Favorite Hole<\/p>\n
No. 2, Par 3, 141 yards<\/p>\n
With a front-left bowl and a back-right shelf, the second hole at Schoolhouse Nine is one of the most enjoyable holes and also the most thought-provoking. A fronting bunker protects the bowl on the green, and shots long of the back tier will have trouble, but well-executed shots have great chances at birdie.<\/p>\n
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Overall Thoughts<\/p>\n
The Shenandoah Valley offers a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C. City streets become winding country roads and a different, slower world emerges. Small towns dominate the area and remind us of a simpler way of life. Schoolhouse Nine embodies that ethos in every way. There\u2019s nothing fussy or pretentious, no Instagramable tee markers or flags. Hell, even the sign for the course is lost amongst a sea of other businesses on the directory. Find a parking spot, pay your greens fee, and have fun. There isn\u2019t anything else to it.<\/p>\n
This simple mindset extends to the golf course itself, too. Set on just a few acres, the course is routed straight out, does a loop on the far end, and turns home. This execution not only provides a seamless walk but also maximizes the minimal landforms. The property is entirely flat except for a ridge and modest depression in the northeast corner. In this area, McCartin put the three shortest holes in succession, playing down, in, and up the depression. My guess is that the seventh hole was an early decision, as its green sits right on top of the ridgeline and makes for a daring shot to all pin positions.<\/p>\n
Where many par 3 courses fall apart is their repetition. At Schoolhouse Nine, you can hit every club from lob wedge to long iron in short order. Its longest holes, Nos. 8 and 9, occupy the flattest ground along the road and use visual deception to create intrigue. The bunker short and right of the eighth green obscures the view of the green\u2019s central knob, and the bunkers short of the ninth hole make it tough to see the undulations that break up the green into multiple sections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to the holes\u2019 varied length, McCartin infused plenty of interest in the greens. Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 7 feature bowl sections, but they are all used in different ways. The low area on the seventh is particularly interesting as it sits at the back of the green, leaving a high tier up front. The bowls on Nos. 1, 2, and 4 are more accessible but visibly obscured. Should the course want to challenge the player, there are also tucked pins aplenty that could put a high demand on approach play.<\/p>\n
What really gives Schoolhouse Nine its added flair are the features that aren\u2019t always obvious to the casual observer. On the third hole, you\u2019ll find a Principal\u2019s Nose bunker obscuring the line to the green. On the ninth, you\u2019ll find a green that is shaped like a Road Hole<\/a> green in the front that turns into a Redan<\/a> in the back. There really is something for everyone.<\/p>\n 0 Eggs<\/p>\n