BALLYNEAL 2009- FRONT NINE

THE SUBLIME SECOND AT BALLYNEAL

Kye Goalby and I snuck out to Ballyneal for two rounds of golf recently. It was the first time out there in over a year and we were anxious to see the how things were evolving out in the Colorado Sand Hills.

Every time I visit Ballyneal,  I am reminded about what a great place it was to work and now to visit. Rupert O’Neal has shown a deft touch when it comes to adding buildings, creating a very cozy and intimate feel with the lodges. The new bar with its panoramic view of the chop hills and the golf course is awesome. And all of that is just a lead in to the Tom Doak designed golf course. (Video of the front nine after the jump)

This video focuses on the front nine. You know you are in for a different experience when you open the scorecard and see that there are not individual tee yardages, but rather a range of yardage. This seemingly small difference really sets the tone. It signifies that you are not going out on the course with the idea of posting a score for your handicap, but rather you are heading out to have FUN and hit creative golf shots. And that’s exactly what the course was designed for.

The second is a great example. After climbing up to one of the highest points on the course, the player is invited to let rip with a driver. Downwind a well struck drive can be propelled way down the hill. Into the wind, one would be lucky if they were hitting less than a long iron into this green. Either way, the green is open on the right so that players can run the ball in. The green itself is one of the tamer on the course, which means that it is still rather wild. There are a ton of cool shots around the green- most but not all ask the player to play along the ground and use the contours to get the ball close to the hole.

The seventh is another great example. This short, drivable par-four plays around the corner of a chop hill to a green that is nestled between two large slopes. What makes this hole so distinctive and fun is that the area to the left of the green is all mowed tightly. This leads to a myriad of options on both the approach and on putts. The massive contour allows players to swing the ball into pin positions that are tucked between the bunkers that eat into the right side of the  green. The seventh is just a fabulous hole.

These are two of my favorites, but the rest of the nine is equally enjoyable. For those who have been there, what’s your favorite hole on the front?