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Golf
Digest Honors Castle Pines 10th
Hole
As USA's "All-Time
Best"
Golf
Digest magazine selected the 10th
hole at Castle Pines Golf Club as
one of America's 18
greatest.
In
its March issue, an article
entitled "America's Best 18"
written by noted author Dan
Jenkins and co-authored by golf
course architecture editor Ron
Whitten features the par 4,
485-yard Jack Nicklaus hole in a
two-page picture spread. The
picturesque 10th has
traditionally been one of The
INTERNATIONAL's most difficult in
each of the past 14 years. And if
it wasn't for the fact no average
hole scores are maintained
against par because of the
Modified Stableford scoring
system, it would rank as one of
the more difficult venues on the
PGA Tour.
That's
because it was built as a par 5.
Castle Pines founder/president
Jack Vickers convinced his friend
and architect Jack Nicklaus that
it would be a challenging par 4,
however. So, instead, Nicklaus
flip-flopped No. 17 to a short
(492 yards) par 5 and No. 12 from
a par 5 to a tough par
4.
"We
are honored," said Vickers. "I
like the hole because you've got
a variety of conditions there and
you must play it differently
depending on what you encounter.
The second shot is the key and
even if you hit a big drive,
you've still got a challenge.
I've seen everything on a second
shot club selection from a 3-iron
to an 8-iron, depending on wind.
It's a tough hole and it's one of
my favorites."
One
of the unique aspects of the 10th
is the natural beauty surrounding
it, including the famous "Castle
Rock" in the town by the same
name just a few miles south of
Castle Pines, as well as Pikes
Peak, which is also visible in
the background.
"It's
one of the prettiest holes
anywhere in America," said Castle
Pines professional Keith
Schneider. "Where else but in
Colorado are you going to be
hitting your tee shot at Castle
Rock and your second shot at
Pikes Peak? It's also a really
key driving hole because the
fairway is narrow. And even
though it's a big green, you have
no chance of reaching it unless
you keep your tee-shot in the
fairway."
Says
Golf Digest of No. 10, "From the
elevated tee, sweeping downhill
to a green nestled right behind a
pond "with Pikes Peak looming in
the background, this hole looks
like a brilliant par 5, and
certainly can play like it
is.
"Sure,
the ball's supposed to go farther
in Colorado, but only if you get
it in the air. The green mainly
accepts a high fade -it's a
Nicklaus, remember."
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