Holiday Valley draws golfers from all over western New York thanks to Paul Albanese’s 2007 renovation. By simply making the back nine more playable, opening up views of the countryside, and ridding the property of a do-it-yourself ridiculous par five, the course has become a favorite of those looking for a mountain golf experience.
Double Black Diamond was originally designed in 1964 by Fred Garbin. The front nine is still his routing but Albanese pushed the tee of the par four seventh up onto the hillside and then made a terrific par three from the driveable ninth to make room for the Tamarack Lodge. (The old green is still there and can be used by guests to play as a little pitch n putt hole) On the back, he used the old elevated tee box trick again at the tenth before tackling what must have been an insidious 360 yard par five where one hit three iron shots to reach the green in regulation. By taking out a ton of trees, it can now be played like a formidable short par four. (I think the fairway is still too narrow (17 yards) but a quality 200 yard shot followed by a 150 yard shot over the ravine makes for a memorable hole) At thirteen, he widened out the hole again, but this time making a split upper and lower fairway. At seventeen and eighteen, he flip-flopped the fairways making them both more playable. It was a well done renovation that brought the course into the modern era.
(The 374/363 yard par four seventh is one of the highlights on the outward nine. By moving the tee up the hill, a slight dogleg was created and the view was enhanced. The drive must be threaded between two lakes before attacking a slightly elevated green.)
(It was easy turning the ninth into a great par three. The mountain stream makes for a perfect hazard. The green is set diagonally behind it with a rise in the middle hiding the back half.)
The secret to Double Black Diamond success is only two holes play across the ski slope. This limits the quirkiness that could have been the defining feature. Starting at the ninth, the player will encounter three par threes in a four hole stretch. This gets them out of the valley and up to the par four thirteenth where the “cascade” hole will give a fantastic view and begin the descent down to the finish. From the seventeenth tee, the routing climbs straight uphill, and then plunges back down on the final hole. While the last two are a bit awkward, they don’t detract from the fun.
(The 170/150 yard par three tenth plays in a natural bowl. It’s all carry with a false front shaved to fairway length. It’s a beautiful hole and a strong start to the back nine.)
(The 220/200 yard par three fifteenth drops significantly from tee to green and features a large putting surface. A bunker catches a miss to the right while one to the left will find trees. It’s another beautiful view of the resort and mountain backdrop.)
(The 480/459 yard par five seventeenth is an absolute slog up the hill but it possesses a really well constructed green that slopes away. Birdie will be well earned.)
As nice as Double Black Diamond is, it’s the town and resort that make it so popular. Ellicottville has multiple shops, a winery, and a brewery that beckon golfers to come. Together, it becomes a great way to spend the day or weekend, and that to me is an organic amenity that is hard to replicate. I give Double Black Diamond a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play).
(The 429/407 yard par four eighteenth plummets downhill to a green fronted by a stream. With how close the resort backdrops the putting surface, I can’t help but think they plugged it here on the fly. It’s a challenging shot especially if you’re on the downslope.)
(My 8:30 am tee time was the first one of the day, and the 35 degree temperature had me second guessing if I was making a mistake. It had rained the day before and the course was very soft. I decided to play the blues at 5,503 yards par 70. It was great decision and I had a fun time.)
(The 548/507 yard par five fourteenth plays across the slope and finishes at this green benched into the hill. Expect to turn the ball over on your third shot with the ball above your feet. No bunkers needed here.)