Yale golf course

The Yale golf course, owned and operated in New Haven near the West Haven border by Yale University, is a fine example of early American golf course design, with large, deeply bunkered greens and narrow rolling fairways challenging the golfer; it is considered one of the best collegiate golf courses in the United States.

In 1988, Golf Magazine ranked Yale as the 71st most difficult course in the world. In particular, the 432 yard (395 m) par-4 fourth hole and the 238 yard (218 m) par-3 ninth hole have been ranked among the 100 most difficult holes.

The clubhouse is contemporary in design, but blends with the surrounding woodland. Inside, high ceilings and large windows offer magnificent views of the course and Connecticut's seasonal foliage, with a large dining room overlooking the third and fourth holes serving as the building's center. Gourmet food and fine wines are provided to the dining room and an adjoining sunny garden patio and deck by the club restaurant, Widdy's. The building also houses a unique hexagonal conference room with matching hexagonal conference table and a full service PGA pro shop, which contains the computerized national golf handicap system and sells, rents, and repairs the latest equipment, as well as selling golf apparel featuring Handsome Dan, the Yale bulldog mascot.

Yale opens the course to outside groups; Mondays during the golf season are reserved for private golf outings of 100 players or more.

History

In 1924, Mrs. Ray Tompkins donated to Yale 700 acres (2.8 km²) of swamp and woodland in memory of her husband, which were made into a world-class 18 hole golf course by Charles Blair Macdonald, the renowned golf course architect, champion golfer, and co-founder of the USGA, in collaboration with Seth Raynor and Charles Banks, for a budget of $400,000.

The Yale course has been the site of every significant state championship, two USGA Junior National events, the 1991 and 2004 NCAA Eastern Regional championships (in 2004 only 3 players in the field finished below par after 54 holes of play), the 1991 ECAC Men's Championship, and the 1992 ECAC Women's Championship, as well as the Nike Connecticut Open.

The clubhouse, designed by Herb Newman, was dedicated on September 29, 1984 as a gift of the Prospect Hill Foundation, after whom it was named.

Fourth hole

The fourth hole at the Yale golf course was rated by Tommy Armour as the ninth most difficult hole in the world, requiring two perfect shots to reach the green; an initial 250 yard long drive over or along water and a wood or long iron shot to reach the slightly elevated green. The water hazard curves back into the fairway at 230 yards (210 m), to snare those who overshoot. The bunkers to the rear of the green are generally out of play, but the deep bunker to the front will require a special shot in order to complete the up and down.

Ninth hole

The ninth hole at the Yale golf course is the course's signature hole, world famous due to an unusual 65 yard (59 m) deep green with an eight foot (2 m) depression separating front and back and a difficult tee shot requiring both distance and precision; it overlooks a lake with woods at both sides, requiring a straight shot with at least a 190 yard (174 m) carry to reach the green. If the ball reaches the depression the player faces an extremely difficult two putt; therefore to shoot par the tee shot must land on the correct area of the green near the pin, either front or back. The trap to the side of the green also leaves a tricky up and down. This hole truly rewards golfing skill.

External links

* [http://yalebulldogs.collegesports.com/facilities/facgolf.html Yale golf course home page]
* [http://www.golfclubatlas.com/yale1.html Golf Club Atlas Guide]
* [http://research.yale.edu/wwkelly/Yale-golf/index.htm The History of Yale Golf]