Nevillewood - Pennsylvania - USA

Great course with fun undulation changes. This is a classic Nicklaus course with his signature bunkering style. The 9th is incredible and the 18th is the best finishing hole I've played in recent memory.

So much of the attention -- rightly so in a number of instances -- goes to several classical designed layouts in the greater Pittsburgh metro area. For whatever reason -- ignorance likely -- so much attention is spent on Oakmont which is clearly a giant of epic proportions.

During the 1990s a number of golf courses entered the scene in the area and Nevillewood was among them with its opening in 1992.

The Nicklaus team followed a fairly similar formulas but the saving element that elevates the experience is the terrain and a good mixture of diverse holes.

Those playing the course will need to hold their applause until one gets by the opening trio of holes. They are satisfactory but hardly noteworthy with the exception of the daring approach shot encountered at the par-4 2nd with a intruding pond requiring one's attention. Things pick up considerably from that point and the shotmaking challenges become more engaging and the clutter of the housing recedes more into the background.

The par-5 7th is done well and much is rightly made of the par-4 9th as the approach here must be gauged with utmost precision - especially when the pin is cut in the far-right corner.

Just when things are moving ahead the next two holes at the 10th and 11th are hideous because the bunkers are placed in an overkill manner. The holes look they've been transplanted from any number of Golden Bear efforts in Florida.

Fortunately, the derailment is temporary and the hole quality returns to a much more coherent and quality level. Three of the final five holes are smartly crafted long par-4s -- a hole type that Nicklaus has always felt more adept in delivering. Each is quite attractive and can inflict serious pain on the scorecard for those failing to rise to the occasion. The finale is a rousing ending hole. Water is part of the puzzle to solve on both the tee shot and approach.

Nevillewood has clear moments where it shines. On the flip side, there are lulls on each nine and that anchor does weigh down the overall assessment. Undoubtedly, classical architecture proponents will likely pan Nevillewood because of its modern look and the housing inclusions. That's unfortunate because there's enough present here to enjoy and savor.

M. James Ward