The Course: Holes 7 - 12

Hole 7

Water is an issue on the seventh but, if the original ball is still going, take aim on the left hand bunkers and play a club to keep you just short of them.

A big drive between the lake and the bunkers will give a short approach but the wise golfer who has played the percentages can still be rewarded with a much needed birdie.

Hole 8

If you like drawing a medium iron in to a short hole, you will like the eighth. It will need to be a good one because the hole is well protected with a wide ridge at the front and bunkers right and left.

The green is beautifully shaped.

Hole 9

The par five ninth is a less intimidating tee shot than the fourth with water only on the right and unless you are a long hitter, a nice lay up in to the little amphitheatre of bunkers and a river leaves a lovely pitch across to the green. Somehow the green looks reachable off a good drive, but therein lies the risk.

Like the fourth, a safe five looks the better bet.

Hole 10

Your ball should not get wet at the tenth, but what a great short par four. The trees on the left tell you where to go and a mid to short iron over the stream to the elevated green should yield a four.

Hole 11

Climb the eleventh tee and back to reality. A tight tee shot with out of bounds on both sides. The green is in the distance and you somehow feel that this is one hole where you must keep your nerve.

Drive away and find the fairway and you see the extent of the lake which needs to be carried. A shorter hitter can find some relief down the left, but it is a tough bale out and once on the green its contours cry out three putt.

Hole 12

Off the back tee the twelfth is 90 percent water, but somehow off the tees to the right it is just as tough with any drawn shot invariably finding the water.

Continue to The Course: Holes 13 - 18 >>