Tamarack Country Club

The course at Tamarack Country Club was set out by Charles “Steam Shovel” Banks (a former associate of Seth Raynor) in 1929 and it features a number of replica par threes; the 171-yard 3rd (based on the “Eden” hole at St Andrews), the 196-yard 7th (an imitation of the “Redan” at North Berwick) and the 214-yard 12th, a version France’s famous “Biarritz” short hole.

Much of the designer’s original “steep and deep” bunkering remains intact, most prominently at the 508-yard 17th, a sweeping doglegged par five, where an enormous sand trap named “Big Bertha” protects the elevated green. No doubt the Cardinal bunker at Prestwick was the inspiration for this sandy monster.

Other holes at Tamarack that have been modelled on famous originals include the par fours at the 2nd (”Cape”), 6th (“Alps”) and 14th (“Road Hole”). Whilst some golfers will feel the use of template holes is all a little too contrived, many others will delight in their composition and celebrate their place in the modern game.