Punderson (Newbury OH)

Jack Kidwell designed Punderson in 1970. Punderson is one the longest golf courses from the white tees I've played. It's 6600 yards and the majority of that is found in the par fives. Three of them are over 550 yards, and both the third and sixth play uphill. As a player, the par fives are the scoring holes but not so much here where I think a par on any of them is a good score. 

From tee to green there is not much trouble. Kidwell really let's you open your shoulders and let it fly. I've always thought that long players do well here for that reason. The greens are well protected with traps. The bunkers here are unusual because many of them are in mounds which makes them higher than the greens. They hide the putting surface and the mounds then slope into the edge of the green. I believe Kidwell did this so water wouldn't collect in the sand. 

Punderson opens up with a couple par fours. Both holes have greens hidden by sand traps fronting them. It makes it tricky to select a good club and fire at the pin. This design feature is used on many of the holes so it's important to hit your irons crisp and precise. At the aforementioned par five third, the green is  strongly protected by sand in the front, so much so that the front part of the green slopes away from the fairway. It s very difficult putting surface and hard to make birdie on.  

After a strong par four, the fifth is a dogleg right short two shotter. It's tempting to cut off the corner but the wise play is out to the elbow to obtain an unhindered approach to the green. At Punderson this is a good strategy for all the dogleg holes. All five of them. The green at five is very large so be cognizant of the flag and club accordingly. Six is the second aforementioned par five. This one is wide open off the tee before trees constrict it on the second shot. The second is uphill so it's a big hit to clear the hill. Then it's another third shot to a green strongly protected in the front. It's an easier green so birdie is possible. The eighth is an excellent par four. This long hole plays downhill with trees on both sides before it doglegs right over a lake. It  is the best hole on the front and the one that most people remember after the round. 

The back nine starts with a couple par fours like the front does. The eleventh has a picturesque approach shot over the water. Then the fun begins with long par threes on the twelfth and fourteenth. Both play over 200 yards long. Twelve has a bunker fronting the right side that must be carried. Fourteen has a three tier green. Two tough holes to make par on. The par five fifteenth is next and it is a brute playing over 570 yards! It is downhill so it's not quite as long as it's listed yardage but should it play into the wind, then three cracking shots are needed to reach it in regulation. 

The last three holes are all well designed. Sixteen has a large hill that slopes left,

enticing a draw off the tee that could run all the way down to wedge range. The rub is the ball will be above your feet if you fail to get the requires distance. Seventeen is a dogleg right. What's neat bout this hole is a big lake is basically straightaway but the hole doglegs right. Kidwell designed courses to be playable and enjoyable. And I don't think one water hazard at Punderson is really in play unless you hit a real stinker. Finally eighteen is a reachable par five. A couple traps short including one thirty yards short makes it a big gamble. But a good birdie opportunity. 

Punderson is a fine golf course and I wish  the state took better care of it. It could be such a great place. Nonetheless I think it's definitely above average. I give it a 4 rating.