One benefit of the new sequence of holes is that the subject of golf’s greatest opening tee shot remains a lively debate. Otherwise, when this hole was the first, many a well traveled golfer would swear their allegiance to this being golf’s grandest opening shot.
Thompson's original championship tee was twenty yards below today's tee and the white markers were some fifty yards lower and to the left. The thrill of watching a tee ball fall against Mount Rundle to the distant fairway below is something with which few courses can compete.
Save for perhaps Alister MacKenzie, has any architect ever matched Thompson for skill in constructing random bunkering, both in shape and placement? This one is sixty yards short and right of the 15th green.
No matter how many times I visit the elevated back tees of the Banff Springs Golf Course's par-four 15th hole, I'm awestruck by what must surely be one of the most fabulous vistas in all of golf, if not the world.....Guess we have to play the tips! (Banff's 2nd HTPBYD)Banff Springs GC:
Banff Springs is ranked #3 for Top Resort Course!
Banff:
The Castle – Banff Springs Hotel -- The discovery of natural hot springs in 1883 eventually led to the establishment of Banff National Park, a vast wilderness that now encompasses 6,641 sq kms (2,564 sq mi). The Banff Springs Hotel opened its doors in 1888 and wealthy European train travelers came for months at a time to “take the waters”. Designed in the Scottish baronial style, in a nod to the town’s namesake Banffshire, Scotland, the hotel was designated a National Historic Site in 1992. The best view of this landmark hotel is from “Surprise Corner” on Tunnel Mountain.
That is a ridiculous view. I'm in love.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to lose soooooo many balls. Doesn't look like there's a whole lotta room if you're not in the fairway. And considering I hit about 3 fairways per round.....i be screwed...Prediction: PGz 97 @ Banff
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