The imposing lake down the left side protects the length of No. 7 at The Honors Course
photo by courtesy USGA/Russell Kirk
The challenging par 3 at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club
photo by courtesy SMG&CC
The par 3 No. 7 at Council Fire has trouble lurking for any ball missing the green
photo by contributed by Council Fire
The classic Donald Ross design is evident in the layout of No. 7 at Brainerd Golf Club
photo by Paul Payne
Incorporating a "Reverse Redan" template, No. 7 at Black Creek Club requires accuracy for par
photo by contributed by Black Creek Club
The sixth hole at Black Creek Club quickly became one of Jordan Douglas’ favorites when he first arrived to Chattanooga more than a decade ago.
The club’s head golf professional grew up in the Scottish golfing mecca of St. Andrews, and the classic “Punchbowl” design of No. 6 provided Douglas with a connection to his earliest roots in the game.
The par 5 hole that features a directional target to guide approach shots to the hidden green was also the favorite selection of our readers. The template hole that hearkens back to the iconic original layout in Scotland joins the Elite 18, joining the following winners:
No. 1: WindStone Golf Club
No. 2: McLemore Highlands Course
No. 3: Bear Trace at Harrison Bay
No. 4: Chattanooga Golf and Country Club
No. 5: The Ooltewah Club
It’s time to progress to hole No. 7. Our panel of local professionals and top amateurs came up with 13 different No. 7 holes nominated among the 25 golf courses in consideration. With distances measured from the back tees, the top nominees are:
Black Creek Club, par 3, 239 yards: Incorporating the classic “Reverse Redan” design, the tee shot calls for a fade that lands short and left of the green and kicks onto the dance floor. The hole is a beefy par 3 with a severe tilt to the putting surface and template bunker swallowing shots short right. The green’s squared-off design and a pair of hidden bunkers further adds to the intrigue of this hole.
Brainerd Golf Course, par 4, 324 yards: Often regarded as the hole that best mirrors the original design of the renowned architect Donald Ross, the hole has a rugged feel with the green perched atop a rocky outcropping. A trio of small bunkers added in 1983 impede those attempting to run the ball onto the putting surface, but the hole retains the classic feel of Ross’ handiwork.
Council Fire Club, par 3, 162 yards: Precision is a must on the shortest of Council Fire’s five par 3s. The green slopes toward the front and putts from above the hole are lightning fast. A steep slope to the right of the green will surely find the hazard, leaving a blind uphill chip next. Missing left is also tricky with moguls making recovery shots a challenge, and anything over the green is a certain bogey.
Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, par 3, 211 yards: This lengthy par 3 has trouble lurking on both sides. A large bunker to the left of the green consumes pulled shots, while tee balls to the right run the risk of careening down the hill out of bounds. A collection area short and right of the green seems to be a popular spot, but a testy chip to an elevated two-tiered green still awaits.
The Honors Course, par 4, 465 yards: After navigating the first six holes through forested splendor, golfers are introduced to the openness of No.7 and the lake that guards the left side of the hole. The tee shot appears to create an imposing impossibility to find the fairway, but there is ample unseen landing area. The large green seems equally daunting with water guarding the approach shot.
You can make your preference known at the poll below. Voting will remain open until Wednesday at 6 p.m., with the final results revealed on Thursday when we introduce the candidates for the Elite 18 Hole No. 8.
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Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com