The spectacular par 5 second hole at The Farm Golf Club
photo by Contributed
The second hole at McLemore Club's Highlands Course
photo by Contributed
The Honors Course, site of this year's U.S. Senior Amateur, has a challenging par 5 second hole
photo by USGA/Russell Kirk
Council Fire Club's second hole forces a strategic tee shot to navigate the lake
photo by Contributed
Black Creek Club's "Road Hole" No. 2 is patterned after the 17th at St. Andrews Old Course
photo by Doug Stein
One down, 17 to go.
The final tally for the best opening hole in our Elite 18 campaign resulted in WindStone Golf Club’s downhill par 4 being the preferred choice among the voters. There were no bad options on the menu, but WindStone was the clear favorite in capturing 62 percent of the vote.
Now on to finding the best No. 2 hole from among 25 Chattanooga area golf courses. The panel of local golf professionals and top amateurs submitted 11 nominations for consideration. The five candidates that garnered the most support with distances measured from the back tee:
Black Creek Club, par 4, 445 yards: One of Black Creek’s template holes patterned after the Road Hole at St. Andrew’s Old Course, a generous fairway is balanced by a challenging approach over a menacing bunker to an angled green gives this hole some teeth.
Council Fire Club, par 5, 525 yards: Long hitters can cut the corner over the lake on this dogleg right hole, but it plays as a three-shot approach for most who can’t carry the hazard. The large green can be challenging given the lightning quick pace on Council Fire’s putting surfaces.
McLemore Club Highlands Course, par 4, 449 yards: The first of the canyon holes on the course, the lake looming on the left side of the fairway guarding the green forces a wise choice off the tee. A well-placed drive right of the lake shortens the second shot that’s all carry.
The Farm, par 5, 652 yards: From the tips, this hole is a behemoth that wraps around a lake on the left side that threatens any pulled shot the length of the hole. The green is well-guarded by the lake making eagles a rare occurrence.
The Honors Course, par 5, 570 yards: A beautiful hole with a fairway that slopes from left to right and is uphill in the approach to a green protected by bunkers.
Voting through the poll listed below will remain open until Saturday at 6 p.m. The winner will be announced on Monday along with holes for consideration for the Elite 18 Best Hole No. 3.
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Paul Payne can be reached at paulpayne6249@gmail.com