High Pointe: Old and New, Part 2
The Front Nine
This is part 2 of a 3-part series. Click here to revisit part 1.
Early plans for the new course at High Pointe appear to indicate that portions of the previous back 9, namely the original holes 10-15, will be reused in the new routing. Additionally, the latter half of the original 18th hole will be revamped as part of what appears to be a new par 4 hole (the original was a par 5). For the lucky few who will get to frequent the new edition of High Pointe (early reports indicate the new club plans to be both private and quite exclusive), the upcoming virtual tour of the original High Pointe back 9 will simply be a refresher for what is to come.
For all of us, however, members and non-members alike, the original front 9 is gone for good. Preserving a rendition of those lost holes was important to me, and a prominent reason for putting together this digital restoration project. So without further ado, let’s jump into a tour of the front 9, where I’ll point out one of two notable features that I’ve noticed while building.
The Front 9 - Hole 1
The ridge that the 1st hole traverses serves as a dividing line of sorts between the gently rolling front 9 and the more abrupt back 9. The slight dogleg to the top of the ridge makes this a nightmare driving hole for me, trying to pick the correct line and distance. It’s a short hole with a subtle green, but even a wedge in my hand from the uneven fairway feels like it would be a challenge to open the day.
Hole 2
Another short par 4, the green here is the highlight of what is to come. Tom’s Instagram comment from part 1 describes this as a three-tier green, with the possibility for what seems to me to be a wild front pin on a tiny shelf. I will say that I’ve seen three-tier greens before that look like a staircase. This one thankfully feels more intuitive and fitting with the land.
Hole 3
Holes 3, 5, and 7 cut back and forth across the most extreme land on the front side. From the tee you hit into a small-ish valley sitting below the stand of pines along the right side, and from there you cross this eventful stretch to a crowned green.
Hole 4
I’m no Tom Doak expert, but I know this has to be his first Redan, right? The first of several in his career? I don’t have the experience to say where this ranks among his Redans, but I know it has all of the usual features of a Redan, which is something that you just didn’t get to experience much on a public golf course.
Hole 5
I know there is more overall land movement on the back 9, but for me the way this fairway heaves from tee to green, in full view without tree interference, might be my favorite spot on the course.
Hole 6
Here the front side descends into the flattest part of the property. In its time, this was likely considered a short par 5 even then. With today’s length it would truly be a par 4.5. Taking a big swing at the driver here is, to me, this hole’s appeal.
Hole 7
A little like the first tee shot, this dogleg asks you to pick a line and try not to bite off more than you can chew. Where the holes differ, however, is this wild green waiting at the end of it. You should be able to see in the screenshot the large swale on the front right quadrant that dominates most approach shots. The left side of the green is banked, however, allowing shots to trickle in from left to right. I’m envious of this green.
Hole 8
The 13th green might be the most notable, or most well-known, on the course. The 8th, however, might be the most audacious. I’m not even sure how to describe it it. Sort of two-tiered, a large bank on the backside of the green to use for back pins, and a small little shelf on its own on the right middle of the green. I don’t know if the original course ever put a pin there, but I did. It’s borderline unfair, and ridiculously fun.
Hole 9
This par 5 is not long by yardage, but it does play uphill from tee to green, bringing the front 9 to a close back up by the clubhouse. I can’t say the hole does much for me. It’s fine. It gets you back to the clubhouse, albeit still with a long trip to get to the back 9.
If you don’t have the PGA 2K23 game, but would like to see the course in action, check out the video playthrough below:
Be sure to check out part 3 tomorrow, which concludes with the original back 9 at High Pointe.