| Hole of the Month |
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Bob Lohmann, ASGCA
Designer Notes:
Cut through native pine forest, this split fairway par-5 is a joy to look at, but a demanding one to play. Don't let the short yardage fool you… like every worthy par-5, birdie is never out of the question on this hole, but those looking to "go low" can easily be punished on this mid-round bully. The 12th hole at Mattaponi Springs begins with a tee shot that demands accuracy. The most favorable play is along the right edge of the short grass, where longer drives setup a chance to get home in two. But beware, as anything missed left will find the ball-gobbling ravine that sits diagonally between the first and second landing zones, making a lay-up drive the safest bet. From a slightly downhill lie, the second stroke is played over this 100-yard native ravine to a rather narrow landing area guarded by one seemingly endless bunker along the right edge of the fairway. Carry this bunker along the right while avoiding the trees, and you may just find the green. For those laying up, the approach invites an array of different shots. Be leery of pins placed back, left, as pitch shots to this location must contend with the gargantuan three-foot deck and deep greenside bunker that guard this half of the green. Three-putts beware! Photo Credit: Larry Lambrecht |
