In the original routing this was the 18th hole, but we switched Nos. 8, 9, 17 and 18 so the finishing hole could set up below the clubhouse. We also wanted to promote an exciting finish to the round, so we decided to close with a reachable par-5.
This hole plays slightly uphill the entire way to a wide and shallow green. It's designed to play as a three-shot hole, where only the longest players are able to reach the green in two. Knowing that most players will leave their second shot in the neighborhood of 100 yards from the green, we made the area around the putting surface a bit more exacting.
With a wide, shallow green, there is a premium placed on distance control. The green is guarded in front and to the left with bunkers, and a tightly mown area will catch any approach shots that travel too far. The far right pin position is most generous, but as you move left both bunkers and the swale get deeper -- some as much as 10 feet below the green.
When the hole's cut on the far left side, this is what I would consider a `sucker pin,' meaning it's wise to play a little safe, aim away from the hole and leave yourself a 20-footer for birdie.