General Butler State Park (Carrollton, KY)

Continuing with nine hole courses, this time General Butler State Park in Carrollton Kentucky.

(Look at the shadow crossing the front of the green! It's a very steep slope and makes this 120 yard par three a little more exciting!)

The topography of northern Kentucky is very hilly, thus this is a sporty nine holes of golf, as the british would say. Hal Purdy designed it in 1963, and it's routed over hill n dale, and through the woods. 

(The views are spectacular at General Butler! It's the main reason golfers travel to play here.)

General Butler is the type of place where score is tucked away, and you play shots that typically you wouldn't. There are no bunkers, so basically the uneven stances and sidehill lies are the defense. 

(Look how the third just meanders up the bowl! Any ball hit in the rough should roll back into the fairway.)

Purdy did many designs and redesigns in the '60s, and I'm not sure if General Butler is a good indication of his architecture. Reading reviews of his other work, it seems the lack of bunkering is something he did. Overall, I thought General Butler was fun, and fitted into the Kentucky state park philosophy of providing enjoyment. It's a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 min). 

(Tee shot on the par five ninth. You can see the road (OB) (a car is on it in pic) lining the left.)