Charlotte, NC. Any visit to Quail Hollow ultimately centers around the final trio of holes – affectionately tagged “The Green Mile.”
The finishing stretch can quickly provide a detour to a player seeking to end his round on a high note.
Credit architect Tom Fazio in updating the original George Cobb design with such an engaging conclusion.
The intersection with water is front and center on each of the holes. No tournament is ever over early given the swing of golf shots that can happen here.
Players know neither excessive caution nor reckless bold play will be rewarded.
Those able to execute with precision and determination may well find the Wannamaker Trophy in their possession when play concludes. No question there will be a number of others exposed by what these three holes collectively can inflict on one’s ego and scorecard.
Hole 16 / Par-4 / 529 Yards
The teeing area is slightly elevated and the view can be both exciting and terrifying. Players face a dog-leg that is well-defended by an inside fairway bunker that is quick to grab the hapless play.
The longest of drivers can attempt to carry the bunker. If successful, the result can mean a short approach to the green. Rory McIlroy, in past events played at Quail Hollow, has been quite adept in doing just that here.
Players who opt to avoid the fairway bunker must gauge the bounce of the ball after the tee shot lands as the terrain pushes balls to the left. The space between the bunker and the left rough is not especially wide.
The approach shot is downhill to a large green protected by a solitary bunker to the right and water that fiercely guards the left and rear areas.
When the pin position is in the deepest area of the green it takes the strongest of convictions to go for that specific target.
Hole 17 / Par-3 / 223 Yards
The penultimate hole has great elasticity and one can be assured that Kerry Haigh, chief championship officer for the PGA of America, will use the full range of tee and green areas.
The hole can be a challenge when the yardage is played shorter and the pin position is placed near the very front of the green. The putting surface tilts slightly from right-to-left and any shot that flirts too closely to the left side will find a permanent watery grave.
Look for the flagstick to be in the far-left rear for the final round. Players who opt to bailout to the right will face a devilish pitch to a green running away from them.
A central ridge running through the green creates front and back sections, with the back half sloping toward the rear.
There is no easy way to play 17. One has to be ever resolute when making club selection and then continue forward with flawless execution.
Hole 18 / Par-4 / 494 Yards
The finale at Quail Hollow provides no respite. If the first two holes of the Green Mile have not extracted scorecard pain, then rest assured the closing hole will do its utmost best to do just that.
The tee shot plays slightly downhill and is a frightening experience. As the player gazes down the ribbon of fairway he sees a serpentine creek that runs the entire length of the hole.
A single right fairway bunker is placed perfectly to pinch in the landing areas. Players who wish to land a tee shot short of the bunker are then left with a longer approach.
The approach comes back slightly uphill to a large green with a large false front front that is quick to pull back the meek approach shot. Two greenside bunkers are located on the right side and can quickly snare shots that err too far to that side.
The green is divided with a ridge across the middle that forms the two sections – front and back.
Undoubtedly, the pin position will be placed near to the left side. The slightest pull and one is wet. Go too far right and the challenge in negotiating a two-putt is hardly a sure-fire guarantee.
The 18th is the final word on the acclaimed gauntlet of holes.
The Wannamaker Trophy will go to the player who can confidently see his way through the respective minefields that await with this terrifying trio of holes.
Course images courtesy of the PGA of America/Gary W. Kellner
