Annual tweaks to the course and a quarter century of overseeding softened the course up causing it to lose some of its teeth—Greg Norman won with a record score of 264 in 1994. But it regained its bite after Dye’s most recent, no-expense-spared renovation in 2006 that made the course firmer and faster. Part of the renovation was the massive clubhouse, replacing the pyramid-shaped building that had become dated for both the tournament and the facility’s everyday needs.

Even in November, the firm, fast conditions allow the course to be played as Dye designed, with offline tee shots running through the fairways and into rough, waste bunkers or worse. Any golfer with less than tour-quality ball-striking will be scrambling most of the day.

There is so much pressure on every drive, approach, pitch, chip and putt, which makes the round mentally exhausting. Even from a set of forward tees at 6,661 yards (the back tees measure 7,215 yards), there are no easy holes, no chance for a breather.
 
The players make the holes look easy, but difficulties, both obvious and subtle, abound. For example, the approach shot over water on the 384-yard 4th leaves little margin for error, while even drives that find the fairway on the 393-yard 6th can be blocked by trees, depending on hole location.

Still, getting to play the course is like going to a star-studded Hollywood premiere. You’re a bit giddy with delight as you instantly recognize everyone at the party.