Country Club of Landfall (Dye)

With 45 holes of golf designed by either Pete Dye or Jack Nicklaus, members at the Country Club of Landfall should not expect an easy day. This is reasonable, as the club emphasizes competitive golf, dedicating at least one day per week to league competitions. That said, Dye did not subject the amateurs at Landfall to the same abuse he pulls out at his major championship routes.

There are relatively few penal water hazards, but it seems as if Dye may be revving up to one of his signature water-laden finales as players roll into nos. 15 and 16, which both feature ponds along the green sites. The course maintains the “land” in “Landfall” during the last few holes, however. No. 18 is a classic Dye risk-reward, but with a different flavor of challenge than many of his championship routes.

A short par five, many players will be able to reach the green in two. The elevated nature of this green, however, will provide the challenge. Those off to the right will fall into a deep greenside bunker, which will provide a much tougher third shot than for those who have laid up to the front fairway. A tight score coming into this final hole will be just as exciting for the amateur competitors at this club as it is for the professionals at Dye’s stiffer courses.