In 1976, Pat Ward-Thomas published the article, “Elements of Greatness - The Classic Course,” pulling interesting and unique holes from various courses to create the hypothetical dream course. Each hole has to correspond with the same number, for instance you couldn’t use all hole 9’s for your layout. Many have since created their own, most recently Ran Morrissett who chose his Hole #2 from Kingsley Club!
Hole No. 2: Kingsley Club
Kingsley, Mich. — Par 3, 150 Yards
Architect: Mike DeVries
Why it’s great: An ultra-precise par-3 shot is the perfect follow-up to a wide-open starter.
Overview: People who study golf’s pace of play—yes, there are such people—pooh-pooh the idea of a reachable par-5 or a par-3 early on either side, holding forth that such holes cause play to back up. My experience says that the opposite holds true, that both hole types invariably spread out play.
Regardless, Mike DeVries routed this one-shotter along the top of a ridge, with the narrow green naturally falling off on both sides toward either deep bunkers or, worse still, thick fescue grass. The green, at 38 yards, is much deeper than it is wide (just nine yards at the front).
Yard for yard, this may well be the hardest hole on this entire Dream Course. More important, the juxtaposition of its intense call for precision against the freewheeling, spacious opening hole is simply too delicious to pass up.
Thanks for including us in your dream course, Ran!