MEDIA CONTEST: A challenging approach [Willow Lakes Golf Course series pt. 5]

  • Published
  • Series Entry 4E
ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  By the time they reach hole #5, most golfers are starting to get a pretty good idea of what lies in store for them at this Robert Trent Jones-designed course.

Hole #5 doesn't present any new challenges to players, but it has a little bit of everything. Water hazards will threaten your progress on both the right and left, and unlike the last hole you'll have to contend with a pair of bunkers when you finally reach the green.

For some expert advice on surviving hole #5, the Air Pulse turned to Staff. Sgt. James Stephens. Sergeant Stephens is currently stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., but before that he spent 4-and-ahalf years at Offutt. In 2004, he captained the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to the intramural golf championship.

Sergeant Stephens on hole #5:

From the tee box, hole #5 is an intimidating sight. Although only 391 yards separate you from the pin, that distance is fraught with trees, bunkers, perilously close out-of-bounds markers and a pair of water hazards. Just getting to the green is half the challenge on this hole.

A large water hazard threatens your tee shot on the left, but unless you hook badly it shouldn't be a concern. What should concern you is the huge tree on the right side of the fairway about 150 yards down. Assuming your ball goes astray but manages to clear the tree, you're not in much better shape - there's a fairway bunker waiting about 50 yards behind it that will probably end up swallowing your shot. All that, just to get to the fairway!

Sergeant Stephens on how to play the hole:

The fairway rests just behind the crook in the dogleg, and if you're going for distance you'll want to hit a soft fade to try and curve over and around the tree. Don't get carried away though, or your shot will end up in a bunker or out of bounds.

This hole features a fairly challenging green, protected on the right by a water hazard and to the left and rear by bunkers. The green itself is tiered from back to front with some unexpected slopes. Aim for the center of the green with your approach, take it easy, and you can two-putt for par.

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Fun with the approach

Willow Lakes hole #5 isn't the most difficult on the course. It doesn't have any new hazards or challenges.

What it does have is water, sand trees and a narrow fairway, all things that will challenge golfers seeking to walk away with par.

Your tee shot will probbaly determine whether you walk away with a high score or not on this hole, according to Sergeant Stephens. With a water hazard on your left and a large tree blocking your view down the fairway on the right, the ability to hit a good fade shot is essential.

Assuming your first shot is good, things start to look up. The green is wide, but guarded on three sides by water or bunkers. It also slopes from back to front.

Play it safe, aim for the middle of the green with your approach, and you can two-putt for par.