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hole # 16
350 Yards...Par 4
# 16 "Coho Crossing"
Named for the seasonal opportunities to view Coho Salmon migrating up Oldfield Creek. Baby salmon "smolts" are released from the Hatchery located up stream in the Spring and adults returning to lay eggs can be seen in the fall.
This hole appears simple enough on first view from the tee, but is in fact, the start of a series of three challenging finishing holes.
As usual on any golf hole, a drive in the fairway provides the best opportunity for a successful approach to the green. This point is magnified on #16 as the approach shot to the green involves multiple challanges.
* The first is the creek which crosses in front of the green.
* The second is the nature of the green surface. It is typically the firmest on the course because of its physical location (excellent drainage and no surrounding trees). Being one of the last holes, it is played later in the day and has had more time to dry out. The contour of the green involves a strong general slope of back to front toward the creek, and it is also of the "inverted sauce" type green made famous by Donald Ross of Pinehurst. The "soft shoulders" of this style of green result in approach shots falling off the edges of this elevated green providing challenging recovery shots.
* The third challenge to consider on the approach is the presence of a 20 foot tall cedar "whip" growing out of an original old growth stump just short of the creek guarding the front left side of the green. Though a strikingly attractive feature to the eye, it can be a frustrating hazard to avoid in approaches.
Considering all the challenges to the approach listed here, it becomes obvious an approach shot of the shortest possible length is preferable. The more modest driver, or even long hitters not putting out their best efforts, should weigh their options carefully and consider the strategy of laying the second shot up to a spot where a shorter, but more controllable third shot may still maintain the opportunity for a par.
Once on the green, the challenges are simpler and obvious. The player need only note the strong general slope of the green toward the creek and keep in mind the factor of playing a firm green possibly wind and sun baked late in the afternoon.
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