left of the green with a small bunker in front of it !
The downhill par-3 12th hole, on another hand, is not too difficult but it has an enormous bunker on the left side and is quite picturesque, just like the left dogleg par-4 13th, with a downhill slope, plenty of trees and a big pond in front of the green.
After the par-4 14th, quite similar to the 13th hole, but with a lesser slope, the right dogleg par-4 15th hole is quite tough with another small pond in front of its elevated green, but is not as gorgeous as the par-3 16th hole, with its panoramic view from the tee box and the green on the other side of the wide lake !
The par-4 17th hole offers a different challenge with a blind tee shot, with a small hill hiding the fairway on the right side, and a small pond to the right of the green and is followed by the long right dogleg par-5 18th hole, with another small pond to the left of the green...
For his second design, SJM came out with another beauty and another challenging course where finishing under par will depend on how often you take your "bucket and spade" out of your golfing bag !

one of the best courses to play in the toughest conditions..with expert and strong wind it's a masterpiece!..managed to go under par after some tries :)

Great looking course. Love the pano ...plays smooth. Have to agree that the sand "blocks" in front and behind so many greens seemed a bit much. I play expert and advanced with some 10+ years at it. I really found it more frustrating than it need be. All in all I would play it again...but only for money.lol

Forgot to say good challenge though and i had a hole in one on the 16th ,with a 4 iron

A very tough track
Enjoyed.

It certainly is not one of the easiest courses, but created by an artist.
My advice: download and play this great course, and let us hope this was not SJM's
last one.
4 1/2 stars rating

Nice Course. it played well & nice lay out. Good Job. thanks SJM Keep up the good work.