The Straits Course at Whistling Straits
I saved the best for last. The Straits Course at Whistling Straits is the home of the 2004 PGA Championship. Like the Irish course, you have to walk with a caddy when you play here. The course is set right on Lake Michigan, with 14 of the 18 holes bordering on the lake itself.
Jacqui volunteered to walk the course with me and when we checked in, we learned that we were paired with the same father and son I played with the day before and that I had the same caddy. Our 4th players was a true character; he was an older gentlemen named Warren with a much younger "lady friend." Throughout the day, Warren let us know that she would be waiting for him back at his room for an intimate evening...... and he was a true talker all day. Lots of fun.
For me, there were three memorable holes. The 6th hole, named Gremlin's Ear, is a short par 4, with a dogleg right that leads to a blind approach shot. A large dune blocks the approach from the right side of the fairway. The downhill short iron shot is difficult even when the target is in sight. A signature pot bunker guards the right side of the green. Anything left, right or long will leave a very difficult up and down, especially as everything slopes down and away from the green. The green is narrow, sloping, and difficult to read.
The 7th hole was the highlight of the entire 4 days of golfing. It is called "Shipwreck" and is the signature hold at the course. It is about 160 yards from the white tees and you have to carry that distance into a green that is carved right out of the side of Lake Michigan:
The course provides a video flyover of the hole using
Video Flyovers Windows Media Real One
I managed to knock the drive right on the green and two putts later, I was in for my par. With Jacqui as my witness. When we finished the 9th hole, Jacqui said that while she was having fun, she would rather sit at the outside bar and knit and would look for me on the 18th green.
The other memorable hole was the finishing hole, called Dyeabolical. It is a 385 yard par four with a forced carry for the drive. I drove the ball nicely and put my second shot about 65 yards short of the green. From there, I hit my best shot of the day, leaving the ball about 5 feet from the pin. A chance to par the 18th. Alas, I missed the putt and took a 5. I was still mighty proud.
I ended up shooting a 104, which was 8 strokes lower than on the Irish course. I met Jacqui and we had lunch and a drink and went back to the hotel.
Snapped on 06.26.03 || More Golf Photos || Comments
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