1

  A short par four that can be deceptively difficult.  A good drive to a wide fairway with four bunkers leaves a short iron into a small green guarded by sand bunkers left and right, with grass bunkers behind.  Green slopes from back to front.

2

  Accuracy off the tee is key on this hole as the fairway has trouble on both sides.  Approach shot is a test of skill, as the green is fronted by a massive sand bunker, with a wee pot bunker a-hiding in the back.  A big lake on the right is reachable from the tee, so aim left-center on drive.

3

  A picturesque par 3 along the Welland River, the challenging green is protected by a difficult bunker back left, and three deep pot bunkers on the hill on the right.  Numerous pin positions and levels mean that the job is not finished when the putting surface is reached.

4

  Another short par four, although the tee ball does confront a large fairway bunker right and two pot bunkers and fescue left.  The approach to the green accepts a run-up, so get your ball in the fairway for maximum lie potential on your approach.  The green slopes from back to front, albeit not horrifically.

5

  5 bunkers in the landing area, including two hidden ones on the left, obstruct the tee shot.  The hole doglegs gently right, and is faced with another bunker some 100 yards from the green.  A large horizontal slope divides back and front grades on this green, and a few right-side bunkers add difficulty.  Do your best to find the appropriate level of the putting surface for an easier first putt.

6

  After the trek under the entrance drive, a wonderful par three with a new lake right, and three bunkers behind, and oh yes, an hourglass-style green that sits on a bit of an elevation.  As the caddies say, this is a par to write home about. 

7

  On the scorecard, a little dink of a par four that shares its fairway, a la St. Andrews Old, with the 11th hole (add up to 18, get it?)  In reality, an uphill tee ball to a landing area dotted with pot bunkers for the overly brave.  A fairway metal gets you inside 100 yards, from where an accurate pitch to a large green gives you a legitimate shot at birdie.

8

  One of many thrilling tee balls from extreme elevation, this shot plays down into a vale protected by a lengthy waste area on the left, and a lake farther up at greenside left.  Various bunkers along the way on the right add visual and physical peril.  A deep green causing three putts often proves to be the bane of many a golfer who has successfully negotiated the first two shots successfully.

9

This concluding hole achieves two premium goals:  it completes the front nine with its greatest challenge, and foreshadows the overall completion of the round.  A daunting first shot plays across the origin of Lake HP, with a hillside left and bunkers right to provide additional concern.  The second shot, unless you were born a behemoth, is a lay-up to a point between 150 and 120 yards short of the green.  Anything closer brings the water and rough into play.  The third is played across another expanse of the lake, to a wide green with bunkers all around, and a bail-out region to the left.  As the yardage book says, birds are rare here while bogey is not a bad score.  To which I respond, play for par and you might make birdie; play for birdie and you might make seven.

10

The second nine commences with a demanding par four hole, whose landing area is fronted by a stream some 280 yards out.  A bunker left frames the hole from that side, and proper positioning for the approach is essential.  Block out the intimidation of an uphill approach to a green hidden by earth and sand, and you should have no problem reaching the putting surface.  Cautiously strike your putts, and you will one or two putt calmly. 

11

  A long par three with bunkers left and o.b. right, this transition hole can be reached with a run-up at the front of the green.  Take two putts, and move on to a terrific par five.

12

  This is another par five that presents options, especially to the long hitter.  The gargantui can drive over the rise, down to the second portion of the fairway, leaving a mid-iron to the green, and opening up an eagle opportunity.  We mortals must play with caution:  drive to the top, accurate second into the valley, between the lake left and the hills and o.b. right, to leave a short iron or wedge third shot.  The green sits on a rise, with bunkering as a deterrent, and presents a certain putting challenge to the weak-kneed.

13

  A long, uphill par four whose fairway is shared with number 15, this task is complicated by a series of pot bunkers that edge ever inward from the right, in the landing area.  Two more bunkers await on the right.   

14

  The only true breather on the course, this short par 3 can be attacked, caution be damned.  Go up and over the bunkers if the pin is back left, and straight at it if it is cut front right.  Putt with reckless abandon, as the concluding stretch will take whatever is left, out of you.

15

  The longest hole on the course begins the long trek home.  The fairway is bisected by a berth of rough at the 300 yard mark.  Bunkers left and right pinch the drive zone somewhat.  The second shot is played to a landing area protected farther up by another large lake.  A lay-up shot to the beginning of the lake leaves an approach of some 120 yards.  The putting surface is protected by four bunkers and, of course, the lake.  It extends out to the back, where the shelf descends away from the fairway.  Two putts are an immense accomplishment on this large and tricky green.

16

  An enjoyable hole, this roller coaster begins with a blind tee ball, over a rise.  If hit straight and far enough, you will avail yourself of the down slope, adding desirable yards to your tee shot.  The green is old-school, one of the most unique that you will ever putt.  It is the golfing equivalent of an split-level house, with the front down low, and the back some ten feet above it.  As the yardage book warns, if the pin is left . . . be left.  If the pin is right . . . be right.  However, if you want to have some fun, do the opposite, and have a ball.

17

  As though you needed another tough par three . . . too bad, here it is.  Long, well-bunkered, with a hard-to-hit putting surface.  Invoke the mantra from number nine:  play for 4 and you might make 3; play for 3 and you might make 5.  Native grasses all around the green make any non-sand recovery a difficult one.

18

  Closure, symmetry, whatever you label you choose, number eighteen, like its soulmate # 9, is unforgettable.  A double right, double dogleg, this hole will test your mettle, yet awaken in you the need to finish strong.  Play a draw off the bunkers right, albeit not so strong that you reach Lake HP.  Concoct a second shot over the transversing creek, in between the large bunkers, to the 100 yards-out point, then stiff a wedge for birdie.  Does it have a big green?   Yes.  Is the green difficult to putt?  Yes.  So what?  This is your last chance, make it count!