MEDIA CONTEST: Pinnacle [Willow Lakes Golf Course series pt. 6] Published Dec. 27, 2006 Series Entry 4F ACC MEDIA CONTEST -- Golfers who reach hole #6 at the Willow Lakes Golf Course are about to discover a dismaying fact - this hole is the hardest on the course. Only hole #1 comes close to being as difficult among the front nine. There aren't any surprises on this hole, according to the Air Pulse's golf expert, Staff Sgt. James Stephens. What makes this hole difficult is its length, the narrow fairways bordered by hazards, and a wickedly protected green. Sergeant Stephens on hole #6: Number 6 is rated the hardest hole in the course, according to the handicap on the scorecard. Ladies have it a bit easier - this hole is only the fifth-hardest for them. The fairway narrows in the middle, where it is bounded by a large water hazard on the left and a huge sand bunker on your right. Slicing or hooking your tee shot pretty much guarantees you're looking at a high score here. The green is hardly any more inviting. It's guarded by a pair of bunkers, one in front and one to the left. Keeping your ball on the green isn't guaranteed either - it undulates across its entire length. Sergeant Stephens on how to beat hole #6: There's no room for error on this hole, from your tee shot to the moment you finally sink the ball. The tee shot relies on pure skill - hit it straight and long and you'll be fine. Vary even slightly to the left or right and you're in trouble. The approach is just as treacherous as the tee shot, with a large, deep bunker guarding the front right of the green. The green itself is elevated several feet above the fairway, and slopes enough that it is sometimes difficult to tell exactly where the pin is in relation to your shot. In fact, assuming you shoot straight, pin placement is probably the number one determining factor with this hole. Keep your head on, play safe, and you can get away from this hole with a par. [Graphic text] Downhill from here It may be an uphill climb to the green on this hole, but once you're past #6, the rest of the course is easy mode, according to our golf expert, Staff Sgt. James Stephens. A variety of factors come together to make this hole a challenge - the fairway narrows dangerously for your tee shot, with huge hazards waiting for your ball on either side of the grass. The green itself is several feet above the fairway, and guarded by something golfers won't have seen yet on this course - a front bunker.