Every hole counts in golf, and the 18 holes below are the real opponents for professional golfers in the Navajo Trail Open this weekend at Durango’s Hillcrest Golf Club. A variety of risk/reward holes will give players the option of making low numbers, but some are certain to bite off more than they can chew.
Here’s what is facing 40 professionals and many more amateurs:
No. 1: 377 yards, par 4 – The majority of the field will hit a long-iron or utility club off the tee to set up a short iron or wedge into the green. Anything left of the fairway will need a fortunate bounce to avoid a pond that runs along the entire left side of the hole. It plays downhill and, if it’s down wind, some players might try to carry the lake and drive the green.
No. 2: 421 yards, par 4 – The second, like many at Hillcrest, is a hole in which the longer hitters will have nothing more than a wedge into the green. The downhill, slight dogleg left will offer plenty of birdie chances if players are accurate off the tee. However, shots coming in to the back-to-front sloping green with too much spin will roll back 30 to 40 yards short of the green, creating an awkward uphill pitch.
No. 3: 548 yards, par 5 – The first of the three accessible par 5s at Hillcrest has a new tee box up against Goeglein Gulch Road. A fairway bunker on the right is well placed, but, if players can avoid or carry it, they’ll have a mid- to long-iron into a well-protected green. If they choose to go for it in two, a pair of lakes and two front bunkers are hazards that will cause problems. Certain hole locations on this green, particularly back left, can be very difficult.
No. 4: 477 yards, par 4 – New tee boxes and matured trees give the fourth hole a new look. Tee shots left of the fairway will encounter thick trees. Front right and front left bunkers protect one of the toughest greens on the course. “It’s not super long, but it’s a tricky hole,” said Scottsdale, Arizona, pro Zachary Bryant. “It’s a tough green to hit, and if you do, you have to be in the right spot.”
No. 5: 227 yards, par 3 – The first of four par 3s is the longest at Hillcrest. It plays slightly uphill and into the wind more often than not. Two bunkers protect another back-to-front sloped green. New tee box allows it to play as long as 235 if the pin is in the back.
No. 6: 325 yards, par 4 – Like the first hole, No. 6 offers players a few different options off the tee. Most players will hit a long iron to the top of the hill and flip a wedge in for a birdie try. Others will try to drive the green, which is a realistic option, but trouble will find wayward shots. Out of bounds right and the longest grass on the course to the left will have some wondering why they didn’t play safe.
No. 7: 406 yards, par 4 – An overhanging limb to the right of this tee box is enough to make players think twice about trying to drive over the trees on the course’s first dogleg right. Anything slightly pulled will go through the fairway and create possible tree trouble, so a fairway wood to the 150-yard marker is ideal. Approach shots into the slightly elevated green need to be precise or they’ll roll off.
No. 8: 404 yards, par 4 – Though listed as 404 yards, the eighth hole is a 90-degree dogleg left, so the green can be reached by the big and bold. While not many shots are likely to find the surface off the tee, a good drive will leave a pitch, a putt and a birdie for many of the professionals.
No. 9: 177 yards, par 3 – Of all the Hillcrest changes, No. 9 is the one most talked about heading into play. What used to be a long iron is now a mid to short iron, but that doesn’t make it any easier. “It’s a green that’s designed to receive long iron shots,” said Durango native Devin Schreiner. “Anything with spin is going to roll off the front now, so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays. I liked it the way it was.”
No. 10: 551 yards, par 5 – The back nine at Hillcrest begins with a good chance to make birdie. Out of bounds right is a huge mistake considering everything on the left side of the hole is wide open. The green is reachable in two, but anything right will flirt with out of bounds. Three smart shots should leave a good birdie try.
No. 11: 327 yards, par 4 - Changes will affect No. 11 as a brand new fairway bunker was put in to challenge those trying to lay up in the correct spot on the short par 4. Players will find that an aggressive tee shot over the right corner of the bunker will leave a short greenside pitch into a receptive green. Most professionals have the distance to reach the green with a 3-wood.
No. 12: 197 yards, par 3 - Judging the distance and the wind is key to finding a green that is very wide, but shallow front-to-back and surprisingly firm. Poorly struck shots will fail to carry the water or find the front bunker which will cause lead to bogey or worse. Long putts and a severely back-to-front slope will test nerves.
No. 13: 482 yards, par 4 - New set of bunkers on the left will attract a number of tee shots on what many consider to be the toughest hole on the course. If players do find the fairway, they’ll be lucky to have a flat lie for a difficult approach into a green that gives the superintendent the option to be cruel with the hole locations.
No. 14: 376 yards, par 4 - Smart players will hit to the bottom of the hill and leave a full iron shot into a quirky green. Water left off the tee will deter many from hitting driver, but, again, some players might try to drive the green if they need to make up ground Sunday.
No. 15: 203 yards, par 3 – Left is a bad miss on this golf course, and No. 15 will give fits to players who miss in that direction. A drop off left of the green makes par unlikely from down below. A solid shot into the green and two putts will be welcomed by even the best players, and they’ll take their chances on 16.
No. 16: 407 yards, par 4 – There’s not much to this uphill par 4 unless the wind is blowing in your face, which is quite common. A good drive should leave players no more than 150 yards to one of the flatter greens on the course.
No. 17: 570 yards, par 5 – The tee shot on the 17th is critical. Water on the right and a sneaky out of bounds boundary on the right can ruin a good round in a hurry. However, a good drive will give players the chance at an eagle, which could change the complexion of the tournament late Sunday.
No. 18: 479 yards, par 4 – Heading back toward the clubhouse, the finishing hole at Hillcrest is a long par 4 that plays all of its yardage. Wayward tee shots will find tree trouble on both sides. Accurate shots will leave players with a mid-iron into a firm green protected by a deep front bunker.
If you go...
OPEN TO PUBLIC: Spectators are welcome at the Navajo Trail Open. Professionals tee off at 1:34 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and late in the afternoon Sunday. Rounds average around five hours in duration. Please be courteous to competitors and practice golf etiquette while you watch. Keep noise to a minimum and try to stay out of the players’ line of sight.
WHERE TO WATCH: All of the course is open to follow your favorite local players, but the best vantage point might be near the clubhouse. Hillcrest has a balcony where patrons can see hole nos. 1, 6, 7, 9 and 18 from close to the clubhouse.
WEATHER FORECAST: Friday – Sunny, high 86. Saturday – Sunny, high 88. Sunday – Sunny, high 90.
TWITTER: @The7thFreezer
