This is my fourth C&C course. I’ve come to appreciate their ability to find a fun routing, and make interesting golf holes. Anyone who has played Dormie Club or Bandon Trails can attest to the classic features they put into their designs.
(The 568/536 yard seventh has central bunkering that influences the decision on the second shot. The green is nicely tucked between traps.)
Sand Valley begins and starts with a high sand dune nicknamed “the volcano”. The first and tenth holes tee off from it, nine plays to the base, and eighteen climbs up it. This one feature produced four holes.
(The uphill eighth plays to a skyline green. It’s only 136/115 yards but the wind can’t be totally felt by the players so it’s a difficult club selection.)
When we played here, there were fours greens on the front that were lost to the harsh winter. It skewed my ability to understand the holes and was a disappointing experience. I’m sure they’ll have course back to its impeccable shape.
(The view from the tee box on ten. 563/541...
...the green has some serious movement in it. Several good pin positions make getting birdie a difficult task.)
Sand Valley has many uphill shots. That was one of the first things I noticed. It makes the course play longer that what the scorecard reads. There are many bunkers that eat into the fairway and while others are placed in the middle of it. One doesn’t always know where these hazards are located, and several times the players in my foursome found their ball in the sand after a well struck tee shot.
(The uphill 405/387 eleventh has a false front and slope that funnels balls away on the right.)
Many people envision Sand Valley as a cross between Sand Hills and Pine Valley, hence the name. It definitely has some unusual characteristics that makes it play different than what most people are used to playing. The fescue is the first. I feel it plays like dormant Bermuda. The ball sits very tight to the ground, and needs to be struck perfectly.
(The 419/392 fifteenth plays uphill to a green backdropped by evergreens.)
(The 236/215 yard seventeenth plays uphill to a punch bowl green. It’s hidden by the Himalaya mounds. While this is a throwback to classic architecture, I’m curious how modern golfers will view it.)
After playing Mammoth Dunes the day before, Sand Valley felt like a slog with too many uphill shots. The fairways seemed to shed balls towards the sand too. For a resort course with a superior setting, C&C could’ve came up with something less punitive and more enjoyable. It’s geared more towards better players. I give it a 6 (very good)(worth driving two hours to play).
(The final hole plays uphill to a green fronted by a giant waste bunker. It is downwind so a chance to reach in two for the long hitters. Maybe the best hole at Sand Valley. 523/507)
Other Coore Crenshaw course reviews:
Dormie Club
Bandon Trails
Sand Valley website:
For comments email:
golfingwithshawn64@yahoo.com
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