"IF YOU LIKE GOLF"
weekly online golf column
by
Chris Dortch
July 25, 2000

Black Creek is a blast.

That was the overwhelming response after a weekend of member play on the new Brian Silva-designed golf course that sits a mere 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, just off Cummings Highway.

Members got their first look at the course last Friday. All seemed excited, and some admitted to being a little edgy as well. "It’s almost like I’m getting ready to tee it up in some big tournament,’’ said George Lloyd, who has played in his share of same.

Why the case of nerves? It’s not every day one gets to christen a brand new golf course, especially one that comes with as much anticipation as Black Creek. Built by Golf World’s 1999 Architect of the Year, the course more than lives up to its billing.

In fact, Black Creek might have surpassed its billing, given its uncanny ability to transform the golfer to a place far, far away.

"The thing that stuck with me the most is I heard several people say they felt like they weren’t in Chattanooga,’’ said Doug Stein, a partner in the Black Creek project and avid golf historian.

Where did Black Creek take them? Try Scotland.

"It’s just so different than anything else that’s ever been around here,’’ Stein said. "It was perfect timing with the British Open being on that the course opened the same week. The ball rolls around on our golf course and gets in these steep-faced bunkers. People were watching St. Andrews all weekend, and it’s the same sort of deal."

That’s precisely what Silva and Stein, whose construction company built the course, were aiming for. Black Creek is a return to old-style golf, played on courses that gave players the option of advancing the ball on the ground. There’s a forced carry or two at Black Creek (don’t be short on the par-4, ninth hole, for example), but for the most part, Silva has given a player options.

"The angles of landing areas and greens suggest certain ways to play golf holes," Silva said. "Challenge a fairway bunker or bunkers and other fairway hazards and you have an easier approach to the green, or a go for it in two on a par five. It’s risk and reward. But if you can’t challenge the hazard on the tee shot, there is more than ample bail-out space as the fairways sinew their way from tee to green."

Just as a player can make decisions on his tee shot, the approach shot comes with its own set of options. Silva built most of the greens to accept run-up shots. There’s no tricky or gaudy bunkering in front of greens, so a golfer can play a bump-and-run just as easily as he can fly the ball to the hole. In some cases, such as at the par-4 No. 1 hole, the bump-and-run might be the more prudent shot, considering a ball that flies the green might wind up in the creek.

No. 1 is an excellent starting hole, and each subsequent hole offers its own sets of challenges.

"I remember every hole,’’ said one member, and indeed, all the front nine holes are memorable. The back side hasn’t yet opened, but I’m told there are some unforgettable holes on the inward half.

The back opens for member play next month, but in the meantime, the front leaves plenty for the members to digest. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite hole. I like them all.

Silva has done a masterful job of blending classic course design from masters such as Raynor, Macdonald and Ross with his own great vision. Some holes borrow liberally from the masters, others carve out their own place.

The par threes are reminiscent of classic architecture: the 168-yard "Short" hole at No. 3 and the 244-yard monster called the Reverse Redan (No. 7). Both readily boast of their strengths; there are no hidden dangers on either.

No. 3 is surrounded by bunkers, but given the fact players can hit 8 and even 9 irons from the elevated championship tee, Silva is only testing their skill on what should be the easiest clubs in the bag to hit. 

No 7 [click here for picture of #7] is a behemoth that demands a fairway wood shot from all but the strongest of players, but again, Silva leaves choices. Go right, and you face one of the deepest bunkers in Chattanooga. Stay left, and a tee shot could land short, bounce on the green and roll (thanks to a sloped green) to a right-hand pin placement. Even a ball left short can easily be gotten up and down, given the chipping alley in front of the green.

I could go on and on. The short par 4 No. 5 hole, called the "Moat" has chipping areas that remind you of Pinehurst No. 2. In most conditions, players could use their putters from well off the green, much like Tiger Woods did last weekend at St. Andrews. 

The par-5 No. 6 hole, called the "Punch Bowl", is aptly named because of its bowl-like green that accepts even errant shots. It’s a blind second or third shot, which adds to the excitement of the hole; golfers can’t wait to see where their shots ended up.

No. 9 is a great hole to end the front. From the back tees, the hole measures 435 yards. You’ve either got to bash a tee shot, or be exacting with a long iron. Even then, there’s bail-out room to the right, where Silva offers you the chance to save par with a pitch and run and a putt.

In sum, Black Creek is all that I expected, and more. I can’t wait to play the back nine.

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