MEDIA CONTEST: Hole in One [Willow Lakes Golf Course series pt. 1] Published Dec. 27, 2006 Series Entry 4A ACC MEDIA CONTEST -- When playing on one of the best golf courses in Nebraska, it only makes sense to bring your best game. To help get Offutt golfers off to a good start, the Air Pulse is proud to present a few tips on surviving the first hole, courtesy of Staff Sgt. James Stephens. Sergeant Stephens is currently stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., but before that he spent 4 and a half years at Offutt, most of them on the Willow Lakes course. In 2004, he captained the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to the intramural championship. When we asked him for some help with the first hole, he was glad to oblige. Sergeant Stephens on the Willow Lakes golf course: The Willow Lakes Golf Course in Bellevue, Neb., is the only Robert Trent Jones design in the state. The Offutt course is a championship-type course that will challenge all levels of golfers. The small greens, numerous lakes, and abundant trees have all made this one of Nebraska's best competitive courses. Sergeant Stephens on how to beat the first hole: First shot Hole #1 is an uphill par 4 that stretches an impressive 425 yards from tee to pin. It is the third hardest hole on the course - using the championship tees this hole challenges even the best golfers in the state. The Papio Creek separates the tees from the fairway. The closest tee, the ladies', is 70 yards from the start of the fairway; the regular and championship tees, on the other hand, have an impressive 190-yard flight ahead of them just to reach kempt grass. A large bunker guards the left side of the fairway, about where most golfers' first shots will be landing. Drives must be precise and favor the right side of the fairway to avoid the sand. Assuming you hit the ball well, you should be looking at about 150 yards to the green. The green Your second shot should leave you staring up at a green well-protected by two bunkers - one at the back, one to your right. The green itself slopes severely, from back to front and left to right. Avoid going long and left or there's no telling where your ball will stop. Three-putting on this green is a common thing, and humbles even the scratch golfer. Manage to sink it in two for par, however, and you're off to a great start. All-in-all, this is a great opening hole for a challenging day of golf. [Graphic text] Off to a good start This first hole is one of the most challenging on the course, according to 2004 base intramural championship team coach Staff Sgt. James Stephens. Your initial drive should aim for the right side of the fairway, just over the Papio Creek, to avoid the large left-side bunker. Another 150 yard shot will put you in front of the large green. The green has a significant slope to be wary of, as well as two bunkers that have claimed thousands of balls apiece. Keep your head and you can two-putt this green, walking away with a respectable par 4.