Blackthorn has a strong set of par threes. They are well designed and flow naturally over the terrain, carrying the routing across interesting landforms. I’m particularly fond of the par three sixteenth. It’s just a short iron shot but a small tree pokes out of the ravine, blocking the view of the left hand pin positions. Multiple tee boxes limit or enhance the tree’s influence but I for one would be very disappointed if it wasn’t in play.
(The 203/170 yard par three third plays downhill over a natural area to a two tiered green. The back tier is much deeper than it looks from the tee. Beware the front pin positions just over the hazard.)
(The 554/518 yard par five fourth plays over a hill to a landing zone where one must decide if he can carry the lone bunker in the right rough. The tree on the left defends against bailing out. The longer player has a decided advantage.)
(The 549/518 yard par five seventh features a forty yard diagonal green almost entirely fronted by bunkers…
…behind the green is short grass as the putting surface slopes away from the fairway. Note the gull wing design. Tiers in the back and front sections with a sunken middle.)
Blackthorn was designed by Michael Hurzdan in 1994. It was ranked #4 on Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course list that year. It was designed for the city of South Bend and bucks any preconceived notion one might have of what muni might be. From the tips, it can stretch out over 7100 yards. Hurzdan assembled a staunch group of par fours. From the red tees, seven of them play 390 yards or longer including the fifth which has a giant 250 year old Burr Oak standing sentinel in the fairway.
(The 445/404 yard par four ninth plays up and over before tumbling downhill to this green. The opening and fairway are narrow which puts plenty of pressure to hit a long iron to this target. A four is a good score.)
(Taking a page out of Bethpage Red’s thirteenth hole, the 457/412 yard par four twelth has a bunker riddled ridge splitting the fairway. The left side opens up the green but is harder to hit while right side is easier to find but presents a more difficult approach shot.)
(The 436/392 yard par four fourteenth plays from an elevated tee box to a dogleg left fairway…
…the green is uphill guarded by a bunker and tree short left. A central spine splits the putting surface into different quadrants making it the most difficult green on the course.)
South Bend is home to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. For alums, visitors, and locals, there are two main options for golf, ND Warren course and Blackthorn. While Warren is a classic design with a traditional vibe, Blackthorn is a modern design with a millennial vibe. Depending on which end of the spectrum you prefer will decide which one you feel is better. As a player who has seen many of Hurzdan’s courses, you can expect a specific level of good architecture. I give Blackthorn a solid 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play).
(The 534/515 yard downhill par five eighteenth doglegs left to a green settled between water and steep hillside. Judging by the amount of divots laid back up the hill, going for it in two is not the usual play. I wonder if balls ricochet too easily into the water.)
(Blackthorn is in desperate need of set of hybrid tees. We played the red but moved up on four holes (decide to keep 14 as red). Note how the tees have names instead of a standard color. Every tee marker had plates with these names on them. I was playing very well but lost focus when I became too caught up in the Browns game we were listening to. The cost was $69 with a cart.)
(This is the ballyhooed 137/134 yard par three seventeenth. I’m not sure if this is pure genius or simply dumb but it definitely grabs your attention. The tree should really not be in play, but how do you block it out and make a good pass at the ball?! Very cool in my opinion!!)
Blog 529
