| 1 |
4 |
431 |
The first hole introduces the player to Rowlett Creek in a variety of ways. Two back tees located across the creek provide the most spectacular views and angles to the hole. Tee shots should be aimed as close as possible to the left fairway bunker to produce the best angle to the green, which is angled from left to right. The green is protected on the left by two bunkers and on the right by a vast, undulating lowland area. The approach to the green is bisected by a small stream and Rowlett Creek borders the right side of the hole in its entirety, providing a sneak peak of things to come. |
| 2 |
4 |
466 |
This long par-4 plays even longer into the prevailing wind. At 478 yards, the back-most tee is for tournament play only. Large existing trees frame tee shots left and right, and provide the only hazard for shots approaching the ample landing area. Long iron approaches to this green complex will need to be fairly accurate to thread between the bunkers left and right; however, accurate running shots will funnel off landforms onto this long narrow receptive green. |
| 3 |
4 |
420 |
This relatively short, downwind, par-4 requires a decision to be made off the tee. The safe route to the right offers a wide-open fairway with minimal framing bunkers. However, this approach will be longer to the green and uneven lies are possible in this wildly undulating fairway. A heroic tee shot across Rowlett Creek offers the possibility of driving the green or leaving a very short chip onto this large green with soft pinnable areas surrounded by more undulating terrrain. This true risk/reward hole will produce as many eagles as double bogeys. |
| 4 |
3 |
219 |
This medium-long par-3 plays back across Rowlett Creek to a green that is heavily protected on the left by a large sprawling bunker. Beautiful large trees along the creek bank frame the tee shots which must be clubbed accurately to access the proper section of this multi-level green. |
| 5 |
5 |
569 |
The first of the par 5s at the TPC Craig Ranch can be reached, even at 565 yards, with the favorable prevailing wind. The tee shot must thread between the large tree left and the bunkers right of the fairway in order to have a chance to reach the green. Three fairway bunkers frame the left side of the second landing area and help point the way to the green which has a soft hogback through the middle. A large bunker guards the entire right side of the green and approach, providing a reason to think twice about laying up or going for it. |
| 6 |
4 |
361 |
Visually stunning and strategically enticing, the sixth hole provides a lot to negotiate for such a short par-4. No less than eleven well-placed bunkers place a premium on accuracy instead of length. The green is the smallest on the golf course with four ticky pinnable areas and is completely surrounded by four bunkers. Save the power game for some of the holes yet to comes, as finesse will win this hole every time. |
| 7 |
3 |
232 |
This relatively long par-3 plays the complete opposite direction as the the 4th hole. There's plenty of room over the front left bunker and in front of the green to allow shots to land short and run up. The green is relatively big with subtle contours. The small pot bunker left of the green will snare shots slightly pulled, and Rowlett Creek will swallow missed hits not able to make it to the approach. |
| 8 |
4 |
482 |
This 480 yard par-4 seems overpowering until the prevailing tailwind is factored in. The landing area is wide open and bunker free, allowing the player to blast it as far as possible. A long iron approach to this green needs to avoid the large bunker on the right that wraps completely around the back. The green surface is very receptive for run-up shots from the left, and is heavily banked on the left side to direct balls back to the right of the green. |
| 9 |
5 |
564 |
This interesting short par-5 crosses Rowlett Creek twice before terminating back at the clubhouse. The tee shot should challenge the creek on the left to provide the best angle to the second landing area. The second shot must then challenge the creek on the right if hoping to reach the green in two shots. The green site is protected on the left by a long raised bunker, and on the right by a small pot bunker. The smallish green is split from side-to-side by a noticeable elevation change, this places a premium on accuracy when approaching the pin to avoid the dreaded three putt. |
| 10 |
4 |
471 |
Playing this relatively benign downwind par-4 well, is key to getting off to a good start on an inward nine that crescendos in difficulty as the round progresses. Long drives should try to split the fairway and favor the right side to approach the green that sits on a right-to-left axis and is protected on the left by a deep bunker. The green surface is fairly soft and drains all off the front. |
| 11 |
4 |
457 |
This beautiful tree lined uphill hole reintroduces us again to Rowlett Creek as it crosses just in front of the forward Members' tee, but is relatively out of play. The two bunkers short of the green look to be right against the putting surface; however, they are actually well short. This allows for bump-and-run shots that clear the bunkers to roll up onto the punch bowl green. |
| 12 |
5 |
493 |
This downhill hole will play as a medium length par-5 for the Members and a long par-4 for professionals. The drive zone is bunker free, but narrow, and is defined by trees left and right. The second shot must carry Rowlett Creek and run up toward the long narrow green that breaks to the front right and back left off a strong right side slope and a roll through the center. A long bunker sits above the green on the right, but is pulled away from the putting surface by 15'-20' to allow for a reasonable degree of error for approach shots. |
| 13 |
4 |
512 |
Definitely the toughest driving hole on the golf course, this long uphill par-4 challenges Rowlett Creek and bunkers from the tee. Taking the safest route and driving too far left will leave a long second shot into the green complex. Challenging the center bunkers and driving near the back left fairway bunker gives the best angle to attack the green, which sits left to right and is framed by two "nostril" bunkers behind and a cluster of bunkers on the right. |
| 14 |
4 |
330 |
This potentially drivable par-4 utilizes all that the TPC Craig Ranch has to offer as a strategic element. Rowlett Creek, trees, bunkers and a lake are all an integral part of this exciting hole. Drives must be placed in the fairway relative to the day's pin placement to gain the best angle of attack for a short approach. Drives trying to reach the green must avoid the lake on the left and bunkers left and right. The green surface is very large and has four distinctive levels, proving that putting skills will be at a premium to birdie this hole. |
| 15 |
3 |
216 |
Playing directly downwind, this long par-3 is guarded on the left by a large lake and on the right by two bunkers. The approach is narrow, but receptive for those who like to bounce the ball onto the green. The putting surface is very receptive with three different levels, providing lots of excitement on the short grass. |
| 16 |
4 |
492 |
This long par-4 begins the ultimate test of stamina as the first of the last three holes that play back into the prevailing wind. The tee shot should be placed close to the left fairway bunkers to gain the best attack angle to the green. The approach to the green is protected by two bunkers that are 20 yards short and a deep grass swale on the left. The putting surface is receptive to long iron shots hitting short and rolling on. It is very large but has a huge false front along the entire left side, caping into the grass swale. |
| 17 |
3 |
171 |
At 170 yards, this short hole will provide quite an exciting finish to the TPC Craig Ranch collection of par-3s. The wind must be carefully calculated, as high iron shots could balloon and be sucked into the deep collection bunker short of the green. The green is relatively small and is completely surrounded by bunkers. The putting surface has plenty of movement to challenge even the best putters. |
| 18 |
5 |
552 |
This hole requires an accurate drive between the group of bunkers left and right. A decision must be made on the second shot whether to lay up or go for the green over the creek and waterfalls. Any shot clearing the creek must also thread the bunkers left and right of the green's approach. The green sits lateral to the line of play and could yield as many eagles as it does bogeys. |
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