Irish Creek - North Carolina - USA

Davis Love III had an accomplished amateur career prior to his fruitful professional run so it’s appropriate that his courses should host college competitions. The Club at Irish Creek is one such example, hosting the Irish Creek Collegiate Championship.

It’s unfortunate that said tournament doesn’t take a more match play-oriented approach (alas, most don’t), for Love concludes the round with an interesting approach to competitive final holes. Many enjoy par fives or daring par fours as closers, to see what player is willing to execute a bold shot to seize victory. At Irish Creek, the final is a par three...but one that adds just as much intrigue. For one, it plays at nearly 250 yards from the back tees. The defining feature is a hump in the center of the green, which begs the question whether it’s wise to go for a green-in-regulation; landing on the wrong quadrant of the green may make two strokes with a putter more difficult than a chip and putt.

For the more casual players at the club, many of whom live in the surrounding neighborhoods, they can appreciate views of Kannapolis Lake, which is the central feature at Irish Creek.