“The course is a mix of links style and marshland holes,” Croll said. “On the marshland holes accuracy is necessary, and players can’t always use a driver.”

Balls landing in the wetlands are deemed lost as there is no entry into these protected areas, which amplifies Croll’s advice to leave the driver in the bag and think twice about heroic shortcuts.

HOLE 6

435 yards, par 4

After some straightforward, confidence-building opening holes, Hurdzan provides a wake-up call with the sixth hole, which wraps sharply left around a lake to a two-tiered green. At the crook of the elbow, the fairway dishes toward the lake on the left, with aggressive bunkering guarding the right side.

HOLE 7

528 yards, par 5

“Hole 7 is the hole everyone talks about,” said Croll. “The dogleg left has two forced carries, one off the tee and one in front of the green. For most players it is a three-shot hole, but longer hitters can try to take it over the trees and possibly have a long to mid-iron shot into the green.” The hole’s tee shot and approach are both over wetlands, culminating in a green 26 yards deep.

HOLE 9

394 yards, par 4

Wetlands begin 120 yards out from the green, forcing a carry to a green with a depth of 41 yards. If you stray to the left in setting up your approach shot, a single well-placed bunker awaits.

HOLE 17

207 yards, par 3

The green on this par 3 is generous enough at 44 yards deep, but the approach is all carry, with wetlands in front and all along the left. And there’s a sneaky little grass bunker on the front of the green if your drive falls just short.

HOLE 18 “THE BEAST OF THE EAST”
393 yards, par 4

“Our signature hole is named The Beast with good reason,” said Croll. “It’s not a long par 4, but it requires two very accurate long iron shots to reach the green in regulation. The hole is completely surrounded by saltmarsh, and even a slightly errant shot can result in a lost ball. This challenging finishing hole can make or break your round.”