Golf

Hole #1

• 403
• 378
• 352
• 298
• 263
  

This is a good get-away hole to start the round.  Most players should favor aiming toward the left fairway bunkers to reach the widest portion of the fairway.  Better players will want to aim the drive based on the pin position on the green.  Ross’s plans called for a green with three and a half feet of elevation change with a distinct roll through the middle of the putting surface.  Placing the approach on the proper side of the green is critical for an easy two putt.

Hole #2

• 429
• 390
• 360
• 336
• 305

The second hole is a relatively straight, mid length par 4.  Bunkers line the left side of the fairway.  Tee shots challenging these bunkers will set up the best angle to the green, avoiding the front right green bunker.  Distance calibration is challenged on the approach with a foreshortening bunker and a fairly deep green.

Hole #3

• 532
• 505
• 471
• 437
• 421

The first par 5 on the course is not an original Donald Ross golf hole, however it plays to an original green location.  Tee shots on this hole require a demanding carry over water.  Bunkers also protect the left side of the first landing area.  Depending on the quality of the tee shot, players will need to decide where to properly place their second shot for the approach to the green, as bunkers occupy the right and left side of the second landing area.  The original concept for the green is quite relevant for a par 5 hole, demanding precision on the approach.  Ross called for a green with three and a half feet of elevation change from front to back.  The main feature of the green is the “Ross Trough”, which is a diagonal hollow falling away from the approach that is one and a half feet deep and 15 feet wide.  The rear half of the green is protected by this trough and a plateau falls off beyond the green.  

Hole #4

• 381
• 333
• 300
• 276
• 253

The first short par 4 on the course is a study in risk-reward off the tee.  A bunker complex is placed along the flight line on the left side of the hole.  The right side of the fairway is also flanked with a bunker complex.  Driving over the left side bunkers sets up the shortest approach and the best angle to the green.  The more the golfer steers clear of the left side bunkers, the longer the approach becomes and the green begins to become a bit obscured.  Hitting into the right-side fairway bunkers also creates a very demanding recovery.  Errant approaches will find a green the falls off on all sides but has a saving upslope on the back of the complex.

Hole #5

• 223
• 196
• 156
• 114
• 104

This demanding par three has been renovated to bring it back to the intended length and strategy of Donald Ross.  Bunkers guard the flight line to the green but are built to allow for a run on shot that flies the bunkers but is short of the putting surface.  The main feature of the green is a raised undulation that starts outside the left edge of the green and blends well into the putting surface.  Dividing the front and rear portions of the complex.  A score of three on this hole will be well deserved.

Hole #6

• 528
• 507
• 481
• 462
• 435

The second par five on the front nine is also benefitting from reinstituting the original Donald Ross strategy.  New bunker placement throughout the hole will make golfers choose their direction of play and length of intended shot much more carefully.  The fairway on this hole is quite wide for the entire length, however, the new bunkers are positioned near the center line of the hole which makes proper execution of each shot critical.  The green is guarded by one bunker on the right side of the green.  Rolls on the outside of the green complex, extending in to the putting surface add ample challenge to holing out.

Hole #7

• 461
• 414
• 382
• 347
• 307

This long par four has simple strategy and a green complex with no bunkers.  Tee shots should be played as long and as close to the right fairway bunkers as possible to set up the shortest approach and the best angle into the green.  The back right pin position is the most difficult on the putting surface. 

Hole #8

• 170
• 148
• 130
• 113
• 93

This par three is another hole not original to the Ross routing.  The renovation was able to use the proposed strategy from the green complex on the original third hole.  Donald Ross’s notes describe the front of the green being guarded by a steep bunker that “must not show off a clear view to the green”.  This feature bisects the green into two halves with defining undulations that make two putting a good challenge to make par. 

Hole #9

• 423
• 392
• 364
• 318
• 281

The front nine comes to a close with this mid-length par four golf hole.  Tee shots should favor the middle to left side of the fairway to position the approach shot with the best angle.  The front of the green is guarded by a bunker Ross said to build short of the green but shaped so it blends in with the front of the green, creating depth perception to the approach.  The left side of the green is guarded by a deep bunker.  The putting surface is defined by large undulations on the front left and middle right of the green.   

Hole #10

• 358
• 342
• 329
• 282
• 248

The back nine at San Jose is comprised of holes that are all in their original position as designed by Donald Ross.  It starts with this short and tricky par four.  The tee shot must be played straight and long to create a clear path to the green.  However, the ball can be hit too far off the tee and find the pond bisecting the fairway on this hole.  Playing the approach to the green by gauging the correct yardage is paramount.  The green is fairly deep and slopes from left to right.  Short approach shots risk rolling into the pond.  Any shot missing left or deep sets up a very tricky up-and-down for all levels of player. 

Hole #11

• 563
• 511
• 489
• 420
• 392

The first par five on the back nine is a fun double dogleg golf hole.  The tee shot must be accurate to avoid the original pond to the right and the bunkers to the left – both hazards Ross included in his design.  The bunker complex in the second landing area asks the golfer to challenge its location to set up the best angle to the green for the approach shot.  Ross implemented the template of a Maiden Green on this hole by designing two plateaus in the back of the green separated by a lower swale.  The front greenside bunkers were also constructed to create a “slight valley entrance” to the putting surface.  All things considered, hitting the proper segment of the green for the pin position location is critical.   

Hole #12

• 155
• 133
• 115
• 98
• 75

A straight away par three that has a peninsula green, surrounded by water on three sides. If the golfer is bold, tee shots should be played slightly short and left of the pin position to set up the best opportunity for simple putts. This strategy, however, brings the water more into play on this hole.

Hole #13

• 442
• 414
• 377
• 349
• 287

New tee work has created a beautiful view down the fairway on this straight and long par 4.  Accuracy is needed to keep the tee ball inside the tree line. Original green design instructions include the creation of a “distinct valley entrance to the green”, accomplished with support mounds from the greenside bunkers and “a plateau on the back of the green, raised 1’ above the body of green”.  Par is a great score on this golf hole.     

Hole #14

• 349
• 318
• 287
• 262
• 225

This short par four offers lots of options and interest for all levels of golfer.  It is short enough for the long hitter to try and drive the green.  It is laid out for the average player to play smart and have a good chance at birdie.  However, the hole does possess challenge to ultimate success.  Steeply faced bunkers protect the straight line to the green.  A right-side fairway bunker will absorb tee shots that are a bit off line or played to the wrong distance.  A deep centerline bunker protects the front of the green and creates depth perception doubt for the approach.   The green is smartly contoured to create no less than four drainage patterns.  Don’t sleep on this hole due to its short yardage.   

Hole #15

• 225
• 187
• 172
• 152
• 134

The last par three on the course presents a stout challenge to the golfer.  A raised green is defended on each side by deep bunkers.  Ross’s construction notes call for a multi-plateaued green, adding fun putting challenge to the hole.   

Hole #16

• 417
• 390
• 353
• 323
• 278

Another mid length par 4 hole that is designed around an original water feature on the property.  The wide fairway offers plenty of options for golfers to place their drives depending on the level of challenge they are willing to take and the location of the pin on any given day.  Large and deep bunkers protect the left side of the fairway and the most direct line to the green.  Challenging these bunkers will allow players to approach the green without carrying all the pond fronting the green.  Players driving to the right side of the fairway will have to carry the full length of the pond, but this position will afford a better angle into many of the pin locations.  Ross called for a plateau across the center of the putting surface.  This plateau is a major feature of the hole and makes hitting the green in the proper area critical for easier putting to finish the hole

Hole #17

• 522
• 484
• 460
• 438
• 406

The last par 5 on the golf course offers a nice opportunity for one last birdie for the round.  The drive is played to a wide fairway that is a cape feature, bordered to the right by an original pond.  The more of the pond the golfer is willing to carry, the better the angle the second and third shot will have to the green.  The second landing area is guarded by a fairway bunker complex on the left side.  Playing over these features will set up a mere pitch or chip for the third shot.  Playing short or to the right of these features brings more length for the second shot and/or having to negotiate the very deep right greenside bunker.  The green is one of the lesser contoured greens but is elevated and narrow from front to back, with a portion falling away from the line of play.  

Hole #18

• 462
• 435
• 376
• 344
• 317

The home hole at San Jose is a great finish to the golf course.  A long par four, the fairway is dotted with fairway bunkers on the right and left side, creating the demand for a long and accurate drive.  The front right of the green is guarded by deep bunker.  Ross called for undulations throughout the outer edge of the green, ranging 4 to 6 inches in elevation and blending in to the putting surface.  These contours demand the attention of all players until the final putt is holed out.