(The 214/188 yard par three fifth plays to an angled green that is well contoured and well defended. The lake captures the eye and makes it seem as if the green extends to the water.)
It’s interesting to me to see how architects handle property that isn’t particularly good for a golf course. Shepherd’s Rock fits that description aptly. This course covers 244 acres of falling, twisting, rolling terrain that will force the player to hit the majority of shots from a hanging lie.
(The 590/553 yard opening hole sweeps left around the rim of the valley, ascending uphill to a wildly undulating green.)
Dye and Liddy employed very wide fairways to combat the severity of the land, but often much of the fairway is unusable, and the short grass works to catch the ball and direct it towards the middle. The middle results in sidehill lies. Now there’s a preferred side where a level lie can be found, but that means driving the ball on a more challenging line. 
(The 619/589 yard par five fourth is a stunning three shotter that features a split fairway. The upper fairway on the right shortens the hole, but it requires a very precise tee shot...
...for those playing down the left or lower fairway, and choosing not to challenge any of the bunkers, this view awaits for the third shot. The railroad ties really make an impression and one intimidating shot!)
The greens are a tale of two cities. On the front, they are very undulating with big rolls and bi-levels. The back nine is more traditional Dye with greens that have rippled contouring. I’m not sure why they are so vastly different, but it definitely influenced my enjoyment. Several pin positions on the front were placed in difficult spots where three and four putts could be achieved quite easily.
(The seventh hole plays alongside the lake. The beauty of the area is in full bloom with mountain views and immediate views both vying for your attention. 400/380 yards)
(The 443/408 yard par four eleventh is one of the best holes on the back as it doglegs left around scrub. Players have the option to carry the hazard or hit a hard draw and work it off the slope...
...the approach must then be hit to a green fronted by sand. There is plenty of fairway right of the green for those bailing out. It’s a strong par four unique to this terrain.)
There are a couple drawbacks that keep Shepherd’s Rock from being highly ranked. The par threes as a group don’t move the meter much. Granted, the fifth is a great hole, but the other three do little which I find surprising since rugged terrain usually lends itself to grandiose carries. The second is specifically ten and seventeen.
Ten features a huge left to right slope where players try to position the ball for a short iron approach. Not seen in above photo is a hazard in middle of the fairway. At 388/339 yards, it’s not a drivable par four, so one wonders why the architect incorporated all the slope both off the tee and into the green.
This pic of seventeen is a better indicator of the amount of slope in the fairway. A draw will hold but a cut may very well run into the rough or hazard. Even if one finds the short grass, odds are a hanging lie below your feet will need negotiating.
Overall, Shepherd’s Rock uses much of Dye’s trademarks. There’s angled greens, railroad ties, and steep faced flat bottom bunkering. However, it’s very different than anything I’ve seen from him. It seems like the views were the number one priority. The way the holes stay atop the hill makes me wonder if it’s more Liddy than Dye.
(The view of the par five thirteenth from sixteen fairway. Long views of the mountain range in the background is spectacular.)
Shepherd’s Rock does a good job complimenting Nemacolin’s and Pennsylvania’s top rated public course Mystic Rock. It’s already hosted a few big tournaments itself too. In today’s world when more courses are contracting than being built, it’s awesome that the Hardy family is investing money into the game. I give Shepherd’s Rock a 6 (very good)(worth driving two hours). 
(The 455/406 yard eighteenth is a classic Dye finisher doglegging around the lake...
...this view from the clubhouse shows just how nasty the hole can play. Par is a great score!)
...this view from the clubhouse shows just how nasty the hole can play. Par is a great score!)
Sidebar:
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the main atttactions when visiting the Laurel Highlands. It is said to be one of the top 100 things in the USA to see or do.
Fallingwater is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece and should be seen at all costs. The cantilever design will make any fan of architecture awestruck.
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